Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - Oklahoma

General requirements

Reducible expectations	A permit is required when a non-divisible vehicle or load which exceeds legal size and/or weight limits is to be moved upon the roads and highways of Oklahoma. A nondivisible load is any load or vehicle exceeding applicable length, width, height, or weight limits which cannot be separated into smaller loads or vehicles without compromising the intent of the load or vehicle. On the Interstate highway system, a vehicle carrying fluid milk products is considered a load that cannot be easily dismantled or divided, or nondivisible.
Permit timing	Requests should be received at least five working days prior to the actual movement of the load.
Method of application	A permit can be applied for and obtained from the Size and Weight Permit Division of the Department of Public Safety, by contacting a permit office either in person, by telephone, from the Department website, or through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266.
Payments accepted	Fees must be paid via cash, certified cashier's check, money order, personal/company check, major credit card, or a monthly billing account.
Electronic permits	NS
Route surveys	When using the Oklahoma on-line tool, the routing engine will utilize the applicants data to calculate a safe route. If no safe route for the vehicle is found, the prohibited route must be manually reviewed by an appropriate agent or engineer before it can be approved.

Insurance requirements

Liability	The permittee assumes all responsibility for injury to any person or for damage to public or private property, including the permittee's own, or to the load being transported, caused directly or indirectly by the transportation of vehicles and loads authorized under the permit.
Coverage	There are no special insurance or bonding requirements for vehicles moving under oversize or overweight permits.

Available permits and fees

Overdimension
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Trip	Oversize	$40
30-day	Multi-trip	$40
Annual	Overwidth or overheight equipment used in soil conservation work with a total outside width of 12' or less	$25
Annual	Oversize special mobilized machinery	$10
Annual	Transporting of raw forest products (not permitted on the Interstates and designated highways)	$25
Annual	Transporting of round baled hay 11' wide or less (permitted on Interstates and designated highways)	$25
Annual	Transporting of soil conservation equipment (not permitted on the Interstates and designated highways)	$25
Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Trip	Overweight (plus fee for each 1,000 lbs when the load exceeds legal load limit)	$40
Excess weight	Fee for each 1,000 lbs over the legal load limit	$10 per
Annual	Overweight special mobilized machinery	$60
Special Overload Permit:
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Annual	5% gross limits (8% axle limits)	$350
Annual	15% utility or refuse collection vehicle	$100
Annual	Wrecker or tow	$100
Overdimension and/or Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Trip	Oversize & overweight (plus fee for each 1,000 lbs when the load exceeds legal load limit)	$80
Excess weight	Fee for each 1,000 lbs over the legal load limit	$10 per
Trip	Special mobilized machinery driveaway permit	$15
Trip	Rubber-tired road construction vehicles (including rubber tired truck cranes and special mobilized machinery)	$40
Annual	Envelope - fee is non-refundable	$4,000

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
Width	Limitation
Interstate	On the Interstates and Defense Highways, the width cannot exceed 16'
Height	Vehicle and/or load must clear, by a minimum of 2" the maximum height limitation for any overhead structure
Weight	Limitations
Axle	20,000 lbs
Tire	600 lbs per inch and fractional part thereof of nominal tire tread width, whichever is smaller
Configuration	Limitations
Manufactured housing	Manufactured homes require appropriately sized towing vehicles.
Industrialized housing	Industrialized housing, houses, and buildings may not exceed 32' at the base and 34' at the top • Height may not exceed 21' on any state or federal highway • Any structure in excess of 16 feet, the towing unit must be a tandem-axle truck of at least 220 horsepower
Portable buildings	Width up to 16'
Annual Permit
Configuration	Limitation
Width	12'
Height	14'
Length	110' (permits issued for loads specific to turbine blades used for the purpose of wind generation may exceed the 110' limit)
GVW	120,000 lbs (registered for the maximum weight prior to obtaining the permit)
Steer axle	600 lbs per nominal inch of tire tread width, multiplied by the number of tires (not to exceed a maximum of 15,000 lbs)
Single axle	20,000 lbs
Tandems	40,000 lbs (4 tires per axle minimum)
Tridem	60,000 lbs (4 tires per axle minimum)
Turnpikes	May not be moved on turnpikes except on non-interstate turnpikes (Indian Nation, Cimarron, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, Muskogee, and Kilpatrick)

Signs

General sign requirement	All oversize vehicles and loads moving under permit must have the sign attached to the front of the towing vehicle and on the rear of the load or towed vehicle, whichever extends the farthest. For manufactured homes, the sign must be no lower than 5' from ground level.
Escort sign requirement	While escorting an oversize vehicle or load, mounted either on the front or the roof of front escort vehicles and on the rear or on the roof of the rear escort vehicle.
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERSIZE LOAD or WIDE LOAD	5' x 14"	Black, 8" high 1 ¹/₈" wide brushstroke,	Yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	5' x 10" (minimum)	Black, 8" high 1 ¹/₈" wide brushstroke,	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	Not specified
Escort light requirements	Warning lights required. Headlights must be lighted at all times during movement.
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	NS	NS
Escort light type and placement	(1) AAMVA-approved rotating or flashing amber beacon or a flashing amber light bar system	Mounted on top of the escort vehicle and shall be of sufficient intensity when illuminated to be visible from 500' in normal sunlight.

