Arkansas Oversize/Overweight Regulations

Arkansas Oversize Permits & Escort Information

WE ARE NOT A PERMIT SERVICE NOR DO WE ARRANGE PERMITS FOR CARRIERS.  THIS IS STRICTLY JUST FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES.  WE DO NOT ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THE BELOW INFORMATION SO BE SURE TO READ YOUR PERMIT SHEETS CAREFULLY!

Arkansas Department of Transportation
Phone Number: (501) 569-2381

PERMITS: Arkansas oversize permits are valid for three days. Must have permit prior to entering state.

OPERATING TIME: Daylight only (sunrise to sunset for Arkansas), seven days a week. Continuous travel may be allowed if OW only, not to exceed 108,000 pounds. Loads not exceeding 90′ long (other dimensions legal) may have continuous travel

RESTRICTED TRAVEL: No oversize movement through the metropolitan Little Rock area between the hours of 7:00 am – 9:00 am and 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, and on I-30 (M.M. 138-143), I-40 (M.M. 151-155), and all of I-630. No travel on major holidays (New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). If holiday falls on Monday or Friday, no weekend movement allowed.

LEGAL DIMENSIONS

Length: 53′-6″ trailer & load

Overhang:

• 60′ poles, pipes, machinery, steel beams or other objects of a structural nature do not require a permit for daylight travel for up to 90′ overall length.
• Night travel requires a permit.
• Otherwise, up to 53′-6″ trailer/load is allowed without permit.
• (If long beams are on a stretch trailer and do not extend beyond the rear of the trailer, then a permit is required.)

Width: 8′-6″

Height: 13′-6″

Weight: 80,000 Gross

• Single – 20,000
• Tandem – 34,000
• Tridem – 54,000
• Steer Axle – Arkansas asks for manufacturer’s front axle weight rating (up to maximum of 20,000 pounds), which you are not allowed to exceed.

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS

Length: No set limit

Width: 16′ (20′ on some non-interstate routes)

Height: 17′ (Over 16′ must obtain special approval, and not allowed on Interstates. Utilities personnel must accompany load over 17′.)

Note: Over 14′ wide or over 15′ high is looked at on a case-by-case basis to determine if route survey is required.

Weight:

• Single – 20,000
• Tandem – 46,000
• Tridem – 60,000
• Quad – 68,000

Loads exceeding these dimensions are classed as Super Loads.

ESCORTS

Length:

• Over 100′ – one escort
• over 130′ – two escorts

Width:

On 2-lane Highways:

• Over 12′ – one escort
• over 14′ – two escorts

On Interstate and Controlled Access Highways:

• over 14′ – one escort
• over 16′ – two escorts
• Police escorts for larger loads are looked at on a case-by-case basis.

Height: Over 15′ – one escort with height pole

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS:

• “Oversize Load” signs required on all loads exceeding legal width, height or length.
• Red flags 18″ square are required on rear corners on all loads exceeding legal width, height or length.
• There are no sign or flag requirements for overweight only loads.

Shipping Containers: According to Federal regulation, loaded shipping containers may not overhang the transporting trailer. Empty containers are allowed 5′ overhang in California. Other states may have different rules on empties.