Minnesota Transport

Minnesota 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!

Minnesota Department of Transportation
Phone Number: (256) 234-4265

PERMITS: Minnesota oversize permits are valid for five travel days. Must have permit prior to entering the state.

OPERATING TIME: Sunrise to sunset can run without special lighting. Up to and including 10′ wide can usually run 2:00 am to 10:00 pm, weekdays and Saturdays (except for curfew areas and Friday summer restrictions, below) but must have flashing amber lights front and rear at night, and lights in place of flags and outlining vehicle and load for night running. Over 10′ wide must have front and rear escorts plus lights to run before sunrise or after sunset. During summer months (Memorial Day weekend through the Friday after Labor Day), no movement from 2:00 pm Friday until sunrise on Saturday except for up to 9′ wide on 22′ or wider roadway, up to 14′ high. Travel is permitted Saturday all day, and Sunday from sunrise to 12:00 noon. Over 10′ wide can travel at night only with front and rear escorts and must meet all lighting requirements.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL: No travel on major holidays, some holiday weekends or on Fishing Opener Weekend in May.  For vehicles over 12′-6″ wide, over 95′ long, or over 14′ high, no travel in Twin City Metro area between the hours of 6:00 am – 8:30 am or 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm or in Duluth city limits between 7:00 am – 8:30  am or 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm unless specifically stated on permit. These metro areas are defined on the OD/OW Travel Hours sheet available on their website, click here.

LEGAL DIMENSIONS

Length:

• 75′ overall
• 53′ semi-trailer
• 43′ kingpin setting measured from kingpin to center of rear axle group

Note: Utility Poles are exempt from permits only if the Bill of Lading lists the load as utility poles. Pipes, beams, etc. not exempt.

Width: 8′-6″

Height: 13′-6″

Weight:

• 80,000 Gross on designated highways
• 73,280 non-designated with 5 axles
• 80,000 non-designated with 6 axles

• Steer Axle – 600 pounds per inch of tire width (13,200 pounds with 11″ tires)
• Tandem – 34,000
• Tridem – 42,000
• Single – 20,000 Designated highways (18,000 other roads)

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS

Length:

• 95′ for two-vehicle combination (wheelbase of 75′)
• 103′ with a single pivot point

Width: 14′-6″, and up to 16′ for certain routes

Height:

• 14′ to 15′-6″ with route restrictions
• Loads over 15′-6″ are highly restricted and a route survey is required

Weight:

• Single – 20,000
• Tandem – 40,000 (46,000 with bridge check)
• Tridem – 60,000
• Quad – 72,000
• Steer – 600 pounds per inch of tire width (13,200 on 11″ tires)
• Pusher Axle – 500 pounds per inch of tire width (11,000 pounds with two 11″ tires)

You must be registered for at least the amount of weight you are permitting for Minnesota.

Loads exceeding these dimensions or weights are considered as Super Loads.

ESCORTS

Length:

• Over 95′ – one escort
• Over 110′ – two escorts

Width:

• Over 14′-6″ – one escort on multi-lane divided highways
• two escorts on two-lane highways
• Police escort required if load encroaches on opposing lane

Height:

• Over 15′-5″ – one escort with high pole suggested, but not required
• Over 15′-6″ a height survey is required to get a permit.

Note: A few routes with “deficiencies” may require an extra escort.

SEASONAL LOAD (WEIGHT) RESTRICTIONS: Winter load increases (allowing 10% over maximum axle weights) usually go into effect sometime in December. The start date changes from year to year. Over legal axle/group weights are usually not allowed during the spring thaw period, usually from about February 1 or March 1 (depending on zone) through early to mid May, then middle-range limits take effect until about May 31.

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: “Oversize Load” signs required when escorts are required or when over 12′ wide. They must be lit up to run at night. Flags (18″ square) are required whenever rear overhang exceeds 4′, or when vehicle/load exceeds 9′ in width or 75′ in length. Flags should be mounted at tip of overhang, at corners and widest points of load. An overwidth or overlength vehicle/load requires flags at each corner of the load, with an additional flag at the widest point on each side of the load if it extends beyond the corner flags. Overhang exceeding 4′ requires light at night. Flashing amber lights are usually required on the permit when over 12′ wide.