Alaska Shipping Regulations

By WLSADMIN on July 16, 2020 / USA shipping regulations. / Leave a comment

Tags: Alaska, axles, bridge, DOT, escort, federal, formula, frost, heavy haul, highway, laws, legal, length, loads, maximum, overhang, oversize, overweight, permit, permits, pilot cars, regulations, road, rules, shipping, spacing, State, temporaroy, trailer, Transportation, travel, trip permit, truck, trucking, weight, weights, width

2020 Alaska DOT shipping laws, rules, regulations for oversize and heavy haul trucking.

Alaska shipping regulations for oversize and overweight trucking and DOT permit information.

The great state of Alaska official seal.

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Heavy haul trucking, pilot cars and permits.

Locate heavy haul, oversize equipment shipping companies, pilot cars and ordering trucking permits in Alaska:

Alaska heavy haul and oversize trucking company list.
Alaska pilot cars.
Alaska oversize trucking permits.

Legal load limits.

Length: 53’ Trailer Length
Width: 8’6”
Height: 14’
Weight: Depending on route 80,000 lbs GVW.
Overhang: 3’ in the front, 4’ in the rear.

Kenworth double trailers in compliance with 80,000 pounds GVW laws.

Alaska requires any shipment over the weight of 80,000 pounds to have a special trip permit.

Routine trucking permits.

Trucking oversize and overweight permit limits:

Length: Shipping varies due to routing and season.
Width: Shipping rules vary depending on route and seaason.
Height: Over 14′ and once again everything varies depending on routing and season.
Weight: Single; 30,000 lbs, tandem; 56,000 lbs, tridem; 70,000 lbs, quadem 80,000 lbs, gross weight; 150,000 lbs. Depends on the route you wish to travel, distance and the bridges you intend on crossing.
Overhang: 20′ is a safe number but once again everything up here is seasonal as roads are closed or combined with weight frost laws may be in effect and limit you. For the most part there is no such thing as a “routing” shipment in Alaska.

Notes: When between the months of October 1 and March 31 for 1, 2 & 3 drive axle groups on truck tractors intending to travel the Dalton, Elliott or Steese highways between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay you can shift your legal axle weights to make them legal. The following weights on these routes apply: single; 22,000 lbs with 8′ 1″ minimum spacing between axles, tandem; 42,000 lbs, tridem; 48,000 lbs maximum.

When a pilot car is required.

Pilot car (escort vehicle) requirements:

Length: if overall length exceeds 85′ you are required to have 1 pilot car (escort). If overall length exceeds 100′ you are required to have 1 front and 1 read pilot car (escort).

Width: If 10′ to 12′ wide you will be required to have 1 pilot car (escort vehicle). If width exceeds 12′ and up to 14′ you are required to have 1 front and 1 rear pilot car (escort vehicle). From 14′ to 18′ in width you will be required to have 3 pilot cars. 2 front on 4 lane and 2 rear on 2 lane roads with the additional at either end. 18′ up to 22′ in width will require 4 pilot cars (escorts); 2 in front and 2 on the rear. If over 22′ in width you will be required to “close and roll” (closing the road as you move) requiring you to have 5 pilot cars as well as a minimum of 1 police escort.

Weight: You may be required to have a pilot car/cars if you are not able to maintain the minimum speed limit and on some designated bridge crossings depending on your weight class.

Overhang: If overhang is greater than 20′ you will be required to have 1 pilot car vehicle. If over 35′ you will be required to have 1 front and 1 rear pilot car.

Required shipment markings & flags.

Truck, trailer and shipment required signs, banners & flags:

For loads that are over 8′ 6″ in width you will be required to have a “OVERSIZE LOAD” banner on the front or your truck and on the rear of your truck or load, whichever is most practical. Flags must be a minimum length of 16″ and be safety orange or red in color.

Pilot car certifications & requirements.

Pilot car (escort vehicle) certifications & requirements:

A pilot car must be manufactured as a passenger vehicle (car, truck, van, etc.) with a manufacturers weight of less than 10,000 lbs. All pilot car drivers must be wearing a safety colored vest, jacket or shirt. All pilot cars must be equipped with a rotating, strobe or flashing amber light visible from 360 degrees from a distance of no less than 500′. Vehicle must have a regulations sized hand help SLOW – STOP sign, safety colored flags of no less than 18″ in either direction, 8 road safety flares, 3 reflective road triangles, a 2-way communication device capable of transmitting at least 10 miles and a type A, B and C fire extinguisher.

Travel times and restrictions.

Travel times and restrictions:

Approved permits are valid for 3-5 days unless otherwise stated. Travel times are from Monday through Saturday at noon during daylight hours – the one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset rule applies. However, vehicles not exceeding 85′ in length, 16’in width or 16′ in height can travel Monday through Sunday during daylight hours only. Travel is NOT permitted on the following holiday weekends: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Areas of high traffic densities are restricted from 7:00-8 AM and 4:30-6:00 PM in certain areas (refer to your permit for documentation). Movement is NOT permitted on Kalifornsky Beach Rd, Kenai Spur highway or the Sterling highway from 6:45-9:00 AM and 2:15-4:30 PM during the school months for shipments in excess of 14′ in width. Ketchikan has restricted movement from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM and from 12 noon – 1 PM and from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM. Glenn and Parks Highways to Palmer and Wasilla between the hours of 6:00-8:00 AM and from 11:30-1:00 PM and from 4:30 until 6:00 PM if over 14′ in width.

Frost and thaw laws.

Frost and thaw laws:

Frost and thaw laws are in effect usually from March 1 until mid June on major routes, southern central and the interior. There are so many roads that have different regulations on thaw laws and frost laws. You absolutely will want to call the Alaska State DOT office at the number below for more information. Example: A particular highway may have a set of regulations until you reach a certain mile post, then after that has a whole different set of regulations. There are hundreds of them similar.

Alaska DOT & information.

Alaska state DOT trucking permit contact information:

Division of Measurement Standards Phones: 907-365-1200 or below within Alaska.
Commercial Vehicle Customer Service Center: 800-478-7636
Huffman Business Park
11900 Industrial Way
Anchorage, AK 99515

Phone help line: 907-365-1200
Toll free within Alaska: 800-478-7636
Fax: 907-365-1204
Permit office hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
PACIFIC STANDARD TIME

Alaska state DOT website with all kinds of permit info, forms, manuals, etc here. Alaska heavy-haul and oversize trucking laws.
Road closures and highway conditions here.
Alaska road closure information.

Cities in Alaska: Adak, Akhiok, Akiachak, Akiak, Akutan, Alakanuk, Alatna, Alcan Border, Aleknagik, Aleneva, Allakaket, Alpine, Ambler, Anaktuvuk Pass, Anchorage municipality, Anchor Point, Anderson, Angoon, Aniak, Anvik, Arctic Village, Atka, Atmautluak, Atqasuk, Attu Station, Barrow, Bear Creek, Beaver, Beluga, Bethel, Bettles, Big Delta, Big Lake, Birch Creek, Brevig Mission, Buckland, Buffalo Soapstone, Butte, Cantwell, Central, Chalkyitsik, Chase, Chefornak, Chenega, Chevak, Chickaloon, Chicken, Chignik, Chignik Lagoon, Chignik Lake, Chiniak, Chisana, Chistochina, Chitina, Chuathbaluk, Circle, Clam Gulch, Clark’s Point, Coffman Cove, Cohoe, Cold Bay, Coldfoot, College, Cooper Landing, Copper Center, Copperville, Cordova, Covenant Life, Craig, Crooked Creek, Crown Point, Cube Cove, Deering, Delta Junction, Deltana, Diamond Ridge, Dillingham, Diomede, Dot Lake, Dot Lake Village, Dry Creek, Eagle, Eagle Village, Edna Bay, Eek, Egegik, Eielson AFB, Ekwok, Elfin Cove, Elim, Emmonak, Ester, Evansville, Excursion Inlet, Fairbanks, False Pass, Farm Loop, Ferry, Fishhook, Flat, Fort Greely, Fort Yukon, Four Mile Road, Fox, Fox River, Fritz Creek, Funny River, Gakona, Galena, Gambell, Game Creek, Gateway, Glacier View, Glennallen, Golovin, Goodnews Bay, Grayling, Gulkana, Gustavus, Haines, Halibut Cove, Happy Valley, Harding-Birch Lakes, Healy, Healy Lake, Hobart Bay, Hollis, Holy Cross, Homer, Hoonah, Hooper Bay, Hope, Houston, Hughes, Huslia, Hydaburg, Hyder, Igiugig, Iliamna, Ivanof Bay, Juneau city and borough, Kachemak, Kake, Kaktovik, Kalifornsky, Kaltag, Karluk, Kasaan, Kasigluk, Kasilof, Kenai, Kenny Lake, Ketchikan, Kiana, King Cove, King Salmon, Kipnuk, Kivalina, Klawock, Klukwan, Knik-Fairview, Knik River, Kobuk, Kodiak, Kodiak Station, Kokhanok, Koliganek, Kongiganak, Kotlik, Kotzebue, Koyuk, Koyukuk, Kupreanof, Kwethluk, Kwigillingok, Lake Louise, Lake Minchumina, Lakes, Larsen Bay, Lazy Mountain, Levelock, Lime Village, Livengood, Lowell Point, Lower Kalskag, Lutak, McCarthy, McGrath, McKinley Park, Manley Hot Springs, Manokotak, Marshall, Meadow Lakes, Mekoryuk, Mendeltna, Mentasta Lake, Metlakatla, Meyers Chuck, Miller Landing, Minto, Moose Creek, Moose Pass, Mosquito Lake, Mountain Village, Mud Bay, Naknek, Nanwalek, Napakiak, Napaskiak, Naukati Bay, Nelchina, Nelson Lagoon, Nenana, New Allakaket, Newhalen, New Stuyahok, Newtok, Nightmute, Nikiski, Nikolaevsk, Nikolai, Nikolski, Ninilchik, Noatak, Nome, Nondalton, Noorvik, North Pole, Northway, Northway Junction, Northway Village, Nuiqsut, Nulato, Nunapitchuk, Old Harbor, Oscarville, Ouzinkie, Palmer, Paxson, Pedro Bay, Pelican, Perryville, Petersburg, Petersville, Pilot Point, Pilot Station, Pitkas Point, Platinum, Pleasant Valley, Point Baker, Point Hope, Point Lay, Point MacKenzie, Pope-Vannoy Landing, Portage Creek, Port Alexander, Port Alsworth, Port Clarence, Port Graham, Port Heiden, Port Lions, Port Protection, Primrose, Prudhoe Bay, Quinhagak, Rampart, Red Devil, Red Dog Mine, Ridgeway, Ruby, Russian Mission, St. George, St. Mary’s, St. Michael, St. Paul, Salamatof, Salcha, Sand Point, Savoonga, Saxman, Scammon Bay, Selawik, Seldovia, Seldovia Village, Seward, Shageluk, Shaktoolik, Sheldon Point (Nunam Iqua), Shishmaref, Shungnak, Silver Springs, Sitka city and borough, Skagway, Skwentna, Slana, Sleetmute, Soldotna, South Naknek, Stebbins, Sterling, Stevens Village, Stony River, Sunrise, Susitna, Sutton-Alpine, Takotna, Talkeetna, Tanacross, Tanaina, Tanana, Tatitlek, Tazlina, Teller, Tenakee Springs, Tetlin, Thoms Place, Thorne Bay, Togiak, Tok, Toksook Bay, Tolsona, Tonsina, Trapper Creek, Tuluksak, Tuntutuliak, Tununak, Twin Hills, Two Rivers, Tyonek, Ugashik, Unalakleet, Unalaska, Upper Kalskag, Valdez, Venetie, Wainwright, Wales, Wasilla, Whale Pass, White Mountain, Whitestone Logging Camp, Whittier, Willow, Willow Creek, Wiseman, Womens Bay, Wrangell, Y, Yakutat.

Additional information:

Heavy haul and oversize trucking permit limitations.

Maximum weights; on a single axle with dual tires 30,000 pounds. With tandem axles 56,000 pounds, with tridem axles 70,000 pounds, with quadem axles 80,000 pounds. Gross maximum is 150,000 pounds. All of this depends entirely on the route you choose to travel as well as distance and any bridges that you intend to cross. It also depends upon the length, height and width of the shipment. Between the months of October 1st and March 31st for one, two and three drive axle groupings on trucks and truck tractors traveling the Elliott, Steese and Dalton highways between Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay you can shift legal axle weights in the following weights on these routes in applicable: single axles 22,000 pounds (with 8’1″ minimum axle spacing). Tandem axles 42,000 pounds, tridem axles 48,000 pounds. The maximum height allowed is 15’3″. Shipments over 14 feet wide or 150 feet long or 16’6″ in height must supply to the permitting department the exact route they wish to travel.

Heavy haul and oversize truck signs and flags.

A standard oversize load sign is required on the front of the tractor and the rear of the shipment if it exceeds 8’6″ and width. The sign must be yellow and have a minimum of 48 inches in width with black letters that are 10 inches tall and 2 inches wide. Acceptable signs when specified shall read “oversize”, “oversize load” or “wide load” for over width vehicles and/or shipments “oversize”, “oversize load” or “long load” for over length vehicles must be affixed to the rear of shipment when overall load exceeds 60 feet in length. Vehicles and loads with rear overhang exceeding 10 feet are subject to the following: must have “oversize” or “oversize load” signs and a amber high intensity rotating, flashing, oscillating or strobe type beacon which must be visible for a minimum of 500 feet from the end of the shipment. You must have either an extended light-bar or a rear pilot car or escort vehicle. All flags must be a minimum of 16” square and must be red. Flags are required to be on vehicles with loads wider than 10 feet and if overhang exceeds the legal limits in any direction.

Pilot car and escort vehicle requirements.

If the width of the shipment is over 10’6″ and up to 12 feet one pilot car or escort vehicle is required. For lengths over 85 feet and up to 100 feet one pilot car is required. If overhang is greater than 10 feet but less than 20 feet one pilot car or escort vehicle may be used. It is possible to use an extended lightbar and place of a rear pilot car. Heavy haul or overweight shipments with special bridge conditions are required to have two pilot cars if the width is 12 feet up to 14 feet to pilot cars or escort vehicles are required if the length is greater than 100 feet to escort vehicles or pilot cars are required. If the overhang exceeds 20 feet unless the rear is greater than 35 feet or the front greater than 60 feet one pilot car is required. For widths over 14 feet three pilot car vehicles or escort’s are required: two in the front and one in the rear. If you have overhang from the rear that is greater than 35 feet to pilot cars are required and for widths up to 18 feet but not more than 22 feet 4 pilot cars or escort vehicles are required. If road closures exist and you are an excess of 22 feet wide then you will be required to have 5 escorts or pilot cars. You may be permitted to use an extended light-bar when up to 20 feet of rear overhang and lieu of a rear pilot car.

Pilot car and escort vehicle requirements.

Pilot cars and escort vehicles may be passenger trucks and cars as long is they are under 10,000 pounds in total weight. Pilot cars and escort vehicles must carry commercial vehicle insurance. Pilot cars and escort vehicles will not carry any passengers. Pilot cars and escort vehicles will not act as a steer man or a tiller man for any load. Oversize load signs and beacons: all escort vehicles and pilot cars are required to be equipped with the appropriate signage. Depending upon the shipment you are working with this might be oversize, wide load or long load and the sign must be roof mounted with a high intensity rotating flashing oscillating or strobe type amber beacon light which must be visible from a minimum of 500 feet in any direction. When a pilot car or in escort vehicle is required to lead any oversize load the appropriate sign must be faced towards the front of the pilot car or escort vehicle when the pilot car or escort is chasing a load the appropriate sign must be faced towards the rear of the vehicle. Pilot car companies and escort vehicle drivers shall carry the following items and equipment at all times when escorting heavy haul and oversize loads: a 24 inch stop slow paddle sign, three bidirectional emergency reflective triangles, 15 pound rated B and C fire extinguisher, a reflector rise orange vest shirt or jacket, a first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, a red cone and be equipped with a red hand flag.

Flag men or flag persons.

The state of Alaska does not require a pilot car or escort vehicle operator to have certification to perform flagging functions flaggers and or pilot car or escort vehicles operators shall complete the state approved flagging test as well is any necessary training prior to working in the capacity of a flagger. There is a fee for the online class. Flag persons shall not be less than 18 years of age and must be capable of carrying out flagging responsibilities in accordance with the Alaska state traffic manual regulations flaggers must be wearing high visibility or florescent orange jackets and vest as well as equipped with a slow stop paddle and a red hand flag these items must be utilized by the pilot car company or escort vehicle operator in the event that it becomes necessary. If required pilot car and escort vehicle operators will need to pull over and Park in order to stop or control Highway traffic. At no time shall the slow stop paddle or red flags be displayed out of the window of a moving vehicle.

Travel time for heavy haul and oversize loads.

