Oversize / Overweight Permits in Idaho
Idaho Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Idaho 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)
- Height: 14′ (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
- Single unit length: 45′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
- Semi-trailer length: 53′; 48′ for other than national network (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: 4′
- Rear overhang: 10′
Legal Weight Limit:
- Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load)
- Single axle: 20,000 lb.
- Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
- Tridem axle: 42,000 lb.
Idaho Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A general single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversize and overweight loads exceeding the legal limits. It covers one movement from point A to point B during the running times specified in the permit. You may require a separate permit to be brought back to the original location. The standard fee is $33.
For more details:
https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Permit_Manual.pdf
Idaho Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
This permit allows unrestricted movement for up to 365 days, allowing a particular vehicle and approved load to repeatedly travel one-way between two points on designated routes.
To obtain an annual permit, a load must meet the following requirements:
- maximum width – 16′ (12′ 6” for red code routes)
- maximum height – 15′ 6”
- maximum length – 110′
- maximum GVW – 256,000 lb.
Note: Per axle weight should not exceed 20,000 lb.
The standard fee is $43 for oversize only permits and $128 plus quarterly mileage reports for overweight and/or overside ones.
Idaho Wide Load Requirements
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Idaho Department of Transportation.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
All sides and extremities of oversized vehicles and loads, including rear overhang over 4′, must be marked with red or fluorescent orange 18″ square flags.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
All oversize vehicles must be equipped with “oversize load” banners(signs).
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
At least 5′ long and 12″ high signs with 8″ high, 1″ stroke black letters on the yellow background.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
Vehicles must drive with steady or flashing lights visible from at least 500 feet on during the period from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. Front and load extension lights should be amber, while rear lights should be red.
Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:
Pilot car requirements vary by route colors: including red, black, and white.
Red routes:
- Overwidth 8′ 10”-10′ – 1 front escort
- Overwidth 10′ 1”-12′ 6” – 1 front escort + 1 rear escort
- Overlength 75′ – 1 front escort
- Overlength 75′ and overwidth 8′ 7”-12′ 6” – 1 front escort + 1 rear escort
Black routes:
- Overwidth 12′ 1”-14′ – 1 front escort + 1 rear escort
- Overlength 100′ – 1 front escort
- Overlength 100′ and overwidth 12′ 1”-18′ – 1 front escort + 1 rear escort
White routes:
- Overwidth 15′ 1”-18′ – 1 rear escort
Note: There can be additional escort requirements specified in the permit.
Idaho Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
Unless otherwise mentioned in Idaho wide load permits, oversized loads cannot be transported on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Red-coded routes: No travel allowed after 2 p.m. on the day before a holiday or holiday weekend. Travel can resume at dawn on the day after the holiday or weekend.
Black-coded routes and interstate routes: For loads over 10′ wide, 100′ long, or 15′ high, no travel allowed after 4:00 p.m. on the day before a holiday. Travel can resume at dawn on the day after the holiday.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Travel is allowed from half an hour after sunrise until half an hour after sunset daily. Local restrictions are in place for specific cities like Boise, Caldwell, and Idaho Falls. Holiday travel requirements will be mentioned in the permit based on the dimensions.
Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:
Idaho 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: All vehicles, including driven and towed must comply with posted bridge weight limits.
Oversize Seasonal Weight Restrictions:
Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada. Specific restrictions may appear in Idaho oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.
The Department may impose size, weight, and speed restrictions on state highways to protect them from potential damage due to climatic or other conditions. For public safety, loads are categorized into four options: (1) legal allowable weight, (2) 16,000 pounds on any axle, (3) 14,000 pounds on any axle, or (4) 12,000 pounds on any axle.
On two-lane roads, spring breakup weight restrictions also limit the width allowed by special permits to 12 feet 6 inches during the restriction period.
During spring breakup, expect speed restrictions of 30 mph and weight restrictions that include minimum tire width of 10 inches or larger, maximum axle weight of 10,000 pounds for single axles with two single wheels, and maximum axle weight of 14,000 pounds for single axles with four or more tires.
For more details:
https://itd.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Permit_Manual.pdf
Idaho Wide Load Limits
Idaho 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″ (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)
- Single axle: 20,000 lb.
- Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
- Tridem axle: 42,000 lb.
Note: You should rely on the Federal Bridge Formula to determine the maximum legal weight.
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- Single axle: 33,000 lb. (black routes)
- Tandem axle: 56,000 lb. (black routes)
- Tridem axle: 70,500 lb. (black routes)
Oversize Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum tread depth of 2/32 inch.
The maximum permitted weight should not exceed 600 lb. per tire inch of width.
Studded snow tires are allowed between October 1 and April 30 in Idaho. While there are no specific restrictions on tire chains, officials recommend using them only when necessary. “Chains required beyond this point” signs will be posted when roads are snowy or icy.
Solid rubber tires on a vehicle must have at least one inch thick rubber on the entire traction surface.
Chains might be necessary at specific locations like Lookout Pass, Fourth of July Pass on interstate 90, or Lolo Pass on state highway 12. The state will provide advance notice of the chain requirement.
Idaho Trip Permits
The state of Idaho allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 120-hour IRP permit for $60. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit request.
Idaho Fuel Permits
The state of Idaho allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 120-hour ( IFTA permit for $60. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit request.
Note: The vehicle must be over 26,000 lbs and use diesel, propane, or natural gas.
Idaho Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
Before transporting a vehicle on the highways, the owner/operator must either obtain a special permit or show their intention to get one by contacting the Special Permits Office.
Amber Light Permits:
Vehicles escorting oversize loads shall be equipped with roof-mounted amber warning lights.
Loading Zone Permits:
A loading zone permit may be issued for using commercial loading zones by non-commercial delivery vehicles.
For more information about specialty permits:
Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Idaho
Oversize and overweight fines in Idaho depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight.
The fines for violations start at $300 and can exceed $2500, and in severe cases, can lead to county jail. A person caught multiple times within 12 months can result in fines reaching several thousand dollars and/or a 6-month jail time.
Progressive scale:
- first 1,000 lb. overweight – $5.00
- 1,001 – 2,000 lb. overweight – $15.00
- 2,001 – 4,000 lb. overweight – $25.00
- 4,001 – 15,000 lb. overweight – $25.00 plus 13 cents per pound in excess of 4,000 lb.
…
- 20,001 and more lb. overweight – $2,500.00 plus 30 cents per pound in excess of 20,000 lb.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Idaho
The cost of Idaho OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $33 for a single-trip permit and can reach over $128 for an annual permit.
You may also be charged an application fee for processing and handling 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.