BILL REQ. #:  S-2261.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/10/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to lawful vehicle combinations; and amending RCW 46.44.037.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 46.44.037 and 1991 c 143 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 46.44.036 and subject to such rules and regulations governing their operation as may be adopted by the state department of transportation, operation of the following combinations is lawful:
     (1) A combination consisting of a truck tractor, a semitrailer, and another semitrailer or a full trailer. In this combination a converter gear used to convert a semitrailer into a full trailer shall be considered to be a part of the full trailer and not a separate vehicle. A converter gear being pulled without load and not used to convert a semitrailer into a full trailer may be substituted in lieu of a full trailer or a semitrailer in any lawful combination;
     (2) A combination not exceeding seventy-five feet in overall length consisting of four trucks or truck tractors used in driveaway service where three of the vehicles are towed by the fourth in triple saddlemount position;
     (3) A combination consisting of a truck tractor carrying a freight compartment no longer than eight feet, a semitrailer, and another semitrailer or full trailer that meets the legal length requirement for a truck and trailer combination set forth in RCW 46.44.030;
     (4) A combination consisting of a motor vehicle weighing more than four thousand pounds unladen, a travel trailer, and a trailer designed for hauling a boat, snowmobiles, or nonhighway vehicles as defined in RCW 46.09.020. The vehicles in combination must not exceed sixty-five feet in length and must have a braking capacity that conforms to RCW 46.37.351 and progressive braking. The trailers must have connecting devices designed and attached in such a manner to be capable of towing the gross weight of the trailers in tow. A person operating this combination must have an endorsement issued by the department, under rules adopted by the department, permitting operation of this combination. The department shall permit testing of applicants for this endorsement by a third party testing program in accordance with RCW 46.25.060. The department shall charge a fee of twenty-five dollars for the endorsement.