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Solid red or fluorescent orange	18" square	Placed at the 4 corners of the vehicle or load and on the extremities of the vehicle or load, if applicable. A flag must also be fastened to mark any extremity of size which is wider than the front or rear of the vehicle or load, whichever is wider.
Escort Flags	Red	12" square	Attached to standards angled upward to the left and right at 45° angles and mounted on the top of the cab.

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
Clearly legible from 50'	Each side	Name, city, and state of company/operator or owner or both

Escort/flagperson requirements

Escort requirements are as follows:

Load size	Escort Car Requirements
Width of 12 feet or more but not more than 14 feet	Front escort vehicle on two-lane highways and on super two-lane highways. Rear escort on multi-lane highways.
Width greater than 14 feet	Two escort vehicles, one in the front and one in the rear, on two-lane highways or super two-lane highways. Rear escort is required on all multi-lane highways.
Width greater than 16 feet	Two escort vehicles, one in the front and one in the rear, on all roads and highways.
Overall height of 14 feet 6 inches or more	Two escort vehicles, one in the front and one in the rear. Note: All public utilities and railroads along the route must be contacted in advance of the move by the permittee.
Truck-tractor/semi-trailer combinations more than 80 feet in overall length	One front escort on two-lane highways.
Combinations other than truck-tractor/semi-trailers more than 80 feet in overall length	One front escort on two-lane highways or super two-lane highways.
Truck-tractor/semi-trailer combinations or any other combinations of vehicles more than 100 feet in overall length	Two escort vehicles, one in the front and one in the rear, on two-lane highways and super two-lane highways.

The escort vehicle requirements do not apply to retail implement dealers transporting farm implements to a farm or other location within a 150 air-mile radius from the distribution point.

Flagpersons

Escort vehicle operators may need to act as flagpersons and direct traffic to stop, slow down, or proceed in situations to allow traffic or the escorted vehicle or load to continue moving safely.

The flagperson must require the escorted vehicle or load to stop, and the escorted vehicle must move as far off of the roadway as possible and stop to allow other traffic to pass, under the following conditions:

If the escorted vehicle or load becomes disabled;
When the movement of the escorted vehicle or load on a particular section of roadway presents a safety risk or unreasonable risk to or unreasonably interferes with the efficient movement of other traffic;
When driving conditions for the escorted vehicle or load are hazardous; or
When the escorted vehicle or load stops, the escort vehicle operator must direct other traffic past the escorted vehicle or load as necessary until such time as the escorted vehicle or load can reenter the roadway and continue moving without presenting a safety risk or unreasonably interfering with efficient movement of other traffic.

Escort car/company requirements

Escort vehicles must be either a pickup truck of at least one-quarter ton rated load capacity or an automobile weighing at least 2,000 pounds and must be properly licensed. If commercially licensed, an escort for an intrastate move must obtain a temporary registration from the Oklahoma Tax Commission, Motor Vehicle Registration Division.

Escort vehicle operators when performing escort duties must have their drivers license and escort certification on their person and present them for inspection at the request of any law enforcement officer.

The owner of an escort vehicle must display on each side of the escort vehicle the name, city, and state of the escort vehicle company or operator, or the owner of the escort vehicle, or both. The markings must be plainly legible and visible to the motoring public, readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet while the vehicle is stationary, kept and maintained in a manner to preserve legibility, and in a color or colors which sharply contrast with the background on which they are placed.

The operator of the escort vehicle cannot perform as a tillerman or steerman while performing escort operations. A tillerman is a person who is physically located on the CMV, has a valid commercial driver license, and who operates by remote control or other means any axle of the CMV. A steerman means a person who is not physically located on the CMV, not required to have a valid commercial driver license, and who operates by remote control or other means any axle of the CMV.

