Oversize / Overweight Permits in Missouri

Missouri Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Missouri 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: 15′; 14′ for interstate (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
Length of a truck-trailer: 65′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
Length of a trailer plus load: 53′
Length of a single unit: 45′

Legal Weight Limit:

Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load)
Not to exceed 20,000 lb. (22,400 lb. non-interstate) per single axle

Missouri 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 seven continuous days and costs $15 plus $20 for each 10,000 lbs in excess of legal gross weight. In excess of 16’ wide, 16’ high, or 150’ long, a $250 movement feasibility fee is additionally charged. In excess of 160,000 lbs of GVW, a bridge and roadway analysis fee of $425 per permit is required for moves spanning 0 to 50 miles, $625 for distances between 51 and 200 miles, and $925 for distances exceeding 200 miles.

For more details:

https://www.modot.org/mcs

Missouri Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

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

maximum width – 12’6”
maximum length – 150′

The cost varies depending on the type of permit:

single commodity: $128.00
well drillers and concrete pump trucks: $300.00
multiple commodity:$400.00
emergency response: $624.00

Available overweight annual permits:

emergency response
concrete pump truck
well drill rig
raw fluid milk (85,500 lbs. maximum)
cranes (up to 4 axles)

Missouri Wide Load Requirements

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

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

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

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

Missouri requires trailers and vehicles wider than 10′ 6″ to be equipped with “oversize load” or “wide load” banners in the front. Single units longer than 50′ and combinations longer than 90′ must be equipped with “oversize load” or “wide load” rear banners.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

All signs must be at least 7′ long and 18″ high and feature black letters on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

If otherwise is not permitted, there are no specific lighting requirements for daytime driving. However, escort vehicles may have them.

Note: If moving at night, amber lights at the extreme ends or projection of the load or vehicle must be provided.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

No escort is required for loads not exceeding 12’6” in width.
One rear escort for 12’6” to 14′ wide loads on dual-lane, divided, or multi-lane pavement on the interstate and designated route system
One front escort for 12’6” to 14′ wide loads on two-lane pavement on the interstate and designated route system
One rear escort or 14′ to 16′ wide loads on the interstate and other divided highways
Font and rear escort on all multi-lane undivided and two-lane highways and off interstate and designated route system
One rear escort if the combination length exceeds 90′ (excluding divided highways)
A height detection vehicle is required if the height exceeds 15’6”

Missouri Wide Load Restrictions

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

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Missouri wide load permits, oversize loads are not allowed to be moved on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

If otherwise is not permitted, oversized loads can transport one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

Additional restrictions apply in the Lake of the Ozark, Branson, Kansas City, and St. Louis areas.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Missouri 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: A National Work Zone Awareness Week is celebrated every April (additional restrictions applied).

Oversize Seasonal Weight Restrictions:

The Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada. Missouri’s restrictions include but are not limited to the following:

You are not permitted to move if the road conditions are dangerous (difficult to see beyond 500 feet) due to factors like snow and ice covering the surface, or if there are strong crosswinds that can affect your movement.

Motorists approaching the designated covered areas highlighted by purple lines on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map should think about exiting the highway and finding a secure parking spot where they can stay warm and safe.

Missouri Wide Load Limits

Missouri 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. (not to exceed 22,400 lb. per single axle)

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

single axle – 20,000 lbs
tandem axle – 46,000 lbs
tridem axle – 60,000 lbs
quadrum axle – 72,000 lbs
GVW – 160,000 lbs (152,000 lbs for specialized equipment)

Oversize Tire Regulations:

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

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

Note: No studded tires are allowed to be used from April 1 till November 1.

Missouri Trip Permits

The state of Missouri issues a 72-hour IRP permit for $10. The permit is necessary for all oversize/overweight vehicles with registration in another jurisdiction. There can also be a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Missouri Fuel Permits

IFTA permits are necessary for all interstate motor carriers driving in or through Missouri. The permit is vehicle-specific and valid for 72 hours. The cost is $10 plus a handling fee.

Missouri Specialty Permits

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

Manufactured Houses and Mobile Homes:

Missouri issues annual permits for manufactured houses and mobile homes that meet the following requirements:

width not exceeding 12′ 4″
overall length not exceeding 150′
weight not exceeding the legal limits
height not exceeding the legal limits

The cost of the permit starts at $128.

For more information about specialty permits:

https://www.modot.org/sites/default/files/documents/OSOWRule-2023.pdf

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Missouri

Oversize and overweight fines in Missouri start at $87.5 for the first unpermitted 1,000 lbs plus $0.10 per each next pound.

Note: Log book violations result in a fine of approximately $300 per instance, and similarly, violations of grade restrictions are subject to an approximate $300 penalty.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Missouri

The cost of Missouri OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, its nature, and its excessive weight and size. It starts at $15 for a general single-trip permit and can reach over $624 for an annual emergency response permit.

You may also be charged an application fee for processing your permit request.

For more details:

https://www.modot.org/sites/default/files/documents/OSOWFAQ.pdf

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.