Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - Montana

General requirements

Reducible expectations	On public roads off of interstate highways, a "nondivisible load" is a load that cannot be readily or reasonably dismantled and that is reduced to a minimum practical size and weight. On interstate highways, a load or vehicle exceeding applicable length or weight limits that, if separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would compromise the intended use of the vehicle, destroy the value of the load or vehicle, or require more than 8 work hours to dismantle using appropriate equipment.
Permit timing	NS
Method of application	Permits can be ordered by using the MT ePart on-line system, through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266, or by contacting the Department's Helena office or the nearest open weigh scale. Failure to provide accurate information may result in permit confiscation or suspension of on-line permitting privileges.
Payments accepted	On-line transactions may be paid with an Electronic Check or any major credit card.
Electronic permits	A legible copy of a printed or electronic permit must be carried in the assigned vehicle.
Route surveys	The permittee will be responsible for checking the routes to be traveled to determine the clearances of bridges, underpasses, and other obstructions. The permit does not guarantee clearances for maximum height as specified in the list of bridges and structures prepared by the Department of Transportation. A list of maximum height clearances for bridges and structures may be obtained from the Helena Office as well as the other Division Offices.

Insurance requirements

Liability	NS
Coverage	A minimum of $1 million combined single limit bodily injury and property damage liability per occurrence is required before a special permit may be issued.

Available permits and fees

Overdimension
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single trip	Oversize	$10
Single trip	Interstate - 100' length	$10
Single trip	Triples	$20
Term permits are issued for a calendar year and expire on December 31 each year
Term	Overdimensional	$75
Term	Interstate - 100' length	$125
Term	120' long - non-divisible length (width and height not included)	$125
Term	Triples	$200
Overweight
Loads that are overweight on bridge but that have legal axle weights
Permit	Conditions	Fee
Loads that are overweight on bridge but that have legal axle weights	Up to and including 100 miles	$10
	101 to 199 miles	$30
	200 miles and over	$50
Wintertime	Up to 10% over the maximum weights allowed 30 days or until March 7th - whichever is earlier	$50
Durational	Up to 10% over the maximum weights allowed Valid between December 1 and March 7	$150
Mileage fees for single trip overweight permits based on the sum excess in axle or axle group weight
Excess Weight	Conditions	Per Mile Fee
5,000	Mileage fees for single trip overweight permits based on the sum excess in axle or axle group weight	$3.50
10,000		$7.00
15,000		$10.50
20,000		$14.00
25,000		$17.50
30,000		$21.00
35,000		$24.50
40,000		$28.00
45,000		$31.50
50,000		$35.00
55,000		$38.50
60,000		$42.00
65,000		$45.50
70,000		$49.00
75,000		$52.50
80,000		$56.00
85,000		$59.50
90,000		$63.00
95,000		$66.50
100,000		$70.00
>100,000	In excess of 100,000 pounds.	$70 plus $3.50 per 5,000 lbs
Term permits: The term is annual but may be prorated on a quarterly basis and may be paid quarterly, semiannually, or annually. If the fee is paid other than annually, there is an additional fee of $ 10 each time.
Excess Weight	Conditions	Fee:
5,000	Total excess axle weight	$200
10,000	Total excess axle weight with no single axle exceeding 5,000 lbs in excess axle weight	$500
15,000	Total excess axle weight with no single axle exceeding 5,000 lbs in excess axle weight	$750
20,000	Total excess axle weight with no single axle exceeding 5,000 lbs in excess axle weight and no tandem axle exceeding 15,000 pounds in excess axle weight	$1,000
25,000	Total excess axle weight with no axle or axle group exceeding the maximum weight allowed by a weight analysis conducted by the department of transportation;	$1,500
30,000	Total excess axle weight with no axle or axle group exceeding the maximum weight allowed by a weight analysis conducted by the department of transportation;	$2,000
35,000	Total excess axle weight with no axle or axle group exceeding the maximum weight allowed by a weight analysis conducted by the department of transportation;	$3,000
40,000	Total excess axle weight with no axle or axle group exceeding the maximum weight allowed by a weight analysis conducted by the department of transportation;	$4,000

