Oversize/Overweight Load Permits
- Special Permits During Periods of National Emergency Implementation Guidance
- State Oversize/Overweight Load Permit Contacts
The following are the Federally mandated maximum weights for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways and reasonable access thereto (23 CFR Part 658.17):
- 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
- 20,000 pound single axle weight
- 34,000 pound tandem axle weight
Axle spacing is another consideration that must be taken into account when looking at Federal weight compliance. To protect bridges, the number and spacing of axles carrying the vehicle load must be calculated. Thus, a bridge weight formula is also applied to commercial vehicles in determining their compliance with Federal weight limits. The Federal bridge formula applies when the gross weight on two or more consecutive axles exceeds the limitations of the formula, except that two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axle is 36 feet or more.
W=500(LN/N-1 + 12N + 36); where W=overall gross weight on any group of 2 or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds. L=distance in feet between the extreme of any group of 2 or more consecutive axles, and N=number of axles in the group under consideration
Permits
The Federal government does not issue permits for oversize or overweight vehicles. This is a State option.
Nondivisible Loads:
Permits may be issued by the States without regard to the axle, gross, or Federal bridge formula requirements for nondivisible vehicles or loads. Nondivisible is defined as any load or vehicle exceeding applicable length or weight limits which, if separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would:
- Compromise the intended use of the vehicle, i.e., make it unable to perform the function for which it was intended;
- Destroy the value of the load or vehicle, i.e., make it unusable for its intended purpose; or
- Require more than 8 work hours to dismantle using appropriate equipment. The applicant for a nondivisible load permit has the burden of proof as to the number of workhours required to dismantle the load.
Divisible Loads:
Designated divisible load permits may be issued by the State based upon historic State “grandfather” rights or Congressional authorization for a State-specific commodity or route movement at a greater size or weight.
State grandfathered rights regarding longer combination vehicles can be found in Appendix C to 23 CFR Part 658-Trucks Over 80,000 Pounds on the Interstate System and Trucks Over STAA Lengths on the National Network.
Overwidth Permits:
States may grant special use permits to motor vehicles, including manufactured housing, that exceed the Federal 102 inch width limitation.
State Oversize/Overweight Load Permit Contacts
To obtain State permits, you will need to contact the State(s) in which you wish to travel. See below for the State permitting web site, or contact the State permitting office by telephone.
- Alabama 800-499-2782
- Alaska 907-365-1200
- Arizona 602-712-8851
- Arkansas 501-569-2381
- California 916-322-1297
- Colorado 800-350-3765
- Connecticut 860-594-2878
- Delaware 302-744-2700
- District of Columbia 202-442-4670
- Florida 850-410-5777
- Georgia 888-262-8306
- Hawaii 808-831-6712
- Idaho 208-334-8420
- Illinois 217-785-1477
- Indiana 317-615-7320
- Iowa 515-237-3264
- Kansas Special Permits 785-368-6501
- Kentucky 502-564-1257
- Louisiana 225-343-2345 or 800-654-1433
- Maine 207-624-9000, extension 52134
- Maryland 410-582-5784 or 800-543-4564
- Massachusetts 781-431-5148
- Michigan 877-766-1779
- Minnesota 651-296-6000
- Mississippi 888-737-0061 or 601-359-1717
- Missouri 866-831-6277 or 573-751-7100
- Montana 406-444-7262
- Nebraska 402-471-0034
- Nevada 800-552-2127
- New Hampshire 603-271-2691
- New Jersey 609-530-6089
- New Mexico 505-827-5540
- New York 518-485-2999 or 888-783-1685
- North Carolina 888-574-6683
- North Dakota 701-328-2621
- Ohio 614-351-2300
- Oklahoma 877-425-2390 or 405-425-7012
- Oregon 503-373-0000
- Pennsylvania 717-787-4680
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island 401-462-5745
- South Carolina 877-349-7190
- South Dakota 605-773-4578
- Tennessee 615-741-3821
- Texas 800-299-1700, option 1
- Utah 801-965-4892
- Vermont 802-828-2064
- Virginia 804-249-5130
- Washington 360-704-6340
- West Virginia 304-558-0384
- Wisconsin 608-266-7320
- Wyoming 307-777-4376
Canadian Provinces
- Alberta 800-662-7138
- British Columbia 800-559-9688
- Manitoba 204-945-3961 or 877-812-0009
- New Brunswick 888-762-8600
- Newfoundland/Labrador 709-729-0359
- Northwest Territories 867-984-3341
- Nova Scotia 902-424-5851
- Nunavut 867-975-5300
- Ontario 416-246-7166, extension 6300 or 800-387-7736
- Prince Edward Island (PDF, 1.25MB) 902-368-4291
- Quebec 418-527-7775 or 800-567-7775
- Saskatchewan 306-775-6969 or 800-667-7575
- Yukon Territory 867-667-5644 or 800-661-0408, extension 5644
Additional Vehicle Size & Weight Information
http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/index.htm