Oversize / Overweight Permits in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Massachusetts 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″; 12′ 6″ for Sumner and Callahan tunnels (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
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)
Single truck length: 40′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)

Legal Weight Limit:

Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load)
Single axle: 22,400 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.

Massachusetts 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. You may require a round-trip permit to be brought back to the original location. The basic cost is $20 plus a fee for handling and processing your permit request.

More details:
https://www.mass.gov/commercial-truck-permits

Massachusetts Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

This permit allows unrestricted movement for up to 365 days, allowing a particular vehicle and approved load to repeatedly travel between two points on designated routes.

General requirements:

width: 14′
height: 14′ (vehicle higher than 13’8″ require a height survey)
length: 115′

The basic cost is $400 plus a fee for handling and processing your permit request.

More information:

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section19D

Massachusetts Wide Load Requirements

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

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All extremities of oversized vehicles and loads must be marked with at least 12″ red square flags.

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

All non-escorted oversize vehicles must be equipped with “oversize load” banners(signs).

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

7′ long and 18″ high signs with 10″ high letters (1.41″ brush stroke) on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Two flashing amber lights to be visible from front and rear from at least 500′ are required.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

Width:

Over 12′: 1 escort/pilot car.
Over 13’6″: 2 escort/pilot cars.
15′ and wider: 2 escort/pilot cars + state police (number varies by case).

Length:

Over 80′: 1 escort/pilot car.
Over 95′: 2 escorts/pilot cars.
Over 115′: 2 state police escorts.
134′ and longer: 2 civilian escort/pilot cars + state police (number varies by case).

Height:

Over 13’8″: high pole escort + route survey.
Over 13’11”: 2 escorts (additional safety measures may be required).
Over 14’11”: 2 civilian escorts + state police (additional safety measures may be required).

Turnpike:

Over 12′ wide, 100′ long, or 130,000 lbs: police escort required.

Note: There can be additional escort requirements based on the permit.

Massachusetts Wide Load Restrictions

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

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Massachusetts 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 noon the day preceding and noon the day following these holidays.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Travel is permitted on state highways from 12:01 a.m. on Monday until noon on Saturday and from 12:01 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Massachusetts 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:

Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada. Specific restrictions may appear for Massachusetts oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Massachusetts Wide Load Limits

Massachusetts 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. of any 2 consecutive axles (including the weight of the load)
Single axle: 24,400 lb.; 18,000 lb. (axle spacing less than 6′ apart)
Tandem axle: 46,000 lb.
Tridem axle: 73,000 lb.
Four axles: 87,000 lb.

Note: You should rely on the Federal Bridge Formula to determine the maximum legal weight.

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

The maximum permitted axle weight varies depending on the permit type.

For more information:

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section19

Oversize Tire Regulations:

Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum legal tread depth of 2/32 inches.

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

Studded tires are allowed in Massachusetts from November 2 to April 30. Rear application is permitted. Snow chains are generally fine during snowstorms, except for triple-axle trucks needing a pair on opposite wheels.

The highest mechanical lift for 4WD vehicles is calculated as wheelbase multiplied by wheel track, divided by a safety factor of 2200 (e.g., 92″ w/b x 58″ w/t = 5336/2200 = 2″ max lift). The largest tire’s original manufacturer size can match this lift. The overall lift (mechanical + tire) must not exceed the sum of the calculated lift and tire increase for the vehicle.

Massachusetts Trip Permits

The state of Massachusetts allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 72-hour IRP permit (temporary trip permit) for $15. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Massachusetts Fuel Permits

The state of Massachusetts allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 72-hour IFTA permit for $20. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Massachusetts Specialty Permits

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

Manufactured House Permits:

No permits or travel on state highways for mobile homes over 13′ 6″ in height or longer than 100′.
Modular/mobile homes between 12′ and 14′ wide need a permit for travel, Mon-Fri in daylight, with restrictions on specific hours.
Max width is 16′, but limited routes exist.

The cost varies from $40 for a five-day single-trip permit to $400 for an annual one.

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.mass.gov/commercial-truck-permits

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Massachusetts

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

A person convicted of violating this chapter or its regulations faces fines as follows: $35 for first offense, $35-$75 for second offense, $75-$150 for subsequent offenses in a year.

Operating without a license incurs fines: $500 for first offense, $500-$1,000 for second, $1,000-$2,000 for subsequent.

Operating a school bus with excess passengers leads to a fine up to $100 or 30 days imprisonment or both.

Violating weight limits faces fines per excess thousand pounds. A surcharge of $50 applies for specific violations, with the first $50 going to the Head Injury Treatment Services Trust Fund.

First-degree reckless endangerment (Class A misdemeanor) carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. Second-degree reckless endangerment (Class B misdemeanor) entails a potential sentence of up to six months in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Third violation within a year results in a license revocation for 30 days; learner’s permit holders face 90-day suspension for first offense, 1-year for subsequent, along with state courts against road rage program completion.

Junior operator’s license holders face 90-day suspension for first offense, 1-year for subsequent, plus completion of state courts against road rage program, and need to retake a driving test.

Violating safety standards leads to a $25 fine. Failing vehicle inspection or certification displays a $50 fine. A $5 surcharge applies to motor vehicle violation fines, going to the Public Safety Training Fund.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Massachusetts

The cost of Massachusetts 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 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.