Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - Pennsylvania

General requirements

Reducible expectations	Special hauling permits will not be issued for a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including the load or loads carried thereon, which can be reasonably dismantled, reduced, disassembled, or otherwise rearranged so as not to exceed the legal size or weight limits. Even if a vehicle or load cannot be brought within the legal limits, it shall be dismantled, reduced, disassembled, or otherwise rearranged as much as is practicable.
Permit timing	Most web-submitted applications are processed in under a minute via APRAS and the applicant can request the permit to be sent by e-mail.
Method of application	Applications for permits should be made on-line via Automatic Permit Routing/Analysis System (APRAS), but may be made through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266, in person at the district offices, or by mail.
Payments accepted	The application must be accompanied by a certified check or money order covering any required fees, unless the applicant is registered with the Central Permit Office in the monthly billing system. The check should be payable to PennDOT. Company checks are accepted only from registered persons. Payment must be submitted within three workdays after permittee receives the permit.
Electronic permits	A Special Hauling Permit must be available for inspection at all times during the move by police officers or representatives of PennDOT.
Route surveys	A route survey application (M-936ARS) must be completed when required or requested.

Insurance requirements

Liability	Applicants for permits may register with the Central Permit Office by filing a registration agreement for special hauling permits and a surety bond.
Coverage	The surety bond must be at least $5,000. Except in the case of a permit service, the name of the applicant must be identical to the registration agreement and surety bond and on a permit issued under such agreement.

Available permits and fees

Overdimension
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Trip	Up to 14' wide	$37
Trip	Over 14' wide	$78
Oversize - Built up
Single trip	Up to 14' wide	$37
Single trip	Over 14' wide	$78
Annual	Course of Manufacture (up to > 12’ wide)	$141
PennDOT Contract
Seasonal or annual	Up to 14' wide	$37
Seasonal or annual	Over 14' wide	$78
Mobile Home - Modular Housing unit - Modular Housing Undercarriage
Single trip	Up to 14' wide	$42
Single trip	Over 14' wide	$83
Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Any	Ton-mile when charged	$0.04

Annual	Waste coal/beneficial combustion ash/limestone	$615
Annual	Waste tires	$918
Annual	Refined oil (up to 50 miles)	$1229
Annual	Refined oil (more than 50 miles)	$1839
Annual	Construction equipment	$566
Annual	Particleboard/fiberboard	$1229
Annual	Live domestic animals	$566
Annual	Animal feed/grain	$639
Annual	Raw milk	$817
Hot ingot/Hot box
Annual	< 100,000 lbs up to 1 mile	$76
Annual	< 100,000 lbs more than 1 mile	$817
Annual	>100,000 lbs	$823 + $166 per mile
Raw Water
Annual	Up to 1 mile	$76
Annual	More than 1 mile	$817
Pulpwood/Chips(5-axle)
Annual	Up to 1 mile	$76
Annual	More than 1 mile	$817
Pulpwood/Chips(6-axle)
Annual	< 100,000 lbs up to 1 mile	$76
Annual	< 100,000 lbs more than 1 mile	$817
Annual	>100,000 lbs	$823 + $166 per mile
Annual	Eggs	$435
Sugar
Annual	< 100,000 lbs up to 1 mile	$76
Annual	< 100,000 lbs more than 1 mile	$817
Containerized Cargo
Annual	(1–15 Permits)	$169
Annual	(16-50 Permits)	$253
Annual	(51-100 Permits)	$422
Annual	(101-150 Permits)	$591
Annual	(151-200 Permits)	$677
Overdimension and/or Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Any	Ton-mile when charged	$0.04
Miscellaneous
Single trip	Up to 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$37 +
Single trip	Over 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$78 +
Seasonal	Crane < 100,000 pounds (fee pro-rated)	Up to $602
Seasonal	Crane > 100,000 pounds (fee pro-rated)	Up to $150 + $69 per mile
Annual	Float/flat glass	$1315
Seasonal	Building structural components (per month fee)	$153
Annual	Wooden structures	$1597
Annual	SME	$327
Flat Rolled Steel Coils or Slabs
Annual	Up to 1 mile	$76
Annual	More than 1 mile	$817
Road Tested Crane
Annual	< 100,000 lbs up to 1 mile	$76
Annual	< 100,000 lbs more than 1 mile	$817
Annual	> 100,000 lbs	$823 + $166 per mile
Raw Coal
Annual	Up to 1 mile	$76
Annual	More than 1 mile	$817
Annual	Highway crossing	$451
Annual	Quarry equipment	$768
Seasonal	Utility construction equipment (per month fee)	$153
Emergency
Single trip	Up to 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$37 +
Single trip	Over 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$78 +
Building (built on site)
Single trip	Up to 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$37 +
Single trip	Over 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$78 +
Dozer
Single trip	Up to 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$37 +
Single trip	Over 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$78 +
Boat
Single trip	Up to 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$37 +
Single trip	Over 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$78 +
General/crane/excavator/loader/paver/scraper/tuck/misc. vehicle
Single trip	Up to 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$37 +
Single trip	Over 14’ wide PLUS per-ton fee	$78 +
Special fees
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
	Refund processing fee	$41
Annual	Excess damage	$696

