Oversize / Overweight Permits in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Wisconsin 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)
Single unit: 45′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
Semi-trailer 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)
Truck/tractor and semi trailer 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)

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.

Wisconsin 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 to be brought back to the original location.

For more details:

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/com-drv-vehs/mtr-car-trkr/osow-single-trip.aspx

Wisconsin 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.

Requirements for equipment, machinery, materials, and self-propelled vehicles:

150′ long, 14′ wide, 16′ high, 170,000 pounds GVW

For more details:

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/com-drv-vehs/mtr-car-trkr/osow-multiple-trip.aspx

Wisconsin Wide Load Requirements

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

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All sides and extremities (including overhang and projections over 2”) of oversized vehicles and loads must be marked with red or fluorescent orange 18″ square flags.

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

All vehicles and loads wider than 10′ or overlength vehicles and loads 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 with a brush stroke of not less than 1.4 inches on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Amber warning lamps must have a 6″ reflector and be highly visible up to 500′, except in obstructed visibility. They should flash 30 to 90 times per minute. Strobe lamps can replace flashing/revolving lamps. Warning lamps are prohibited when a vehicle lacks a permit or isn’t in operation.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

2-way, 2-lane highways:

Load/vehicle extends left of centerline: 1 escort vehicle.
Width 15′-16′: 1 front escort.
Highway with permit: 1+ escorts.
Width over 16′ 2” or length over 125′: 1 front, 1 rear.

Multi-lane highways:

Same as a 2-lane, except for the left of the right hand lane extensions.

Mobiles homes:

Width over 14′ (certain highways): 1 escort.
Width over 16′ (police/private escort): divided highways – 1 rear; non-divided highways – 1 front and 1 rear.

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

Wisconsin Wide Load Restrictions

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

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Wisconsin wide load permits, oversized loads cannot be transported on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Overweight only vehicles may operate 24/7 unless a permit states otherwise.

Vehicles with width ≤ 12′ 00″, height ≤ 13′ 06″, length ≤ 150′ 00″:

No restrictions in 67 counties, unless on permit.
Restrictions in specific counties:
Sun: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Fri (May to Labor Day): 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Restricted-travel holidays: 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Day before restricted-travel holiday (except July 3rd on Sat).

Vehicles with width > 12′ 00″, height > 13′ 06″, length > 150′ 00″:

No night operation
Same restrictions as smaller size, plus:
Sat noon to Sun sunrise.
Day before to day after restricted-travel holidays.

Milwaukee County Expressway (width, height, length exceed legal limits):

Mon-Thu: 6 a.m. – 9 a.m., 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri: 6 a.m. – 9 a.m., 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sun: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Note: Expressway limits: width ≤ 14′ 00″, height ≤ 14′ 06″, length ≤ 150′ 00″.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

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

Frozen road declaration and weight limits:

Effective: mid December to late February/early March.
Weight limit increase for vehicles with salt/abrasives and crosswise-cut forest products (no wood chips).
No special permit is needed for legal vehicles (registered for 80,000 lbs or max GVW if less).

Local road conditions:

County/township authorities decide on frozen/thawing status.
Queries about local roads to respective maintaining authorities

For more details:
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/com-drv-vehs/mtr-car-trkr/ssnl-wt-rsrctns/frozenroad.aspx

Wisconsin Wide Load Limits

Wisconsin 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:

Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load)
Single axle: 20,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
Any one wheel (or wheels) supporting one end of an axle: 11,000 lb.
Truck tractor steering axle: 13,000 lb.

Note: You should rely on the Federal Bridge Formula to determine the maximum legal weight.

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

Depends on the between-axles distance and type of vehicle and load.

https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/formdocs/sp4075.pdf

Oversize Tire Regulations:

Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum legal tread depth.

Highway tire regulations:

All vehicles on the highway need compressed air or resilient tires.
Tire chains allowed for safety in snow/ice conditions.

Pneumatic tires with wire coils:

Wire-embedded tires for ice/snow traction allowed.
Max. 5% road contact after 1,000 miles.
Initial use: Max. 20% road contact in the first 1,000 miles.

Tires with tungsten carbide studs:

Usage rules defined by the department.
Limited to emergency vehicles, school buses, mail delivery, short-term out-of-state cars.
Stud projection: ≤ 1/8 inch beyond tread.

Wisconsin Trip Permits/Wisconsin Fuel Permits

The state of Wisconsin allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain 72-hour IRP permits/IFTA permits (trip permit/fuel permits) for $15 each. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit request.

Wisconsin Specialty Permits

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

Single Trip Building:

For relocating structures like houses, garages, etc.
“Building” defined by size: >12ft wide, >14ft 3in high, >100ft long.
Raised from existing foundation to new location for permanent placement.
Excludes modular, manufactured homes.

Single Trip Factory Built Home:

Includes mobile, manufactured, modular homes.
Max section length: 80ft.
Max overall length: 110ft.
Overweight allowed for ≥16ft wide, one home section.
Permit for multiple modular sections if part of the same home, dimensions stay within limits.
Escorts needed for >15ft below roofline or >16ft at roofline.

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://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/com-drv-vehs/mtr-car-trkr/osowgeneral.aspx

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Wisconsin

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

First Conviction – fine: $50 to $200 plus:

1 – 2,000 lb.: $0.01/pound
2,001 – 3,000 lb.: $0.03/pound
3,001 – 4,000 lb.: $0.05/pound
4,001 – 5,000 lb.: $0.08/pound
5,001 lb. and over: $0.15/pound

Second conviction (within the same year) – fine: $100 to $300 plus:

1 – 2,000 lb.: $0.02/pound
2,001 – 3,000 lb.: $0.05/pound
3,001 – 4,000 lb.: $0.08/pound
4,001 – 5,000 lb.: $0.12/pound
5,001 lb. and over: $0.18/pound

Note: If there is ≤ 1,000 lb. overload, you can shift the load or pay a $50 penalty to continue travel.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Wisconsin

The cost of Wisconsin OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $15 for a trip permit and can reach over $300 for an annual farm 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.