Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - Washington

General requirements

Reducible expectations	Loads must be reduced to their practical minimum. In all instances, the general safety of the public and the preservation of the infrastructure are paramount and will ultimately govern the over-legal move.
Permit timing	Same day service not guaranteed if customer enters office after 3:00 p.m. on-line permits are available 24-hours a day/7 days a week
Method of application	Permits are not available at the Ports of Entry. Permits may be obtained online, in person visiting a WSDOT office, or through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266.
Payments accepted	Many WSDOT offices issue permits, which can be purchased using cash or check at all participating offices. Self issued permits can be purchased using a credit card on-line.
Electronic permits	The permit, or a copy of the permit, must be carried on the power unit at all times while the permit is in effect. The copy may be an electronic copy but must be verifiable by enforcement using the “eSNOOPI” system. Enforcement must have access to the electronic device upon request. When routing is included, the screen size can be no less than 3.5" by 5". The screen must have the ability to zoom so the image is legible.
Route surveys	It is the responsibility of the carrier to check restrictions prior to moving oversize loads. Carriers are also required to check the route for over height clearances prior to moving. Permits are only valid for state routes.

Insurance requirements

Liability	The person responsible for the permitted movement is liable for any damage to highways or structures caused by his or his employee’s negligence or illegal operation of the vehicle.
Coverage	Mobile home permittees must carry evidence of insurance of at least $100,000/$300,000 public liability and $50,000 property damage.

Available permits and fees

Overdimension
Annual	Manufactured Housing (14×85 Max) 14' wide, 15' high and up to 85' of overall length	$150
30-day	Manufactured Housing (15×15) 15' wide, 15' high and up to 75' of trailer/load length	$30
Annual		$360
Overwidth
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
30-day	Overwidth up to 14'	$20
Annual	Overwidth up to 14'	$240
30-day	Tarping System up to 9' when vehicle is equipped with a tarping system	$20
Annual		$240
Overheight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single trip	Overheight	$10
30-day	Overheight up to 15' (including empty apple bins or Hay bales)	$20
Annual		$240
Overlength
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
30-day	Overlength up to 125' (depending on combination type)	$10
Annual	Overlength up to 125' (depending on combination type)	$120
30-day	Overhang 15' rear, or 3' front	$10
30-day	61ʹ Non-Divisible Load Load must have a legal rear overhang to comply with WAC 468-38-075(2)(e)	$10
Annual		$120
30-day	Trailer up to 56'	$10
Annual	Trailer up to 56'	$100
30-day	Double trailer to 68'	$10
Annual	Double trailer to 68'	$100
Annual	Nondivisible load up to 61'	$120
Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Trip	Minimum fee	$14
Trip	0-9999 lbs (per pound fee)	$0.07
Trip	10000-14999 lbs (per mile fee)	$0.14
Trip	15000-19999 lbs (per mile fee)	$0.21
Trip	20000-24999 lbs (per mile fee)	$0.28
Trip	25000-29999 lbs (per mile fee)	$0.35
Trip	30000-34999 lbs (per mile fee)	$0.49
Trip	35000-39999 lbs (per mile fee)	$0.63
Trip	40000-44999 lbs (per mile fee)	$0.79
Trip	45000-49999 lbs (per mile fee)	$0.93
Trip	50000-54999 lbs (per mile fee)	$1.14
Trip	55000-59999 lbs (per mile fee)	$1.35
Trip	60000-64999 lbs (per mile fee)	$1.56
Trip	65000-69999 lbs (per mile fee)	$1.77
Trip	70000-74999 lbs (per mile fee)	$2.12
Trip	75000-79999 lbs (per mile fee)	$2.47
Trip	80000-84999 lbs (per mile fee)	$2.82
Trip	85000-89999 lbs (per mile fee)	$3.17
Trip	90000-94999 lbs (per mile fee)	$3.52
Trip	95000-99999 lbs (per mile fee)	$3.87
Trip	100,000 lbs or more (per mile fee)	$4.25
Trip	>100,000 lbs for each 5,000 pound increment - $4.25 per pound up to 100,000 lbs PLUS	$.50 per
Annual	Canadian Weights/SR9 Special Canadian Weights from the Canadian border to Sumas, Washington on SR 9	$14
30-day	Canadian Weights/SR97 Special Canadian Weights from the Canadian border to milepost 331.12 (Oroville Rail Yard)	$100
Annual		$1,000
30-day	Sealed shipping containers (Heavy Haul Corridor) On a portion of SR 509 in the Port of Tacoma	$100
Annual		$1,000
Collection Trucks
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Annual	Over axle for 3-axle up to 8,000 lbs (per 1,000 lbs)	$42
Annual	Over axle for 2-axle up to 6,000 lbs (per 1,000 lbs)	$42
Fixed Loads
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
30-day	3-axle 65,000 lbs maximum	$70
30-day	4-axle 86,000 lbs maximum	$90
5 days minimum-10 days maximum	Additional tonnage (per day per 2,000 lbs)	$2.80
Overdimension and/or Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single	Farm implements (for farmers in the course of farming)	$10
3-month		$10
Annual		$25
Annual	Two trailing units total length 61'-85' of nondivisible milk	$300
Annual	Tow Truck - Class B	$75
Annual	Tow Truck - Class C	$150
3-month	Farm implements (for sale, repair, or maintenance)	$10
Annual	Farm implements (for sale, repair, or maintenance)	$25
April 1-March 31	Annual Log tolerance (or part year - expires March 31)	$50
Purchased after July 1		$37.50
Purchased after October 1		$25
Purchased after January 1		$12.50
Special fees
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Any	Transfer (original permit must be returned)	$14
Any	Lost or replaced (proof of purchase required)	$14

