Oversize / Overweight Permits in North Dakota

North Dakota Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to North Dakota 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)
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)
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: 50′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
Mobile home 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: 4′
Rear overhang: 6′

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: 48,000 lb.

North Dakota 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.

Requirements:

maximum weight on a single axle – 22,000 lbs
maximum weight on a tandem axle – 40,000 lbs

For more details:

https://www.nd.gov/ndhp/oversizeoverweight-permit

North Dakota 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.

The fee and size and weight limits vary depending on the type of permit (seasonal, overlength, overwidth, 129 primary network, etc).

For more details:

https://www.nd.gov/ndhp/e-permits

North Dakota Wide Load Requirements

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

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

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

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

All vehicles longer than 75′, wider than 8′ 6”, or driving at night must be equipped with “oversize load,” “wide load,” or “long load” banners(signs) at the front and the rear.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

At least 5′ long and 12″ high signs with 8″ high, 1″ brushstroke black letters on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Vehicles allowed to travel between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise need to have specific approved lights and reflectors. These include lights marking the outermost parts of the vehicle and load that extend beyond 8′ 6”, as well as amber lights above the cab that can be seen from at least 500′ away.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

An official escort or approved pilot car is mandatory for movements exceeding 14′ 6” in width, 18′ in height, and 120′ in length.

For movements not exceeding 16′ in width, the overwidth vehicle itself, or a vehicle towing/hauling an overwidth load, a lighted rotating/flashing amber light visible from the front and rear for at least 500′ suffices.

No pilot car is needed on four-lane divided highways under 16′ in width.

Load exceeding:

Over 16′ in width – One pilot car preceding and one following on two-lane highways. One pilot car follows on four-lane divided highways.
Over 18′ in width – Highway patrol escort possible as determined by the regional commander(s), in addition to private pilot cars. Moving company contacts respective regional commander(s).

Note: There can be additional escort requirements specified in the permit.

North Dakota Wide Load Restrictions

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

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in North Dakota wide load permits, oversized loads wider than 16′ cannot be transported on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Permits for loads wider than 16′ are not valid from noon before to sunrise after holidays.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Vehicles wider than 10′ can only move between sunrise and sunset. Single trip permits for widths exceeding 16′ won’t be granted for travel on Saturdays after 12 noon and throughout Sundays.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

North Dakota 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 following weather conditions, and in North Dakota oversize load permits arising from the nature and type of the load.

For more details:
https://www.dot.nd.gov/roadreport/loadlimit/loadlimitinfo.htm

North Dakota Wide Load Limits

North Dakota 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.; 105,500 lb. on state highways (including the weight of the load)
Single axle: 20,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
Tridem axle: 48,000 lb.

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

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

Single axle: 22,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 40,000 lb.
Five axles: 85,000 lb
Six axles: 102,000 lb

Note: If there are four axles or more, per axle weight must not exceed 19,000 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 550 lb. per tire inch of width (600 lb. for steering wheels).

Studded snow tires or chains are allowed if weather conditions tend to cause a skid.

Metal-studded pneumatic tires are allowed with 1/16 inch stubs from Oct 15 to Apr 15.

Tire height up to 44 inches for vehicles under 7,000 lbs. Tires must be safe, with no bulges or exposed cords. Front tires should be at least 60% tread width of rear tires.

North Dakota Trip Permits

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

North Dakota Fuel Permits

The state of North Dakota allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a temporary 72-hour one-trip IFTA permit for $15. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit request.

Note: The permit is required for vehicles with a GVW exceeding 26,000 lb.

North Dakota Specialty Permits

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

Before transporting a vehicle on the highways, the owner/operator must either obtain a special permit or show their intention to get one by contacting the Permits Office.

Special Mobile Equipment Single Trip Permits:

Special mobile equipment permits are necessary for self-propelled vehicles exceeding ND’s size/weight limits (e.g., crane, pump) and traveling on state highways. One-way permits are valid for five days, while multi-trip permits last 24 hours. Both cost $25 minimum. Ton mile fees in thaw or load-limited highways may exist.

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.nd.gov/ndhp/e-permits

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in North Dakota

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

Operating a vehicle without a required permit: $100
Other violations: $20
Any permit violation cancels it
Oversize/overweight citation: $20 and $100 fines for axle, gross, bridge violations, whichever higher
No load shifting to evade axle citation

Progressive fine scale:

first 1,000 lb. overweight – $20
1,001 – 2,000 lb. overweight – $40

…

6,001 – 7,000 lb. overweight – $380
7,001 – 8,000 lb. overweight – $495

…

29,001 – 30,000 lb. overweight – $6,000

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in North Dakota

The cost of North Dakota OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $25 for a single-trip permit and can reach over $700 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.