Live Free or Die Legal
This website is not an official source of law. This website does not provide legal advice. For official legal materials, verify against the relevant court, legislature, agency, or other official source. Legal information may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrectly processed. Consult a qualified attorney for advice about a specific legal matter.

This RSA section is an unofficial mirror, is not legal advice, and may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrectly processed.

RSA 266:11 · Length

Title
XXI: MOTOR VEHICLES
Chapter
266 · EQUIPMENT OF VEHICLES
Status
current
Official source linked
Yes
Official source Copy section link

266:11 Length. – The driving on ways of this state of any vehicle or combination of vehicles whose length including load exceeds the limitations of this section is hereby prohibited:

Copy link
I.

For a single unit vehicle or a bus, 45 feet including front and rear bumpers.

Copy link
II.

For a semi-trailer in a truck-tractor, semi-trailer combination, 53 feet, except that any semi-trailer in excess of 48 feet shall not be operated if:

Copy link
(a)

The distance between the kingpin and the centerline of the rear axle or the midpoint of a tandem axle of the semi-trailer exceeds 41 feet;

Copy link
(b)

The semi-trailer is not equipped with a rear end protection device of substantial construction consisting of a continuous lateral beam extending to within 4 inches of the lateral extremities of the semi-trailer and located not more than 22 inches from the surface as measured with the semi-trailer empty and on a level surface; and

Copy link
(c)

Operated on highways other than any interstate or defense highway, unless such highway is designated by the commissioner. This shall not preclude movements on highways other than interstate, defense and designated highways for a distance of one mile to terminals, points of pickup and delivery, fuel, repairs, food or rest using the most direct, practical route except if the commissioner precludes such travel for specific safety reasons on individual routes. The commissioner may designate other roads or highways in the state where semi-trailers 53 feet in length or less may be operated. The commissioner may adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A to impose further requirements or limitations on semi-trailers of this length.

Copy link
III.

For a semi-trailer or full trailer being driven as part of a combination vehicle with 2 trailing units, 28 feet.

Copy link
IV.

For manufactured housing or modular building transport, 110 feet including the transport vehicle. Source. 1921, 119:25. PL 103:26. 1933, 157:2. 1937, 74:1. RL 119:38. 1943, 108:1. 1945, 61:1. 1951, 89:1. RSA 263:65. 1957, 191:1. 1959, 92:1; 262:1. 1963, 189:2. 1965, 5:1. 1977, 153:1. 1979, 15:1. 1981, 146:1; 479:51. 1982, 41:18. 1983, 434:10. 1988, 66:1. 1991, 45:1. 2000, 31:1. 2004, 182:2, eff. July 31, 2004.

Copy link

Source note

Source. 1921, 119:25. PL 103:26. 1933, 157:2. 1937, 74:1. RL 119:38. 1943, 108:1. 1945, 61:1. 1951, 89:1. RSA 263:65. 1957, 191:1. 1959, 92:1; 262:1. 1963, 189:2. 1965, 5:1. 1977, 153:1. 1979, 15:1. 1981, 146:1; 479:51. 1982, 41:18. 1983, 434:10. 1988, 66:1. 1991, 45:1. 2000, 31:1. 2004, 182:2, eff. July 31, 2004.

Source history

  • 1921, 119:25. PL 103:26
  • 1933, 157:2
  • 1937, 74:1. RL 119:38
  • 1943, 108:1
  • 1945, 61:1
  • 1951, 89:1. RSA 263:65
  • 1957, 191:1
  • 1959, 92:1; 262:1
  • 1963, 189:2
  • 1965, 5:1
  • 1977, 153:1
  • 1979, 15:1
  • 1981, 146:1; 479:51
  • 1982, 41:18
  • 1983, 434:10
  • 1988, 66:1
  • 1991, 45:1
  • 2000, 31:1
  • 2004, 182:2, eff. July 31, 2004

Related materials

Bill relationships

  • 2026 HB1237 reference

    keys pending payment of fees. [XV.] XIV. Any [towing or recovery] vehicle used by the qualified tow business shall be marked or lettered pursuant to 49 C.F.R. section 390.21 and RSA 266:110 [display lettering on both sides of the vehicle in letters that contrast in color with the background and are readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet while the vehicle is stationary, and kept an

  • 2026 HB1353 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    ent provisions for premium discounts on liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, specifically relating to motor vehicles that pass an annual safety inspection pursuant to RSA 266 and 263. The annual inspection shall verify major safety features including but not limited to headlights, taillights, tires, steering, and brakes. Insurers may also consider additional shop recommendations, provided th

  • 2026 HB1362 amend

    equipment specifications. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Equipment of Vehicles; Tire Tread Depth. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section 48 the following new section: 266:48-a Tire Tread Depth; Measurement Requirements. I. No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon any way unless each tire mounted thereon has a minimum tre

  • 2026 HB1560 reference · effective 2027-01-01

    oximately $492,000 Local Expenditures $0 $0 $0 $0 METHODOLOGY: This bill, effective January 1, 2027, reenacts and updates multiple sections of RSA 260 and RSA 266 relating to vehicle inspection requirements. Under the proposed language, most vehicles would remain subject to annual inspection, however, newly purchased vehicles would be exempt from inspection requirements for up to

  • 2026 HB1560-FN reference · effective 2027-01-01

    oximately $492,000 Local Expenditures $0 $0 $0 $0 METHODOLOGY: This bill, effective January 1, 2027, reenacts and updates multiple sections of RSA 260 and RSA 266 relating to vehicle inspection requirements. Under the proposed language, most vehicles would remain subject to annual inspection, however, newly purchased vehicles would be exempt from inspection requirements for up to

  • 2026 HB649 amend

    of motor vehicle operators. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 69:1 New Section; Operation of Unsafe Motor Vehicle. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section RSA 266:8-a the following new section: 266:8-b Operator Vehicle Maintenance. I. No person shall drive, or permit to be driven upon any way a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer: (

  • 2026 HB649-FN amend

    of motor vehicle operators. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 69:1 New Section; Operation of Unsafe Motor Vehicle. Amend RSA 266 by inserting after section RSA 266:8-a the following new section: 266:8-b Operator Vehicle Maintenance. I. No person shall drive, or permit to be driven upon any way a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer: (

  • 2025 HB2 amend

    New Hampshire official inspection station rules adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A,] as [they] it may be applicable to vehicles whose model year is prior to the year 1949. 141:250 Custom Vehicles; Inspection. Amend RSA 266:115, I to read as follows: I. A vehicle registered as a custom vehicle shall be equipped as prescribed by RSA 266 [and state of New Hampshire official inspection station rules adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A], as [t

  • 2025 HB2 reference

    ut only if the dealer presents to the customer at the time of sale a notice which states: This motor vehicle [will not pass a New Hampshire inspection and] is unsafe for operation upon the highways pursuant to RSA 266. The following defects must be corrected [before an inspection sticker will be issued]. The dealer shall list all [inspection] defects under this statement and specify the date on which the inspection was cond