A combination of vehicles, including a towing vehicle and a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles, that exceeds the dimensional and weight restrictions imposed by this article may be operated on a highway upon the following conditions and in accordance with the rules that the Indiana department of transportation prescribes:

1. (1) The towing vehicle must be:

   1. (A) specifically designed for such operations;
   2. (B) equipped with amber flashing lights; and
   3. (C) capable of utilizing the lighting and braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles if the systems are operational.
2. (2) Subject to subdivision (3), the disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles may not exceed the dimensional or weight restrictions imposed by this article unless a permit for operation in excess of those restrictions has been granted to the disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles under this article.

3. (3) However, an owner or operator of a towing vehicle that is transporting a disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles from the place where the vehicle became disabled to the nearest appropriate repair facility and has a gross vehicle weight that is equal to or exceeds the gross vehicle weight of the disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles is not subject to the penalties imposed by IC 9-20-18-1 through IC 9-20-18-10 and IC 9-20-18-12 if:

   1. (A) the disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles exceeds the dimensional or weight restrictions imposed by IC 9-20-3 or IC 9-20-4 ; and

   2. (B) a permit for the excess has not been granted.

      [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-12.5(a).]

As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.198-2016, SEC.347; P.L.196-2017, SEC.7.