Oversize / Overweight Permits in Michigan

Michigan Oversize/Overweight Regulations

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

Legal Size Limit:

Width: 8′ 6″; 8′ on non-designated highways (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)
Truck plus semi-trailer length: 65′; 59′ on non-designated highways (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′; 50′ on non-designated highways (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: no limitation if the overall length is within legal limits

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.

Michigan 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 cost varies from $15 (oversize only) to $50 (oversize and/or overweight).

Michigan 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.

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

maximum width – 16′ (14′ if seasonal restrictions apply)
maximum height – 15′
maximum length – 150′

The cost varies from $30 (oversize only) to $100 (oversize and/or overweight).

Michigan Wide Load Requirements

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Michigan 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:

Black letters on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

If the part of the load that extends beyond the back of the vehicle (rear overhang) measures 4 feet or more, it needs to have a flag during the day for visibility, and at night, it should be equipped with a red light or lantern to alert others.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

12′ – 14′ wide – 1 front
Over 14′ wide – 1 front and 1 rear
90′ – 100′ long – 1 rear
Over 100′ – 1 front and 1 rear
Over 14’5″ high – 1 front escort + a height pole
Over 15′ high with high pole – 1 front and 1 rear + a height pole
Overhang over 15′ – 1 rear

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

Michigan Wide Load Restrictions

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

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Michigan 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 12:00 noon on the day before and lasting until the break of dawn on the day after the listed holidays.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Permits are valid on weekdays during daylight hours (half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset). Weekend travel is allowed for loads under 10′ wide, 14′ high, and 90′ long, following neighboring states’ rules. This allows all-day Saturday and until 3:00 p.m. Sunday movement. Mobile/modular homes are excluded from weekend travel.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Michigan 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 in Wisconsin oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Seasonal (spring weight) restrictions:

Max 11-axle truck entries and exits.
Width not beyond 14′.
Axle groups may haul 25-35% less on non-interstate roads.
No axle group can exceed legal weight.

Michigan Wide Load Limits

Michigan 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′ on non-designated highways (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.

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

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

700 pounds per inch of tire width for a single axle

Oversize Tire Regulations:

Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum legal tread depth (2/32 inch of tread for rear wheels and 4/32 inch of tread for front (steering) wheels).

The maximum permitted weight is 700 lb. per inch of tire width.

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

Vehicles can use pneumatic tires with wire up to 0.075 inches if the tire’s metal contact with the road is under 5% of the total contact area (20% for the first 1,000 miles). Michigan rules might differ for extreme winter conditions, affecting studded tires, traction devices, and road wear.

Michigan Trip Permits

The state of Michigan allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 72-hour IRP permit (temporary trip permit) for $20. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Michigan Fuel Permits

The state of Michigan allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 5-day IFTA permit for $20. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Note: not more than three permits per calendar year.

Michigan Specialty Permits

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

HM Permits/Registration:

If you’re transporting a significant amount of hazardous materials within a state or across state lines, you need to register with the U.S. DOT/RSPA.
When it comes to transporting hazardous waste within Michigan, you’ll need a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality.
Moving explosives and fireworks within Michigan necessitates a permit from the Bureau of Fire Services.
If you’re planning to store regulated medical waste in Michigan, a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality is required.

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.michigan.gov/mdot/business/permits/overweight-oversize

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Michigan

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

The law requires vehicle owners, operators, or drivers to pay civil fines, reaching up to $500. Courts can choose the acceptable amount if a misloaded vehicle is found. If a misload on an axle is within four thousand pounds or less, the court might impose a $200 fine per axle. The fine calculation is limited to a maximum of three individual axles.

The court can fine $200 per axle (up to 3 axles) for a misload of 1,000 to 4,000 pounds on an axle. For 4,000 to 8,000 pounds of misloads, the fine can be $400 per axle (up to 3 axles). Not stopping at a weigh station or bypassing it is a misdemeanor.

Progressive fines

Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.724):

1,000 – 2,000 lb. overweight – 3 cents per pound in excess of legal weight
2,001 – 3,000 lb. overweight – 6 cents per pound in excess of legal weight
3,001 – 4,000 lb. overweight – 9 cents per pound in excess of legal weight

…

10,001 and more lb. overweight – 20 cents per pound in excess of legal weight

HB 5453 (S-2):

1,000 – 2,000 lb. overweight – 6 cents per pound in excess of legal weight
2,001 – 3,000 lb. overweight – 12 cents per pound in excess of legal weight
3,001 – 4,000 lb. overweight – 18 cents per pound in excess of legal weight

…

10,001 and more lb. overweight – 400 cents per pound in excess of legal weight

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Michigan

The cost of Michigan OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $15 for a single-trip (oversize only) permit and can reach $100 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.