Heavy haul permits and oversize trucking permits are valid for 3 to 5 days unless otherwise specified. Travel is permitted from Monday through Saturday at noon during daylight hours. One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. However, vehicles that are not exceeding 10’6″ wide or 16 feet tall or 85 feet and linked total may travel Monday through Saturday during daylight hours. Oversize vehicles are allowed to operate during hours of darkness under special lighting and taping requirements. Travel is permitted on the following holiday weekends memorial day for for July and Labor Day. Urban areas do restrict travel during peak hours be sure to refer to your permit for specific travel times especially in urban areas.

Spring weight and frost laws.

Weight restrictions and frost laws usually occur on all major routes in South, Central as well as interior Alaska. Typical months are from March 1^st until the 1st July.

The information contained in these pages is research information primarily for use by oversize and overweight trucking company drivers, dispatchers and pilot car companies. While every effort is put into maintaining the accuracy of this information you must absolutely verify this information with the Alaska State DOT Permits office before commencing movement.

Alaska DOT

2019 Alaska state shipping regulations.

oversize trucking laws.

2020 – Federal Bridge Formula Weights Explanation.

By WLSADMIN on May 11, 2020 / USA shipping regulations. / 1 Comment

Tags: 2020, axles, bridge, federal, federal bridge formula, formula, highway, maximum, spacing, trailer, truck, weights

2020 Easy – Federal Bridge Formula weights explanation.

Heavy-haul truck drivers should know exactly how to calculate the Federal Bridge Formula. Below is a very simple explanation to ensure compliance.

Explaining the maximum weight any combined set of axles on a truck and trailer can carry to cross a bridge on the Interstate highway system. The following Federal bridge formula is used for calculating acceptable weights:

W=500 [ LN/N-1 + 12N + 36]

W= the overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles the the nearest 500 pounds.

L= the distance in feet between the outer axles of any group of two or more consecutive axles.

N= the number of axles in the group that are under consideration.

How do I determine Bridge Formula?

THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE: Bridge formula is 30 times the wheelbase* in centimeters plus 18,000 kg.

*Wheelbase in the above Bridge Formula calculation refers to the maximum axles span (center of the first axle to the center of the last axle of any axle group) in a heavy commercial vehicle.

Axle spacing is another consideration that must be taken into account when looking at the Federal weight compliance laws. In order to properly protect our bridges the number and the spacing of truck and trailer axles carrying the shipment must be calculated. So a bridge weight formula applies when the gross weight on 2 or more consecutive axles exceeds the limitations on the formula, except that the 2 consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross weight load of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance between the 1st and last axle is over a 36 feet minimum.

Exceptions to the Bridge Weight Formula:

There are exceptions. Federal law does include an exception to the Federal Bridge Formula and the bridge table. 2 consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry 34,000 pounds each IF the overall distance between the first axle and last axles of these tandems is 36 feet or greater. For example: a 5 axle tractor semi trailer combination may carry 34,000 pounds of weight both on the tractor tandem (axles 2 and 3) and the trailer tandem (axles 4 and 5), provided the axles 2 and 5 are spaced at least 36 feet from each other. Without this exception the bridge formula would allow for actual weight of only 66,000 pounds to 67,000 pounds on tandems spaced 36 feet to 38 feet apart. (References: U. S. Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration “Federal Bridge Formula Weights” – FWHA-FB FWHA-FBF F the .pdf)

Note: In addition to the above formula weights Federal law says that a single axle is limited to a maximum of no greater than 20,000 pounds and that axles that are closer than 96 inches from each other are limited to a maximum weight of 34,000 pounds. Also that gross vehicle weight be less than 80,000 pounds.

Federal law (23 U.S.C. 127) does include an exception to the Federal Bridge Formula and the Bridge Table—two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry 34,000 lbs. pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles of the tandem axles is 36 feet or more. For example; a five-axle tractor and semitrailer combination may carry 34,000 lbs. pounds both on the tractor tandem (axles 2 and 3) and the trailer tandem (axles 4 and 5), if axles number 2 and 5 are spaced at least 36 feet apart. Without this exception the Federal Bridge Formula would allow an actual weight of only 66,000 pounds up to 67,500 pounds on tandems spaced 36 to 38 feet apart.

2020 Federal Bridge Weight Chart

		2 axles	3 axles	4 axles	5 axles	6 axles	7 axles	8 axles	9 axles
Less than 8’3″		34,000	34,000
More than 8’4″		38,000	42,000
	9	39,000	42,500
	10	40,000	43,500
	11		44,000
	12		45,000	50,000
	13		45,000	50,500
	14		46,500	51,500
	15		47,000	52,000
	16		48,000	52,500	58,000
	17		48,500	53,500	58,500
	18		49,500	54,000	59,000
	19		50,500	54,500	60,000
	20		51,000	55,500	60,500	66,000
	21		51,500	56,000	61,000	66,500
	22		52,500	56,500	61,500	67,000
	23		53,000	57,500	62,500	68,000
	24		54,000	58,000	63,000	68,500	74,000
	25		54,500	58,500	63,500	69,000	74,500
	26		55,500	59,500	64,000	69,500	75,000
	27		56,000	60,000	65,000	70,000	75,500
	28		57,000	60,500	65,500	71,000	76,500	82,000
	29		57,500	61,500	66,000	71,500	77,000	82,500
	30		58,500	62,000	66,500	72,000	77,500	83,000
	31		59,000	62,500	67,500	72,500	78,000	83,500
	32		60,000	63,500	68,000	73,000	78,500	84,500	90,000
	33			64,000	68,500	74,000	79,000	85,000	90,500
	34			64,500	69,000	74,500	80,000	85,500	91,000
	35			65,500	70,000	75,000	80,500	86,000	91,500
	36			66,000	70,500	75,500	81,000	86,500	92,000
	37			66,500	71,000	76,000	81,500	87,000	93,000
	38			67,500	71,500	77,000	82,000	87,500	93,500
	39			68,000	72,500	77,500	83,500	88,500	94,000
	40			68,500	73,000	78,000	84,000	89,000	94,500
	41			69,500	73,500	78,500	84,500	89,500	95,000
	42			70,000	74,000	79,000	84,500	90,000	95,500
	43			70,500	75,000	80,000	85,000	90,500	96,000
	44			71,500	75,500	80,500	85,500	91,000	96,500
	45			72,000	76,000	81,000	86,000	91,500	97,500
	46			72,500	76,500	81,500	87,000	92,500	98,000
	47			73,500	77,500	82,000	87,500	93,000	98,500
	48			74,000	78,000	83,000	88,000	93,500	99,000
	49			74,500	78,500	83,500	88,500	94,000	99,500
	50			75,500	79,000	84,000	89,000	94,500	100,000
	51			76,000	80,000	84,500	89,500	95,000	100,500
	52			76,500	80,500	85,000	90,500	95,500	101,000
	53			77,500	81,000	86,000	91,000	96,500	101,500
	54			78,000	81,500	86,500	91,500	97,000	102,000
	55			78,500	82,500	87,000	92,000	97,500	102,500
	56			79,500	83,000	87,500	92,500	98,000	103,000
	57			80,000	83,500	88,000	93,000	98,500	104,000
	58				84,000	89,000	94,000	99,000	104,500
	59				85,000	89,500	94,500	99,500	105,000
	60				85,500	90,000	95,000	100,500	105,500

FWHA-FBF

2020 Manitoba shipping regulations

By WLSADMIN on May 11, 2020 / Canada Shipping Regulations., Canada trucking permit offices - government., Oversize trucking permits, pilot-cars / 2 Comments

Tags: axles, bridge, contact, DOT, escort, frost, heavy haul, highway, information, laws, legal, length, limits, loads, Manitoba, maximum, overhang, oversize, overweight, permits, pilot cars, regulations, road, rules, shipping, spacing, superload, thaw, time, trailer, Transportation, travel, truck, trucking, weight, weights, width

2020 Manitoba DOT shipping laws, regulations, rules and limitations, for oversize and heavy-haul the trucking over the roads and highways of Manitoba Canada.

Please share your expertise of knowledge with our other visitors below.

Trucking & pilot car directory.

Locate trucking companies and pilot car companies in Manitoba, Canada.

Manitoba heavy-haul trucking companies.
Manitoba pilot cars and truck escorts.

Legal limits.

Legal load limits:

Length: The overall maximum length without a permit is 23 meters.
Width: The maximum width allowed without a permit is 2.6 meters.
Height: 4.15 meters is the maximum height allowed by Manitoba DOT without a permit.
Weight: 9,100 kg on steer (seems high to us so NOT a confirmed number – use reference link below), tandem axles: 17,000 kgs, tridem: 17,000 kgs, or 3 axle combination with proper spacing of a 23,700, quadem: 31,600 kgs, 5 axle: 39,500 kgs and 6 axles: 46,500 kgs. Let me refer you to our reference on this for clarification from Manitoba DOT as there are different weight classes.
Overhang: Our researchers are unable to find any information on maximum allowed legal overhang. We did find the pilot car requirements of 25 meters. We will call and update at a later time or you can call Debra Martin at: 204-326-8292 M-F 8-4 – if you do please comment below as this author is writing on a Sat. and they are closed. Thank you!

Routine oversize and heavy haul trucking permits.

Oversize and overweight trucking permits that are issued routinely by Manitoba province:

Length: 30 meters on length is about all you are going to get.
Width: 5 meters wide for routine permits depending on routing.
Height: Depending on routing as Manitoba DOT has designated routes the maximum height is 4.8 meters.
Weight: We were unable to get a solid figure. Manitoba DOT has different zones for weight restrictions so it all depends on which zone you need to travel in. See Manitoba DOT zone map.
Overhang: Based on the comment they made on 25 meters of rear overhang we are going to say that up to this amount is routine. If you need to speak to them call the number located above in “legal load limits” in the “overhang” section.

Superload information.

Manitoba DOT information on suplerloads or extra ordinary loads:

We will do more research on superloads in Manitoba in the future. The Manitoba DOT documentation does not cover or mention much about them so we will need to speak with someone on the phone. We are able to see that they are well versed in shipping superloads as they mention in their online documentation that there will make arrangements to remove road side signs and replace them for shipments that are in excess of the road width. We will get back to this section soon but in the meantime appreciate any comments you may be able to leave for other visitors below.

Permitted travel times for oversize and heavy-haul loads – restrictions.

Manitoba DOT permitted travel times and restrictions:

Daylight travel times are defined as from sunrise to sunset in Manitoba. No travel is permitted after 3 PM on Fridays during the summer months for shipments in excess of 3.4 meters (11′ 2″) wide on seasonal restricted roads. In the spring shipments in excess of 4.6 meters (15′) in width are not allowed to travel on roads during the spring restriction times. On routes that are not seasonally restricted you may proceed (multiple lane roads) until 3 PM as long as you are no wider than 3.7 meters in width (12′ 2″) on Friday and resume travel on Saturday at sunrise however if you are in excess of 25 meters in length (82′) you are not permitted to travel after 3 PM on Fridays during the summer months if you are on a seasonally restricted highway and resume on Saturday at sunrise – you are allowed however to travel on holidays. Sunday travel is permitted for loads up to 3.85 meters (12′ 7″) in width on all roads that have no seasonal restrictions. On a single lane highway on holidays you can not exceed 3.4 meters (11′ 2″) in order to travel. On multiple lane roads you can travel only if you are less than 3.7 meters (12′ 2″). This is very confusing so always refer to your permit for final verification but to help the matter lets go over the restricted routes:

Highway 1 from Falcon lake to the Manitoba/Ontario border.
Highway 6, 8, 9, 15, 16, 44, 307, 313, 317.
Highway 10 from the US border to Riding Mountain National Park.
Highway 11 but only north of highway 44.
Highway 12 but only north of highway 15.
Highway 59 from the west boundary line of Brokenhead to Grand Beach and the South perimeter of St. Malo

Here is the Manitoba link for spring road restrictions with zones to help you with interpretation. Holidays observed are: New years day, Provincial day, Good Friday, Victoria day, Canada day, Family day, Labor day, Thanksgiving day, Remembrance day, Christmas day and on Boxing day.

When pilot cars are required.

Manitoba DOT requires you to have a pilot car if your shipment is in excess of any of the following regulated limits:

Length: Shipments that are in excess of 30 meters (98′ 5″) long require 1 pilot car/escort vehicle on the rear of the shipment on all roads. For shipments that include a booster of a jeep that are over 31 meters (101′ 9″) you are required to have 1 rear pilot car vehicle on all roads.
Width: If your shipment is in excess of 4.6 meters (15′) wide then you are required to have 1 front pilot car on single lane roads and 1 rear pilot car/escort on multiple lane roads. If your load is in excess of 3.66 meters (12′) but less than 4.55 meters ( 14′ 7″) then you are permitted to travel at night as long as you have 1 front and 1 read pilot car/escort vehicle on all roads and highways. Mobile homes can travel at night on multiple lane roads as long as it does not exceed 5 meters wide (16′ 4″) but are required to have 1 pilot car on the rear.
Height: If you are approved for a shipment that is over the legal limits Manitoba DOT has designated routes and you are not required to have a pilot car.
Weight: As long as your shipment is able to maintain the minimum speed requirements you will more than likely not be required to have a pilot car as long as your shipment is overweight only.
Overhang: Overhang is approved on a case by case basis. Check with the Manitoba DOT for further information to see if your shipment will require a pilot car due to excessive overhang.

Pilot car certifications.

Manitoba DOT certifications and requirements of pilot cars (escort vehicles):

Pilot car/escort vehicle operators are required to take a Manitoba DOT certification course in order to operate in this province. The certification program is recognized by all US jurisdictions that require PEVO except for New York state. Your vehicle is required to have a lighted sign box that is a minimum of 180 cm x 35 cm x 10 cm (72″ x 14″ x 4″), 2 – 175 mm (7″) diameter flashing lights mounted on the top of the sign box on each side with 2 amber strobing or rotating lights a minimum of 203 mm (8″) mounted between the flashing lights on top of the box as well. The sign box must light up and be visible from a minimum distance of 200 meters (656′). The sign box must have either a red and white D sign or a yellow with black lettering stating “OVERSIZE LOAD”, “WIDE LOAD”, OR “LONG LOAD”. If you have the “D” sign your letter must be no less than 20 cm (8″) in height with a 4 cm (1 5/8″) line thickness. If you have the yellow sign your lettering must be no less than 20 cm (8″) with a 4 cm (1 5/8″) line thickness. The sign box must be mounted on the top of the vehicle and covered when not in operation. You are also expected to have the following items inside of the vehicle: CB radio or high powered 2-way radio, first aid kit, fire extinguisher type A, B & C of at least a 2 liters, 3 reflective road triangles, 3 traffic cones, reflective vest (worn while working), slow/stop sign, 3 red or orange safety colored flags no less than 40 x 40 cm (16″ x 16″), nose cone flashlight and a hard hat.

To operate in Manitoba you must obtain a light permit. More information is available by calling: 204-985-0920

Shipment, truck and trailer markings.

Truck, trailer and shipment required signs, banners and flags in Manitoba:

All trucks that are hauling oversize or overweight loads must have a strobing, flashing or rotating amber light mounted to the roof that is visible from 360 degrees at a minimum distance of 200 meters (656′). All 4 outermost corners corners of the overall shipment and any obtrusive points must have flags mounted to them that are safety red or orange in color no less than 40 cm x 40 cm (16″ x 16″) and have the flags exchanged for lighting if moving during the night. A sign stating the nature of the load; “OVERSIZE LOAD”, “WIDE LOAD” or “LONG LOAD” must be mounted to the front and rear of the overall shipment. Signs must be a minimum of 12′ in height and 6′ in width with a yellow background and black letting with lettering thickness no less than 4 cm (1 5/8″) thick.

Manitoba DOT contact and other information.

Manitoba DOT contact and other information:

Manitoba DOT – Central Permit Office
Telephone help line, Winnipeg; 877-812-0009 or 204-945-3961 (compliance: 204-945-3890)
Fax line: 204-945-3961
Hours of service: 7:30 AM until 6 PM Monday thru Friday – CENTRAL TIME ZONE.
Manitoba DOT oversize and overweight trucking permits website.
Manitoba spring thaw road restrictions information.
Manitoba DOT axle and axle group weight definitions and restrictions.
Manitoba province current road conditions and closure information.

The information contained in these pages is research information primarily for use by oversize and overweight trucking company drivers, dispatchers and pilot car companies. While every effort is put into maintaining the accuracy of this information you must absolutely verify this information with the Manitoba Province DOT Permits office before commencing movement.

See also:

Manitoba frost and thaw laws.
Frost law introduction.
Manitoba road closures and reports.
How to start a pilot car company.