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
Width	Limitation
2-lane	• Generally limited to 14' wide or less • May be issued for movement on a 2-lane highway if the vehicle or load width does not exceed 16' and the weight does not exceed 80,000 lbs
Multiple-lane	• 20 wide or less • Over 16' must be requested in writing and analyzed prior to approval • Department may allow movement of extra-wide loads if applicants can provide adequate justification
Height	Overhead structures like bridges and underpasses govern whether a specific overheight move can be made
Weight	Limitations
Single axle	22,000 lbs
Tandem	43,000 lbs
Series of axles	• Distance between the first and last axle in the group is less than 10': weight allowed is “Feet x 6,500” • Distance between the first and last axle in the group is less than 10' to 30': weight allowed is “20 x 2,200” • Distance between the first and last axle in the group is over 30': weight allowed is “40 x 1,600”
Tire	Not to exceed 600 lbs per inch of tread width
Temporary additional tonnage	In order to obtain temporary additional tonnage, a single unit must be licensed to a minimum 40,000 pounds and a combination must be licensed to a minimum 80,000 pounds. The base fee is based on a 5-day permit. A fee is assessed per day for every 2,000 pounds or fraction thereof up to the maximum legal weight allowed for the vehicle or vehicle combination.
Configuration	Limitations
Log tolerance	The following limitations are placed on movements under log tolerance permits: • The combination is a 3-axle truck-tractor and 2-axle pole trailer hauling unprocessed logs • The entire gross weight may not exceed 68,000 lbs by more than 6,800 lbs • Tandems may not exceed 32,000 lbs by more than 1,600 lbs • The distance between the first and fifth axle must be at least 37'
Collection Truck	Required to check the collection truck restrictions in addition to the overweight restrictions prior to moving. This permit is not allowed on the federal highway system.
Manufactured housing	Permits issued to owners, transporters, or dealers of manufactured homes
Canadian weights/SR97 Special	A segment of US-97 from the Canadian border to milepost 331.22 designated as a Heavy Haul Industrial Corridor. The permits will authorize vehicles to haul divisible loads weighing up to the Canadian interprovincial weight limits and must comply with the following requirements: • Vehicles subject to the Canadian Weight Special Permit must be licensed to their maximum legal weight limit in Washington • Displaying the US-97 Heavy Haul Industrial Corridor Permit does not waive registration fees, fuel taxes, or operating authority • Routes of travel are strictly limited to both directions of US-97 from the Canadian border at milepost 336.48 to milepost 331.22 • A Washington state axle spacing report is required for Canadian weight verification • The axle weights and gross vehicle weights comply with those listed in the Washington regulations
Canadian	State route number 128 from the Idaho border from milepost .51 to 2.24 and continuing on to state route number 193 from milepost .51 to 2.32 ending at the Port of Wilma is also designated as a Heavy Haul Industrial Corridor. Special permits may be issued in the corridor to carry weight in excess of weight limits but not to exceed a gross vehicle weight of 129,000 lbs
Doubles	A double trailers permit allows for divisible loads to be carried on a set of double trailers up to 68'
Sealed containerized cargo	Washington will issue sealed containerized cargo permits, for the Port of Tacoma, for vehicles that do not exceed: • 600 lbs per inch width of tires • 22,000 lbs single axle • 43,000 lbs tandem axles • 105,000 lbs gross vehicle weight

