Oversize / Overweight Permits in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Pennsylvania law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversize/overweight load:
Legal Size Limit:
- Width: 8′ 6″; 8′ for undesignated roads (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: 56′ for undesignated highways (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 overall (truck+trailer combinations): 80′
- 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: 45,200 lb.
Pennsylvania 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 for a return journey.
Note: There can be additional fees for processing and handling permit requests.
For more details:
Pennsylvania Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
Pennsylvania provides annual oversize-overweight trucking permits for the cost starting at $50.00. It refers to the loads not exceeding the following:
- single axle weight: 21,400 lb.
- tandem axle weight: 21,400 lb. per single axle
- tridem (tri-axle) axle weight: 68,000 lb.
- four-axle weight: 73,280 lb.
Note: There can be additional fees for processing and handling permit requests.
Pennsylvania Wide Load Requirements
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ (8′ for undesignated roads) require an oversized permit issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
All four corners and extremities of oversized vehicles and loads, including overhang over 4′, must be marked with red 18″ square flags.
If the load projects beyond the vehicle, the extremities of the load must be marked with flags rather than the vehicle.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
In Pennsylvania, oversize trailers and vehicles, as well as escort vehicles, shall be equipped with “oversize load” banners(signs).
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
At least 7′ long and 18” high signs with 10″ high with a 2-inch letter stroke black letters on the yellow background.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
Oversized vehicles moving in urban areas between 3 a.m. and sunrise must have extra lights on all sides to be clearly visible from 1,000 feet in any direction. The headlights and rear lights should also be turned on while moving.
Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:
Pilot escort is required:
- Width exceeds 13′ – one front escort on single-lane roads and one rear escort on all other roads. If police escort is permitted, pilot escort should be behind the load.
One front and one rear escort vehicle are necessary for an overwidth vehicle crossing a bridge.
- Length exceeds 90′ or the rear overhang exceeds 15′ – one rear escort. Front escort may be required when negotiating sharp turns.
- Height exceeds 14′ 6” – one front escort with a height pole (1000′-3000′ in front of the load)
- Overweight – one front escort when crossing bridges.
- Hours of darkness in urban areas – one front and one rear escort
- If a permitted vehicle cannot maintain at least 40 mph on a limited access highway, travel is limited to 9 am. to 4 pm. and requires one pilot car following the load.
Note: Escort vehicles shall be equipped with flashing or revolving amber lights.
Pennsylvania Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ (8′ for undesignated roads) are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
Unless otherwise mentioned in Pennsylvania wide load permits, oversized loads cannot be transported on Sundays, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Oversized loads can be transported from sunrise till sunset Monday through Friday and from sunrise until noon on Saturdays.
Permitted movement is allowed 7 days a week 3 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. to sunset through the Fort Pitt, Squirrel Hill, or Liberty Tunnels in Allegheny County, except during the listed holiday periods.
Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:
Pennsylvania 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:
According to the Pennsylvania frost law, the freeze/thaw period is between February 15th and April 15th, when temperature changes weaken the road surface. Additional restrictions may be imposed due to severe weather and unforeseen circumstances. During this period, hauling authorized by Letters of Local Determination (LoLDs) is not allowed unless approved by the Posting Authority after specific user requests.
Pennsylvania Wide Load Limits
Pennsylvania 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″; 8′ for undesignated roads (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: 45,200 lb.
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- determined by the Federal Bridge Formula
- weight per inch in width of tire: 800 lbs
- single axle – 27,000 lbs
- tandem axle – 52,000 lbs
Oversize Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum tread depth of 2/32″ (4/32″ for front tires with the GW exceeding 10,000 lbs).
Tires must not feature protuberances of any material other than rubber unless their use is required for safety and permitted. The use of regrooved or recut tires is not allowed unless the tire is specifically designed to undergo regrooving or recutting.
Tire chains are not allowed unless it is essential for the safety of life or property due to weather conditions.
Tires with ice grips or tire studs are allowed between November 1 and April 15 each year. The studs can’t extend more than 2/32″ beyond the tire’s tread.
Pennsylvania Trip Permits
Pennsylvania issues 72-hour IRP permits for out-of-state operators willing to enter the state. To be qualified for the permit, a vehicle must meet one of the following requirements:
- have two axles and a gross weight exceeding 26,000 lbs;
- have three or more axles;
- be a part of a vehicle combination with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 lbs.
Pennsylvania Fuel Permits
The state of Pennsylvania issues 5-day IFTA permits for out-of-state operators. The cost is $73 plus a fee for handling and processing your permit.
Pennsylvania Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
Special Mobile Equipment Permits:
Such permits are issued to vehicles registered as special mobile equipment.
Requirements:
- individual axle weights up to 21,400 pounds
- length, width, or height does not exceed the maximum limits
- gross weight does not exceed 73,280 pounds
- axle weights do not exceed the manufacturer’s rated axle capacity
Amber Light Permits:
Vehicles escorting oversize loads shall be equipped with roof-mounted amber warning lights.
Loading Zone Permits:
A loading zone permit is issued for using commercial loading zones by non-commercial delivery vehicles.
For more information about specialty permits:
Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Pennsylvania
Oversize and overweight fines in Pennsylvania depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight.
Anyone breaking a rule in this chapter without a specific penalty will be fined $300 for each violation.
If a person drives a vehicle over the maximum weight limit on the highway, they’ll be fined $75 plus an additional $75 for every 500 pounds or part thereof, exceeding 3,000 pounds over the limit.
If the vehicle’s weight exceeds the allowed limit, the fine mentioned earlier will be doubled.
Note: There is also a $55 fine for violation of the use of ice grips or studs.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Pennsylvania
The cost of Pennsylvania 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 exceed several hundred dollars for annual or specialty permits.
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.