2020 Arizona State Shipping Regulations

By WLSADMIN on May 11, 2020 / Lights, flags and signs., Oversize trucking permits, pilot-cars, State DOT trucking permit offices., USA shipping regulations. / 14 Comments

Tags: Arizona, axles, bridge, DOT, escort, heavy haul, highway, information, laws, legal, length, loads, maximum, overhang, oversize, overweight, permits, pilot cars, regulations, road, rules, shipping, State, trailer, truck, trucking, weight, weights, width

2020 Arizona state shipping laws, regulations, rules and limitations for oversize and overweight trucking on state highways and roads.

The great state of Arizona official seal.

Please share your expertise of Arizona state DOT trucking regulations with other visitors below.

As per the state of Arizona please read the following:

“The Arizona Department of Transportation in cooperation with state representatives, industry, the Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement personnel work in collaboration to update and amend oversize and overweight special permit rules containing special permit requirements, restrictions and allowances for transporting oversize and overweight vehicles and loads on highways under the jurisdiction of the Department. This is a council established in statute and makes up the Over-dimensional Permit Council.

These rules detail the eligibility, application and use requirements for a variety of permits the Department currently issues to commercial motor carriers for transporting vehicles or vehicle and load combinations exceeding the maximum size or weight limitations provided by statute.

Each special permit provided by the Department under these rules is specifically authorized by statute. The oversize and overweight special permits issued under these rules are that each permittee issued a particular class of permit is subject to the same activities, practices, requirements and restrictions applicable to that permit type. The statutes additionally provide authority for issuance, conditions, restrictions, approvals and fees.”

Arizona oversize permits, heavy-haul trucking companies and pilot cars.

Locate oversize, heavy-haul trucking companies and pilot cars:

Arizona pilot cars and truck escorts for hire.
Arizona oversize and heavy-haul trucking companies for hire.
Arizona oversize and heavy-haul trucking permits.

Do I need a trucking permit? Legal load limits.

Arizona maximum load limits until a trucking permit is required:

Length: Anything over 65 feet in length overall requires a permit on non-designated highways.
Overhang: 3 feet in the front and 6 feet off of the rear of trailer maximum (make sure your route is approved for overhang as there are location variations).
Weight: 80,000 pounds overall (GVW), 12,000 pounds on steer axle.
Width: 8 feet and 6 inches wide maximum.
Height: 14 feet maximum on interstates and 13 feet and 6 inches in height on secondary roads.

Routine heavy haul and oversize trucking permits in Arizona.

These maximum dimensions/weights are considered routine oversize or heavy-haul trucking permits in Arizona:

Length: 120 feet maximum or proceed to super load section.
Weight: 250,000 pounds maximum (Class C if over or see superloads). Single axle is 28,000 pounds maximum. All tandem, tridum, trunnion and quadem axle configurations depend on axle spacings and tire sizes. Gross weight maximums: 5 axles is 104,000 pounds, 6 axles is 108,000 pounds, 7 axles is 117,000 pounds. The permissible maximum weights depend on the number of tires combined with the overall distance between each of the axles. Spacings on axles are a little bit tricky in this state. The Arizona DOT permits office will consider a number or factors but it’s primarily about the bridges which could require a route survey if extreme weights are involved. If weights are excessive and trailer capabilities are even close to short of maxing out, forget it! Pavement, structural and stress testing results will govern your overall permissible capabilities.
Width: 14 feet wide maximum or file under super load.
Height: 16 tall maximum or file under super load.
Overhang: 3 feet of front or 6 feet off of the rear or any configuration that is in excess of 75 feet. They could require you to use a stretch trailer before allowing you to proceed under super load provisions.
Notes: These above routinely permitted shipments will need to be filed as class “A” permits. Class A permits are anything under 120 feet in length, 14 feet in width, 16 feet in height or under 250,000 pounds overall. Maximum speed is set at 55 mph for all oversize/overweight shipments.

Super load information for Arizona.

Arizona state DOT will classify your shipment as a super load if you are in excess of any of the following:

If a shipment exceeds any of the following it is classified as a superload and will require a class C permit. Class C permits are “super load permits”. If any shipment is in excess of 120 feet in length or 14 feet in width or 16 feet in height or 250,000 pounds in weight it is classified as a super load.
Notes: For mobile home shipments and more class C permit information expand the file just below.

Arizona class C permits.

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:

If shipment is over 102″ in width it must be flagged on the 4 outtermost corners of the entire combined shipment. Flags must be red in color and be not less than 12″ in either direction. Proper “OVERSIZE LOAD” or “WIDELOAD” banner/sign bust be displayed on both the upper most front of overall shipment (front of truck) no less than 5′ from the pavement line. Banner/sign must be no less than 6′ in length and 12′ in height with reasonable and size letting thickness and height. If you are seeking or awarded night movement reflective or illuminated banners/signs are required.

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:

Length: On 2 Lanes:Over 120’ requires 1 pilot car in front of truck and 1 rear of truck.
Width: On 2 lanes over 14’ requires 1 pilot car or escort vehicle in front of truck and 1 the rear of truck. On Interstates over 15’ wide you are required to have 1 pilot car in front of truck.
Height: Over 17 feet requires 1 pilot car equipped with a height pole in front of truck.
On Interstates: Over 120’ requires 1 pilot car in front of truck.

Pilot cars/escort vehicle certifications and requirements.

Pilot car or escort vehicle mandatory operator certifications and vehicle requirements:

For a vehicle to qualify; all pilot car/escort vehicles must have a manufacturers gross weight rating not to exceed over over 20,000 pounds. All pilot cars/escort vehicles must display a bumper or roof mounted “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle. Sign must be at least 6 feet long and 12 inches in height, yellow in color with black letters no less than 5 inches tall and 1 inch in width. Vehicle must have 4 safety flags displayed in red or orange in color and be a minimum of 12 inches in length quare and/or height mounted at a 40 to 70 degree angle on all 4 corners of the vehicle. Vehicle must be equipped with a CB radio or 2-way communication device, 8 ignitable road flares and have a first-aid kit.

Legal travel times for oversize and heavy haul loads in Arizona.

Travel times and restrictions for heavy-haul and oversize loads:

The one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset rule applies. Travel on weekends and holidays is permitted. Night time travel applies to any shipment that does not exceed 120 feet in length or 16 feet wide or 16 feet tall or less than 250,000 pounds. If your are empty but over weight you’ll be allowed to travel continuously more than likely. If overweight only you will probably be allowed continuous travel. Under 10 feet of overhang, 10 feet in width or 14 feet in height will more than likely be granted continuous travel. Some loads will NOT be granted travel on weekends. Always refer to the documentation on your permit to verify travel times.

Arizona DOT office and permit contact information:

Arizona DOT contact information and notes:

Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT)
1225 N 25th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Telephone: 602-771-2960
Office hours: 8 AM until 5PM Monday – Friday.
Arizona observes Mountain Time.
Website: Arizona DOT permits.
Notes: For class C permits: 602-712-8176 or 8280. All laws, regulations, rules and limitations are now set fourth in: Arizona transportation-permit laws.

Arizona cities serviced.

Arizona cities: Ajo, Ak-Chin Village, Amado, Apache Junction, Arizona City, Arizona Village, Ash Fork, Avondale, Avra Valley, Bagdad, Benson, Big Park, Bisbee, Bitter Springs, Black Canyon City, Blackwater, Bluewater, Bouse, Buckeye, Bullhead City, Burnside, Cameron, Camp Verde, Canyon Day, Carefree, Casa Grande, Casas Adobes, Catalina, Catalina Foothills, Cave Creek, Central Heights-Midland City, Chandler, Chilchinbito, Chinle, Chino Valley, Chuichu, Cibecue, Cibola, Clarkdale, Claypool, Clifton, Colorado City, Congress, Coolidge, Cordes Lakes, Cornville, Corona de Tucson, Cottonwood, Cottonwood-Verde Village, Dennehotso, Desert Hills, Dewey-Humboldt, Dilkon, Dolan Springs, Douglas, Drexel-Alvernon, Drexel Heights, Dudleyville, Duncan, Eagar, East Fork, East Sahuarita, Ehrenberg, Elgin, El Mirage, Eloy, First Mesa, Flagstaff, Florence, Flowing Wells, Fort Defiance, Fortuna Foothills, Fountain Hills, Fredonia, Gadsden, Ganado, Gila Bend, Gilbert, Gisela, Glendale, Globe, Gold Camp, Golden Valley, Goodyear, Grand Canyon Village, Greasewood, Green Valley, Guadalupe, Hayden, Heber-Overgaard, Holbrook, Hotevilla-Bacavi, Houck, Huachuca City, Jeddito, Jerome, Kachina Village, Kaibab, Kaibito, Kayenta, Keams Canyon, Kearny, Kingman, Kykotsmovi Village, Lake Havasu City, Lake Montezuma, Lechee, Leupp, Litchfield Park, Littletown, Lukachukai, McNary, Mammoth, Many Farms, Marana, Maricopa, Mayer, Mesa, Mesquite Creek, Miami, Moenkopi, Mohave Valley, Mojave Ranch Estates, Morenci, Mountainaire, Munds Park, Naco, Nazlini, New Kingman-Butler, New River, Nogales, Oljato-Monument Valley, Oracle, Oro Valley, Page, Paradise Valley, Parker, Parker Strip, Parks, Patagonia, Paulden, Payson, Peach Springs, Peeples Valley, Peoria, Peridot, Phoenix, Picture Rocks, Pima, Pine, Pinetop-Lakeside, Pinon, Pirtleville, Pisinemo, Poston, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Quartzsite, Queen Creek, Queen Valley, Red Mesa, Rio Rico Northeast, Rio Rico Northwest, Rio Rico Southeast, Rio Rico Southwest, Rio Verde, Rock Point, Rough Rock, Round Rock, Sacaton, Safford, Sahuarita, St. David, St. Johns, St. Michaels, Salome, San Carlos, San Luis, San Manuel, Santan, Santa Rosa, Sawmill, Scottsdale, Second Mesa, Sedona, Seligman, Sells, Shongopovi, Shonto, Show Low, Sierra Vista, Sierra Vista Southeast, Snowflake, Somerton, Sonoita, South Tucson, Springerville, Spring Valley, Stanfield, Steamboat, Strawberry, Summit, Sun City, Sun City West, Sun Lakes, Sun Valley, Supai, Superior, Surprise, Swift Trail Junction, Tacna, Tanque Verde, Taylor, Teec Nos Pos, Tempe, Thatcher, Three Points, Tolleson, Tombstone, Tonalea, Tonto Basin, Top-of-the-World, Tortolita, Tsaile, Tubac, Tuba City, Tucson, Tucson Estates, Tumacacori-Carmen, Tusayan, Vail, Valencia West, Wellton, Wenden, Whetstone, Whiteriver, Wickenburg, Wilhoit, Willcox, Williams, Williamson, Willow Valley, Window Rock, Winkelman, Winslow, Winslow West, Yarnell, Young, Youngtown, Yuma.

Additional info.

Heavy haul and oversize trucking permit limitations.

Maximum weight on a single axle is 28,000 pounds, on tandem axles or tried him as well as for axles it depends entirely upon the axle spacings and tire sizes. Trunnion: 60,000 pounds the gross raid on five axles is 104,000 pounds on six axles 108,000 pounds and on seven axles 117,000 pounds again depending on the actual number of tires, the distance between the axles and the actual tire size itself. Be sure to check with the state for any additional requirements or questions you may have. Pavement stress and bridge capacities will be the determining factor for the maximum permitted weights. For Arizona class A permits you must be less than the following: up to 14 feet wide, 16 feet high, 120 feet in length or 250,000 pounds. A truck operating under a class A permit will be allowed weekend travel from 3 AM until 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday or non holiday weekends, only on specific highways and with applicable escort. A height pole on escort vehicles or pilot cars is determined by the state. If the shipment exceeds any of these dimensions or weights refer to the section on superloads above. A superload is also classified as a class C shipment in the state of Arizona. A shipment is classified as a class C shipment and needs a class C permit issued if it is over 14 feet wide, 120 feet long, 16 feet high and/or in excess of 250,000 pounds. The maximum speed for any heavy haul or oversize shipment is 55 mph within the state of Arizona. Any specialized equipment that is not loaded is automatically granted continuous travel unless otherwise specified.

Heavy haul in oversize load truck signs and flags that are required.

All oversize, long-load or wideload signs should be a minimum of 6 feet wide and 1 feet tall and shall be mounted on the forward most part of the tractor-trailer and the rearmost part of the load or the vehicle which the shipment is loaded onto in such a manner that is clearly visible to motorists. This sign should have a yellow background with black letters and if you wish to move during daylight hours the background must be reflective or illuminated so it is clearly visible. All over-width vehicles wider than 8’6″ or transporting a load that is exceeding 9 feet in width must display oversize load signs. All shipments and vehicles must be flagged with red flags that are a minimum of 12 inches square or larger on all extremities. All loads or vehicles with an overhang in the front or the rear must be flagged and/or lighted.

Pilot car or escort requirements for heavy haul and oversize loads.

All pilot cars or escort vehicles must be a passenger car or a two axle truck not exceeding 20,000 pounds in total weight. All escort vehicles and pilot cars shall display red flags are are a minimum of 12 inches square on all corners of the vehicle and be fitted with a oversize load sign facing in the applicable direction. This sign must be a minimum of 5 feet above the ground and mounted securely to the vehicle. Signs must be a minimum of 5 feet 1 inches tall with 1 inch thick black letters on a yellow background. Warning lights are required. Each pilot car or escort vehicle needs to be equipped with a two-way radio capable of transmitting and receiving over a minimum distance of 1 mile and must be compatible with all other vehicles involved in the shipment. Each pilot car or escort vehicle must have a minimum of eight flares, one first-aid kit, to red flags and any other equipment specified by AASHTO standards. a minimum distance of 1000 feet shall be maintained between the escort vehicle and the shipment except where visual contact is not obtainable. When in urban areas the distance needs to be between 100 and 250 feet maximum. Arizona state pilot car and escort vehicle certification certificate must be carried by all pilot car and escort vehicle operators. If the operator has a certification in another state as long as the certification is CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) recognized the state of Arizona will recognize it.

Travel time. Note: Arizona does not recognize daylight savings time.

Daylight hours are one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. Night travel may be allowed for vehicles that do not exceed 16 feet wide, 16 feet high, 120 feet long or less than 250,000 pounds. Refer to your permit. A load within these limits shall have escort vehicles if 11 feet wide to 14 feet wide; 1 rear pilot car or escort vehicle is required or if 14’1″ to 16 feet wide you will need a front and rear pilot car and escort vehicle. If the shipment is in excess of 15 feet in height you may be required to have a pilot car with a height pole.

Weekend travel: if the shipment is not greater than: 16 feet wide, 16 feet high, 120 feet long or 250,000 pounds it may be allowed to travel on specified routes from 3 AM until 12 noon on weekends.

Night movement: for shipments that do not exceed any of the following dimensions: 16 feet wide, 16 feet high, 120 feet long and/or 250,000 pounds, night moves should be permitted and noted (if allowed on your route) under restrictions on your permit.

Heavy haul only: shipments that are not over 10 feet wide or not over 14 feet tall with less than 10 feet of overhang may be granted continuous travel with a permit. However no travel may be allowed on Saturdays or Sundays be advised that no movement will be allowed during snow or icy conditions or any severe weather conditions that might be hazardous to motorist or detrimental to the roads and highways.

Travel time is prohibited on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving day and Christmas day. If the proceeding holidays falls on a Monday them shipment shall stop before 12 noon the Friday preceding the national holiday. The state permit office will be closed on these holidays as well as on Lincoln’s birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Columbus Day and Veterans Day. Travel will not be restricted on these four days however there is a curfew. Permitted vehicles are prohibited from I-17, I-10 and SR 360 within city limits of greater Phoenix and I-10 and I-19 within city limits of the greater Tucson area from 7 to 9 AM and 4 to 6 PM.

Weather restrictions for heavy haul and oversize loads.

Whenever driver visibility is restricted you may not travel especially when visibility is less than 500 feet. This can be due to snow, heavy rain, followed or dust. Road surface condition reduces normal traction and under conditions of flooding, ice or snow you may not travel this also applies to high winds or anything else or conditions that may suggest any injury to motorists or the road.

The information contained in these pages is research information primarily for use by oversize and overweight trucking company drivers, dispatchers and pilot car companies. While every effort is put into maintaining the accuracy of this information you must absolutely verify this information with the Arizona State DOT Permits office before commencing movement.

Arizona state flag.

Arizona tire laws.

Arizona transportation-permit laws.

North Dakota Shipping Regulations

By WLSADMIN on June 5, 2018 / Lights, flags and signs., Oversize trucking permits, pilot-cars, State DOT trucking permit offices., USA shipping regulations. / Leave a comment

Tags: axles, bridge, DOT, escort, heavy haul, highway, information, laws, legal, length, loads, maximum, North Dakota, overhang, oversize, overweight, permits, pilot cars, regulations, road, rules, spacing, State, time, trailer, Transportation, travel, truck, trucking, weight, weights, width

2018 North Dakota DOT state shipping laws, regulations, rules and limitations for oversize and heavy haul trucking permits.

