Oversize / Overweight Permits in Arkansas
Arkansas Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Arkansas law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversize/overweight load:
Legal Size Limit:
- Width: 8′ 6″; 8′ for manufactured homes (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
- Height: 14′ (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
- Length of a semi-trailer: 28′
- Length of a truck+semi-trailer: 65′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
- Front overhang: 3′
- Rear overhang: 4′
- Legal Weight Limit:
- Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load; on five axles)
- Single axle: 20,000 lb.
- Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
- Tridem axle: 50,000 lb.
- Single steer/front axle: from 12,000 to 20,000 lb. (depending on the vehicle)
- Tandem steer/front axle: 24,000 lb
Arkansas Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A general single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversize or overweight loads exceeding the legal limits. It covers one movement from point A to point B during the running times specified in the permit. The regular cost is $17, which may vary depending on the load’s nature and dimensions.
For more details:
Arkansas Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
An annual permit is issued for various types of non-divisible loads, which exceed the legal size/weight limits, yet do not exceed the maximum allowed limits specified for each type of permit (see https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023-Permit-Rules.pdf).
An annual permit cost typically starts at $500 per vehicle but may vary depending on the load’s nature.
Arkansas Wide Load Requirements
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ (8′ for manufactured homes) require an oversized permit issued by the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
All extremities of oversized loads must be marked with red or fluorescent orange 18″ square flags.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
Arkansas requires trailers and vehicles hauling oversized loads to be equipped with “oversize load” banners (front and rear).
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
10″ high, 2″ stroke black letters on the yellow background.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
Oversize vehicles or the ones hauling oversize loads may not be equipped with warning lights, whereas escort vehicles require them.
Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:
An escort vehicle may be either a truck with at least one-quarter ton rated load capacity or a car of at least 2,000 lbs GVW. Both must be properly licensed under the laws of the State of Arkansas or reciprocal agreements.
Vehicles higher than 15′ are required to have one front escort vehicle equipped with a clearance bar that extends six inches above the permitted height. Vehicles or loads higher than 17′ must obtain written agreements signed by the owners of overhead facilities along the route and be accompanied by one of them.
Vehicles longer than 100′ are required to have one front escort on Interstates, controlled access, and divided 4-mine or more highways. Two escorts are necessary for vehicles and loads longer than 115′ on all less than 4-lane highways.
Except for manufactured homes, on any controlled access, divided 4-line or more highways, all vehicles wider than 14′ must be accompanied with one front escort vehicle.
Except for manufactured homes, on any not controlled access, divided 4-line or more highways, all vehicles wider than 14′ must be accompanied with one front and lone rear escort vehicle.
Except for manufactured homes, on any not controlled access, divided 4-line or more highways, all vehicles wider than 12′ yet narrower than 14′ must be accompanied with one front escort vehicle.
Note: There are special escort requirements for manufactured homes. For more details: https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023-Permit-Rules.pdf.
Arkansas Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ (8′ for manufactured homes) are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
Unless otherwise mentioned in Arkansas wide load permits, oversize vehicles are not allowed to move on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, as well as the weekend if a holiday falls on the preceding or following Friday or Monday.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Oversized loads are allowed to transport from sunrise to sunset. However, there are restrictions on oversized vehicles traveling in the Greater Little Rock area on Interstate 30 during specific time periods. These restrictions apply from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:
Arkansas adheres to the Federal Bridge Formula that provides specific bridge restrictions. As for the oversize road restrictions, they include but are not limited to the following:
- driving through work zones that are under construction
- neglecting warning signals when driving through work zones
- not giving traffic priority to law enforcement, emergency vehicles, etc
Note: You can be double fined for neglecting these restrictions and special signs like “road work ahead”.
Oversize Seasonal Weight Restrictions:
While the Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada, no specific seasonal restrictions are provided by the state of Arkansas. However, they may appear in Arkansas oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.
Arkansas Wide Load Limits
Arkansas sticks to the Federal legal width limit of 8′ 6″. Everything wider requires a permit to be moved on public roads.
Maximum Load Limits Until a Trucking Permit Is Required:
8′ 6″; 8′ for manufactured homes (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
Axle Weight Limits:
Legal axle weight limit:
- Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load; on five axles)
- Single axle: 20,000 lb.
- Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
- Tridem axle: 50,000 lb.
- Single steer/front axle: from 12,000 to 20,000 lb. (depending on the vehicle)
- Tandem steer/front axle: 24,000 lb
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- steering axle – 20,000 lbs (special up to 24,000 lbs)
- single axle – 20,000 lbs
- tandem axle (at least 40″ between axles up to 96″) – 46,000 lbs
- triple axle (at least 97″ between the outer axles up to 204″) – 60,000 lbs
- quadrum axle (extreme centers are less 192″ apart) – 68,000 lbs
Oversize Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum legal tread depth.
Tires must not feature tire chains or protuberances of any material other than rubber unless their use is required for safety and permitted.
Note: From November 15 to April 15, it is legal to use metal studded tires on public roads, as long as the studs do not extend more than one-sixteenth of an inch from the surface of the rubber tread.
You can be fined from $25 to $50 for neglecting these restrictions.
Arkansas Trip Permits/Arkansas Fuel Permits
The state of Arkansas issues a 72-hour IRP permit for $33. There can also be a fee for handling and processing your permit.
Note: If you have an empty vehicle and it is not meant for transferring goods, you can obtain a hunter permit for a fee of $39. This permit is valid for 30 days.
Arkansas Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
Emergency Permits:
Arkansas may issue single-trip permits for emergency movement. A separate return permit is required. Emergency permits are issued in case of:
- Natural or human-made disasters,
- National Security or National Defense emergencies
- Disruption of vital services
- Situations involving the probability of death or life-threatening injuries
- Danger to the traveling public from the standpoint of safety
Animal Feed Permits:
A special permit may be issued for one single trip or for a one-year period for a truck tractor and single semi-trailer combination with five axles hauling animal feed to livestock or poultry.
Requirements:
- Maximum gross weight: 85,000 lb
- Maximum single axle: 20,000 lb.
- Maximum tandem axle: 36,500 lb.
For more information about specialty permits:
https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023-Permit-Rules.pdf
Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Arkansas
Oversize and overweight fines in Arkansas start at $10 and rise with the rise of the unpermitted weight of the vehicle or load (from 3 to 5 cents per unpermitted pound).
If an operator is caught exceeding the weight limits, they will be considered guilty of a minor offense. Upon their first conviction, they will have to pay a fine of up to $100. If they are convicted a second time within one year, the fine increases to a maximum of $200.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Arkansas
The cost of Arkansas OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, its nature, and its excessive weight and size. It starts at $17 for a single-trip permit and can exceed $500 for an annual permit.
You may also be charged an application fee for processing your permit request.
Trucking Permit Service
Express Permits provides a full spectrum of trucking permit services, assisting motor carriers in obtaining the appropriate oversize and overweight permits, coordinating with authorities, and ensuring compliance with state regulations, saving valuable time, effort, and potential penalties. You can rely on us regardless of your load’s type, nature, and destination.