Oversize / Overweight Permits in Florida
Florida Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Florida law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversize/overweight load:
Legal Size Limit:
Width:
- 8′ 6″(from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
- 8′ for roadways narrower than 12′
Height:
- 13′ 6″ (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
Length:
- 40′ for a single vehicle (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
- 65′ for combined
Overhang:
- 3′ for the front
- 15′ for the rear
Legal Weight Limit:
- Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load)
- Single axle: 21,000 lb.
- Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
- Tridem axle: 42,000 lb.
Florida Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
Florida does not issue a general single-trip permit. However, there are ten-day trip permits and three-month route specific blanket permits.
For more details:
https://www.fdot.gov/maintenance/OWODPermits.shtm
Florida Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
To obtain an annual permit, a load must meet the following requirements:
- GVW does not exceed 200,000
- truck specific
- specified routing
Florida Wide Load Requirements
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ (8′ for roadways narrower than 12′ ) require an oversized permit issued by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
If a vehicle’s load extends 4 feet or more beyond the bed or body of the vehicle, red flags measuring at least 18 inches square must be displayed at each point where a lamp would normally be required.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
Florida requires the front of the towing vehicle and the rear of the load be marked with “oversize” banners.
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
Two red reflectors must be visible at night from any distance between 600 feet and 100 feet to the rear, but only when directly in front of legal low beams of headlights.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
Two red lamps must be visible from a distance of at least 500 feet at the extreme rear end of the load.
One red lamp must be visible from the side of the vehicle at a distance of at least 500 feet to indicate the maximum overhang.
Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:
One private escort vehicle is required if the load’s width exceeds 12′, the length exceeds 85′, or the height exceeds 14′ 6”.
If the load’s width exceeds 14′, the length exceeds 250′, or the height exceeds 16′, one law enforcement escort vehicle and one qualified escort vehicle are required.
Florida Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
Unless otherwise mentioned in Florida’s wide load permits, the State doesn’t allow oversized or overweight loads (14′ 6″ high, 80′ long, or 10′ wide) movements on major holidays, including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The same limits are for the preceding Friday and Monday if a holiday falls on a weekend.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
All loads less than 10′ can move one half an hour before sunrise to one half an hour after sunset, 7 days a week. Loads up to 14′ are not allowed to haul on Sundays and Saturdays.
Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:
Florida sticks to the Federal Bridge Formula that determines bridge restrictions, yet may also provide its own bridge regulations depending on the permit and load’s nature. As for the oversize road restrictions, they come as 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
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 Florida. However, they may appear in Florida oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.
Florida Wide Load Limits
Florida sticks to the Federal legal width limit of 8′ 6″ (8′ for roadways narrower than 12′ ). Everything wider requires a permit to be moved on public roads.
Maximum Load Limits Until a Trucking Permit Is Required:
8′ 6″ and 8′ for roadways narrower than 12′ (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
Axle Weight Limits:
Legal axle weight limit:
- Single axle: 21,000 lb.
- Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
- Tridem axle: 42,000 lb.
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- Single axle: 22,000 lb.
- Tandem axle: 44,000 lb.
- Maximum weight: 53,141 lb. – straight truck; 73,271 lb. – tractor tanker semi-trailer
- Length: straight truck – 14′ , tractor tanker semi-trailer – 36′; tractor semi-trailer – 51′
Oversize Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum tread depth of 2/32″.
Tires must not feature protuberances of any material other than rubber unless their use is required for safety.
All tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles or faster if required by the manufacturer.
Florida Trip Permits
Florida issues a ten-day trip permit at the cost of $30+tax.
For more details:
https://www.fdot.gov/maintenance/OWODPermits.shtm
Florida Fuel Permits
Motor carriers have the option to acquire a time-limited fuel permit at a cost of $45, which remains valid for a duration of 10 days. This permit serves as a temporary exemption for commercial vehicles from the motor fuel tax, yet it does not waive the tax on fuel obtained directly from the pump.
Florida Specialty Permits
Unless specifically exempted by law, a vehicle, combination of vehicles or a load that exceeds a maximum size or weight limitation shall not move on a public highway or street without a valid special permit issued by the Florida Department of Transportation.
For more information about specialty permits:
https://www.fdot.gov/maintenance/OWODPermits.shtm
Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Florida
Oversize and overweight fines in Florida start at $10,00 for the first offense (overweight does not exceed 200 lbs ) and can reach over $1000,00 (5 cents per overweight pound). Their size depends on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight and the number of offenses since the first one within a year.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Florida
The cost of Florida OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at $30 for a ten-day trip permit and can exceed several hundred dollars for an annual permit.
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.