North Dakota heavy haul rules and limits for pilot cars.

The great state of North Dakota official seal

North Dakota State Trucking Permit Regulations.

North Dakota State Trucking information website: http://www.nd.gov/ndhp/permits/permits.html

Legal Loads.
Length: 75’ overall on non-designated highways
110’ overall on designated highways.
Weight: 80,000 GVW
Width: 8’ 6”
Height: 14’

North Dakota State

Routine oversize shipping, trucking and transport permits.
Length: 110’
Weight: Steer 12,100 lbs., Single 24,000 lbs., Tandem 45,000 lbs., Tridem 60,000 lbs., 4 axles 73,200 lbs., 5 axles 103,200 lbs., 6 axles 118,000 lbs., 7 axles 126,000 lbs.
Width: 18’
Height: 15’ 6”

How to apply for oversize transport and shipping permits.
North Dakota Highway Patrol
Motor Carrier Operations
600 E Boulevard Ave., Dept. 504
Bismark, ND 58505-0240

Phone: 701-328-2621
Fax: 701-328-1642

Basic Permit costs $20 and is valid for 5 days. Applications can be printed here.

Pilot Car – Escort Car Requirements.

Width: 2 lanes over 14’6” requires 1 front pilot car. 4 lanes over 16’ requires 1 rear pilot car. 2 lanes over 16’ requires 1 front pilot car and 1 rear pilot car.
Height: Over 18’ requires 1 front pilot car.
Length: Over 120’ requires 1 rear pilot car.

Travel Restrictions.

Travel is permitted from sunrise to sunset. Travel permitted all weekend up to 16′ wide or 110′ in length. Continuous travel also permitted if heavy only. When hauling a dozer the blade has to be attached when over weight.

The information contained in these pages is research information primarily for use by oversize and overweight trucking company drivers, dispatchers and pilot car companies. While every effort is put into maintaining the accuracy of this information you must absolutely verify this information with the North Dakota State DOT Permits office before commencing movement.

North Dakota state flag.

Ohio State Shipping Regulations

By WLSADMIN on June 23, 2013 / Lights, flags and signs., Oversize trucking permits, pilot-cars, State DOT trucking permit offices., USA shipping regulations. / 3 Comments

Tags: apply, axles, bridge, coils, contact, copper, DOT, escort, farm, farming, federal, heavy haul, highway, information, laws, legal, length, loads, maximum, Ohio, overhang, oversize, overweight, permits, pilot cars, regulations, road, rules, shipping, spacing, State, steel, time, trailer, Transportation, travel, truck, trucking, weight, weights, width

2018 Ohio DOT state shipping laws, regulations, ules, limitations for oversize and heavy-haul trucking permits.

Ohio DOT rules and regulations for oversize and overweight shipping.

The great state of Ohio official seal.

Please share your expertise or Ohio state shipping regulations with other visitors below.

Locate oversize, heavy-haul trucking companies and pilot cars.

Ohio oversize, heavy-haul trucking companies and pilot cars for hire:

Ohio pilot cars and truck escorts.
Ohio oversize and heavy-haul trucking companies.

Do I need a trucking permits? Legal load limits.

Ohio maximum load limits until a trucking permit is required:

Length: The Ohio DOT has no maximum length set that we know of. Trailer length is set at a maximum length of 53 feet. If the shipment is over 90′ in length (combined) 1 pilot car (escort vehicle) is required.
Height: 13 feet 6 inches is the maximum allowed shipping height as per Ohio DOT without a permit.
Width: 8 feet 6 inches is the maximum width allowed to travel on Ohio roads.
Weight: 80,000 pounds maximum weight (GVW) 20,000 pounds on any single axle, 34,000 pounds on dual axles, 48,000 pounds on tridum axles.
Overhang: 53 feet is the maximum length. Front overhang is an issue that has not been clearly addressed by O
Notes: Definitions of weights: Overall Spacing: Distance center to center, to the nearest foot between extreme front and rear-most axles of vehicle or combination of vehicles, or any internal axle grouping. Spacing: Distance center to center, to the nearest foot, to an adjacent axle.

Some divisible loads may be permitted to travel is less than 150 miles. Transporting metal coils such as aluminum, copper, steel have different laws, basic info is 3 (or fewer) coils are deemed “nondivisible loads” (as per OH NonDivisible and per Ohio 5501:2-1-01 (Q).

Routine oversize and heavy-haul trucking permits.

These maximum dimensions/weights are routine oversize or heavy-haul trucking permits in OH:

Length: Anything over 90′ will require a pilot car/escort vehicle.
Width: 14′ is the maximum width considered on routine issued permits. Routing of course is the restricting factor so if you may qualify for up to (our approximation) 16′ routinely depending on your desired route.
Height: 14′ 6″ in the maximum for routinely issued permits. Of course routing is the qualifier. If your shipment is 14′ 6″ or over you will be required to have a high pole escort.
Weight: Single axle: 29,000 lbs. Tandem axles: 36,000 lbs if axle spacing is a minimum of 4′ 1″ and up to a whopping 50,000 lbs if your axle spacings are more than the 4′ 1″ but not more than 16′. Tridem axles: 60,000 lbs maximum if your axle spacing is less than 4′ and 53,000 lbs if your axle spacing is more than 4′ but less than 16′. Quadem: 60,000 (as long as GVW is not over 120,000 lbs). 5 axles (single-tandem-tridem): 29,000 lbs – 46,000 lbs – 46,000 lbs = 121,000 lbs maximum total per group of axles. However; in order to do this you have to have a minimum of a 51′ outer bridge and a 36′ inner bridge in order to heavy haul on a 5 axle setup. 6 axles: (single-tandem-tridum); 29,000 lbs, 46,000 lbs, 53,000 lbs = 128,000 lbs total maximum per group of axles. 7 axles: (single-tridum-tridum); 29,000 lbs – 53,000 lbs – 53,000 lbs = 135,000 lbs total maximum weight allowed. 8 axles: (single-tandem-tandem-tridum); 29,000 lbs – 46,000 lbs -46,000 lbs – 53,000 = 174,000 lbs maximum for this kind of group setup.
Overhang: We have not located any information on routinely permitted overhang. So, we have to assume that as long as you do not want to overhang more than 1/3 of the overall length of the item being shipped you can probably get a routine permit. When you wish to exceed this basic rule (more than 1/3 overhang) you create a potentially dangerous situation. If you have any knowledge on routine overhang in Ohio please share it with others below.

80,000 pounds maximum weight (GVW) 29,000 pounds on any single axle, 36,000 pounds on dual axles, 60,000 pounds on quad axles.

Notes: As long as the GVW is not over 120,000 lbs you can use a tridem or quadem setup but you are required to have the minimum of 4′ 1″ spacing in your axles. You can go up to 132,000 lbs on a 7, 8 or 9 axle setup for your steering configuration plus 2 tridem or quadem axle groups. Please see more in superloads section below.

Notes: Definitions of weights: Overall Spacing: Distance center to center, to the nearest foot between extreme front and rear-most axles of vehicle or combination of vehicles, or any internal axle grouping. Spacing: Distance center to center, to the nearest foot, to an adjacent axle.

Ohio superloads.

Requirements for extra-heavy or over-dimensional (superloads) in OH:

Length: Depending on your route you probably will not have any problems with length in Ohio unless you are over 160′ overall. Ohio DOT has no set limitations on length so you may not even qualify as a supleroad.
Width: Again depending on the route you intend on taking unless you are over 18′ in width you may not qualify as a superload by the Ohio DOT. While they are not too keen on wideload shipments they tend to look at these on a case by case basis which is all dependent on your routing. In some areas you 16′ may qualify you as routine. If your shipment is over 18′ in width you will be classified as a superload. We welcome your comments below.
Height: If you are over 14′ 6″ in the state of Ohio you will be required to have a high pole escort (pilot car) in front of you the entire route. Ohio DOT may require that you notify any/all utility companies that manage obstructions on your route before you are permitted to move. It’s all about your routing in Ohio as we are sure you are learning however, Ohio DOT is very knowledgeable and you have to give them credit for that. We feel they should be a little more lenient on height issues or have published routes for routine permits but maybe they have future plans.
Weight: For superload configurations that are in excess of 120,000 lbs gross you will most likely be required to reduce your configuration by using a jeep. Your overall minimum axle spacings will need to be no less than 65′ with the inner bridge no less than 51′. See “routine trucking permits” above for more information about required axle group spacings as your groups need a distance of no less than 4′ 1″ between each.
Overhang: Use the rule of 1/3. Read more above in “routine trucking permits”

Legal travel times for oversize and heavy-haul loads.

Travel times and restrictions:

Basic travel times:
The basic rule of one half hour before sunrise and one half hour after sunset applies (example; travel start time is at 1/2 hour before sunset on approved days). Ohio DOT regulations travel times are complicated due to population/traffic density consideration. ALWAYS REFER TO YOUR PHYSICAL PERMIT BEFORE COMMENCING MOVEMENT. If your shipment is over 12′ in width you are NOT allowed to travel in the list of counties and within a 25 mile radius of the cities listed below between the hours of 6:30 AM until 9 AM and from 4:30 AM until 6 PM Monday thru Friday and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays you may not travel after 3 PM during the days between April 1st until November the 30th.

Holiday movement:
You are permitted to travel on the following holidays with the above rules in mind; Columbus day, George Washington’s birthday, Martin Luther King day and Veterans day. You are prohibited from traveling on the following holidays; New Years day, Memorial day, Independence day, Labor day, Thanksgiving day and Christmas day. The Ohio DOT permit offices are closed on all of these days.

When pilot cars of escort vehicles are required.

Heavy haul or oversize loads may be required to be accompanied by a escort vehicle or pilot car if:

QUICK REFERENCE

Length:

90 feet combined overall. Lead on 2 lanes and chase on 4 or more lanes. No mention on overhang (see: All heavy-haul shipping laws).

Width:
2 lane roads:

13 feet requires 1 pilot car.
14 feet and 6 inches requires 1 pilot car and 1 escort vehicle.
16 feet requires 1 pilot car and 1 escort vehicle and 1 police escort.

4 lane roads:

13 feet requires 1 pilot car.
14 feet and 6 inches requires 1 pilot car and 1 escort.
16 feet and 6 inches requires 1 pilot car and 1 escort and on some routes 1 police escort.

Height:

14 feet and 6 inches requires 1 pilot car equipped with a high pole.
14 feet and 10 inches and over requires 1 pilot car equipped with a height pole and 1 rear chase.
Some routes may be required to be accompanied by 1 police escort.

Length: 1 pilot car/escort vehicle is required in the overall length of your shipment is in excess of 90 feet in length.
Width: 1 pilot car/ escort vehicle is required for shipments in excess of 13′ wide. If on a 2 lane road the pilot car needs to be in the lead position and on 4 lane roads the rear chase position is required. If the width is greater than 14′ 6″ wide then you are required to have 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle.
Height: If the height of you shipment is in excess of 14′ 6″ in height you are required to have 1 front/lead pilot car/escort vehicle with a height pole. If the shipment is in excess of 14′ 10″ in height you are required to have 1 front pilot car/escort vehicle equipped with a high pole and 1 rear chase pilot car/escort vehicle displaying a “OVERSIZE LOAD” banner. See banner/sign specifications and requirements below in “pilot car certifications & requirements” section.
Weight: There are no immediate pilot car or escort vehicle requirements for shipments that are overweight. As long as the shipment is able to maintain the minimum speed limit requirements escort is necessary. This may not be applicable towards superloads which is on case by case basis.
Overhang: Overhang, if excessive is reviewed on a case by case basis. If your shipment is overhanging by less than 1/3 of it’s length (1/3 meaning the overall measurement of only the item being shipped) you may be required to use a flag or amber light on the rear as long as the overall length of your shipment is not excessive and overhang is not either, ie; no more than 10′ (this is only a assumption and you must clarify your requirements with the Ohio DOT).
Note: If you are required to have only 1 pilot car/escort because your shipment is only 13′ wide but your shipment requires you to have 1 pilot car/escort because you are over 90′ in length you are considered a “combination” shipment and will be required to have 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle.

Pilot car certifications & requirements.

Pilot car (escort vehicle) certifications and requirements of the Ohio DOT:

Pilot car and escort vehicles operating in the state of Ohio are mandated by the Ohio DOT to have an amber light mounted on the roof of the vehicle. The amber light must strobe or flash and be clearly visible from a 360 degree angle from a distance of no less than 500′. The vehicle is required to have a single roof mounted sign or a front/rear sign (depending on if operating as a lead or chase vehicle) that is no less than 5′ in length and 12′ in height with letters no less than 8″ in height that are a minimum 1″ in thickness. The sign must be yellow in color with black lettering and state the nature of the load being shipping, either “OVERSIZE LOAD” OR “WIDELOAD”. All pilot car or escort vehicles are required to be equipped with a CB radio or powerful 2-way communication device that enables them to be in constant communication with all parties working in the movement. Pilot car vehicles are required to have a hand held paddle sign that states the words “STOP on one side and “SLOW” on the other is case traffic needs to be controlled.

Note: It is only our professional opinion that pilot cars also have a minimum of the additional items but not required: 2 – 5 pound fire extinguishers type A, B and C. A red safety colored flag with a handle no less than 18″ square, 3 reflective emergency road triangles or 18″ traffic cones, 8 burning road flares, 2 OVERSIZE LOAD banners (yellow with black lettering) and a safety colored (red, orange, yellow or lime green) vest, jacket or shirt (used while directing traffic).

Shipment, truck and trailer markings.

Truck, trailer and shipment required markings with banners, signs and flags by Ohio DOT:

A strobing or flashing amber light that is visible from 360 degrees from a distance of no less than 500 feet is required to placed on the highest point of the cab of the tractor trailer. Signs/banners that indicate the nature of the shipment, “OVERSIZE LOAD” OR “WIDELOAD” are required to be placed at the overall front and rear of the shipment. These banners must be yellow in color with black lettering and not less than 7′ in width and 18″ in height. Letters must be a minimum of 10″ in height with a 1 1/2″ line thickness. Safety flags must be mounted at the 4 outer most corners of the overall shipment and be no less than 18″ in length in either direction and be safety red or orange in color. If the shipment protrudes in any direction like overhang additional flags are required. You may be required to place flashing or strobing amber lights on any protrusions as well.

Ohio DOT & other important information.

Ohio DOT contact and other useful information:

Address:
Ohio Department of Transportation Special Hauling Officer – ODOT
Permit Section
1980 West Broad Street, Mail stop 5140
Columbus, OH 43223
Telephone help line: 614-351-2300
Permit office hours are from 7:30 AM until 4:30 – PM EASTERN TIME ZONE.
Ohio DOT special hauling permits section website.
Ohio special hauling operations manual and guide.
Ohio DOT insurance applications and permit forms.
Ohio road conditions, construction zones and alerts.

The information contained in these pages is research information primarily for use by oversize and overweight trucking company drivers, dispatchers and pilot car companies. While every effort is put into maintaining the accuracy of this information you must absolutely verify this information with the Ohio State DOT Permits office before commencing movement.

Ohio state flag.

All heavy-haul shipping laws.

Flags and oversize loads.

Legal shipping limit laws.

Shipping farming machinery.

Regional heavy-haul permits.

Regional heavy-haul permits.

Shipping farming machinery.

Legal shipping limit laws.

Flags and oversize loads.

All heavy-haul shipping laws.

California State Shipping Regulations

By WLSADMIN on June 5, 2013 / Lights, flags and signs., Oversize trucking permits, pilot-cars, State DOT trucking permit offices., USA shipping regulations. / 5 Comments

Tags: axles, bridge, California, Caltrans, DOT, escort, federal, heavy haul, highway, information, laws, legal, length, limits, loads, maximum, overhang, oversize, overweight, permits, pilot cars, regulations, road, rules, shipping, spacing, State, trailer, Transportation, travel, travel times, truck, trucking, weight, weights, width

California 2018 state shipping laws, regulations , rules and limitations for heavy haul trucking and oversize loads. CA DOT – CALTRANS.

The great state of California official seal.

Please share your knowledge of California state shipping regulations with other visitors below.

Heavy haul and oversize trucking companies.

Locate trucking companies and pilot car companies in the state of California:

California heavy haul trucking company directory.
California pilot car company directory.
Order California heavy haul and oversize trucking permits.

Legal load limits.