Escort vehicles may not tow any trailer or other vehicles, except that an escort not required to be certified may tow a trailer when escorting a manufactured home. The trailer cannot exceed 8 feet 6 inches in width and 20 feet in length with siding not to exceed 4 feet in height measured from the bed of the trailer. The trailer may only be used to transport supplies and equipment necessary to carry out the mission of escort vehicle operators and cannot be used to carry supplies, cargo, or equipment.

Each certified escort vehicle operator who operates in interstate commerce must maintain a valid insurance policy, and proof of insurance must be carried in the escort vehicles at all times. The insurance policy must protect the public against loss of life, bodily injury, and property damage, and must be at least $1,000,000 combined single limit or $1,000,000 per occurrence, or both, of commercial liability coverage. Coverage must be maintained at all times during the term of the certification. The insurance certificate must indicate on the face of the document that the policy is for the operation of escort vehicles and escort duties and responsibilities.

Escort vehicles must be equipped with the following when escorting an oversize/overweight vehicle or load:

Red flags at least 12 inches square attached to standards angled upward to the left and right at 45 degree angles and mounted on the top of the cab (no flags may be displayed unless the escort vehicle is actually engaged in escorting);
Outside rear-view mirror must be on each side of the vehicle;
Two-way radios capable of transmitting and receiving voice messages over a minimum distance of one mile and compatible with radios in the escorted vehicle and any other escort vehicle(s);
One 10-pound or two five-pound ABC fire extinguishers (checked annually);
Four LED type flare and three traffic cones or three portable triangle reflector units;
One AAMVA-approved rotating or flashing amber beacon or a flashing amber light bar system must be mounted on top of the escort vehicle (blue lights are strictly prohibited and red or white rotating lights are not authorized);
A height measuring pole made of non-conductive, flexible, non-fragile material when escorting a load or vehicle 15 feet 9 inches or more in height;
Two standard 24-inch STOP and SLOW paddle signs, with reflective surfaces meeting the standards set out in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices;
A hard hat and a jacket or vest, both of which meet standards set by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, for each person who may be assigned to traffic control, setting reflectors or any other duties conducted on or near a roadway;
Flashlight equipped with and powered by at least two D-cell batteries; and
A full-size spare tire for the escort vehicle, tire jack and lug wrench.

Headlights must be lighted at all times during movement. Warning lights may also be used, but warning lights must be removed when not escorting an oversize/overweight movement.

Certification requirements

Pilot/Escort operators must be trained and certified to perform the above duties according to MUTCD (Section 6E.01 Qualifications for Flaggers). To be certified, the person must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 18 years of age;
Possess a valid driver license from the state or jurisdiction in which the person is a resident;
Submit an application for certification to the Size and Weight Permit Division of the Department of Public Safety on the form provided by the Department. The application must contain all required information including a driving record issued within the immediately preceding 30 days; and
Attend a course in escort vehicle certification, as prescribed by the Department, and successfully pass the escort vehicle certification examination (for more information on courses, contact the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety or visit https://www.ok.gov/dps/).

An escort vehicle operator shall possess an Oklahoma certification, unless the escort vehicle operator is a resident of a state other than Oklahoma which has a reciprocal agreement with Oklahoma recognizing escort vehicle operator certifications issued by that state and is in possession of a current escort vehicle operator certification issued by that state. Under all circumstances, an escort vehicle operator who is an Oklahoma resident must have an Oklahoma certification.

Oklahoma has entered reciprocal compacts and agreements with the following states for the purpose of recognizing escort vehicle operator certifications issued by those states: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, North Carolina, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Escort car signs, flags, and lights

The regulation OVERSIZE LOAD sign for escort vehicles is the same as the sign required for the escorted vehicle, except that the escort vehicle sign must be at least 10 inches high.

Regulation OVERSIZE LOAD sign mounted either on the front or the roof of front escort vehicles and on the rear or on the roof of the rear escort vehicle while escorting an oversize vehicle or load (no signs may be displayed unless the escort vehicle is actually engaged in escorting).

If an escort vehicle is required, the regulation OVERSIZE LOAD sign must be mounted either on the roof or on the front of the vehicle if movement is on two-lane highways or super two-lane roadways, or on the rear or on the roof of the escort vehicle if movement is on multi-lane roadways.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	Daytime restrictions in Oklahoma County, Tulsa County, and Cleveland County.
Weekend	NS
Holidays	No travel on the following holidays: • New Year's Day • Memorial Day • Independence Day • Labor Day • Thanksgiving Day • Christmas Day
Visibility	Extreme caution in the operation of permitted vehicles and loads need to be exercised during hazardous conditions, including, but not limited to, snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, smoke, excessive wind, or any weather, traffic, or road condition which would adversely affect traction or braking capabilities.

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

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Oversize and overweight movements - Oklahoma