Transportation 

(2)   "Automobiles" means all assembled motor vehicles:

(i)   Capable of being operated on a highway; and

(ii)   Authorized under this article to be operated on a highway.

(3)   "Saddle–mount and full–mount combinations" means a truck tractor or unloaded truck towing 1 or more other truck tractors or unloaded trucks in combination.

(4)   "Maxi–cube vehicle" means a nonarticulating straight truck:

(i)   In combination with a semitrailer which does not exceed 34 feet, and is designed to be loaded and unloaded through the semitrailer; or

(ii)   In combination with a trailer that does not exceed 28 feet.

(5)   "Stinger–steered automobile transporter" means a truck tractor and semitrailer combination:

(i)   Designed for and engaged exclusively in the transportation of automobiles or boats; and

(ii)   In which the fifth wheel is located on a drop frame behind and below the rear axle of the power unit.

(b)    (1)   For purposes of this section, the length of a vehicle includes its front and rear bumpers and any part of its load that extends beyond the vehicle, but is exclusive of nonload bearing safety and energy conservation devices, such as marker lamps, steps and handholds for entry and egress, front–mounted refrigeration units, and front–mounted air compressors.

(2)   The measurement of a combination of vehicles engaged in the transportation of automobiles or boats shall not include the overhang of the transported vehicles or boats or any retractable device on the rear of the combination when in use to support a transported vehicle.

(c)    (1)   This section does not apply to any vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying:

(i)   Piling, poles, or mill logs; or

(ii)   Crew or racing shells.

(2)   This section does not prohibit the use of a combination of vehicles to carry an indivisible load if the load is not over 70 feet long.

(d)   Except as otherwise provided in this section:

(1)   A bus, single unit truck, or Class M motor home may not be over 40 feet long; and

(2)   A publicly owned rigid bus may not be over 41 feet long.

(e)    (1)   This subsection does not apply to a publicly owned rigid bus.

(2)   A bus or a Class M motor home may be over 40 feet long but may not be over 45 feet long:

(i)   When operated on an interstate highway or any part of the State highway system designated by the Secretary in conjunction with the United States Department of Transportation; or

(ii)   When operated on a highway that is not specified in item (i) of this paragraph if the bus or motor home is using the highway to travel the shortest practical route between a highway specified in item (i) of this paragraph and:

1.   The point of origin or destination of the bus or motor home on a particular day;