California DOT legal load size & weight limitations for 18 wheeler semi-trucks:

Length: Many measurements for semitrailers by California DOT seem very short because they’re referring to the distance from the king-pin to the rear axle. Also certain routes have restrictions on trailer sizes so if you are at any point confused please call the DOT and check California state shipping regulations before traveling. First of all for passenger related vehicles the maximum is 45′ in length overall on approved routes. Semi-trailers: for a single axle semitrailer the maximum length of the trailer allowed is 53′ overall as long as it has two axles. If it has only one axle the maximum trailer length is 38′ overall. The maximum overall legal combination length is 65′ for the heavy haul and oversize sector of the trucking industry however there are additional laws for trucks pulling doubles or triples (dry box) that allows them to max out at 75 feet overall. California also has classifications such as a “STAA” vehicle. You can have a look at green truck dimensions at: Truck Map (.pdf) for further clarification.
Width: 8′ 6″ is the maximum with allowed to travel on any road in the state of California.
Height: 14′ in the maximum legal height allowed to travel in the state of California.
Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW with no more than 12,500 on a steer axle, 20,000 pounds maximum weight on any single axle, 34,000 pounds maximum on tandem axles and on tridem axle configurations depending on axle spread such as from 10 feet to 10 feet 2 inches (10’2″) tridum is legal at 40,000 pounds. If you feel you are getting close to the legal limits see the section below on “routine trucking permits”.
Overhang: You are allowed 3 feet of front overhang (4 feet for fixed trailers ie; car haulers). Rear overhang is 6′ in most areas but can for sure be no more than 1/3 of the total item being shipped. Be sure to clarify the amount with the California DOT office you are traveling in to make sure. Note: The comment below on vehicle shipping overhang. We welcome your comments below to help others in clarification of rear overhang.

Routine oversize and heavy haul trucking permits.

Oversize and heavy haul trucking permits that are routinely issued by California DOT:

Length: 135 feet in overall length is the maximum length on a routine oversize trucking permit that is issued. All others see “superload” info below or learn more about the California length limitations.
Width: 15′ wide is the maximum width issued by a routine oversize trucking permit in California. All others see “superload” info below or learn more about the California width restrictions.
Height: Under 17′ as anything over that height is required to have a route survey. If your route happened to be a well documented route you might be able to get away without having to do the route survey but its not likely. Some shipments may be forced to use a lowboy, double drop or otherwise trailer that is purposely lower to the pavement.
Weight: 250,000 pounds maximum (Class C if over or see super loads). Steer axles 12,500 pounds. Single axle; 20,000 pounds, 46,000 pounds on tandem axles, 60,000 pounds on tridum axles. Quadem axles are not recognized for over weight shipments. Depends upon the axle spacings and tire size. Trunnion: 60,000 pounds. Gross Weights: 5 axles is 112,000 pounds; 6 axles – 117,450; 7 axles 158,000 pounds, 8 axles 181,300 pounds (subject to inspection). The weights depend upon the number of tires combined with the overall distance between each of the axles. Spacings on axles are tricky in this state. The California DOT permits office will consider a number or factors but primarily bridges. If weights are excessive and trailer capabilities are even close to short of maxing out forget it. Pavement structural and stress testing and results will govern your overall capabilities. Learn more details on California heavy haul weight restrictions.
Overhang: Overhang in the state of California is very detailed depending on amount of front or rear overhang and the route (color; see maps link above). Some shipments may be forced to be loaded onto stretch trailers. See the above folder on left titled “California overhang in depth” for more information.
Notes: The distance between axles is measured to the nearest whole foot. When a portion is six inches you round up to to the nearest foot ie: 8 feet and 6 inches is documented as 9 feet.

California overhang in depth:

If you wish to research California overhang law please visit: http://www.dot.ca.gov/trafficops/trucks/overhang.html

Overhang from the front of trailer.
Heavy haul and oversize loads are permitted to protrude from the front of the trailer any safe distance provided it does not interfere with the safe operation or the truck and trailer. If the trailer is designed to move shipments above the cab such as cars the maximum overhang allowed is 4 feet. Overhang from combination trailers is restricted to 3 feet.

Overhang from the rear of trailer.
Any shipment loaded onto a trailer or semitrailer shall not extend beyond the rear past the last point of support for a greater distance than that “equal to two-thirds of the length of the wheelbase. The wheelbase of a semitrailer shall be considered as the distance between the rearmost axle of the towing vehicle and the rearmost axle of the semitrailer.”

Lights and flags for shipments that have rear overhang.
Whenever overhang projects out more than 4 feet or more (measured from the tail lamp lens on trailer) you will be required to affix a red or florescent orange flag a minimum of 18 inches square to the extreme projection. If the projection is greater than 2 feet in width you will be required to use 2 warning flags. On shipments that travel after sunset in addition to the flags you are required to use red bulbs (not rated over 6 candle power) that are clearly visible from a minimum distance of 500 feet from both the sides and rear of the shipments extremities.

Exemptions for poles, timber, pipes, etc.
For shipments such as poles, timber (trees), pipes and similar items a shipment can be transported as long as it is within the limitations as described in CVC length chapter. However, any shipment vehicle length limitations of the CVC length chapter do not apply when only poles, timbers, pipes, integral structural materials, or single unit component parts such as missile components, aircraft assemblies, drilling equipment, and tanks not exceeding 80 feet in length are being transported upon any of the following: a pole or pipe trailer, public utility companies or agencies supplying electricity, cable/telephone to include public contractors working directly for the state entity. There are a few exceptions: 1. The combination meets the limitations described above in the “overhang from rear of vehicle” referring to two thirds (2/3) of the wheelbase distance). 2. Transportation is local and between a place designated as a “storage yard” and the job locations may not be restricted under these limitations.

Forklifts protruding from trailers.
A forklift being transported from the rear of any trailer is considered overhang and subject to the limitations described above in “overhang from the rear of trailer” and must meet the two thirds (2/3) measurement restrictions. For length requirements, see the California laws referring to maximum lengths.

Projections from the side of trailers.
Any shipment that protrudes from either side of the trailer in excess of 4 inches to a maximum of 2 feet must place red or orange florescent safety flags (minimum of 18 inches square) on each side of the rear end of the shipment if it is in excess of 2 feet in width. If the shipment is no greater than 4 inches (up to 2 feet) warning flags must be placed on all 4 extreme corners of the shipment.

Boat shipping boom, masts, cranes, shovels and drilling equipment restrictions.
Transporting booms, masts, cranes, shovels or drilling equipment is permitted provided it meets the two thirds (2/3) provisions described above in “overhang from rear of trailer”. Any protrusions from the trailer must be secured to prevent and bending or movement. Front projections that may extend further than the front axle must be a minimum of 7 feet above the pavement and must not restrict the vision of the truck driver.

Container shipping and overhang limitations.
For container shipping companies that have intermodal capabilities whether shipping within or out of the state of California must ensure that all lower corners are securely fastened to the trailer. On trailers that are not designed as “intermodal” trailers you are not permitted to overhang from the front or rear of your trailer and all 4 corners must rest securely upon your trailer however, IF the trailers are completely empty overhang is permitted provided it meets all other overhang restrictions and does not protrude more than 5 feet from the front or rear of the trailer. Also keep in mind the state of California conforms to the regulations defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 49, Part 393, Section 126 (c) and (d) as well as California state law defined in the California Code of Regulations (CCR): Title 13, Div 2, Chap 7, Article 1, Section 1300 (b). If you intend on operating as a container shipper it is strongly advised you clearly understand the limitations set in both federal and state laws.

Draw bars or load extensions.
Extension devices or draw bars up to 18 inches in length are not included in measuring the length of a tractor or trailer individually but are included in measuring a shipments overall length. If you are simply towing a small trailer, boat, car or a camper see the California sections on the “Auto, Boat, & Camper Transporters Exemptions.”

Safety devices to ensure trailer attachments.
Any safety devices that are used to insure trailer is secured to the towing vehicle are permitted provided they are no longer than 10 inches in length.

California superload information.

Length: If you are over 135′ in length overall you are more than likely going to be classified as a superload in California.
Width: Depending out routing and the number of lanes available on the route but 15′ in some areas would qualify you. Over 17′ in width and you will more than likely be categorized as a superload.
Height: Anything over 18 feet tall will require a route survey. If 18′ feet or over in height you more than likely will be classified as a superload. For detailed information on California maximum height limitations check out the state height limitations and routes.
Weight: Of course heavy haul weights are a huge issue. Anytime your overall GVW is over 80,000 pounds or you exceed any of the above (see routine permits) limitations on length, width or height depending on the route you desire you are subject to be classified as a superload.
Overhang: California is NOT going to let you break the rule of 1/3 (no more than 1/3 of overall length can overhang) and they shouldn’t in our opinion from a general view point. Get your proposed routing together and talk to them and see what you come up with would be our suggestion. 15′ possibly routine. 20′ and you are superload for sure we’d guess.
Notes: Here are some maps for superloads (California calls them “Extralegal” – maybe Arnie came up with that?)that can save you some serious money when you need the information. If you need to hire an expert to take care of your California shipping needs or even consult you we are happy to assist you. Most of the time we can handle your problem over the phone for a reasonable fee but when you need someone in the field we are qualified to assist you. See consultation.

Permitted travel times & restrictions.

California permitted travel times and restrictions for heavy haul and oversize loads:

Let’s start by clarification of daylight hours; the basic rule is 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset. If you do not require a pilot car/escort vehicle and are not overweight (green chart – over 52,000 lbs. on tandem axles or higher see charts in “superloads” section above) or don’t have anything out of the ordinary going on your travel times are 7 days a week 24 hours a day if you request to do so when you order your permits. The travel times restrictions are loaded so figure this as a rule of thumb (your permit will state your allowed travel times when issued) since this is just for you to get an estimate:

No travel from 6 AM until 9 AM in/around Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento & San Francisco.
No travel from 3 PM until 6 PM in the same areas with a 1 hour variance.

Your physical permit will state your exact allowed travel times when you get it issued and they will be real close to the above examples. There are simply too many variable to list.
Holiday travel: There is no holiday travel time permitted in California unless you have a special arrangement with Caltrans. The following holidays are observed as no travel days by California state shipping regulations: New Years day, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, George Washington’s birthday, Memorial day, Independence day, Labor day, Thanksgiving day and Christmas day. If the holiday is in a Friday or a Monday there is no travel permitted during Saturday or Sunday. Never travel without first verifying approval first which will be documented clearly on your permit.

When pilot cars or escorts are required.

Shipments requiring escort vehicles or pilot cars:

Length: If over 100′ in length in the city of Los Angles or Los Angeles county you will be required to have 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort. This may be required in other areas as well. If over 120 feet and no longer than 135 feet in length on some routes you will be required to have 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle. If over 135′ in length you will be required to have 1 front and 1 rear escort on any road in the state.
Width: If your shipment is over 12′ wide the “general rule” is you will be required to have 1 front pilot car on 2 lane roads or 1 rear escort on 4 lane roads however note 2 pilot cars are required on some routes. Any shipment in excess of 12 feet should figure on a minimum of 2 pilot cars or escort vehicles.
Height: Once you hit the 18 feet mark in height everything changes. You’ll be required to have a height pole pilot car/escort vehicle and before you even apply for your permit you have to conduct a route survey with the pole set at a minimum of 18 feet and 3 inches (18’3″) as well as a utility company clearance letter. Anything over this height will be required to notify all utility companies in advance of transport.
Weight: There is little mention of weight restrictions and pilot cars. As with many states if the shipment is able to maintain the minimum required speed limits then a pilot car or escort vehicle may not be required. If your shipment is not able to meet the minimum speed requirements then you will more than likely be required to have at minimum 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle and in some cases may even be required to have a police escort. This is based entirely on your proposed route, the weight of the heavy haul shipment and ultimately the California heavy haul permit department.
Overhang: It all depends on the route. Just as a basic rule to calculate off of (not legally binding) if you have less than 15′ of rear overhang you are probably not going to be required to have a pilot car. If you are dealing with a shipment that has 20′ – 25′ of overhang then yes you are going to be required to have at least 1 pilot car/escort vehicle – if overhang is in the front then lead and if off of rear chase. If you have both front and rear overhang that is in excess (30′ front and 25′ rear) count on being required to have 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle.
Notes: Keep in mind these are basic rules for oversize and heavy haul trucking in California. California state shipping regulations continuously change due to construction, project completions and policy modifications. Always refer to your oversize trucking permit before traveling.

Pilot car and escort vehicle certifications.

Pilot car (escort vehicle) certifications and requirements for operating in California state:

Pilot car (escort vehicles) are required to have a minimum of one flashing or strobing amber light mounted at the highest point if the vehicle. Light must be visible from 360 degrees from a distance of no less than 500′ and be completely covered when not tending a shipment. Pilot car vehicles must be equipped with a CB radio or a 2 way communication device with a range of no less than 15 miles and be in constant communication with all parties related to the shipment at all times while in transit. Vehicle is required to have identification signs on each side of the vehicle stating the company name, address and contact telephone number. Vehicle must be equipped with the appropriate banner/sign stating ‘OVERSIZE”, with “OVERSIZE LOAD”, “WIDELOAD” and “LONG LOAD” being used when appropriate that is a minimum of 5’ in width and 10″ in height with black lettering no less than 1 5/8″ letter thickness and a yellow background mounted no less than 48″ from the pavement surface. If not tending a shipment this sign must be fully covered or removed. Vehicle must have one safety colored red flag mounted on each side of the vehicle with a minimum distance of 16″ in either direction. Vehicles must also be equipped with a hand held sign with the words “stop” on one side and “slow on the other, a emergency colored vest/shirt/jacket with reflective stripe and a red emergency flag of no less than 24” in either direction.
Note: Inour professional opinion all pilot cars and escort vehicle operators have items in addition to the above: 2 – 5 pound fire extinguishers type A, B and C, 3 reflective emergency road triangles or 18″ traffic cones, 8 burning road flares, 2 OVERSIZE LOAD banners (yellow with black lettering) and a hard hat. Also when working in California you want to make sure you have the pilot car maps.

Shipment, truck and trailer flags, lights and markings.

Truck, trailer and shipment required signs, banners and flags:

All trucking companies that are hauling oversize and overweight shipments must have a amber colored strobing or flashing light affixed to the top of the tractor trailer cab that is visible 360 degrees from a minimum distance of 500′. Signs that state the exact nature of the shipment; “WIDELOAD”, “OVERSIZE LOAD”, “LONG LOAD”, “EXCESSIVE FRONT OVERHANG”, “EXCESSIVE REAR OVERHANG”. If the shipment is over 100′ overall then the “LONG LOAD” sigh shall be displayed and the “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign is to be displayed for lesser lengths and other oversize configurations. The other signs will need to be used when appropriate. When shipping ANYTHING in excess of 80′ in length, 102″ in width or more than 10′ of overhang you MUST have the appropriate sign on the front of the tractor trailer and on the rear of the trailer and/or rear of overall shipment. The signs must have lettering that is a minimum of 10″ in height with a minimum of 1 5/8″ letter thickness with lettering being black in color on a yellow background. All shipments that are in excess of the 102″ must also have safety colored red flags placed on all for corners of the shipment that are no less than 16″ in either direction. Overhang must be flagged as well. California law defines daylight time as 1/2 hour before sunrise and 1/2 hour after sunset which leaves you open for trouble on lighting which states that during the hours of darkness (we’ve got a 1/2 hour of lee-way time here) you must have 2 red lights on the side and rear (visible from a minimum of 500′) attached to the load or extremities. So, as soon as you pull out in the AM or if it gets close to dusk pull over and put on the red lights so you don’t find yourself in court trying to argue their error in defining “daylight hours” as it is a contradiction that our legal beagles caught while perusing their endless piles of regulations.

California DOT and other information.

California DOT (Caltrans) contact information and other helpful links:

Contact information:
Northern region:
California Department of Transportation – Caltrans
PO Box 942874, room 4105
Sacramento, CA 94274-0001
Telephone help line: 916-322-1297
Fax line: 916-322-4966
Permit office hours: 8 AM until 5 PM – PACIFIC TIME ZONE

Southern region:
California Department of Transportation – Caltrans
464 West 4th Street, MS #618
San Bernadino, CA 92401
Telephone help line: 909-383-4637
Fax line: 909-388-7001
Permit office hours: 8 AM until 5 PM – PACIFIC TIME ZONE

Caltrans pilot car maps – PILOT CARS LOOK!
Caltrans oversize, overweight and single trip permits here.
Caltrans oversize and overweight shipping manuals.
Loads of contacts inside of the Caltrans oversize permit offices.
California traffic and road conditions reports.

California state shipping regulations.

California DOT and Caltrans regulations for oversize trucking and heavy haul.

California state flag.

