Oversize / Overweight Permits in Kentucky

Kentucky Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Kentucky law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversize/overweight load:

Legal Size Limit:

Width: 8′ 6″; 8′ for local roads (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
Height: 13′ 6″; 14 (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
Length of a motor-truck: 45′
Length of a semi-trailer: 53′
Length of a dual trailer: 28′ (a tractor-semitrailer-trailer or a tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combination, not to exceed two towed units)
Overhang: 5′

Legal Weight Limit:

Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load; no single axle weight may exceed 20,000 lb.)
Single axle: 20,000 lb. (axles less than 42″ apart)
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb. (axles 42″-96″ apart)
Tridem axle: 48,000 lb. (axles 42″-120″ apart)

Kentucky 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. The permit is valid for 10 days and costs $60.

For more details:

https://drive.ky.gov/Motor-Carriers/Overweight-Over-Dimensional/Pages/OWOD-Permits.aspx

Kentucky Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

Kentucky issues several types of annual permits, including the following:

Non-divisible loads less than 14′ wide – $250,00.

Maximum dimensions: width 13′ 11″, length 120′, height 13′ 6″, weight 160,000 lbs.

Non-divisible loads 14′-16′ wide – $500,00.

Maximum dimensions: width 16′, length 120′, height 13′ 6″, weight 160,000 lbs.

Farm less than 14′ wide – $80,00

Maximum dimensions: width 13′ 11″, length legal, height legal, weight legal

Farm 14′-16′ wide – $150,00

Maximum dimensions: width 16′, length 120′, height 13′ 6″, weight 160,000 lbs. (dealership only)

Metal commodities – $1250,00

Maximum weight (routes required): 120,000 lbs.

Non-divisible steel-statewide – $500,00

Maximum weight: 120,000 lbs.

Annual feed certificate (routes required) – $150,00

Maximum weight: 88,000 lbs.

Manufactured home – $1500,00

Maximum dimensions: width 16′, length 120′, height 15′, weight 160,000 lbs.

Kentucky Wide Load Requirements

All loads wider than 8′ 6″(8′ for local roads) require an oversized permit issued by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All extremities of oversized loads must be marked with red 18″ square flags.

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

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

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

6′- 8′ wide signs with 18″ high, 1.4″ brushstroke letters on the yellow background

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Vehicles with a front overhang over 10′ must be equipped with amber strobe or flashing lights.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

Multi-lane highways:

front escort:

height exceeds 14′ 11” (a height pole attachment is required)

rear escort:

width exceeds 12′

front and rear escort:

length exceeds 120′ (1 front + 2 rear escorts)
width exceeds 14′
width exceeds 16 ‘ (2 front + 2 rear escorts)

Two-lane highways:

front escort:

length exceeds 75′
height exceeds 14′ 11” (a height pole attachment is required)

front and rear escort:

length exceeds 85′
length exceeds 120′ (1 front + 2 rear escorts)
width exceeds 12′
width exceeds 16′ (2 front + 2 rear escorts)

Kentucky Wide Load Restrictions

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ (8′ for local roads) are subject to the following restrictions:

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Kentucky wide load permits, there are no specific Kentucky oversize holiday restrictions. However, in some cases, manufactured housing can be restricted to move on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Unless otherwise permitted, oversized loads are allowed to transport 24/7. However, in Boone, Campbell, Fayette, Jefferson, and Kenton Counties, oversize loads are not allowed to be transported between 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Note: Manufactured houses and mobile homes are only allowed to be transported during daylight Monday through Saturday.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

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

Kentucky Wide Load Limits

Kentucky 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″; 8′ for local roads (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; no single axle weight may exceed 20,000 lb.)
single axle: 20,000 lb. (axles less than 42″ apart)
tandem axle: 34,000 lb. (axles 42″-96″ apart)
tridem axle: 48,000 lb. (axles 42″-120″ apart)

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

single axle – 20,000 lb.
single dual-wheel axle – 24,000 lb.
tandem dual-wheel axle (the combination of only 5 axles total) – 45,000 lb.
tandem dual-wheel axle (the combination of 6 or more axles total) – 48,000 lb.
tridem dual-wheel axle – 60,000 lb.
trunnion axle – 48,000 lb.
single axle – 23,000 lb. (self-propelled vehicle)
tandem dual-wheel axle – 45,000 lb. (self-propelled vehicle)
tridem dual-wheel axle – 69,000 lb. (self-propelled vehicle)
GVW of 5 axle combination units – 96,000 lb.
GVW of 6 axle combination units – 120,000 lb.
GVW of 7 axle combination units – 160,000 lb.

Oversize Tire Regulations:

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

Regrooved or recut unless the regrooved or recut vehicle tires are not allowed unless they are so constructed and safe.

Weight on any tire per inch of width must not exceed 600 lb.

On rubber-tired vehicles, when using chains, the chains that cross each other should not be thicker or wider than three-fourths of an inch. Additionally, these chains should be placed around the tires in a way that they are not more than ten inches apart from each other along the tire’s circumference.

For more information:

https://drive.ky.gov/Motor-Carriers/Overweight-Over-Dimensional/Pages/default.aspx

Kentucky Trip Permits

Any carrier operating a vehicle weighing over 59,999 lbs. can obtain a 10-day KYU permit (IRP permit) specific to their vehicle, costing $40.00.

Carriers not registered under the International Registration Plan in their home state need to obtain a temporary non-reciprocal permit. Depending on the weight the cost varies from $25.00 for weights up to 55,000 lbs. to $40.00 for weights exceeding 55,000 lbs.

Kentucky Fuel Permits

The state of Kentucky issues IFTA permits are necessary for all interstate motor carriers driving in or through Kentucky. They must pay a fuel use tax to obtain an IFTA license.

Carriers with vehicles over 26,001 lbs. or with 3 or more axles shall obtain a temporary IFTA permit valid for 10 days, priced at $40.00.

Kentucky-based (intrastate ) carriers with vehicles over 26,001 lbs. or with 3 or more axles are required to pay the KIT fuel tax. They may obtain a 10-day temporary permit, costing $40.00.

Kentucky Specialty Permits

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

Metal Commodities Permit:

Metal Commodities permit applies to divisible and non-divisible metal items not exceeding 120,000 pounds. The permit covers transportation to and from facilities involved in manufacturing or storing metal goods.

The annual permit costs $1250.00 and is valid for a year, while the single trip permit costs $100.00 and is valid for a single journey. Both permits are specific to designated routes, meaning they only allow transportation on predefined paths.

For more information about specialty permits:

https://drive.ky.gov/Motor-Carriers/Overweight-Over-Dimensional/Pages/OWOD-Permits.aspx

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Kentucky

The size of oversize and overweight fines in Kentucky depends on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight. Thus, you will be fined $.02 per pound of unpermitted weight up to 5000,00 lbs. but not less than $100 and over $500 when exceeding 5000,00 lbs.

Note: Anyone who breaks KRS 189.950 will face a fine ranging from a minimum of $100) to a maximum of $1,000. Neglecting oversize/overweight load transportation rules and regulations may also result in up to 30 days of jail time.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Kentucky

The cost of Kentucky OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, its nature, and its excessive weight and size. It starts at $60 for a single-trip permit and can exceed $1000 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.