Oversize / Overweight Permits in Montana
Montana Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Montana 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)
- 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 unit 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)
- Overall length: 75′ (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: 15′
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: 42,000 lb.
Montana Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A general single-trip permit (typically 3-day long) 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 permit fee starts at $10.
For more details:
https://www.mdt.mt.gov/business/mcs/permits.aspx
Montana Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
This permit allows unrestricted movement for up to 365 days, allowing a particular vehicle and approved load to repeatedly travel one-way between two points on designated routes.
To obtain an annual permit, a load must meet the following requirements:
- maximum width – 15′
- maximum height – 15′ 6”
- maximum length – 95′
The cost varies depending on the permit, starting at $75.
Montana Wide Load Requirements
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Montana Department of Transportation.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
Escort vehicles must be equipped 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:
At least 8″ high black letters on the yellow background.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
Amber lights are 5 inches in diameter, 50 candlepower, and 60-90 flashes/minute on both ends of the oversized load sign. Revolving/strobe lights allowed. Must flash continuously while moving the vehicle/load and displayed fully for night travel.
Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:
Width:
- 12′ 6” – 1 front on non-interstate roads
- 16′ 6” – 1 rear on interstate roads; 1 front and 1 rear n non-interstate roads
Length:
- 110′ – 1 rear on non-interstate roads
- 120′ – 1 rear on interstate roads
Note: There can be additional escort requirements specified in the permit.
Montana Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
Unless otherwise mentioned in Montana wide load permits, oversized loads cannot be transported on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Travel is allowed on red route highways during darkness, weekends, and holidays if dimensions are within 10′ width, 15′ 6” height, and 110′ length. Daylight travel is allowed seven days a week, except holidays, holiday weekends, and red routes if dimensions don’t exceed 18′ width, 120′ length, and 18′ height. Red route highways have more restrictions.
Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:
Montana 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: All vehicles, including driven and towed must comply with posted bridge weight limits.
Oversize Seasonal Weight Restrictions:
Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada. Specific restrictions may appear in Montana oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.
DOT-designated “chain up” areas require using chains when “chains are required” signs are up. Chains mandatory on one axle’s drive wheels.
The wintertime weight permit shall not exceed 132,000 lbs.
For more details:
https://www.mdt.mt.gov/other/webdata/external/mcs/MT-PERMIT-RESTRICTIONS-New.PDF
Montana Wide Load Limits
Montana 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. (including the weight of the load)
- Single axle: 20,000 lb.
- Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
- Tridem axle: 42,000 lb.
Note: You should rely on the Federal Bridge Formula to determine the maximum legal weight.
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- Single axle: 28,000 lb.
- Tandem axle: 46,000 lb.
- Tridem axle: 60,000 lb.
- Quadrum axle: 80,000 lb.
Oversize Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum legal tread depth.
The maximum permitted weight should not exceed 500 lb. per tire inch of width.
You can use tire chains or studded tires up to one-sixteenth of an inch beyond the tread when needed for safety on snow, ice, or slippery roads. Pneumatic tires allowed between October 1 and May 31, except for one spare in case of failure.
Montana Trip Permits
The state of Montana allows out-of-state operators and carriers driving a vehicle with a GVW over 6,000 lbs to obtain a three-day IRP permit. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit request.
Montana Fuel Permits
The state of Montana allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a three-day IFTA permit for $30. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit request.
Montana Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
Montana Winter Weight Permits:
The permit is valid December 1st through March 7th. It allows for 10% excess weight to be hauled on non-interstate highways. The basic fee is $50 for the duration of 30 days.
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.mdt.mt.gov/business/mcs/permits.aspx
Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Montana
Oversize and overweight fines in Montana depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight.
Violating to stop at open Montana Weigh Stations incurs a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $300, jail up to 60 days, or both.
Progressive fine scale applies:
- first 3,000 lb. overweight – $30
- 2,001 – 40,000 lb. overweight – $75
- 4,001 – 6,000 lb. overweight – $125
- 6,001 – 8,000 lb. overweight – $175
- 25,001 and more lb. overweight – $2,000.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Montana
The cost of Montana OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $10 for a single-trip oversize-only permit and can reach $4,000 for a special permit with 40,000 lbs overweight.
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.