Oversize / Overweight Permits in West Virginia
West Virginia Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to West Virginia 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 with lanes under 10′ wide (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)
- Overall length: 70′ (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.; 65,000 lb. on local service routes (including the weight of the load)
- Single and steer axles: 20,000 lb.
- Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
- All other axle combinations: the Federal Bridge Formula
West Virginia Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A general 5-day route and vehicle specific single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversize or 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 basic fee is $20 plus $.04 per ton (overweight)-mile (excluding mobile homes).
Mobile home limits:
- overall length: 110′
- mobile home length: 80′
- width: 16′
- height: 15′ 6”
Maximum overhang: 15′ – front; 30′ – rear
Note: If a trip requires monitoring over bridge crossings, you’ll pay $150 for the first bridge, $100 for the second bridge, and $50 for each extra bridge, up to a maximum of $750.
For more details:
https://transportation.wv.gov/highways/maintenance/hauling_permits/Pages/Permit-Types.aspx
West Virginia Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
Regular oversize annual permit requirements:
- weight – legal limits
Interstate and divided routes:
- maximum length – 95′
- maximum width – 14′
- maximum height – 14′ 6”
- maximum overhang – 15′
US and selected routes:
- maximum length – 75′
- maximum width – 12′
- maximum height – 14′
- maximum overhang – 10′
All other routes:
- maximum length – 75′
- maximum width – 12′
- maximum height – 13′ 6”
- maximum overhang – 10′
The basic fee is $200.
Regular oversize annual permit requirements:
Interstate and divided routes:
- maximum length – 95′
- maximum width – 14′
- maximum height – 14′ 6”
- maximum overhang – 15′
- maximum weight – 110,000 lbs
US and selected routes:
- maximum length – 75′
- maximum width – 12′
- maximum height – 14′
- maximum overhang – 10′
- maximum weight – 90,000 lbs
All other routes:
- maximum length – 75′
- maximum width – 12′
- maximum height – 13′ 6”
- maximum overhang – 10′
- maximum weight – legal weight
Axle limits:
- single – 28,000 lbs
- tandem – 45,000 lbs
- tridem – 50,000 lbs
The basic fee is $500.
West Virginia Wide Load Requirements
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ (8′ on local roads with lanes under 10′ wide) require an oversized permit issued by the West Virginia Department of Transportation.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
All extremities of oversized vehicles and loads (including overhang over 4′) must be marked with red or fluorescent orange 18″ square flags. Escort vehicles also require red or fluorescent orange 18″ square flags.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
All oversize trailers and vehicles must be equipped with “oversize load” banners (signs).
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
5′ long and 12″ high signs with 10″ high 1-1/2 inch wide brush stroke black letters on the background.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
A flashing amber light is required for overhang over 4′.
All escort cars need a rotating or strobe amber yellow light made of plastic, acrylic, or glass that flashes and can be seen from a minimum distance of 500 feet. The light should be placed horizontally, visible in all directions (360 degrees).
Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:
Overwidth 10′ 6″ to 12′:
| Quantity of lanes | Requirements | Allowed travel |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | front | 7 days a week |
| 4 | none | 7 days a week |
Overwidth 12′ 1″ to 14′:
| Quantity of lanes | Requirements | Allowed travel |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | front and rear | 7 days a week |
| 4 | rear | 7 days a week |
Overwidth 14′ 1″ to 15′:
| Quantity of lanes | Requirements | Allowed travel |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | front and rear | Monday-Friday |
| 4 | front and rear | Monday-Friday |
Overwidth 15′ 1″ to 16′:
| Quantity of lanes | Requirements | Allowed travel |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | two front and rear | Monday-Friday |
| 4 | two rear and one front | Monday-Friday |
| 4 interstate | two rear | Monday-Friday |
If width is over 16′, escort is prescribed by the permit.
Overlength 95’1″ to 100′:
| Quantity of lanes | Requirements | Allowed travel |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | front and rear | Monday-Friday |
| 4 | rear | Monday-Friday |
Overlength over 100′:
| Quantity of lanes | Requirements | Allowed travel |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | front and rear | 7 days a week |
| 4 | front and rear | 7 days a week |
Front overhang over 10′:
| Quantity of lanes | Requirements | Allowed travel |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | front | Monday-Friday |
| 4 | front | Monday-Friday |
Rear overhang over 10′:
| Quantity of lanes | Requirements | Allowed travel |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | rear | Monday-Friday |
| 4 | rear | Monday-Friday |
Overheight over 15′:
| Quantity of lanes | Requirements | Allowed travel |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Front pole car in addition to escort | Monday-Friday |
| 4 | Front pole car in addition to escort | Monday-Friday |
Note: Other restrictions may be applied.
West Virginia Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
Unless otherwise mentioned in West Virginia wide load permits, oversize loads are not allowed to be transported on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Oversize vehicles 14′ wide or wider are permitted to travel on all routes, including the West Virginia Turnpike, from sunrise to sunset seven days a week. However, they must be cautious of school bus hours or other applicable curfews.
Oversize vehicles wider than 14′ can only travel from sunrise to sunset Monday through Friday and are not allowed on the West Virginia Turnpike.
Note: Night travel requires a special permit.
Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:
West Virginia 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 West Virginia. However, they may appear in West Virginia oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.
West Virginia Wide Load Limits
West Virginia sticks to the Federal legal width limit of 8′ 6″; 8′ on local roads with lanes under 10′ wide. 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 with lanes under 10′ wide (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
Axle Weight Limits:
Legal axle weight limit:
- Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb.; 65,000 lb. on local service routes (including the weight of the load)
- Single and steer axles: 20,000 lb.
- Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
- All other axle combinations: the Federal Bridge Formula
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- single axle – 28,000 lbs (20,000 lbs for oversize only)
- tandem axle – 45,000 lbs (34,000 lbs for oversize only)
- tridem axle – 50,000 lbs
- gross weight: 120,000 lbs; 90,000 lbs. for Seagoing blanket permits
Oversize Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum tread depth.
Tires must not feature protuberances of any material other than rubber unless their use is required for safety and permitted.
Tire chains can be used when needed for safety due to snow, ice, or slippery conditions. Studded tires are allowed from November 1 to April 15, except for vehicles (except school buses) with studded tires operating above forty pounds per square inch air pressure due to highway maintenance concerns.
West Virginia Trip Permits
The state of West Virginia does not issue IRP permits for carriers and operators.
West Virginia Fuel Permits
IFTA permits are necessary for motor carriers driving in or through West Virginia. The permit is valid for 10 days and costs $24.
West Virginia Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
Superload Permits:
Superload permits are issued for size and/or weight exceeding single trip limits. They are vehicle and route specific. All loads must pass a bridge analysis.
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 West Virginia
Oversize and overweight fines in West Virginia depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight. They vary from $20 for unpermitted overweight up to 4,000 pounds to $1,600 for unpermitted overweight over 50,000 pounds.
Oversize only fines:
- First offense: up to $100.
- Second offense within the same year: up to $200.
- More than two offenses within the same year: up to $500.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in West Virginia
The cost of West Virginia OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $20 for a single-trip permit and can exceed $500 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.