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
Width	Maximum for overwidth permits in Pennsylvania is considered on an individual basis
Height	Height limit is determined by the overhead structures on the route
Weight	Maximum weight determined by: • Number of axles on power unit and semitrailer • Distance between extreme axles in an axle group
Configuration	Limitations
Dozers	A permitted vehicle or combination hauling a dozer with an attached blade in excess of 12' in width, but not wider than 15' may move upon a highway if: • A traffic protector guiderail device is securely fastened to the dozer; or • The blade is angled so the total width of the load does not exceed 12'. A blade over 15' in width must be removed and hauled separately.
Manufactured housing	• Length: 80' • Width: 14' • Height 14' 6" • Overhang: By no more than 6" total overhang at the roof eaves
Sealed containerized cargo	• GVW: 90,000 lbs • Axle: 21,000 lbs • Maximum 28' axle spacing requirements apply to 5-axle combinations

Signs

General sign requirement	Warning signs must be mounted on the front of the permitted oversize vehicle and on the rear of the permitted oversize vehicle or load, unless otherwise specified in the permit.
Escort sign requirement	Mounted on both the front and the rear of the pilot car.
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	7' x 18"	10" black with 2" letter stroke	Yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	5' x 12"	8" high black letters	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	Additional lighting on all sides to be visible from 1,000' in all directions when moving in urbanized area between 3:00 a.m. and sunrise.
Escort light requirements	Warning lights need to be continuously operated during movement.
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	NS	NS
Escort light type and placement	One or two flashing or revolving amber	NS

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Red, or fluorescent orange flags	18" square	All points of excessive width and length must be marked with flags
Escort Flags	NS	NS	NS

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
NS	NS	NS

Escort/flagperson requirements

If the total length of the vehicle or combination, including a load on the combination, exceeds 90 feet, or if the load extends more than 15 feet beyond the rear of a combination, a pilot car shall follow the permitted vehicle on all highways to warn and direct traffic, especially in lane change areas. The pilot car may temporarily lead the permitted vehicle to direct traffic while the vehicle or combination is negotiating a sharp or right angle turn.

If the total width of the vehicle or combination and its load exceeds 13 feet:

A pilot car shall follow the permitted vehicle to warn and direct traffic when operating on highways having two or more lanes which carry traffic in the same direction as the permitted vehicle;
On highways having only one lane which carries traffic in the same direction as the permitted vehicle, a pilot car shall precede the permitted vehicle to warn and direct traffic; and
A pilot car shall follow the permitted vehicle when accompanied by a police escort.

If the total height of the vehicle or combination including any load exceeds 14 feet 6 inches, a pilot car shall precede the permitted vehicle by 1,000 to 3,000 feet on all highways to detect critical overhead obstructions by means of a height pole or other height sensitizing device. Affected public utilities shall be notified by the permittee at least one day prior to the permitted movement to arrange for the relocation of affected wires.

Pilot car requirements for overweight movements are as follows:

If the permit requires the vehicle to travel over bridges at reduced speeds, a pilot car shall follow the permitted vehicle to warn and direct traffic while the permitted vehicle is traveling at reduced speeds.
If the permit requires the permitted vehicle either to be the only vehicle on a bridge span or to occupy more than one lane while crossing a bridge, pilot cars shall precede and follow the permitted vehicle on each such bridge which supports two-directional traffic. A pilot car shall follow the permitted vehicle on each bridge which supports one-directional traffic.

An overweight vehicle not capable of maintaining 40 mph on limited access highways must be accompanied by a following pilot car.

Oversize permitted vehicles require a preceding and following pilot car when operating within an urbanized area during hours of darkness. A permitted vehicle not capable of maintaining 40 mph on limited access highways within an urbanized area may be authorized to operate on limited access highways within an urbanized area only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. when accompanied by a following pilot car.

Permitted oversize vehicles operating within an urbanized area between 3 a.m. and sunrise shall be accompanied with a pilot car escort. Also, a permitted vehicle not capable of maintaining 40 mph on limited access highways requires a following pilot car.

If an escort by the State Police is necessary, the application shall be submitted to PennDOT to allow for the State Police to be notified by the Central Permit Office at least 24 hours prior to initial movement under the permit. State police escort fees will be applied on overtime costs.

Escort car/company requirements

Pilot cars shall maintain visual and two-way radio contact with the permitted vehicle or combination during movement, except for intermittent interruptions which are not under the driver’s control, such as terrain or traffic interruptions.

Escort car signs, flags, and lights

All headlights and taillights of a permitted vehicle or combination traveling with a pilot car escort shall be illuminated during the movement. Pilot cars shall be equipped with one or two flashing or revolving amber lights, which are to be continuously operated during the movement.

When a pilot car is required, a clean yellow warning sign at least five feet wide by at least one foot high containing only the words OVERSIZE LOAD in black letters at least 8 inches high shall be mounted on both the front and the rear of the pilot car.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	Operation is restricted sunset to sunrise unless authorized by the permit.
Weekend	Movements on Saturday after 12 noon and on Sunday are restricted unless authorized by the permit.
Holidays	Operation is restricted on the following holidays unless authorized by the permit: • New Year's Day • Memorial Day • Independence Day • Labor Day • Thanksgiving Day • Christmas Day
Visibility	Movement under permits is restricted during unfavorable weather or road conditions, including: • Snow covered highways until pavement has been plowed full width, icy pavements until highway has been cindered or salted • Driving rain, fog, snow storm or other atmospheric conditions which restrict visibility to less than 1,000' • Winds sufficient to cause the wheels of the (semi) trailer to deflect more than 6 inches from the path of the wheels of the drawing vehicle

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

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Oversize and overweight movements - Pennsylvania