Cities we service in CA:

California cities: Acton, Adelanto, Agoura Hills, Alameda, Alamo, Albany, Alhambra, Aliso Viejo, Almanor, Alondra Park, Alpaugh, Alpine, Alpine Village, Altadena, Alta Sierra, Alturas, Alum Rock, Amador City, American Canyon, Amesti, Anaheim, Anderson, Angels City, Angwin, Antioch, Apple Valley, Aptos, Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, Arbuckle, Arcadia, Arcata, Arden-Arcade, Armona, Arnold, Aromas, Arroyo Grande, Artesia, Arvin, Ashland, Atascadero, Atherton, Atwater, Auberry, Auburn, August, Avalon, Avenal, Avery, Avocado Heights, Azusa, Bakersfield, Baldwin Park, Banning, Barstow, Bay Point, Bayview, Bayview-Montalvin, Baywood-Los Osos, Beale AFB, Bear Valley, Bear Valley Springs, Beaumont, Beckwourth, Belden, Bell, Bellflower, Bell Gardens, Belmont, Belvedere, Benicia, Ben Lomond, Berkeley, Bermuda Dunes, Bertsch-Oceanview, Bethel Island, Beverly Hills, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Big Bend, Biggs, Big Pine, Big River, Biola, Bishop, Blackhawk-Camino Tassajara, Black Point-Green Point, Blairsden, Bloomington, Blue Lake, Bluewater, Blythe, Bodega Bay, Bodfish, Bolinas, Bombay Beach, Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos, Bonita, Bonsall, Bootjack, Boron, Boronda, Borrego Springs, Bostonia, Boulder Creek, Bowles, Boyes Hot Springs, Bradbury, Bradley, Brawley, Brea, Brentwood, Bret Harte, Brisbane, Broadmoor, Bucks Lake, Buellton, Buena Park, Buena Vista, Burbank, Burbank, Burlingame, Burney, Buttonwillow, Byron, Bystrom, Cabazon, Calabasas, Calexico, California City, Calimesa, Calipatria, Calistoga, Calwa, Camarillo, Cambria, Cambrian Park, Cameron Park, Campbell, Camp Pendleton North, Camp Pendleton South, Cantua Creek, Canyondam, Canyon Lake, Capitola, Caribou, Carlsbad, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley Village, Carmichael, Carpinteria, Carrick, Carson, Cartago, Caruthers, Casa Conejo, Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, Castro Valley, Castroville, Cathedral City, Cayucos, Ceres, Cerritos, Challenge-Brownsville, Channel Islands Beach, Charter Oak, Cherryland, Cherry Valley, Chester, Chico, Chilcoot-Vinton, China Lake Acres, Chinese Camp, Chino, Chino Hills, Chowchilla, Chualar, Chula Vista, Citrus, Citrus Heights, Claremont, Clayton, Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Clio, Cloverdale, Clovis, Clyde, Coachella, Coalinga, Cobb, Colfax, Colma, Colton, Columbia, Colusa, Commerce, Compton, Concord, Concow, Copperopolis, Corcoran, Corning, Corona, Coronado, Corralitos, Corte Madera, Costa Mesa, Cotati, Coto de Caza, Cottonwood, Country Club, Covelo, Covina, Crescent City, Crescent City North, Crescent Mills, Crest, Crestline, C-Road, Crockett, Cromberg, Cudahy, Culver City, Cupertino, Cutler, Cutten, Cypress, Daly City, Dana Point, Danville, Darwin, Davis, Day Valley, Deer Park, Del Aire, Delano, Delhi, Delleker, Del Mar, Del Monte Forest, Del Rey, Del Rey Oaks, Del Rio, Denair, Derby Acres, Desert Hot Springs, Desert Shores, Desert View Highlands, Diablo, Diamond Bar, Diamond Springs, Dillon Beach, Dinuba, Discovery Bay, Dixon, Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek, Dollar Point, Dorrington, Dorris, Dos Palos, Downey, Duarte, Dublin, Ducor, Dunsmuir, Durham, Dustin Acres, Earlimart, East Blythe, East Compton, East Foothills, East Hemet, East La Mirada, East Los Angeles, East Oakdale, Easton, East Orosi, East Palo Alto, East Pasadena, East Porterville, East Quincy, East Richmond Heights, East San Gabriel, East Shore, East Sonora, Edgewood, Edwards AFB, El Cajon, El Centro, El Cerrito, El Cerrito, El Dorado Hills, Eldridge, El Granada, Elk Grove, Elkhorn, Elmira, El Monte, El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles), El Rio, El Segundo, El Sobrante, El Verano, Emerald Lake Hills, Emeryville, Empire, Encinitas, Escalon, Escondido, Esparto, Etna, Eureka, Exeter, Fairbanks Ranch, Fairfax, Fairfield, Fair Oaks, Fairview, Fallbrook, Fall River Mills, Farmersville, Farmington, Fellows, Felton, Ferndale, Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente, Fillmore, Firebaugh, Florence-Graham, Florin, Folsom, Fontana, Foothill Farms, Foothill Ranch, Ford City, Foresthill, Forest Meadows, Forestville, Fort Bragg, Fort Jones, Fortuna, Foster City, Fountain Valley, Fowler, Frazier Park, Freedom, Fremont, French Camp, French Gulch, Fresno, Friant, Fruitdale, Fullerton, Furnace Creek, Galt, Gardena, Garden Acres, Garden Grove, Gazelle, Georgetown, Gerber-Las Flores, Gilroy, Glen Avon, Glendale, Glendora, Glen Ellen, Golden Hills, Gold River, Goleta, Gonzales, Goshen, Graeagle, Grand Terrace, Granite Bay, Granite Hills, Grass Valley, Graton, Grayson, Greenfield, Greenhorn, Green Valley, Greenview, Greenville, Grenada, Gridley, Groveland-Big Oak Flat, Grover Beach, Guadalupe, Guerneville, Gustine, Hacienda Heights, Half Moon Bay, Hamilton Branch, Hamilton City, Hanford, Harbison Canyon, Hawaiian Gardens, Hawthorne, Hayfork, Hayward, Healdsburg, Heber, Hemet, Hercules, Hermosa Beach, Hesperia, Hickman, Hidden Hills, Hidden Meadows, Hidden Valley Lake, Highgrove, Highland, Highlands-Baywood Park, Hillsborough, Hilmar-Irwin, Hollister, Holtville, Home Garden, Home Gardens, Homeland, Homewood Canyon-Valley Wells, Hornbrook, Hughson, Humboldt Hill, Huntington Beach, Huntington Park, Huron, Hydesville, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Imperial, Imperial Beach, Independence, Indian Falls, Indian Wells, Indio, Industry, Inglewood, Interlaken, Inverness, Inyokern, Ione, Iron Horse, Irvine, Irwindale, Isla Vista, Isleton, Ivanhoe, Jackson, Jamestown, Jamul, Johannesburg, Johnsville, Joshua Tree, Julian, Keddie, Keeler, Keene, Kelseyville, Kennedy, Kensington, Kentfield, Kerman, Kernville, Kettleman City, Keyes, King City, Kings Beach, Kingsburg, Kirkwood, Klamath, Knightsen, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Ladera Heights, Lafayette, Laguna, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna West-Lakeside, Laguna Woods, Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, La Habra, La Habra Heights, Lake Almanor Country Club, Lake Almanor Peninsula, Lake Almanor West, Lake Arrowhead, Lake Davis, Lake Elsinore, Lake Forest, Lakehead-Lakeshore, Lake Isabella, Lakeland Village, Lake Los Angeles, Lake Nacimiento, Lake of the Pines, Lake of the Woods, Lakeport, Lake San Marcos, Lakeside, Lakeview, Lake Wildwood, Lakewood, La Mesa, La Mirada, Lamont, Lanare, Lancaster, La Palma, La Porte, La Presa, La Puente, La Quinta, La Riviera, Larkfield-Wikiup, Larkspur, Las Flores, Las Lomas, Lathrop, Laton, La Verne, Lawndale, Laytonville, Lebec, Le Grand, Lemon Cove, Lemon Grove, Lemoore, Lemoore Station, Lennox, Lenwood, Lewiston, Lexington Hills, Lincoln, Lincoln Village, Linda, Linden, Lindsay, Little Grass Valley, Littlerock, Live Oak, Live Oak, Livermore, Livingston, Lockeford, Lodi, Loma Linda, Loma Rica, Lomita, Lompoc, London, Lone Pine, Long Beach, Loomis, Los Alamitos, Los Alamos, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Angeles, Los Banos, Los Gatos, Los Molinos, Lost Hills, Lower Lake, Loyalton, Loyola, Lucas Valley-Marinwood, Lucerne, Lynwood, McArthur, McCloud, Macdoel, McFarland, McKinleyville, McKittrick, Madera, Madera Acres, Magalia, Malibu, Mammoth Lakes, Manhattan Beach, Manteca, Manton, March AFB, Maricopa, Marina, Marina del Rey, Mariposa, Markleeville, Martinez, Marysville, Mayflower Village, Maywood, Meadow Valley, Meadow Vista, Mecca, Meiners Oaks, Mendocino, Mendota, Menlo Park, Mentone, Merced, Mesa, Mesa Vista, Mettler, Middletown, Millbrae, Mill Valley, Millville, Milpitas, Mineral, Mira Loma, Mira Monte, Mission Canyon, Mission Hills, Mission Viejo, Mi-Wuk Village, Modesto, Mohawk Vista, Mojave, Mokelumne Hill, Mono Vista, Monrovia, Montague, Montara, Montclair, Montebello, Montecito, Monterey, Monterey Park, Monte Rio, Monte Sereno, Montgomery Creek, Moorpark, Morada, Moraga, Moreno Valley, Morgan Hill, Morongo Valley, Morro Bay, Moss Beach, Moss Landing, Mountain Mesa, Mountain Ranch, Mountain View, Mountain View, Mountain View Acres, Mount Hebron, Mount Shasta, Muir Beach, Murphys, Murrieta, Murrieta Hot Springs, Muscoy, Myrtletown, Napa, National City, Nebo Center, Needles, Nevada City, Newark, Newman, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Nice, Niland, Nipomo, Norco, North Auburn, North Edwards, North El Monte, North Fair Oaks, North Highlands, North Lakeport, North Woodbridge, Norwalk, Novato, Nuevo, Oakdale, Oakhurst, Oakland, Oakley, Oak Park, Oak View, Occidental, Oceano, Oceanside, Ocotillo, Oildale, Ojai, Olancha, Olivehurst, Ontario, Onyx, Opal Cliffs, Orange, Orange Cove, Orangevale, Orcutt, Orinda, Orland, Orosi, Oroville, Oroville East, Oxnard, Pacheco, Pacifica, Pacific Grove, Pajaro, Palermo, Palmdale, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Palo Alto, Palo Cedro, Palos Verdes Estates, Palo Verde, Paradise, Paramount, Parksdale, Parkway-South Sacramento, Parkwood, Parlier, Pasadena, Patterson, Paxton, Pearsonville, Pedley, Penn Valley, Perris, Petaluma, Phoenix Lake-Cedar Ridge, Pico Rivera, Piedmont, Pine Hills, Pine Mountain Club, Pine Valley, Pinole, Piru, Pismo Beach, Pittsburg, Pixley, Placentia, Placerville, Planada, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, Plumas Eureka, Plymouth, Point Arena, Point Reyes Station, Pollock Pines, Pomona, Poplar-Cotton Center, Port Costa, Porterville, Port Hueneme, Portola, Portola Hills, Portola Valley, Poway, Prattville, Prunedale, Quail Valley, Quartz Hill, Quincy, Rail Road Flat, Rainbow, Raisin City, Ramona, Rancho Calaveras, Rancho Cordova, Rancho Cucamonga, Rancho Mirage, Rancho Murieta, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Santa Margarita, Rancho Tehama Reserve, Randsburg, Red Bluff, Redding, Redlands, Redondo Beach, Redway, Redwood City, Reedley, Rialto, Richgrove, Richmond, Ridgecrest, Ridgemark, Rio Dell, Rio del Mar, Rio Linda, Rio Vista, Ripon, Riverbank, Riverdale, Riverdale Park, Riverside, Rocklin, Rodeo, Rohnert Park, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rollingwood, Romoland, Rosamond, Rosedale, Roseland, Rosemead, Rosemont, Roseville, Ross, Rossmoor, Round Mountain, Round Valley, Rowland Heights, Rubidoux, Running Springs, Sacramento, St. Helena, Salida, Salinas, Salton City, Salton Sea Beach, San Andreas, San Anselmo, San Antonio Heights, San Ardo, San Bernardino, San Bruno, San Buenaventura (Ventura), San Carlos, San Clemente, Sand City, San Diego, San Diego Country Estates, San Dimas, San Fernando, San Francisco, San Gabriel, Sanger, San Geronimo, San Jacinto, San Joaquin, San Joaquin Hills, San Jose, San Juan Bautista, San Juan Capistrano, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, San Lucas, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, San Marino, San Martin, San Mateo, San Miguel, San Pablo, San Rafael, San Ramon, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Clarita, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Maria, Santa Monica, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa, Santa Venetia, Santa Ynez, Santee, Saratoga, Sausalito, Scotts Valley, Seal Beach, Searles Valley, Seaside, Sebastopol, Sedco Hills, Seeley, Selma, Seven Trees, Shackelford, Shafter, Shandon, Shasta Lake, Shaver Lake, Shingle Springs, Shingletown, Shoshone, Sierra Madre, Signal Hill, Simi Valley, Solana Beach, Soledad, Solvang, Sonoma, Sonora, Soquel, Soulsbyville, South Dos Palos, South El Monte, South Gate, South Lake Tahoe, South Oroville, South Pasadena, South San Francisco, South San Gabriel, South San Jose Hills, South Taft, South Whittier, South Woodbridge, South Yuba City, Spreckels, Spring Garden, Spring Valley, Springville, Squaw Valley, Squirrel Mountain Valley, Stallion Springs, Stanford, Stanton, Stinson Beach, Stockton, Storrie, Stratford, Strathmore, Strawberry, Suisun City, Summerland, Sun City, Sunnyside-Tahoe City, Sunnyslope, Sunnyvale, Sunol, Sunol-Midtown, Susanville, Sutter, Sutter Creek, Taft, Taft Heights, Taft Mosswood, Tahoe Vista, Talmage, Tamalpais-Homestead Valley, Tara Hills, Taylorsville, Tecopa, Tehachapi, Tehama, Temecula, Temelec, Temple City, Templeton, Tennant, Terra Bella, Thermalito, Thousand Oaks, Thousand Palms, Three Rivers, Tiburon, Tierra Buena, Tipton, Tobin, Tomales, Toro Canyon, Torrance, Tracy, Tranquillity, Traver, Trinidad, Truckee, Tulare, Tulelake, Tuolumne City, Tupman, Turlock, Tustin, Tustin Foothills, Twain, Twain Harte, Twentynine Palms, Twentynine Palms Base, Twin Lakes, Ukiah, Union City, Upland, Upper Lake, Vacaville, Valinda, Vallecito, Vallejo, Valle Vista, Valley Acres, Valley Center, Valley Ranch, Valley Springs, Val Verde, Vandenberg AFB, Vandenberg Village, Vernon, Victorville, View Park-Windsor Hills, Villa Park, Vincent, Vine Hill, Vineyard, Visalia, Vista, Waldon, Wallace, Walnut, Walnut Creek, Walnut Grove, Walnut Park, Wasco, Waterford, Watsonville, Weaverville, Weed, Weedpatch, Weldon, West Athens, West Bishop, West Carson, West Compton, West Covina, Westhaven-Moonstone, West Hollywood, Westlake Village, Westley, West Menlo Park, Westminster, West Modesto, Westmont, Westmorland, West Point, West Puente Valley, West Sacramento, West Whittier-Los Nietos, Westwood, Wheatland, Whitehawk, Whittier, Wildomar, Wilkerson, Williams, Willits, Willowbrook, Willow Creek, Willows, Wilton, Winchester, Windsor, Winter Gardens, Winterhaven, Winters, Winton, Wofford Heights, Woodacre, Woodcrest, Woodlake, Woodland, Woodside, Woodville, Wrightwood, Yorba Linda, Yosemite Lakes, Yosemite Valley, Yountville, Yreka, Yuba City, Yucaipa, Yucca Valley.

Additional info.

Heavy haul trucking and oversize load permit limitations.
Maximum weight maximum weight: steering axle, 12,500 pounds. Single axle, 20,000 pounds. Tandem axle, 46,000 pounds. Try to maximal, 60,000 pounds. Trunnion axle, 10 feet wide 60,000 pounds. Quad axles are not recognize for heavy haul weights. Gross weight on five axles 112,500 pounds. Six axles hundred and 17,450 pounds. Seven and eight axles 158,000 pounds to 181,000 pounds which will be subject to inspection for heavy haul shipments. You may not move a heavy haul shipment on tandem axles that have more than a 8 foot spread. You may not move a heavy haul shipment on tridum axles that exceed a 10 foot spread.
Maximum length is 135 feet.
Maximum width is 15 feet.
Maximum height. Any shipment that is in excess of 17 feet tall must be accompanied by a routes survey with a high pole set at 3 inches above the load clearance height. All shipments that are over height must be on a lowboy, double drop or otherwise special lowered deck trailer. The state of California will permit shipments that are taller under special circumstances. The state of California has two different regions that use the state wide color route classification system that includes maps for shipments and pilot car company operators. You will need to check your permit for these route color classifications to determine if you need pilot cars or escorts. There are so many requirements we could not possibly list them here. For additional information please refer to the Caltrans links above.

