2018 Mississippi state DOT shipping laws, rules, regulations and limitations for oversize and heavy-haul trucking permits. Pilot car requirements.
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Pilot car, oversize and heavy-haul trucking permit quick links.
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Mississippi oversize and heavy-haul trucking permits.
Do I need a trucking permit? Legal load limits.
Mississippi maximum load limits until a trucking permit is required:
Length: The maximum length permitted by the Mississippi DOT is 53 feet for trailers and 99 feet overall including the power unit.
Width: The maximum allowed width is 8 feet 6 inch wide.
Height: The maximum height permitted to travel on Mississippi roads and highways is 13 feet 6 inches.
Weight: 80,000 pounds overall (GVW) and nor more than 12,000 pounds on your steer. Single axle limit is 20,000 pounds, tandem axle limit is 34,000 pounds, tridem axle limit is 42,000 pounds.
Overhang: You are permitted to have a maximum front overhang of 3 feet and a rear maximum overhang of 14 feet and 11 inches legally.
Notes:
Routine oversize and heavy-haul trucking permits.
These maximum dimensions/weights are considered routine oversize or heavy-haul trucking permits in Mississippi:
Length: Overall trucking permit limits for length are up to 120 feet.
Width: You can now get routinely approved for up to 20 feet wide for some routes.
Height: 17 feet is the maximum routine limit for permits.
Weight: Steer: 12,000 pounds, single axle: 20,000 pounds, tandem axles: 48,000 pounds, tridum axle: 57,000 pounds, and up to 63,000 pounds if interstate only. Quadem axles: 64,000 or up to 72,000 pounds if on interstates only. Maximum gross weights on 5 axles: 113,000 pounds, 6 axles: 123,000 pounds, 7 axles: 128,000 pounds, 8 axles: 141,000 pounds. Over-weight dozers in most cases are allowed to be permitted with blade detached and included on trailer. IN many cases you for over-weight shipment a comprehensive, detailed review including drawings of the product, trailer and axle spacings as well as the route you prefer to travel will be required when filing for Mississippi heavy-haul trucking permits.
Overhang: Mississippi DOT has no set limitation for overhang for routine permits should not be a problem unless you intend on exceeding the law of 1/3 (no more than 1/3 of item being shipped overhangs).
Notes: If you are not sure about any routes in Mississippi you can use their route checker here to look up your limits. For more documentation see; Mississippi oversize and heavy-haul permit regulations.
Mississippi superloads.
Mississippi superload information:
Length: When over 120 feet in length overall combined a superload permit will need to be filled.
Width: If the shipment is in excess of 20 feet in width a superload permit will be required.
Height: When in excess of 15 feet and 7 inches in height if you have a second dimension that is over the legal limit or depending on your desired route you may be required to file as a superload. 15 feet and 7 inches in height will require a route survey. Over 16 feet in height will reguire a route survey, letters from all pertinent utility companies and special approval from the MS DOT permitting department which may result in superload permit applications.
Weight: Whenever a shipment is in excess of 141,000 pounds it will qualify as a superload and must be permitted as a superload in order to ship.
Overhang: Overhang alone will more than likely not be a determining factor if superload permits are required.
Notes: Always work with Mississippi state DOT proactively. They’ll do their best to get the shipment in the proper category and correct permit issued. Excessive weights must meet bridge analysis specifications in order to be safely transported.
Lights, safety flags and warning signs for heavy haul and oversize loads.
Required safety markings, safety flags, warning lights for heavy haul and oversize loads:
All shipments that are oversize (and over 12 feet wide) being transported within the state of Mississippi are required to have signs. Sign dimensions will need to be at least 84 inches wide and 18 inches in height. All signs should have the words “OVERSIZE LOAD” on them and black letters that are at least 10 inches in height and 1 and 5/8 inches thick. All signs should have a yellow background with black letters. Red or orange fluorescent safety flags are required as well as and should be used on all four of the outer most extremities of the combination (front to rear) and mounted a minimum of 6 feet above pavement level. All safety flags should be minimum of 18 inches square in shape. If the shipment is in excess of 12 feet wide it is required to have flashing amber lights mounted on both sides of the rear extremities in all cases.