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
Term Permits
Width	Limitation
Non-reducible load	15'
Reducible load	9'
Height	Limitation
Standard	15' 6"
Length	Limitations
Single power unit, non-reducible	120'
Single power unit, reducible	55'
Single semitrailer	57'
Truck-trailer	95'
Weight	Limitations
Term overweight (excess axle weight)	≤ 5,000 lbs excess
20,000 lbs excess axle	≤ 5,000 lbs excess any single axle ≤ 15,000 lbs excess on any tandem
10,000 lbs to 40,000 lbs	Vehicle weight analysis required
10% tolerance	Permit issued to the first location where load can be adjusted or reduced
Other	Limitations
Non-divisible loads	Sample: cranes, unladen heavy-haul combinations with boosters and jeeps, truck-trailer with non-reducible load such as poles, etc. Exceeding width and height requires a separate permit) • 120'
Rocky mountain doubles	• 81' of combined trailer length • If the combined trailer length is within 81', the maximum combination length of 95' does not apply; if the combined trailer length exceeds 81' and the total combination does not exceed 95', a permit may be issued for a combination length of 95')
Combination doubles	• 100' on the Interstate only • If combined trailer length exceeds 81' and the combination length exceeds 95', a permit may be issued for a combination length of 100'
Combination of vehicles	95' on all highways without overhang
Double trailers	If either trailer exceeds 28' 6" or combined trailer length exceeds 61', then permit is required regardless of overall combination length
Triples and 100' doubles	Interstate travel only: • Powered by a cab-over or tilt-cab, 105' length inclusive of front and rear bumpers and overhang • Powered by a conventional truck-tractor, 110', inclusive of front and rear bumpers and overhang
Wintertime and Durational	Interstate travel only: • May not be used to increase any overweight tolerance permit • Due to temperature fluctuation, the state may modified or route restrict • Bridges may be route restricted
Manufactured Housing Permits	A mobile home towing unit (toter) must be equipped with one or more dual-wheel drive axle or wide-based tires and have a wheelbase of at least 100". • Width 16' • Length 110' • Height 15' 6" When a manufactured home, double wide mobile home, modular home,or modular building has been assembled, the department may allow the building to be moved as one unit, with house-moving equipment, as a building, under a special permit.
Logging equipment	• Width 15' • Length 95' • Height 15' 6"
Raw logs	Truck or a truck/tractor with one pole trailer or semi-trailer: • Width 9' • Length 75' • Height 15' 6" All other combinations: • Length: 95' Weight (5 axle log hauling combinations): • GVW 80,000 lbs • Tandems 35,000 lbs Overhang: 15' from the center of the last axle to the end of the rearmost log
Baled Hay	Small bales or large square: • Width 9' 6" • Height 15' 6" Large round bales and hay racks : • Width 12' • Height 15' 6"

Signs

General sign requirement	OVERSIZE LOAD sign (or similar worded sign) must be visible front and rear of the vehicle when the movement exceeds 10' in width.
Escort sign requirement	OVERSIZE LOAD or similar wording must be visible from the front of the vehicle and rear of the vehicle at all times when piloting an oversize load. Signs must be removed when not being used as a "flag vehicle."
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	NS	8" black lettering	Yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD/WIDE LOAD	NS	8" black lettering	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	Required on all oversize vehicles exceeding 10' in width.
Escort light requirements	Lights must be flashing at all times when piloting an oversize load.
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	5" flashing amber lights with 50 candlepower, 60 to 90 flashes per minute (A single revolving or strobe light may be substituted)	Mounted at each end of the sign.
Escort light type and placement	Flashing amber lights (revolving or strobe light may be substituted)	Mounted on the roof at each end of the sign visible 360°

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Red or orange fluorescent	18" square	All over size portion of extremities.
Escort Flags	NS	NS	NS

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
NS	NS	NS

Escort/flagperson requirements

Pilot vehicles are required on the Interstates and non-Interstates as follows:

Highway Type	Condition	Escort Requirements
Vehicles or loads up to 16 feet 6 inches in width are not required to have a rear flag vehicle if they're equipped with front and rear OVERSIZE LOAD signs and two flashing lights or one revolving/strobe light mounted on the power unit.
Non-Interstates	Width > 12’ 6” to 16’ 6”	One front pilot vehicle
	Width > 16’ 6” to 18’	One front pilot vehicle, one rear pilot vehicle
	Width > 18’ to 24’	Two front pilot vehicles, one rear pilot vehicle
	Width > 24’	Two front pilot vehicles, two rear pilot vehicles
	Length > 120’	One rear pilot vehicle
	Length > 200’	One front pilot vehicle, one rear pilot vehicle
	Super-load	As required by permit
Interstates	Width > 16’ 6” to 18’	One rear pilot vehicle
	Width > 18’	Two rear pilot vehicles (side by side)
	Height > 17’ to 24’	One front pilot vehicle equipped with a height pole a detecting overhead dimensions
	Height > 24’	One front pilot vehicle equipped with a height pole a detecting overhead dimensions, one rear pilot vehicle
	Super-load	As required by permit

A rear pilot vehicle escort is not required for a vehicle that exceeds 12 feet 6 inches in width that is hauling or towing an implement of husbandry, construction equipment, or forestry equipment, and that is operating under a special permit, if the vehicle is operating at highway speed or with the flow of traffic.

