Oversize / Overweight Permits in Illinois
Illinois Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Illinois 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: 13′ 6″ (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
- Overall length: 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: 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: 42,500 lb.
Illinois Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A general 5-day 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 will require a “round trip” permit to bring back the hauling vehicle or equipment to the original location. This permit is valid for 10 days.
For more details:
Illinois 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 – 12′
- maximum height – 14′ 6”
- maximum length – 115”
The basic fee is $1,000.
Note: Permissible weight limits include a maximum tolerance of 2,000 lbs. on a single axle, 3,000 lbs. on a tandem axle, and 5,000 lbs. above the authorized gross weight.
Illinois Wide Load Requirements
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
All sides and extremities of oversized vehicles and loads must be marked with red 18″ square flags.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
All oversize vehicles must be equipped with “oversize load” banners(signs).
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
7′ long and 18″ high signs with 10″ high, 2″ stroke black letters on the yellow background.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
All oversize vehicles must have illuminated amber lights that rotate, oscillate, or flash placed on top of the vehicle and, if required, on the rear of the load. When illuminated, these lights should be bright enough to be visible from 500′ in all directions during normal sunlight.
Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:
One civilian escort:
- width exceeding 14′ 6”
- length exceeding 110′
- height exceeding 14′ 6”
- moves requiring additional warning to the public (e.g., during darkness for emergencies)
Two civilian escorts:
- width and height both exceeding 14′ 6”
- height and length both exceeding 14′ 6” and 110′, respectively
- width and length both exceeding 14′ 6”
Three civilian escorts:
- width exceeding 16′
- length exceeding 145′
- height exceeding 18′
Police escorts:
- width exceeding 18′
- length exceeding 200′
- height exceeding 18′
- overweight moves with bridge restrictions
- unusual moves requiring extra traffic control
- determination by the Department’s Bridge Office or District Investigation
Police escorts may not be necessary:
- moves within municipalities with local police escort and State Police waiver
- moves limited to State highways with minimal traffic disruption anticipated
- moves over 18′ high with no overhead obstructions, as per District investigation
- civilian escorts may be required based on the Department’s Bridge Office or District’s analysis.
Illinois Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
Unless otherwise mentioned in Illinois wide load permits, oversized loads cannot be transported on Sundays, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, starting from the noon of the day processing a holiday.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Loads not exceeding 14′ 6″ in width, 15′ in height, and 145′ in length can move from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, all days of the week.
Loads exceeding the above dimensions can move between half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset Monday through Friday and from half an hour before sunrise until noon on Saturdays.
Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:
Illinois 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
Penalties for speeding in a work zone:
- first offense: $375
- second offense: $1,000
Penalties for hitting a road worker:
- fine: up to $10,000
- prison sentence: up to 14 years
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 Illinois. However, they may appear in Illinois oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.
Oversized vehicles may not be allowed to operate during hazardous weather, road, or traffic conditions, or when visibility is less than 500′.
Illinois Wide Load Limits
Illinois 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: 42,500 lb.
Note: You should rely on the Federal Bridge Formula to determine the maximum legal weight.
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- single axle – 25,000 lb.
- tandem axle – 48,000 lb.
- tridem axle: 68,000 lb.
- four axles: 76,000 lb.
- five axles: 100,000 lb.
- six axles: 120,000 lb.
For more details:
https://public.powerdms.com/IDOT/tree/documents/2608607
Oversize Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum tread depth of 2/32” (4/32” for front wheels).
Tires must not feature protuberances of any material other than rubber or tire chains unless their use is required for safety or permitted.
Illinois Trip Permits
The state of Illinois allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 3-day IRP permit (temporary trip permit). There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.
Note: A vehicle is limited to receiving a maximum of three trip permits within a 12-month timeframe.
Requirements:
- carrier operates in at least two jurisdictions
- licensing weight is at least 26,001 lbs.
- at least two axles regardless of the licensed weight
Illinois Fuel Permits
Illinois allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 96-hour IFTA permit instead of obtaining an IFTA license. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.
Illinois Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
Manufactured House/Mobile Home Permits:
In Illinois, the largest allowed size for moving a manufactured home, modular home section, or oversize storage building combination is 16′ in width and 115′ in length, including the towing vehicle.
Harvest Season Special Permits:
Permits for the movement of agricultural commodities will be issued at no cost during the harvest period of September 1 through December 31 provided:
- axle weight and gross weight do not exceed the legal limits by more than 10%
- gross weight does not exceed the vehicle’s registered gross weight by more than 10%
- no travel on interstate highways.
Note: The permittee must get a trip authorization from the ITAP system for each state route they travel on at least once every 14 calendar days.
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 Illinois
Oversize and overweight fines in Illinois depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight.
- $73 for the first 2000 lb. overweight
- every next 500 lb. overweight results in additional fines of up to $3,975 for 24,000 lb. overweight
- $75 for each increment of 500 lb. over 24,000 lb.
Note: Failure to comply with authorized city agents’ directions to stop and submit the vehicle and load, or removing any part of the load before weighing, will result in a fine of $500 to $2,000.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Illinois
The cost of Illinois OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $20 for a single-trip permit and can reach $1,000 for an annual permit.
The permit fees depend on the size and weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, as well as the distance traveled on State highways.
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.