Heavy haul and oversize trucking shipments that are classified as super loads.Any shipment that is in excess of 16 feet wide is a super load. Any shipment that exceeds the weights and dimensions listed above will more than likely be classified as a superload. In many circumstances certain routes will require that you file for a superload permit while other routes may not require you to file for a superload permit. For more information please refer to the above section on super loads as well as the Caltrans links. While performing our research we found it difficult to obtain information on California superload shipments as the term “superload” is not as widely used in this state as in other states.

Heavy haul and oversize load sign, flags and lights.
Any shipment being moved in the state of California that is an excess of 8’6″ wide or 80 feet long or more than 10 feet of overhang will need to use the appropriate warning signs. Warning signs shall be posted on the front and the rear of the shipment and need to specify “long load” or “oversize load” or “wideload” or “excessive front overhang” or “excessive rear overhang”. The applicable warning sign must be used whenever you are transporting a shipment that falls under these dimensions. At times when a load is oversize and long as long as the load is not over 100 feet in length a “oversize load” sign could be used. However, if the shipment is in excess of 100 feet long then a “long load” sign will need to be used. All signs must display black letters on a yellow background. The letters must be 10 inches in height and a minimum of 1 5/8 inches wide. All signs will need to be mounted at least 18 inches above the surface of the road on both the front and the rear of the entire combination bowls signs and flags are required on vehicles that are over the legal width (8’6”). Flags are required whenever any shipment extends beyond 4 feet or more of the end of the trailer. For night movements you will need to use both safety lights and flags. To safety lights and two flags are required for night shipments that are in excess of 2 feet in width. These lights are to be no more than 6 candlepower lights that are clearly visible from both the side and the rear of the shipment for 500 feet if the shipment has front overhang you may be required to use to white lights visible from 500 feet in combination with the flags on the front of the load. As stated above the flags will need to be read or florescent orange in color and square with each side of the square a minimum of 16 inches. Any revolving amber lights on any towing unit must be completely covered when not transporting a permitted shipment.

Pilot car and escort vehicle requirements. Do I need one?

When a shipment is over 12 feet wide depending on the routes one or two pilot cars or escort vehicles are required. When a shipment is 120 feet to 135 feet long depending on the location and route one or more pilot cars or escorts may be required. If the shipment is over 100 feet and linked in Los Angeles County or in the city of Los Angeles you will be required to have one front and one rear pilot car or escort vehicle. Any shipment that is in excess of 18 feet or more and height will require a utility clearance and a routes survey done by a pilot car or escort vehicle equipped with a high pole. For shipments that have 30 feet or more of front overhang one pilot car will be required in for shipments with 25 feet of overhang beyond the rear of the trailer may require one or more pilot cars or escort vehicles. Be sure to use the above links to print a Caltrans route classification map to determine if you are moving on a red, blue, green, yellow or brown route for escort/pilot requirements. Pilot car requirements in the state of California required by Caltrans on oversize and some heavy haul shipments are extremely complicated. At times on some routes with rear overhang that is over 25 feet in some areas they may require two rear pilot car or escort vehicles while on others one. Some route colors only allow a single pilot car or escort vehicles to operate on them. So be 100% certain you have done your homework when it comes to operating a pilot car or escort vehicle in the state of California. As a final notation pilot cars and escort vehicles are to remain to the right hand side of the centerline of the roadway at all times. Failure to comply will result in a hefty fine.

Requirements for escort and pilot car vehicle operators.
All pilot cars and escort vehicles must be a minimum of 60 inches wide. All escort vehicles and pilot cars must display at least one red warning flag on each side of the vehicle. The flag will need to be a minimum of 16 inches and in the shape of a square. All flags need to be mounted so that they are visible from both the front and the rear of the vehicle. You must remove all flags when you are not operating in the capacity of a escort or pilot car driver. The vehicle must be equipped with a stop slow sign, at least one orange safety vest, shirt or jacket, 124 inch hand held warning flag that is square and a two-way communication radio. All escort vehicles and pilot cars are required to be equipped with a flashing amber warning light. Flashing amber warning lights will need to be visible from the front, rear and side of the pilot car or escort vehicle. All pilot cars and escort vehicles will need to display a company’s sign on the side of the vehicle and nice clean and legible lettering which include your contact information. All escort vehicles and pilot cars will need to display legible signs that state oversize load visible from the front and the rear. This sign will need to be above the pavement a minimum of 4 feet and be completely legible from 45° from either side when read from the front or the rear. All lettering must be a minimum of 6 inches tall on a yellow background and be black in color with a minimum thickness of 1 5/8 of an inch. All signs must be a minimum of 440 square inches. At no time is a stop slow sign to be used from the window of a moving vehicle. All warning lamps will need to be covered when the pilot car or escort vehicle is not working.

Travel times.
The 24 hours a day seven days a week policy has been replaced with a 3 AM policy for movements during dark hours. When filing for permits be sure to request as much travel time as you wish as all they can do is modify it in accordance to their regulations. However if an escort or pilot car vehicle is required you will be subject to various curfews. If travel time is restricted note that sunrise means one half hour before the sun rises and sunset means up to one half hour after the sun sets. Shipments that are in excess of 12 feet in width are prohibited from traveling during the early morning hours and late afternoon hours in the greater San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. Slow moving vehicle emblems must be displayed whenever a vehicle will be operated at speeds of less than 25 mph shipments that are 10 feet or more wide are not permitted to travel Monday through Friday during the following times in the following cities.

Greater Los Angeles: 6-9 am and 3-6 pm.
Greater Sacramento: 7-9 am and 4-6 pm.
Greater San Diego: 7-9 am and 4-6 pm.
Greater San Francisco in the Oakland Bay Bridge: 6:30-9 am and 3:30 – 6:30 pm.
San Francisco city limits: 7-9 am and 4-6 pm.

A California Highway Patrol is required when shipments in excess of 15 feet wide travel on two lane roads and up to 16 feet wide on yellow routes. Again depending on the size of your shipment and the desired route of travel there are all kinds of variances for travel times. There is even a subsection for what is called “variance loads” when a shipment is over 15 feet wide, 17 feet tall or over I hundred and 35 feet long or for hauling special equipment that exceeds the department standard method of weight classification which will need to be up proved by a special processing unit. Written route surveys are required under the circumstances from the applicant however the California Highway Patrol in coordination with the district traffic manager will determine the required hours of travel. If you are required to have an inspection performed by the permit office inspectors you can reach the vehicle inspectors at one of the following numbers: Southern California: 909-223-8860. Central California: 916-215-7937. Northern, CA 530-941-0121. Inspections usually require a minimum of 20 days before they are performed. If you need to speak to a headquarters equipment engineer you can call 916-653-4385.

General contact information for heavy haul and oversize trucking permits.
For service north of the Kern County or San Luis Obispo County lines the general phone number is 916-322-1297.
For service South of the Kern County or San Luis Obispo County lines the general phone number is 909-383-4637.
You can also contact them by email: northoversize-weightpermits@dot.ca.gov or southpermits@dot.ca.gov

The information contained in these pages is research information primarily for use by oversize and overweight trucking company drivers, dispatchers and pilot car companies. While every effort is put into maintaining the accuracy of this information you must absolutely verify this information with the California DOT (Caltrans) Permits office before commencing movement.

Virginia State Shipping Regulations

By WLSADMIN on March 13, 2013 / Lights, flags and signs., Oversize trucking permits, pilot-cars, State DOT trucking permit offices., USA shipping regulations. / Leave a comment

Tags: apply, axles, bridge, DMV, DOT, escort, heavy haul, highway, information, laws, legal, length, limits, loads, maximum, overhang, oversize, overweight, permits, pilot cars, regulations, road, rules, shipping, spacing, State, time, trailer, Transportation, travel, truck, trucking, Virginia, weight, weights, width

Virginia state shipping regulations. DOT permit limitations, rules and laws for trucking. Oversize and over weight (heavy haul) loads on the roads and highways.

Oversize and overweight trucking permit limitations as well as legal load information.

The great state of Virginia official seal.

State trucking regulations for the heavy haul trucking industry. Virginia state shipping regulations for oversize shipping and trucking – DOT transport permits.

Locate Virginia heavy haul trucking company and pilot car directory:

Virginia trucking company directory.
Virginia pilot cars and truck escorts.

Legal load limits.
Legal loads that require no trucking permits:

Length: Trailer length maximum is 48’.
Width: 8’ 6” wide.
Height: 13’ 6” tall.
Weight: 80,000 lbs. gross maximum.
Overhang: 4′ in the rear and 3′ in the front.

Routine trucking permits.
Routine over-weight, oversize shipping, trucking and transport permits:

Length: Up to 150′ in length.
Width: 15′ 11″ wide.
Height: 15′ is pretty much it on routine.
Weight: Depends on routing. Contact them at the number above.
Overhang: Depends on your overall length. Contact them at the number above with route ideas included.

Legal travel times.
Travel times and restrictions:

One half hour before sunrise and one half hour after sunset rule applies for Virginia state shipping regulations. Overall shipments that are under 12′ wide 14′ in height and under 115,000 pounds gross weight may travel on Saturday but only until 12 noon. No travel is permitted on Sundays as per Virginia state shipping regulations. If shipment is overweight only then you may travel 24/7. The cities that are largely populated do not allow oversize travel during the peak hours of 7 am – 9 am and 4 pm – 6 pm except for shipments that are over weight or over height. Travel is not permitted on the following holidays: New Years day, Memorial day, Independence day, Labor day, Thanksgiving day and Christmas day. The permit office is closed on these holidays as well.

When pilot cars are required.
Pilot Car and Escort vehicle information:

Length: If a shipment is over 105′ in length combined on a 2 load road you will be required to have 1 rear pilot car (escort). If the overall combination is over 125′ long on multiple lane roads you will be required to have 1 rear pilot car (escort).
Width: On 2 lane highways for shipments over 11′ wide 1 front and 1 rear pilot car (escort) is required. On multiple lane highways if over 14′ wide you will be required to have 1 front and 1 rear pilot car (escort).
Height: Any shipment that exceeds 14′ 6″ in height will require 1 front pilot car (escort) equipped with a height pole. Manufactured homes are required to have 1 front pilot car with a height pole if the height exceeds 15′ tall. Virginia state shipping regulations department does NOT guarantee height clearances and suggests you choose by your own volition to use a pilot car with a height pole where height may be in question.
Weight: If routinely permitted you will more than likely NOT be required to have an escort.
Overhang: If the rear overhang exceeds 1/3 of the trailer length 1 escort is required on 2 lane highways. If rear overhang exceeds 20′ of a single unit vehicle it requires 1 rear escort on 2 lane highways as per Virginia state shipping regulations.

Required shipment markings.
Tractor/trailer signs flags and lighting:

Virginia state shipping regulations states that head lights must remain on at all times when in transit. All shipments that exceed 60′ in length, 10′ in width and/or with over 10′ of overhang must display warning signs/banners in the front and rear of overall shipment and be marked “OVERSIZE LOAD”, WIDELOAD OR LONG LOAD – whichever is the most appropriate as per Virginia state shipping regulations. The sign must be no less than 7′ in length and 18″ in height with 1 1/2″ thick black lines with a yellow background and a 1″ black border all around the outsize edge of the sign/banner placed no less than 18″ above the pavement. Whenever a load is a WIDELOAD and a LONG LOAD the WIDELOAD sign/banner should be displayed. 1 strobe/flashing amber light will be required to display on top of the tractor cab. This amber light must be visible from a minimum of 500 feet from 360 degrees. A flashing/strobe amber light must also be placed on the rear of the shipment placed in the upper most top, rear position. Emergency colored red, yellow or orange flags of no less than 18″ in either direction must be placed at all 4 corners of the overall shipment.

Pilot car certifications.
Pilot car and escort vehicle requirement:

PILOT CAR DRIVERS IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA MUST BE CERTIFIED BY VIRGINIA. Virginia state shipping regulations states pilot car drivers must take a test at a DMV office in order to work in this state if escorting a load over 12′ in width. You can view the manual, application and handbook here. The Virginia state shipping regulations certification is valid for 5 years. Testing locations and information can be obtained by calling 804-828-2023 or the DMV 866-368-5463. One flashing or strobe amber light must be horizontally mounted above the top (roof) of pilot cars (escort vehicles) and must be visible from a 360 degree angle from a minimum of 500 feet. The minimum strobe or flash height from the top of the roof must be 4″. All pilot car/escort vehicles must be equipped with a CB radio or 2-way communication devices. All pilot cars/escort vehicles must display a bumper or roof mounted “OVERSIZE LOAD”, “WIDELOAD” or “LONG LOAD” sign visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle. Sign must be at least 5′ long and 12″ in height, yellow in color with black letters no less than 10″ tall and 1 1/2″ in width. You must have a hand help sign with the word “STOP” on one side and “SLOW” on the other with dimensions of no less than 18″ in diameter with a minimum of 6″ letters to be used in controlling traffic. Also, a safety colored (red, orange, yellow or lime green) vest, jacket or shirt which is to be worn while directing traffic and is required to be worn anytime the shipment will encroach traffic in ANY manner.

Virginia DOT & helpful information.
Wisconsin DOT information, road conditions and misc.

Physical address: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles PO Box 27412 Richmond, VA 23269
Email: If you get a good e-mail address please leave it below for others. Thank you!
Help telephone line: Permits: 804-786-3495 or Requirements: 804-249-5130
Fax: 804-786-5722
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:o0 pm (closed for lunch hour until 1:30 pm)

Eastern Time Zone

Click here for the State DOT Website for oversize and over-weight hauling permits.
These are the actual state forms available.
Virginia State road & highway conditions.

Virginia state shipping regulations permit limitations and regulations for shipping oversize and overweight in Virginia.

Virginia state flag.

The information contained in these pages is research information primarily for use by oversize and overweight trucking company drivers, dispatchers and pilot car companies. While every effort is put into maintaining the accuracy of this information you must absolutely verify this information with the Virginia State DOT Permits office before commencing movement.

South Dakota State Shipping Regulations

By WLSADMIN on March 13, 2013 / Lights, flags and signs., Oversize trucking permits, pilot-cars, State DOT trucking permit offices., USA shipping regulations. / 1 Comment

Tags: apply, bridge, DOT, escort, heavy haul, highway, information, laws, legal, length, loads, maximum, overhang, oversize, overweight, permits, pilot cars, regulations, road, rules, shipping, South Dakota, spacing, State, time, trailer, Transportation, travel, truck, trucking, weight, weights, width

South Dakota state DOT shipping regulations, limitations, rules and laws for the trucking of oversize and over weight loads over the roads and highways.

South Dakota oversize and overweight trucking regulations and DOT permits

The great state of South Dakota official seal.

State trucking regulations for heavy haul.

State Regulations – Oversize Shipping, Trucking and Transport permits
State DOT Trucking Information

South Dakota trucking company & pilot cars.
Locate trucking companies & pilot cars in South Dakota:

South Dakota pilot car directory.
South Dakota trucking company directory.

Legal load limitations.
Legal Loads:

Length: There is currently “no set maximum” for vehicles. Trailer length maximum is 53’.
Width: 8’ 6” wide.
Height: 13’ 6” tall.
Weight: 80,000 lbs. GVW, 20,000 single, 34,000 tandem.
Overhang: 3′ in the rear and 6′ in the front.

Routine trucking permits.
Routine over-weight, oversize shipping, trucking and transport permits:

Length: Since STATE NAME has no said length restrictions you overall length approval will depend on your proposed route.
Width: 16′ wide on four lanes roads and highways and 15′ on two lane roads and highways. Up to 20′ wide on Interstate highways has been approved routinely.
Height: 15′ is about the most you can get away with on routine permits and main routes. Anything taller than that off of the main roads should prepare to have a route survey performed.
Weight: STATE NAME is somewhat difficult in weight determination. If you are over 120,000 lbs or have any extremely heavy axle groupings you will be considered a super-load. All applications for permits will a computer analysis done with anything that fails being then evaluated by the district bridge supervisor for further review. If you are under 100,000 pounds and main road routing proposed you will probably get permitted routinely. Remember this however; anything for any amount of time can happen in this state when extreme weights are considered.
Overhang: It doesn’t get much better than this; 30′ rear and 15′ front for overhang.

Travel times and restrictions.
Permitted travel times and restrictions:

Important info: See the South Dakota DOT current route restriction report. No weekend travel is permitted in STATE. You can request to travel on the weekend when you are applying for your permit however. They have been known to grant weekend travel to loads that are say 14′ in width or a little on the heavy side but do not count on approval. Travel is not permitted on the following holidays: New Years day, Good Friday, Memorial day, Independence day, Labor day, Thanksgiving day and Christmas day. The permit office is also closed on these days as well.