When pilot cars or escort vehicles are required.
Heavy-haul or oversize loads may be required to be accompanies by a escort vehicle or pilot car if:
QUICK REFERENCE
Length:
- If in excess of 95 feet overall; 1 pilot car/escort vehicle will be required. Some routes will require 2.
- If in excess of 105 feet overall: 1 pilot car and 1 escort vehicle will be required..
Width:
- If permitted to travel during night hours 1 escort vehicle will be required when 10 feet or more wide.
- If in excess of 12 feet and 11 inches 1 pilot car or escort vehicle is required.
- If in excess of 16 feet wide 1 pilot car and 1 escort vehicle will be required.
Height: Mississippi state DOT may require 1 pilot car vehicle equipped with a height pole on some routes if over 14 feet in height. A route survey may be mandatory for shipments in excess of 15 feet and 7 inches in height depending on desired route..
Overhang: If in excess of 15 feet in the front will require 1 front lead pilot car is required. chase escort vehicle is required. Some routes require 1 lead pilot car rather than chase.
DETAILED REFERENCE
Length:
Pilot cars or escort vehicles (front of rear depends on route and lanes) will be required whenever the overall combined length of the shipment exceeds 95 feet. If the shipment is in excess of 105 feet overall you may be required to have 1 front lead pilot car and 1 rear chase escort vehicle depending on route.
Width: Over 10 feet wide anytime night travel is permitted requires 1 pilot car or escort vehicle. Over 12 feet and 11 inches requires 1 pilot car/escort vehicle. Over 13 feet wide requires 1 front lead pilot car on 2-lane roads or 1 rear chase escort vehicle on 4-lane roads.
Height: 15 feet and 6 inches (over 15 feet and 7 inches requires a route survey) may require 1 lead pilot car depending on desired route. A lead pilot car equipped with a height pole will be required for shipments in excess of 16 feet in height.
Notes: In some cases a rear escort can be eliminated by attaching 2 (5 inch) amber lights mounted on the rear of the shipment. If you plan to implement this option note that you are also required to have a monitoring device in the truck cab that confirms both amber light bulbs are in operation.
Pilot cars/escort vehicle certifications and requirements.
Pilot car or escort vehicle mandatory operator certifications and vehicle requirements:
Mississippi law for pilot cars is very basic. We suggest you follow the federal pilot car and escort vehicle requirement guidelines but as of 2018 the requirements are as follows: A single motor vehicle equipped with a amber rotating or strobing light mounted at the top of the vehicle. Two red or range fluorescent safety flags mounted on the vehicle. A “OVERSIZE LOAD” mounted at either the top of the vehicle that does not obstruct view of the strobe/rotating amber light of a “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign mounted to the front when leading or rear when chasing (following) a oversized load. Signs must be covered when not in operation.
Legal travel times for oversize and heavy haul loads.
Travel times and restrictions for heavy-haul and oversize loads:
Daylight hours are define as 1/2 hour after sunrise and 1/2 hour before sunset. Travel is permitted on Saturdays with no travel at all permitted on Sunday. If your shipment is in excess of 12′ wide you may not travel on Saturday. You may not travel on the following holidays: New Years day, Memorial day, Independence day, labor day, Thanksgiving day and Christmas day. You may not move any later than 12 noon on any day that comes before one of these holidays. For shipments that are in excess of 12′ in width you are strongly encouraged to route your shipment around high traffic density areas and may not travel in areas of high traffic from 7 AM – 8:30 AM and again from 4:30 – 5: 30 PM with the exception of I-10 ( travel during these hours is permitted).
DOT contact information and notes.
Mississippi state DOT office permit contact information:
Mississippi Department of Transportation Permit Division
Post office box: 1850
Jackson, MS 39215
Telephone: 601-359-1717 or Permits: 888-737-0061
Office hours: 7:30 AM until 4:30 PM
Website: https://www.expresspass.ms.gov/trucking/
E-mail: msdotpermits@mdot.ms.gov
Central Daylight Time
Notes: To file for oversize or heavy-haul trucking permits online you must have a account already set up with MS state DOT. MS is a member of SASHTO.
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