(a) A person or corporation owning or operating a traction engine, tractor, trailer, motor truck, or other motor vehicle that desires to operate it over State highways or class 1 town highways in excess of the weight and size limits provided by this subchapter shall apply to the Commissioner for a permit. In his or her discretion, with or without hearing, the Commissioner may issue to the person or corporation a permit authorizing the person to operate the traction engine, tractor, trailer, motor truck, or other motor vehicle upon State highways and class 1 town highways as he or she may designate and containing the regulation subject to which the traction engine, tractor, trailer, motor truck, or other motor vehicle is to be operated. The permit shall not be granted until satisfactory proof is furnished to the Commissioner that the traction engine, tractor, trailer, motor truck, or other motor vehicle has been registered and the prescribed fee paid for a gross weight equal to a maximum legal load limit for its class. No additional registration fee shall be payable to authorize the use of the traction engine, tractor, trailer, motor truck, or other motor vehicle in accordance with the terms of the permit. The approval may be withdrawn for cause, and may be withdrawn without cause any time after March 31 next following the date of issuance. When approval is withdrawn for cause or on March 31, the Commissioner shall forthwith revoke the permit; when approval is withdrawn otherwise he or she shall revoke the permit within one month.

(b) The provisions of this section shall apply to any vehicle registered in another state provided the vehicle meets all weight and size requirements of this State and is registered or holds a permit in the other state for the weight that the permit is sought.

(c) In addition, the Commissioner may issue permits to operate vehicles in excess of the size limits provided by this subchapter for operation over any class 2, class 3, or class 4 town highways except when the dimensions are such that blanket permits cannot be issued under the duly adopted rules of the Commissioner. In those instances, permits under section 1400a of this title shall be obtained.

(d) [Repealed.]

(e) Notwithstanding any other statute or rule to the contrary, overweight permits shall not be issued to vehicles registered in another state or province, unless that state or province issues similar permits on a reciprocal basis to vehicles registered in Vermont. (Amended 1961, No. 281, § 6; 1969, No. 212 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 25, 1970; 1975, No. 232 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. April 7, 1976; 1987, No. 91, § 8, eff. June 22, 1987; 1989, No. 121, § 20d; 1993, No. 27, § 7, eff. May 19, 1993; 1993, No. 186 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1995, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. April 25, 1996; 1999, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 14; 2013, No. 189 (Adj. Sess.), § 18; 2015, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 73.)