When pilot cars are required.
Pilot Car and Escort vehicle information:

Length: If load is 75′ to 95′ on a 2 load road you will need one rear pilot car (escort).
Width: 10′ 6″ to 12′ wide on a 2 lane road requires 1 front pilot car. On a 4 lane road up to 12′ wide requires no escorts. When load is 12′ 1″ to 14′ wide 1 front and 1 rear pilot car (escort) is required on all 2 lane roads and 1 rear on all 4 lane roads. For loads 14′ 1″ – 15′ wide 1 front and 1 rear pilot car (escort) is required. 15′ 1″ to 16′ wide on 2 lane requires 2 front pilot cars (escorts) and 1 rear pilot car (escort). On 4 all lane roads 1 front and 2 rear pilot cars (escorts) are required. If you do have a permit for weekend travel you will be required to have a police escort. Districts and Parkways may require additional escorts as well. Vehicles traveling with a width of over 14′ wide will not be allowed to travel on Fridays except on Parkway. Maximum width allowed on the Parkway is 16′ and must be accompanied by police escort if over 15′.
Height: If height of load exceeds 15′ a front high pole card is required. For South Dakota vertical clearances they have a list of the bridge heights online here.
Weight: Check with the State of to see if your weight class will require a pilot car/escort.
Overhang: If front over hang is over 10′ on 2 or 4 lane roads 1 front pilot car (escort) is required. If rear overhang exceeds 10′ on a 2 or 4 lane road one rear escort is required.

South Dakota bridge weight limit map.

Pilot car requirements and certifications.
Pilot car and escort vehicle requirements:

All pilot cars/escort vehicles must display a bumper or roof mounted “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle. Sign must be at least 5′ long and 12″ in height, yellow in color with black letters no less than 10″ tall and 1 1/2″ in width. Vehicle must have 2 safety flags red or orange in color and be a minimum of 18″ of length and/or height mounted at a 40 to 70 degree angle on all 4 corners of the vehicle. Company identification signs must be placed on both sides of the pilot car (escort vehicle) displaying the name of the company, phone number and be placed on both the left and right hand sides of the vehicle. These signs must be no less that 8″ tall x 12″ wide and identity writing must be plainly legible. Vehicle must be equipped with a horizontally mounted rotating (or strobe) amber colored flashing light which must be visible from a 360 degree angle from a minimum of 500 feet. Vehicles must be equipped with a CB radio or 2-way communication device, 2 – 5 pound fire extinguishers type A, B and C, a sign with the word “STOP” on one side and “SLOW” on the other with dimensions of no less than 18″ in diameter with a minimum of 6″ letters. A red safety colored flag with handle no less than 18″ square, 3 reflective emergency road triangles or 18″ traffic cones, 2 OVERSIZE LOAD banners (yellow with black lettering) and a safety colored (red, orange, yellow or lime green) vest, jacket or shirt (used while directing traffic).

For a vehicle to qualify; all pilot car/escort vehicles must have a gross weight over over 2,000 pounds but also have a manufacturer’s gross weight rating of less than 26,000 pounds.

South Dakota DOT
South Dakota DOT information:

Physical address:
South Dakota Division of Highway Patrol
Capitol Building, Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Charleston, WV 25305

Email: wayne.j.kessinger@wv.gov
Help telephone line: 605-773-7144
Fax: 605-773-7144
Hours: Monday – Friday 5:00 am – 5:o0 pm
Central Time Zone

Click here for the State DOT Website for oversize and over-weight hauling permits.

The information contained in these pages is research information primarily for use by oversize and overweight trucking company drivers, dispatchers and pilot car companies. While every effort is put into maintaining the accuracy of this information you must absolutely verify this information with the South Dakota State DOT Permits office before commencing movement.

South Dakota state flag.

Oregon State Shipping Regulations

By WLSADMIN on March 13, 2013 / Lights, flags and signs., Oversize trucking permits, pilot-cars, State DOT trucking permit offices., USA shipping regulations. / 3 Comments

Tags: axles, bridge, DOT, escort, heavy haul, highway, information, laws, legal, length, loads, maximum, Oregon, overhang, oversize, overweight, permits, regulations, road, rules, shipping, spacing, State, time, trailer, Transportation, travel, truck, trucking, weight, weights, width

Oregon state DOT shipping regulations, limitations, rules and laws for the trucking of oversize and over weight loads over the roads and highways.

Oregon state trucking regulations for oversize and overweight shipping over the road.

The great state of Oregon official seal.

Oregon can be a tough state to ship OD and OW loads. We know, we’re based out of this state. If you have any knowledge or information that you feel would be helpful to others please share it below. Thank you!

Find Oregon trucking companies and pilot cars:

Oregon pilot car and truck escorts.
Oregon heavy haul and oversize trucking companies.

Oregon oversize and over weight trucking permits.

Legal load limits in Oregon.
Oregon ODOT legal load size & weight limitations:

Length: Maximum length is determined by the trailer: 53′.
Width: 102″ or 8’6″ – if over you will be required to have a permit.
Height: The maximum height allowed in 14′. Anything over is required to have a permit to move.
Weight: Over 80,000 lbs GVW or 20,000 per single axle or 34,000 lbs on tandem axles.
Overhang: 4′ in the front and 5′ off of the rear. Anything in excess is required to be permitted.
Notes: Some roads may require a permit for a 53′ trailer so be sure to check with ODOT first.

Routine issued trucking permits.
Trucking permits that ODOT will routinely issue – maximums:

Length: 80’ overall then approval could take longer depending on requested route.
Width: 15′
Height: 17′
Weight: Single 21,500 lbs., 43,000 lbs. on Tandem. Once you exceed 98,000 lbs. you can expect permit issuance delays – be sure to visit and read state documentation link above.
Overhang: No set limitations. Done on a case by case basis depending on route.

Dozer blades that are over-width must removed and are allowed to be hauled with the dozer on same trailer even if the blade makes the shipment overweight. Make sure that you tell the ODOT permits office that you are shipping a dozer so they document it on your permit. For annual permits that are over-length and over-weight 48′ trailers are permitted to travel on some length restricted highways. Highway 395 from Pendleton, OR to John Day, OR is a good example as well as and highway 25 which spans the entire state will allow some divisible loads that exceed 80,000 pounds. These types of permits can be obtained from the Port of Entry or from the Oregon DMV for $8. Simply contact them at any of the offices listed below. If you are shipping anything overweight or oversize in Oregon you want to refer to the Oregon State informationissued guide for more detailed information. This is pretty much a must read for shipping in this state, especially if you are transporting items through the state off of I-5.

Superload information.
Oregon superload information:

Length: Loads that are over 150 in length are considered superloads.
Width: Loads over 16′ wide in the interstate (I-5) and (I-84) or over 14′ wide on 2 lane highways. If over 16′ wide you must obtain approval from the districts it is travelling through.
Height: Any load in excess of 17′ tall is considered a superload.
Notes: Superloads will take extra time to process permits so plan on it.

When pilot cars are required in Oregon.
You will be required to have pilot cars if you meet any of the following:

On Interstate, many 2 lane highways in districts closer to Portland:
Length: Over 120′ – 1 escort, over 140′ – as required on permit
Width: Over 14′ – 1 escort, over 16′ – as required on permit
Height: Over 14’6” – 1 escort

On GREEN routes:
Length: Over 105′ – 1 pilot car/ truck escort, over 120′ – 2 pilot cars/truck escorts, over 140′ is on a case by case basis.

Width: Over 12′ – 1 escort, over 14′ – 2 escorts, over 16′ – as required on permit
Height: Over 14’6” – 1 pilotcar/truck escot.
Length: Over 105′ – 1 pilot car/ truck escort, over 120′ – 2 pilot cars/truck escorts, over 140′ is on a case by case basis.

Most other 2 lane routes:
Width: Over 9′ – 1 pilot car/truck escort.
Height: Over 14’6” – 1 escort
Length: Over 95′ – 1 escort, over 120′ – 2 escorts, over 140′ is on a case by case basis.
Note: There are other places in Oregon that may require pilotcars/truck escorts so be sure to check with ODOT first before committing to transport anything within this state.

To clarify the information above be sure to refer to the Oregon pilot car attachments and requirements for operating pilot cars and in all districts in Oregon.

Oregon Pilot Car Vehicle Requirements:

Passenger car, pickups or truck tractor of legal size & weight with a 5’x10″ “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign with black letters (8″ high x 1″ minimum thickness) on a yellow background mounted on top of the vehicle. Two amber strobing or flashing lights widely spaced apart with a minimum of a 4″ diameter lens with a minimum of 35 candlepower rating with at least 30 rotations per minute or a revolving light with a minimum of 125 square inches of dome surface with at least 30 rotations per minute. Must be clearly visible from 360 degrees and mounted above vehicle roof. Minimum distance of visibility is 500′. CB or two way radio, two hand held red flags (a minimum of 18″ square) mounted on 3′ minimum staffs, eight safety flares and at least 2 reflective triangles. You can learn more about pilot car and escort requirements on the ODOT website.

Oregon Pilot Car Operator Requirements and certifications:
Oregon does not require a person to be certified to operate a pilot car. If you intend on controlling traffic you must obtain a flaggers license. ODOT has a authorized flagger certification class at: Chemeketa Community College. The class takes about 4 hours. You can find more information here or contact Larry Ralphs at 503-399-5181.

Travel times & restrictions

Travel is permitted 1/2 hour after sunrise and 1/2 hour before sunset Monday thru Friday and until noon on Saturdays. Continuous travel is permitted if your heavy only and should be noted on permit. Travel prohibited on New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, from noon on Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day to 1/2 hour before sunrise on the following Monday & from 2 pm on Christmas eve until 1/2 hour before sunrise on the 1st business day following Christmas.

Oregon State DOT (ODOT) Trucking Information website:

How to apply for heavy haul, wideload and oversize trucking permits.

Oregon Motor Carrier Transportation Division – Over-Dimensional Permit Unit.
Dept. of Transportation Permits Office
Motor Carrier Transport OS/OD Permit Unit
550 Capitol Street, NE
Salem, OR 97301
Hours: 8am – 5pm Monday – Friday

ODOT oversize information website.
Oregon road closures and conditions.

For oversize trucking permits phone: 503-373-0000
The normal hours of operation for the Motor Carrier Transport Division is Monday thru Friday 7 am until 5 pm. Closed every Wednesday from Noon until 1 pm for staff meetings.

Note: When applying in Oregon for over weight permits you should know they have a strict bridge formula which may delay permit issuance depending on route. Also some counties require permits for travel as well so be sure to ask. Permits are valid for 10 days only.

Trip Permits: (503) 378-6699
Fuel Permits: (503) 373-1634

The information contained in these pages is research information primarily for use by oversize and overweight trucking company drivers, dispatchers and pilot car companies. While every effort is put into maintaining the accuracy of this information you must absolutely verify this information with the Oregon State DOT Permits office before commencing movement.

Posts Tagged bridge

2020 Alaska DOT shipping laws, rules, regulations for oversize and heavy haul trucking.

Heavy haul trucking, pilot cars and permits.

Legal load limits.

Routine trucking permits.

When a pilot car is required.

Required shipment markings & flags.

Pilot car certifications & requirements.

Travel times and restrictions.

Frost and thaw laws.

Alaska DOT & information.

Additional information:

2020 Easy – Federal Bridge Formula weights explanation.

How do I determine Bridge Formula?

2020 Federal Bridge Weight Chart

2020 Manitoba DOT shipping laws, regulations, rules and limitations, for oversize and heavy-haul the trucking over the roads and highways of Manitoba Canada.

Trucking & pilot car directory.

Legal limits.

Routine oversize and heavy haul trucking permits.

Superload information.

Permitted travel times for oversize and heavy-haul loads – restrictions.

When pilot cars are required.

Pilot car certifications.

Shipment, truck and trailer markings.

Manitoba DOT contact and other information.

2020 Arizona state shipping laws, regulations, rules and limitations for oversize and overweight trucking on state highways and roads.

Arizona oversize permits, heavy-haul trucking companies and pilot cars.

Locate oversize, heavy-haul trucking companies and pilot cars:

Do I need a trucking permit? Legal load limits.

Arizona maximum load limits until a trucking permit is required:

Routine heavy haul and oversize trucking permits in Arizona.

These maximum dimensions/weights are considered routine oversize or heavy-haul trucking permits in Arizona:

Super load information for Arizona.

Arizona state DOT will classify your shipment as a super load if you are in excess of any of the following:

For mobile home shipments:

Lights, safety flags and warning signs for heavy haul and oversize loads.

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:

Pilot cars/escort vehicle certifications and requirements.

Pilot car or escort vehicle mandatory operator certifications and vehicle requirements:

Legal travel times for oversize and heavy haul loads in Arizona.

Travel times and restrictions for heavy-haul and oversize loads:

Arizona DOT office and permit contact information:

Arizona DOT contact information and notes:

2018 North Dakota DOT state shipping laws, regulations, rules and limitations for oversize and heavy haul trucking permits.

North Dakota State Trucking Permit Regulations.

Legal Loads. Length: 75’ overall on non-designated highways 110’ overall on designated highways. Weight: 80,000 GVW Width: 8’ 6” Height: 14’

Routine oversize shipping, trucking and transport permits. Length: 110’ Weight: Steer 12,100 lbs., Single 24,000 lbs., Tandem 45,000 lbs., Tridem 60,000 lbs., 4 axles 73,200 lbs., 5 axles 103,200 lbs., 6 axles 118,000 lbs., 7 axles 126,000 lbs. Width: 18’ Height: 15’ 6”

How to apply for oversize transport and shipping permits. North Dakota Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Operations 600 E Boulevard Ave., Dept. 504 Bismark, ND 58505-0240

Pilot Car – Escort Car Requirements.

Travel Restrictions.

2018 Ohio DOT state shipping laws, regulations, ules, limitations for oversize and heavy-haul trucking permits.

Locate oversize, heavy-haul trucking companies and pilot cars.

Ohio oversize, heavy-haul trucking companies and pilot cars for hire:

Do I need a trucking permits? Legal load limits.

Ohio maximum load limits until a trucking permit is required:

Routine oversize and heavy-haul trucking permits.

These maximum dimensions/weights are routine oversize or heavy-haul trucking permits in OH:

Ohio superloads.

Legal travel times for oversize and heavy-haul loads.

Travel times and restrictions:

When pilot cars of escort vehicles are required.

Heavy haul or oversize loads may be required to be accompanied by a escort vehicle or pilot car if:

QUICK REFERENCE

Pilot car certifications & requirements.

Shipment, truck and trailer markings.

Ohio DOT & other important information.

California 2018 state shipping laws, regulations , rules and limitations for heavy haul trucking and oversize loads. CA DOT – CALTRANS.

Heavy haul and oversize trucking companies.

Locate trucking companies and pilot car companies in the state of California:

Legal load limits.

California DOT legal load size & weight limitations for 18 wheeler semi-trucks:

Routine oversize and heavy haul trucking permits.

Oversize and heavy haul trucking permits that are routinely issued by California DOT:

California superload information.

Permitted travel times & restrictions.

California permitted travel times and restrictions for heavy haul and oversize loads:

When pilot cars or escorts are required.

Shipments requiring escort vehicles or pilot cars:

Pilot car and escort vehicle certifications.

Legal Loads.
Length: 75’ overall on non-designated highways
110’ overall on designated highways.
Weight: 80,000 GVW
Width: 8’ 6”
Height: 14’

Routine oversize shipping, trucking and transport permits.
Length: 110’
Weight: Steer 12,100 lbs., Single 24,000 lbs., Tandem 45,000 lbs., Tridem 60,000 lbs., 4 axles 73,200 lbs., 5 axles 103,200 lbs., 6 axles 118,000 lbs., 7 axles 126,000 lbs.
Width: 18’
Height: 15’ 6”

How to apply for oversize transport and shipping permits.
North Dakota Highway Patrol
Motor Carrier Operations
600 E Boulevard Ave., Dept. 504
Bismark, ND 58505-0240

Legal load limits.
Legal loads that require no trucking permits:

Routine trucking permits.
Routine over-weight, oversize shipping, trucking and transport permits:

Legal travel times.
Travel times and restrictions:

When pilot cars are required.
Pilot Car and Escort vehicle information:

Required shipment markings.
Tractor/trailer signs flags and lighting:

Pilot car certifications.
Pilot car and escort vehicle requirement:

Virginia DOT & helpful information.
Wisconsin DOT information, road conditions and misc.

South Dakota trucking company & pilot cars.
Locate trucking companies & pilot cars in South Dakota:

Legal load limitations.
Legal Loads:

Routine trucking permits.
Routine over-weight, oversize shipping, trucking and transport permits:

Travel times and restrictions.
Permitted travel times and restrictions:

When pilot cars are required.
Pilot Car and Escort vehicle information:

Pilot car requirements and certifications.
Pilot car and escort vehicle requirements:

South Dakota DOT
South Dakota DOT information:

Legal load limits in Oregon.
Oregon ODOT legal load size & weight limitations:

Routine issued trucking permits.
Trucking permits that ODOT will routinely issue – maximums:

Superload information.
Oregon superload information:

When pilot cars are required in Oregon.
You will be required to have pilot cars if you meet any of the following: