Oversize / Overweight Permits in Utah
Utah Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Utah 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)
- Length of the 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 two-vehicle combo: 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)
- Front overhang: 3′
- 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 and more: use the Federal Bridge Formula
Utah Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A general 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. The cost is $25 for a 72-hour permit and $50 for a 144-hour one.
For more details:
https://www.udot.utah.gov/connect/business/motor-carriers/size-weight-permitting/
Utah Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
To obtain an annual permit, a load must meet the following requirements:
- maximum width – 17′
- maximum height – 17′ 6”
- maximum single axle weight: 29,000 lb.
- maximum tandem axle weight: 50,000 lb.
- maximum tridem axle weight: 61,750 lb.
- maximum GVW: 125,000 lb.
Note: The permit may be issued for half a year or annual duration. The cost of a standard annual permit is $90.
Utah Wide Load Requirements
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Utah Department of Transportation.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
All extremities of oversized loads wider than 10′ must be marked with red or fluorescent orange 18″ square flags.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
Utah requires trailers and vehicles hauling oversized loads to be equipped with “oversize load” banners if they exceed 10′ in width, 14′ in height, or 105′ in length.
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
All signs must feature black letters on the yellow background.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
All tow vehicles must drive with low beams on 24/7.
Warning lights:
- at night and poor visibility conditions
- amber lights to mark front overhang
- read clearance lights to mark rear overhang
- red lights to mark the rear extremities of the load
- amber lights to mark front and side extremities of the load
Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:
Pilot escort for daylight hours:
- 1 escort for loads exceeding width 14′, length 120′, overhang 20′ for freeways and interstates and width 12′, length 105′, overhang 20′ for non-interstates
- 2 escorts for loads exceeding width 16′, height 16′ for freeways and interstates and width 14′, height 16′, length 120′ for non-interstates
Pilot escort for darkness hours:
- 1 escort for loads that may not exceed width 14′ and height 14’6” for freeways and interstates (other roads are not authorized)
- 2 escorts for loads that may not exceed width 12′ and height 14’6” for non-interstates (freeways and interstates are not authorized)
Police escort 24/7:
- two or more for loads longer than 125′
- three or more for loads longer than 125′, higher than 17’6”, wide than 20′ (freeways and interstates) or 17′ (non-interstates)
Utah Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
Unless otherwise mentioned in Utah wide load permits, loads exceeding 10′ wide, 14′ height, or 105′ length are not allowed to be moved on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Monday holidays: travel from 2:00 pm the Friday before until daylight Tuesday is not allowed.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday holidays: travel from 2:00 pm the day before until daylight the day after is not allowed.
Friday holidays: travel from 2:00 pm Thursday until daylight the following Monday is not allowed.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Oversized loads are allowed to transport from half an hour before sunrise till half an hour after sunset. Night driving is permitted.
Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:
Utah adheres to the Federal Bridge Formula that provides specific bridge restrictions. As for the oversize road restrictions, they include but 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 Utah. However, they may appear in Utah oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.
Utah Wide Load Limits
Utah 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 wheel – 10,500 lbs
- single axle – 20,000 lbs
- tandem axle – 34,000 lbs
- tridem axle and more: use the Federal Bridge Formula
Note: The weight restrictions for individual or paired axles that are within a distance of 96 inches override the limitations set by the Bridge Formula.
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- single axle – 29,500 lbs
- tandem axle – 50,000 lbs
- triple axle – 61,750 lbs
- trunnion axle – 60,000 lbs
Note: Vehicles with GVW exceeding 125,000 lbs must obtain a single-trip permit.
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 protuberances of any material other than rubber unless their use is required for safety. Tungsten carbide studs (must not project beyond the tread more than .05 inches) are allowed for use October 15 through December 31 and January 1 through March 31.
Utah Trip Permits
The state of Utah issues two types of IRP permits, including a 72-hour license for $25 and a 144-hour permit for $50. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.
Utah Fuel Permits
IFTA permits are necessary for all interstate motor carriers driving in or through Utah. The permit is valid for 96 hours and costs $25.
Utah Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
Special Equipment Permits:
Utah issues special types of permits for special mobile equipment, special truck equipment, snow plows, parade floats, and utility poles.
For more information about specialty permits:
Manufactured Houses and Mobile Homes:
No permits are required for houses not exceeding:
- width: 8′ 6″
- height: 14′
- length (house only): 45′
- overall length: 65′
If the prescribed size limits are exceeded, a special permit is necessary. Any mobile or manufactured home that has any projection beyond 12″ will be counted when measuring the overall width.
Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Utah
Oversize and overweight fines in Utah start at $200 for the first offense and can reach over $500 for the second one. Their size depends on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight and the number of violations since the first one within three years. The fine per pound varies from $.04 to $.13.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Utah
The cost of Utah OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, its nature, and its excessive weight and size. It starts at $25 for a single-trip permit and can reach $540 for a divisible load annual 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.