Flagperson requirements

On non-Interstate primary and secondary highways, two flag vehicles, or one flag vehicle and one flag person, equipped with high visibility clothing and hand-signaling devices, are required when speed restrictions over structures are imposed. High visibility clothing will be a flagger’s vest, shirt, or jacket, orange, yellow, strong yellow green, or fluorescent versions of these colors. Hand signaling devices must be a STOP/SLOW paddle 18 inches wide and octagonal in shape, with letters at least six inches high. The background of the STOP face must be red with white letters and border.

Before crossing any non-Interstate structure(s), the hauling unit must come to a complete stop approximately 50 feet from the end of the structure. After flag vehicles or flagpersons have stopped all traffic onto the structure, the overweight vehicle must proceed at a speed not to exceed five miles per hour with the center of the unit directly over the center line of the roadway of the structure. There may be no alteration of the speed (changing of gears) while on the structure or approach, and flag vehicles or flag persons may not permit any other traffic on the structure until the overloaded vehicle is off the structure.

Escort car/company requirements

A pilot vehicle may be any passenger car or two-axle truck a minimum of 60 inches wide. The maximum manufacturer’s rating for the pilot vehicle may not exceed a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,0000 pounds. Service or mechanic trucks owned or contracted by the permittee and used as a pilot vehicle may not exceed a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds. A pilot vehicle must be legal size and weight and must be clearly distinguished from and identifiable as the escort vehicle. A pilot vehicle may pull a trailer or carry any item(s) or equipment that:

Is within legal limits of size and weight;
Allows an unobstructed view of the flashing lights and signs used by the pilot vehicle;
Complies with all state traffic laws; and
Possesses current registration and valid insurance.

Service or mechanic trucks used as a pilot vehicle must not have a utility box which extends above the cab more than 12” or beyond the width of the cab by more than 6” on either side.

The pilot vehicle preceding or following the property being transported must remain within 1,000 feet of the movement.

All pilot vehicles must be equipped with two-way radio communication.

When a movement requires pilot vehicles, the permittee must not delay traffic in excess of 15 minutes.

Escort car signs, flags, and lights

A sign with the words OVERSIZE LOAD or similar wording must be visible from the front of the vehicle and rear of the vehicle at all times when piloting an oversize load. Letters must be at least eight inches high. The letters must be dark in color on a light-colored background. When not being operated as a flag vehicle, signs must be removed.

Flashing amber lights, visible front and rear, a minimum of five inches in diameter, 50 candlepower, 60 to 90 flashes per minute, must be mounted at each end of an OVERSIZE LOAD (or similarly worded) sign on the roof of the flag vehicle. A revolving or strobe light may be substituted for flashing lights. Lights must be flashing at all times when piloting an oversize load.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	The following travel restrictions apply: • Interstate highways – travel is allowed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, up to 18’ wide, including essential services within one-half mile of the interstate highway. • Non-interstate highways – travel is allowed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, up to 10’ wide, 150’ long, or 15’ 6“ high. • Loads exceeding 10' wide, 150' long, or 15' 6" high, may travel during daylight hours only.
Weekend	On non-interstate highway loads exceeding 18' wide, 150' long, or 17' high, are not allowed to travel on the weekend
Holidays	The following travel restrictions apply to vehicles operating under special permits during holiday and holiday weekend travel: • On interstate highways travel is allowed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, up to 18' wide, including essential services within one-half mile of the interstate highway • Loads exceeding 18' wide cannot travel on holidays or holiday weekends • Loads exceeding 12' 6" wide and/or 15' 6" high cannot travel on holidays or holiday weekends On the following holidays or holiday weekends: • New Year’s Day • Memorial Day • Independence Day • Labor Day • Thanksgiving Day • Christmas Day.
Visibility	No travel is allowed when a route has been placed under severe driving conditions as determined by the department.

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

...

Oversize and overweight movements - Montana