Oversize / Overweight Permits in Nebraska

Nebraska Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Nebraska 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′ 6″ (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
Vehicle combination: 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)
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)

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. (40″-96″ axle spacing)
Tridem axle: 42,000 lb.

Nebraska Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits

A general 10-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.

Note: Per axle weight should not exceed 25,000 lb. for a single axle, 47,000 lb. for a tandem axle, 60,000 lb. for a triple axle, and 80,000 lb. for a quad axle. The maximum limit is 94,000 lb. for a four-axle unit, 107,000 lb. for a five-axle unit, and 120,000 lb. for a six-axle unit.

Cost:

overdimensional only – $15.00
overweight only – $20.00
overweight and overdimensional – $25.00

For more details:

https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/vtjookeo/chapter-3-4.pdf

Nebraska 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 – 14′
maximum height – 15′ 6”
maximum length (semi trailer) – 53′
maximum length (vehicle combination) – 75′

Note: Per axle weight should not exceed 20,000 lb.

The regular fee is $1000 ($25 per quarter).

Nebraska Wide Load Requirements

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

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All corners of oversized vehicles (loads) must be marked with bright red 18″ square flags.

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

All oversize vehicles wider than 10′ must be equipped with “oversize load” banners(signs).

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

7′ long and 18″ high signs with 10″ high black letters on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

A flashing or rotating amber/yellow light must be placed on top of the home at the rear center, within the 14′ – 16′ width. Alternatively, a light bar can be attached to the rear of the towed unit, with right and left-mounted flashing or rotating amber/yellow lights positioned at least 8′ above the road. These lights should be large enough to be visible from at least 800′ away.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

Escort vehicles may be required:

8′ 6″ in width
90′ in length
14′ 6″ in height

Escort vehicles required:

12′ in width
100′ in length

Position:

All undivided highways – front
Divided highways – rear

Pole cars:

Loads higher than 14′ 6”: a pole car may be needed at the front of the overdimensional vehicle or load.
Loads higher than 16′: a pre-run route survey must be provided in writing before obtaining a permit, and a pole car is required at the front of the overdimensional vehicle or load.

Nebraska Wide Load Restrictions

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

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Nebraska wide load permits, oversized loads (excluding overdimensional permit vehicles on Holidays and Long Holidays) can be transported seven days a week.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Permitted vehicles can move half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Nebraska 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:

While the Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada, no specific seasonal restrictions are provided by the state of Nebraska. However, they may appear in Nebraska oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Studded Snow tires may be used from November 1 to April 1.

Nebraska Wide Load Limits

Nebraska 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); 95,000 lb. on state highways
Single axle: 20,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb. (40″-96″ axle spacing)
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 weight should not exceed 20,000 lb.

Oversize Tire Regulations:

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

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

Note: Tires used on vehicles driven on highways must not have protrusions, like clocks, studs, flanges, cleats, spikes, or any other material, except rubber, extending beyond the tread surface.

Nebraska Trip Permits

Nebraska provides temporary registration authority (temporary IRP permits) for vehicles joining an existing fleet for 45 days while the apportioned registration is being processed. The carrier must be in good standing with the Department to qualify for temporary authority.

Note: One temporary per unit is free.

Temporary registrations are issued for:

Newly acquired vehicles
Weight increases
Lost vehicle identification (valid for twenty (20) days only)

Nebraska Fuel Permits

The temporary decal/permit (IFTA permit) remains valid for thirty (30) days and must be kept in the vehicle’s cab at all times, along with a copy of the IFTA license. If the temporary decal/permit is not carried, the vehicle operator may be required to buy a trip permit and may receive a citation.

Nebraska Specialty Permits

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

Special Permits:

Such permits require written authorization to move or operate a vehicle, a combination of vehicles, or vehicles with an indivisible load of size and/or weight exceeding the limits prescribed for vehicles in regular operation on a highway.

Special permits may be delayed when traffic, weather, or other conditions on the State highways are determined to constitute a hazard by the Nebraska State Patrol or the Department’s personnel.

Amber Light Permits:

Vehicles escorting oversize loads shall be equipped with 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://dot.nebraska.gov/business-center/permits/truck/

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Nebraska

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

Weight restrictions can differ depending on the road. If there’s a violation, a civil penalty of $25 per every one thousand pounds or part thereof exceeding the gross weight will be imposed. Moreover, operators may face additional fines if two axle groups are overweight. Additionally, each fine is subject to $21 in court costs.

Progressive scale:

up to 5% overweight – $25.00
5-10% overweight – $75.00
10-15% overweight – $150.00

…

over 50% overweight – $2,500.00

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Nebraska

The cost of Nebraska OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $15 for an oversize-only single-trip 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.