Oversize / Overweight Permits in Indiana

Indiana Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Indiana 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: 60′ (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′ (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.

Indiana 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 may require a separate permit to be brought back to the original location. Depending on the overweight and dimensions, the cost varies from $20 plus a per mile fee to $40 plus a per mile fee.

For more details:

https://www.in.gov/dor/motor-carrier-services/oversizeoverweight-osw/

Indiana 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′ 4”
maximum height – 13′ 6”
maximum length – 110”
maximum GVW – 80,000 lbs.

Depending on the dimensions, the cost varies from $405 to $2000.

Note: Annual permits are not applicable to overweight loads.

Indiana Wide Load Requirements

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All extremities of oversized vehicles and loads 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:

6-7′ long and 18″ high signs with 10″ high, 2″ stroke black letters on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Low beams must be on 24/7. Escort vehicles must travel with a flashing amber light on top.

Mobile homes and sectionalized buildings that are 12′ 4” wide or wider must have four bright amber flashing lights.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

One escort vehicle:

12′ 4″ wide or greater – front escort (rear on multi-lane highways)
14′ 6″ high or greater – front escort with a height pole
14′ 4″ – 17′ wide – rear escort on dual-lane highways

Two escort vehicles:

14′ 4″ – 17′ wide – front and rear escort (excluding dual-lane highways)
over 17′ wide – front and rear police escort

Note: All vehicles over 200,000 lbs. GVW must have an Indiana State Police escort unless they meet these conditions: the route is entirely on interstates, there are no slowdowns required, and the vehicle’s weight is under 250,000 lbs. GVW.

Indiana Wide Load Restrictions

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Indiana wide load permits, oversized loads cannot be transported on 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 and finishing half an hour before sunrise on the day following the holiday.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Loads up to 10′ wide, 13′ 6′ high, and 110′ long, under 200,000 lbs., can travel continuously all week.

Loads 10’-14’4” wide, up to 15’ high, or over 110’ long, are allowed to travel in daylight hours all week.

Loads between 14’4” and 16’ wide can travel during daylight hours from Monday to Friday.

Loads over 16’ wide, over 15’ high, or over 200,000 lbs. can travel on Mondays to Fridays between 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, with some exceptions.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Indiana 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

Bridge crossing restrictions:

On dual-lane divided highways, drive in the center of existing lanes at max 45 mph. Escorts hold trailing traffic.
On multi-lane undivided highways, stay in the center of travel lanes at max 45 mph. Escorts detain trailing traffic.
After crossing, allow trailing traffic to pass while continuing movement.

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 Indiana. However, they may appear in Indiana oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Oversized vehicles cannot operate during hazardous weather, road, or traffic conditions, or when visibility is less than 500′. They are also not allowed to operate when wind velocity is over 25 miles per hour.

Indiana Wide Load Limits

Indiana 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 – 22,400 lbs
tandem axle – 36,000 lbs
gross weight: 120,000 lb. (heavier loads require a special weight or superload permit)

Oversize Tire Regulations:

Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum tread depth.

The maximum permitted weight is 800 lb. per inch width of tire.

Tires must not feature protuberances of any material other than rubber or tire chains unless their use is required for safety or permitted.

From October 1 to May 1, vehicles are allowed to use tires with ice grips or tire studs, including retractable ones.

Indiana Trip Permits

The state of Indiana 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.

Indiana Fuel Permits

The state of Indiana allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 5-day IFTA permit for $50. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Indiana Specialty Permits

The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.

Special Weight Permits (Michigan Train Permits):

Special weight permits can be used for unlimited trips within 24 hours from the time of purchase. This is the only permit available for divisible loads.

Basic requirements:

8′ 6” wide
legal length
13′ 6” high
134,000 lb. GVW
18,000 lb. per single axle weight
13,000 lb. per axle in tandem (except for one tandem group, which may weigh 16,000 lb. per axle)

Note: Axles must have a minimum distance of 3′ 6” between them in an axle combination. Additionally, the spacing between axles or axle combinations cannot be less than 8′.

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:

https://www.in.gov/dor/files/osowhandbook.pdf

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Indiana

Oversize and overweight fines in Indiana depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight.

First violation: up to $1,000
Subsequent violations: up to $1,500 each

Carriers transporting vehicles or loads under IC 9-20 but failing to obtain required permit(s) may face a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation based on the Indiana State Police examination report.

Carriers transporting vehicles or loads subject to IC 9-20, exceeding legal weight or dimensions without a permit, may face the following civil penalties per issued Indiana State Police (ISP) vehicle examination report:

Exceeding dimensional limits: ip to $500
Exceeding total weight by 1,000 to 5,000 pounds: up to $500
Exceeding total weight by 5,000 to 10,000 pounds: up to $1,000
Exceeding total weight by at least 10,000 pounds: up to $5,000.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Indiana

The cost of Indiana 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 $2,000 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.