Oversize / Overweight Permits in Washington

Washington Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Washington law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversize/overweight load:

Legal Size Limit:

Width: 8′ 6″; 8′ on local roads (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)
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: 40′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
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)
Front overhang: 3′
Rear overhang: 15′

Legal Weight Limit:

Maximum gross weight: 105,500 lb. (including the weight of the load)
Single axle: 20,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
Tridem axle: 42,000 lb.

Washington 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. You may require a separate permit to be brought back to the original location. The standard fee is $10 for an oversize permit. Overweight permit cost varies depending on the weight.

For more details:

https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/commercial-vehicles/commercial-vehicle-permits/permit-types-descriptions

Washington 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′; 15′ manufactured housing (trailer length not to exceed 75′)
maximum height – 15′
maximum length – 125′ (vehicle combinations); 56′ single trailer; 68′ double trailer;

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

The cost varies depending on the permit starting at $100 ($10 per month).

Washington Wide Load Requirements

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ (8′ on local roads) require an oversized permit issued by the Washington 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 oversize vehicles must be equipped with “oversize load” banners(signs).

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

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

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

When driving at night, vehicles with protruding loads must have amber lights on the front and sides, and red lights on the rear edges of the load.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

Width:

11′ – 1 front and 1 rear on two-lane roads
14′ – 1 rear on multi-lane roads
20′ – 1 front and 1 rear on multi-lane roads

Length:

105′ – 1 rear on two-lane roads
125′ – 1 rear on multi-lane roads

Overhang:

20′ front – 1 front on two-lane roads

Height:

14′ 6” – 1 front with a measuring pole

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

Washington Wide Load Restrictions

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ (8′ on local roads) are subject to the following restrictions:

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Washington wide load permits, oversized loads cannot be transported on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, starting from the moon of the processing day.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Travel is allowed from half an hour after sunrise until half an hour after sunset daily.

Vehicles or loads within 12′ width, 14′ 6″ height, and 105′ length, including legal overhangs, can drive at night with proper lighting Monday through Friday. Restrictions for the areas near Seattle-Everett, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver, and Kelso are detailed in the Commuter Curfew Hours sheet with the permits.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Washington 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 in Washington oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Permitted vehicles must not enter areas with these signs: “TRACTION ADVISORY/OVERSIZED VEHICLES PROHIBITED,” “CHAINS REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE,” “VEHICLES OVER 10,000 GVWR CHAINS REQUIRED.” Exceptions are listed in WAC 468-38-075.

For more details:

https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/manuals/fulltext/M30-39/CVG.pdf

Washington Wide Load Limits

Washington 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′ on local 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: 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: 22,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 43,000 lb.

General formula:

7′-10′ between first and last axles in the group feet – (feet) x 6,500 lb.
10′-30′ between first and last axles in the group feet – (feet + 20) x 2,200 lb.
over 30′ between first and last axles in the group feet – (feet + 40) x 1,600 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 500 lb. (600 lb. for steering wheels) per tire inch of width.

From November 1 to April 1, all vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds must carry tire chains on the following routes:

I-90 between North Bend (MP 32) and Ellensburg (MP 101)
I-82 between Ellensburg Exit 3 (MP 3.00) and Selah Exit 26 (MP 26.00)
SR-97 between (MP 145) and Junction
SR-2 between Dryden (MP 108) and Index (MP 36)
SR-12 between Packwood (MP 135) and Naches (MP 187)
SR-97 between junction SR-14 (MP 4) Columbia River and Toppenish (MP 59)
SR-410 from Enumclaw to Naches
SR-20 between Tonasket (MP 262) and Kettle Falls (MP 342)
SR-155 between Omak (MP 79) and Nespelem (MP 45)
SR-970 between (MP 0) and (MP 10)
SR-14 (MP 18) to Junction 97 (MP 102)
SR-542 Mt Baker Highway between (MP 22.91) and (MP 57.26)

Note: Exceptions can be made for vehicles making local deliveries outside the chain required area as indicated on their bills of lading and not crossing the mountain pass.

Washington Trip Permits

The state of Washington allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a three-day IRP permit for $25. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit request.

Note: GVW shall not exceed 40,000 lb. for a single vehicle and 80,000 lb. for a vehicle combination.

Washington Fuel Permits

The state of Washington allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain an IFTA permit for $30. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit request.

Note: Apply to all vehicles equipped with two axles with a GVW exceeding 26,000 lbs and three-axle vehicles regardless of GVW.

Washington Specialty Permits

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

Collection Truck:

2 axle: $252/year
3 axle: $336/year

Empty Apple Bins:

Height up to 15 ft: $20/month or $240/year

Hay Bales:

Height up to 15 ft: $20/month or $240/year

Double Trailer:

Up to 68 ft: $10/month or $100/year

Log Tolerance:

Excess weight for 3-axle log truck with 2-axle pole trailer: Quarterly to one year

Tow Truck:

Class B: $75/year
Class C: $150/year

Tarping System:

Divisible load width up to 9 ft: $20/month or $240/year

Temporary Additional Tonnage:

Minimum 5-day periods: $14/ton (legal weights only)

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://wsdot.wa.gov/tra v el/commercial-vehicles/commercial-vehicle-permits/permit-types-descriptions

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Washington

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

Overdimension only: $122.00

Overweight:

First offense: at least $50
Second offense: at least $75
Third or subsequent offense: at least $100

For each thousand pounds overweight, the following additional fines apply:

first 4,000 lb. overweight – 3 cents per lb.
4,001 – 10,000 lb. overweight – $120.00 + 12 cents per lb.
10,001 – 15,000 lb. overweight – $840.00 + 16 cents per lb.
15,001 – 20,000 lb. overweight – $1640.00 + 20 cents per lb.
20,001 and more lb. overweight – $2640.00 + 30 cents per lb.

Note: For a second violation within 12 months with the same power unit, registration will be suspended for at least 30 days.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Washington

The cost of Washington OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $10 for a single-trip oversize only permit and can reach over $300 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.