Oversize / Overweight Permits in Iowa

Iowa Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Iowa 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)
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′ (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)
Single axle: 20,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
Tridem axle: 42,500 lb.

Iowa 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. The standard fee is $35.

Note: Per axle weight should not exceed 20,000 lb.

For more details:

https://iowadot.gov/mvd/motorcarriers/truckguide.pdf

Iowa 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 – 13′ 5”
maximum height – 15′ 5′
maximum length – 120′
maximum GVW – 156,000 lb. (126,000 lb. for special mobile equipment except cranes)

Note: Per axle weight should not exceed 20,000 lb.

The standard fee is $400.

Iowa Wide Load Requirements

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

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All sides and 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:

7′ long and 18″ high signs with 10″ high, 1.5″ stroke black letters on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

A flashing amber light on the towing unit.
For continuous moves, lighted amber lights at the front corners and lighted red lights at the rear.
Vehicles 12′ – 16′ 6″ wide may feature a strobe light on the cab and rear of the vehicle or load.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

Width:

rear escort if width > 16′ 6″ on 4-lane roads.
front escort if width <= 14′ 6″ and exceeds half the roadway on 2-lane roads (lane width < 12′), or width <= 14′ 6″ and exceeds half the roadway on 2-lane roads (lane width ≥ 12′) without sufficient shoulders, or width > 14′ 6″ on 2-lane roads.

Length:

rear escort if vehicle length > 120′.

Height:

front escort with height pole if height > 14’4″ up to 20′.
escort without height pole required after 20′.

Escort vehicle requirements:

proof of public liability insurance: $100,000/$200,000/$50,000 coverage.
escort vehicle size: approximately the size of a normal passenger automobile or pickup.
amber revolving light: at least 7″ high and 7″ in diameter, 100-candlepower lamp providing 360º warning (or strobe light), must be burning while escorting.
18″ square red flags on each corner of the front bumper.

Iowa Wide Load Restrictions

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

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Iowa 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.

If a holiday falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, no movement is allowed from noon on the Friday before the holiday weekend until the end of the holiday.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Permitted vehicles can move half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Nighttime movement is allowed if all these conditions are met:

width ≤ 11′
length ≤ 100′
height ≤ 14′ 6”
weight within permitted limits
roadway width ≥ 22′
lane width ≥ 11′
vehicle equipped with side-marker and clearance lights per federal regulations.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Iowa 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:

While the Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada, no specific seasonal restrictions are provided by the state of Iowa. However, they may appear in Iowa oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Note: The governing agency is responsible for putting up signs and notices for seasonal weight embargoes and temporary or permanent bridge weight limits.

Iowa Wide Load Limits

Iowa 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 weight should not exceed 20,000 lb.
gross weight: 156,000 lb.

Oversize Tire Regulations:

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

The maximum permitted weight is 575 lb. (600 lb. for steering tires) per tire inch of width.

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

Note: Between November 1 and April 1, studded tires are allowed as long as the tire studs project no more than 1/16″ beyond the tread.

Iowa Trip Permits

The state of Iowa allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 72 hours IRP permit for $35. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit request.

Iowa Fuel Permits

The state of Iowa allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 72-hour (or one trip whichever comes first) IFTA permit for $20. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit request.

Iowa Specialty Permits

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

Highway Use Tax Permits:

The IRS imposes the Federal Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax on large trucks to fund road construction and maintenance. If you register a truck weighing 55,000 pounds or more in the State of Iowa, you must show proof of payment or exemption stamped by the IRS during the registration process.

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://iowadot.gov/mvd/motorcarriers/Oversize-Overweight-Trip-permits

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Iowa

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

Progressive scale:

first 1,000 lb. overweight – $6.00
1,001 – 2,000 lb. overweight – $11.00
2,001 – 3,000 lb. overweight – $77.50
3,001 – 4,000 lb. overweight – $120.00

…

20,001 and more lb. overweight – $1,100.00 plus 5 cents per pound in excess of 20,000 lb.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Iowa

The cost of Iowa OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $35 for a single-trip permit and can reach over $400 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.