Oversize / Overweight Permits in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Oklahoma 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: 13′ 6″ (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
Length of a semi-trailer: 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)
Length of a vehicle combo: 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)

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.

Oklahoma Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits

A general single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversize and overweight vehicles 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 72 hours and costs $12.

For more details:

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/size-and-weight.html

Oklahoma Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

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

maximum width – 16′
maximum height – depends on the route
maximum length of vehicle combinations – 120′
maximum GVW – 120,000 lbs.

A permit fee ranges from $10 for oversize to $60 for overweight.

Oklahoma Wide Load Requirements

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

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All extremities of oversized loads must be marked with red or bright orange 18″ square flags. The flags must position all four corners of the vehicle and all protrusions and extensions, including a rear overhang greater than 4′.

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

Oklahoma requires trailers and vehicles hauling oversized loads to be equipped with at least 5′ long “oversize load” or “wide load” banners.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

5′ long and 14” signs with 8″ high, 1 1/8″ brush stroke black letters on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Oversize/overweight vehicles may not be equipped with warning lights, whereas escort vehicles may require them.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

One escort vehicle:

Width 12′ – 14′ on 2-lane highways- front
Length over 80′ on 2-lane highways – front
Width 12′ – 16′ on multi-lane highways – rear
Mobile homes and boats longer 80′ on 2-lane highways – front
Mobile homes and boats 12′ – 14′ wide’ on 2-lane highways – front
Mobile homes and boats 14′ – 16′ wide’ on multi-lane highways – rear

Two escort vehicles:

Width over 14′ on 2-lane highways
Length over 100′ on 2-lane highways
Height 15’9” or more on 2-lane highways
Width over 16′
Mobile homes and boats 14′ – 16′ wide’ on 2-lane highways

Oklahoma Wide Load Restrictions

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

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

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

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Oversized loads are allowed to transport from half an hour before sunrise till half an hour after sunset.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Oklahoma 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:

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

Oklahoma Wide Load Limits

Oklahoma 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:

Single axle: 20,000 lbs
Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs
Tridem axle: 48,000 lbs

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

steering axle – 15,000 lbs (600 lbs per one inch of tire tread of all steering axle tires)
single axle – 20,000 lbs
tandem axle – 40,000 lbs
triple axle – 60,000 lbs

Oversize Tire Regulations:

Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum tread depth of 2/32″.

Tires must not feature tire chains or protuberances of any material other than rubber unless their use is required for safety and permitted. Such studs must not project more than 3/32 of an inch beyond the tread or have over 3% of the contact area of the tire tread.

Oklahoma Trip Permits

The state of Oklahoma issues a 72-hour commercial vehicle registration trip permit for $12. There can also be a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Oklahoma Fuel Permits

IFTA permits are necessary for all interstate motor carriers driving in or through Oklahoma. They must pay a fuel use tax to obtain an IFTA license.

For more details: https://oklahoma.gov/occ.html

Oklahoma Specialty Permits

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

Manufactured houses and mobile homes:

To obtain such a permit, the following must be retained:

width from 8′ 6″ up to 16′
escort may be required depending on the route and dimensions.

For more information about specialty permits:

https://oklahoma.gov/odot/size-and-weight.html

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Oklahoma

Anyone who breaks the weight limits set by the law or permit is committing a misdemeanor. If found guilty in a criminal court, this can result in a fine of up to $1,000. Furthermore, anyone who violates these limits is considered to be in contempt of the Corporation Commission and can be fined up to $500.

The size of the fines depends on the excessive unpermitted weight and ranges from $208,90 to over $628,90 plus $100 (fixed).

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Oklahoma

The cost of Oklahoma OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, its nature, and its excessive weight and size. It starts at $12 for a single-trip permit and can exceed $60 for an annual or specialty permit.

You may also be charged an application fee for processing 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.