• In Indiana, certain DOT tow truck rules override state law.truck image by Goran Bogicevic from Fotolia.com
  
  The Indiana Department of Transportation has jurisdiction over all state roads, Interstates and U.S. routes within the state. However, that jurisdiction primarily covers road maintenance and road safety and construction projects. While the policies of INDOT surely affect legislation on such matters as vehicle rules and regulations, state law primarily governs these. Indiana state law imposes a number of different tow truck rules. Nevertheless, state law defers to INDOT when it comes to regulating tow truck size and load in a few instances.
  
  

State Law

• Normally, under Indiana state law, tow trucks -- legally referred to as "recovery vehicles" -- used to pull a vehicle or boat, via tow bar, saddle mount or full mount, must adhere to an overall length limit of 75 feet, width limit -- not including side mirrors -- of 8.5 feet and height limit of 13.5 feet. If towing a motor home or camper, the camper may exceed the width limit, but the tow truck must still adhere to it. In addition, the towed vehicle must weigh no more than 11,000 lb. However, there are some exceptions, granted by the authority of INDOT.
  
  

INDOT Rules

• Under certain conditions, Indiana state law does allow tow trucks to exceed the imposed weight and dimension restrictions, when towing oversized loads. However, any tow trucks with oversized loads on state highways, Interstates or U.S. routes in Indiana must adhere to certain rules set forth by INDOT. INDOT requires that these tow trucks actually be designed to haul oversized loads, be equipped with flashing amber lights and be capable of using the hauled vehicle's brakes and taillights -- as long as those lights still function properly.
  
  

INDOT Exceptions

• If a tow truck operator that will be hauling an oversized load is not able or obliged to follow, for whatever reason, the rules set forth by INDOT, he may still be subject to a possible exception to the rule. However, that driver must still appeal to INDOT. The department issues special permits that allow tow truck drivers to haul such loads, as long as the towing is deemed to be in the interest of the general public. As part of the permit, INDOT may prescribe an allowed route for the tow truck. The application cost is $10, as of 2011.
  
  

Exemption

• Any licensed tow truck that will be hauling an oversized load less than 50 total miles does not have to adhere to the INDOT rules regarding oversized loads.