Oversize / Overweight Permits in Kansas

Kansas Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Kansas 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)
Overall length: 125′ (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: 48,000 lb.

Kansas Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits

A general single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversize and overweight vehicles exceeding the legal limits. It covers one movement from point A to point B during the running times specified in the permit. Depending on the permit, it is valid for either 24 or 72 hours.

For more details:

https://www.ksrevenue.gov/faqs-motorfuel.html

Kansas Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

To obtain an annual permit, a non-divisible load must meet the following requirements:

maximum width – 16′ 6″
maximum height – depends on the route infrastructure
the maximum length of vehicle combinations – 126′

The cost of the permit is $150.

Kansas Wide Load Requirements

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

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All extremities of oversized loads must be marked with red (typically 18″) square flags. The flags must position all four corners of the vehicle and all protrusions and extensions, including a rear overhang greater than 4′.

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

Kansas requires oversize vehicles and trailers and the ones hauling oversized loads to be equipped with “oversize load” banners.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

Must feature black letters on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Oversize/overweight vehicles with the rear overhang exceeding the legal limit must be marked with a warning light attached to the rear in the hours of darkness and bad weather conditions.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

One escort vehicle:

Height exceeding 16′

Two escort vehicles:

Width exceeding 14′ (a rear escort vehicle is not required if a warning light is attached to the top of the load, a warning light is attached to the rear at 2’-6’ above the road’s surface, and a warning sign is attached to the rear end)

Superloads and large structures must be accompanied by one front escort or pilot car and one rear escort or pilot car. An additional escort may be required depending on the permit.

Kansas Wide Load Restrictions

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

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Kansas wide load permits, oversize loads may be prohibited from moving on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Oversized loads are allowed to transport from sunrise till sunset 24/7 unless otherwise permitted. Loads wider than 12′ are prohibited from moving at night. Vehicles exceeding 8′ 6″ in width cannot move on the Kansas Turnpike at night. Vehicles wider than 14′ are restricted from 8:30 am – 4: 30 pm.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Kansas 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

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

Note: Tire chains of reasonable proportions may be required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

Kansas Wide Load Limits

Kansas 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:

Single axle: 20,000 lbs
Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs
Tridem axle: 48,000 lbs

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

single axle – 22,000 lbs
single drive axle – 24,000 lbs
tandem axle – 45,000 lbs (49,000 lbs for special equipment)
triple axle – 60,000 lbs
quad axles – 65,000 lbs

Oversize Tire Regulations:

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

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

For more information:
http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2014/b2013_14/statute/008_000_0000_chapter/008_017_0000_article/008_017_0042_section/008_017_0042_k/

Kansas Trip Permits

Kansas issues a 24-hour and 72-hour commercial vehicle registration trip permit for $13 and $25, respectively. There can also be a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Kansas Fuel Permits

IFTA permits(licensing) are necessary for all interstate motor carriers driving in or through Kansas. They must pay a fuel use tax to obtain an IFTA license.

For more details: https://www.ksrevenue.gov/faqs-motorfuel.html

Kansas Specialty Permits

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

Manufactured houses and mobile homes:

Permit conditions:

Manufactured houses/mobile homes from 8′ 6″ up to 12′ 6″ wide can travel 24/7.
Manufactured houses/mobile homes from 12′ 6″ up to 14′ ‘wide can travel during daylight hours.
Manufactured houses/mobile homes wider than 14′ can travel between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Escort may be required depending on the width, route, and dimensions.

For more information about specialty permits:

https://www.ksdot.gov/permit_links.asp

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Kansas

Oversize and overweight fines in Kansas start at $50 for unpermitted weight up to 500 lbs and can reach $200+ for unpermitted weight exceeding 2,000 lbs. Their size depends on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight and the number of violations since the first one within the same year.

Overall, the size of the penalties varies from $0.1 per unpermitted pound to $0.30 per unpermitted pound plus the fixed penalty.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Kansas

The cost of Kansas OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, its nature, and its excessive weight and size. It starts at $13 for a single-trip permit and can exceed $150 for an annual or specialty permit.

You may also be charged an application fee for processing 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.