Oversize and overweight movements

General requirements

Reducible expectations	Loads must be arranged in such a way that the dimensions of height, length, and width are kept as minimal as possible. Staggered loading is not allowed. If a loaded commodity creates a single overdimension, two or more commodities may be transported as one load as long as the permit so indicates, legal axle loadings are not exceeded, and no dimensions of width, height, or length are created or made greater by the additional commodities.
Permit timing	Permit will be emailed to once it issued by MDOT Permit Gateway (MPG) computer program.
Method of application	Application for permits are to be made through the MDOT Permit Gateway (MPG) computer program, in person at one of MDOT's Transportation Service Centers (TSC's), or through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266.
Payments accepted	Electronic check or credit card.
Electronic permits	NS
Route surveys	Route determined through MDOT Permit Gateway (MPG) computer program.

Insurance requirements

Available permits and fees

Overdimension
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single trip	Oversize, legal weight	$15
Annual	Overlength, legal weight	$30
Annual	Overwidth, legal weight	$30
Annual	Agricultural: For each truck and each trailer if legal weight	$30
Annual	Agricultural: For each truck and each trailer if hauling to or from a farm only. The permit will be so noted.	$10
Annual	Mobile Home: For each truck and each trailer.	$30
Annual	Pipe or pole: For each truck and each trailer.	30
Annual	Miscellaneous: For each truck and each trailer, or one permit if on the same form.	$30
Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Annual	Overweight	$100
Annual	Agricultural: For each truck and each trailer if hauling overweight equipment	$100
Annual	Construction: For each truck, each trailer, and each piece of equipment which is over legal axle weight limits	$100
Annual	Construction: For each truck, each trailer, and each piece of equipment if only legal axle weights. The permit will be so noted.	$30
Annual	Milk: Legal axle weights on seasonal roads during weight restrictions	$100
Annual	Miscellaneous: For each truck and each trailer, or one permit if on the same form, if the object is overweight.	$100
Overdimension and/or Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single trip	Oversize and/or over legal axle weight	$50
Annual	Overwidth and overweight	$100

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
Weight	No set maximum limit for overweight movements. Applications are considered on the basis of routes to be traveled, necessity, etc.
Configuration	Limitation
Single trip	Trip permits for construction equipment (bulldozers, mobile cranes, loaders, excavators, etc.), boats, prefabricated items such as structural steel, wood trusses, empty tanks, etc., farm equipment, or poles, pipe & similar type loads (overlength loads only) are limited to: • 16' in width • 15' in height • 150' overall combination length
Annual overweight	24,000 lbs per axle, not to exceed 150,000 lbs GVW
Annual overlength	85' or 150' if pipe and pole with utility ladder
Annual overwidth	12' 6"
Construction equipment	Bulldozers, cranes, loaders, excavators, etc. • 12' 6" in width • 14' height • 85' overall combination length • 24,000 lbs per axle • 150,000 lbs GVW
Farm equipment	When loaded on a trailer (permit not required if equipment is being driven or towed and can maintain posted speed) • 15' 6" width • 14' height • 80' overall combination length
Poles or pipes	Poles, pipes, and similar type loads • Legal height, width, and weight • 85' overall combination length
Boats or prefabricated items	Boats or prefabricated items structural steel, trusses, empty tanks, etc. • 12' 6" in width • 14' height • 85' overall combination length
Logging trailer	• 9' width • 13' 6" height • 75' trailer length • 42' truck length • Legal weight
Pavement marking	• 8' width • 13' 6" height • 40' truck length • Limited to an overload of 20% not to exceed 700 lbs per inch of tire tread width
Raw forest products	• 8' 6" in width • 13' 6" height • 85' overall combination length • 90,000 lbs GVW with specific axle weight limitations. Travel on specific routes between Michigan and Wisconsin only.
Rubbish	• 8' width • 13' 6" height • 40' truck length • Limited to an overload of 20% not to exceed 700 lbs per inch of tire tread width
Snow	• 12' 6" in width • 14' height • Cannot be overweight, not issued for belly blades, not issued for movement on Interstates
Wreckers	• 12' 6" width • 14' height • Limited to an overload of 20% not to exceed 700 lbs per inch of tire tread width. Travel from the original point of disablement is limited.
Milk	• 8' width • 13' 6" height • 59' overall combination length • Overweight only issued during spring weight restrictions on rigid and flexible pavements

Signs

General sign requirement	Loads 14'6" high and above, and loads 10' wide and over require two signs.
Escort sign requirement
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	7' x 18"	10" black block lettering	Yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	5' x 12"	8" black lettering	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	Lighting requirements are decided by the permit office on a case-by-case basis.
Escort light requirements	Required
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	Amber/red lights	Loads with projected loads require red lights to indicate sides. Amber lights as required per load.
Escort light type and placement	At least 1 flashing or rotating amber light	Displayed on the top of the cab visible for a distance of 500'

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Six red or orange warning flags	18" square	Each end of front bumper, each corner of the load, any part of load that extends beyond corner flags, 1 at widest point of each side.
Escort Flags	NS	NS	NS

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
NS	NS	NS

Escort/flagperson requirements

A rear escort is required on all movements exceeding 12 feet in width. An escort is required at both the front and rear on all movements exceeding 14 feet in width.

In addition, all overwidth vehicles planning to cross the Mackinac Bridge must arrange for an escort in advance, and must contact the Mackinac Bridge Authority 24 hours prior to crossing.

Loads over 14 feet 6 inches high must be preceded by an escort vehicle equipped with a sensing device. Loads over 15 feet high also require a rear escort.

One escort is required for overlength movements of 90 feet to 100 feet, two escorts required for movements over 100 feet in length.

Escort car/company requirements

An escort vehicle must be a passenger car or pickup truck with at least one flashing or rotating amber light displayed on top of the cab. Flashing or rotating lights must be visible for 500 feet.

There must also be displayed on the roof of the escort vehicle, one OVERSIZE LOAD sign five feet long by 12 inches high with eight-inch high black letters on yellow background.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	Permits are issued for daylight hours between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset. In some instances, other time limitations may be applied.
Weekend	Permits will not be issued for movement on Saturdays or Sundays, in some instances, other time limitations may apply.
Holidays	When a holiday occurs on a Friday or Monday, permits are not be valid beginning noon before the three day weekend and ending at daylight of the first day after the three day weekend. Permits are not be issued for movement from 12:00 noon on the day preceding and continuing until daylight of the first day after the following holidays: • New Year’s Day • Labor Day • Memorial Day • Independence Day • Thanksgiving Day • Christmas Day
Visibility

Liability	Permittees are responsible for any damage to the highway, persons or property that may result from the oversize or overweight movement. The State of Michigan and the Department of Transportation shall be held harmless from all suits, claims, and damages of any kind arising from the use of highways under a special permit.
Coverage	Insurance coverage as required by the laws of this Michigan must be in effect for moves operating with an oversize or overweight permit.

Oversize and overweight movements - Michigan (2024)