Signs

General sign requirement	Must be mounted on the front and rear of the vehicle, placed where the lights and license plates are not blocked, and displayed only during transit.
Escort sign requirement	A warning sign must be mounted over the roof of the vehicle and be displayed only while performing as the pilot/escort of an extra-legal load. When the vehicle is not performing as a pilot/escort, the sign must be removed, retracted, or covered.
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	7' x 18"	Black, 10" with brushstrokes between 1.4" and 1.5"	Yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	5' x 10"	Black, 8" with a 1" brushstroke	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	A combination with an overhang of more than 4' beyond the last trailer must be equipped, when operating during darkness, with lights. Whenever visibility is less than 1,000' during daylight, these same lighting requirements must be satisfied.
Escort light requirements	Lights must only be activated while escorting an extra-legal vehicle or when used as traffic warning devices while stopped at the side of the road taking height measurements during the pre-running of a planned route.
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	Red tail, stop, clearance, and identification lights Manufactured housing moves require (2 ) 6" flashing amber lights	During hours of darkness, the required lights must be located at each point where flags are required. Manufactured housing: Lights must be mounted on the rear of the housing unit, on a horizontal plane, at least 10' above the road surface. An additional 2 lights, of the same specifications, must be mounted above the roofline of the towing vehicle.
Escort light type and placement	Flashing or rotating amber (yellow) light, strobe light, or light bars	Positioned above the roof line, visible from a minimum of 500' to approaching traffic from the front or rear of the vehicle and be visible a full 360° around the vehicle.

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	NS	18" square	Must be displayed on all four corners of all overwidth loads, at the extreme ends of all protrusions, projections, or overhangs. If the distance between the towed vehicle and the towing vehicle exceeds 15', a white flag or cloth at least 18" square must be fastened at the approximate middle of the span.
Escort Flags	NS	NS	NS

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
NS	NS	NS

Escort/Flagperson requirements

Pilots/escorts are required to accompany an extra-legal load as follows:

Load Condition	Escort Requirements
Vehicle(s) or loads exceeds 11 ft wide	A certified pilot/escort operator is required. Two pilot/escort vehicles are required on two-lane highways, one in front and one in back
Vehicle(s) or loads exceeds 12 ft wide and height requiring a front escort	One rear pilot/escort vehicle is required on a multilane highway
Vehicle(s) or loads exceeds 14 ft wide	One escort vehicle is required at the rear of the movement on multilane highways
Vehicle(s) or loads exceeds 20 ft wide	Two pilot/escort vehicles are required on multilane undivided highways, one in front and one at the rear
The trailer length, including load, of a tractor/trailer combination exceeds 105 ft, or the overhang of a load measured from the center of the rear axle exceeds one-third of the trailer length including load of a tractor/trailer or truck/trailer combination	One pilot/escort vehicle is required at the rear on two-lane highways*
The trailer length, including load, of a tractor/trailer combination exceeds 125 ft	One rear escort required on all multi-lane highways One front and one rear escort required on all two lane highways
The front overhang of a load measured from the center of the front steer axle exceeds 20 ft	One pilot/escort vehicle is required at the front on two-lane highways
The rear overhang of a load measured from the center of the rear axle exceeds 20 ft	One pilot/escort vehicle is required at the rear on two-lane highways
The height of the vehicle(s) or load exceeds 14 ft 6 in	One pilot/escort vehicle with height measuring device (pole) is required at the front of the movement on all highways
The operator, using rearview mirrors, cannot see 200 ft to the rear of the vehicle or combination or cannot see the last vehicle in the combination	Pilot/escorts are required at the rear on all highways

Additional pilot/escorts may be required if the Department of Transportation believes it is necessary to protect the traveling public.

Escort car/Company requirements

Escort vehicles must be in safe and reliable operating condition and must be either a single unit passenger car, including a passenger van, or a two-axle truck. The escort vehicle cannot exceed a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of 16,000 pounds and must not carry passengers or animals – except a certified individual in training status or necessary flag person may be in the vehicle with the approval of the pilot/escort operator, or a service animal may travel in the pilot/escort vehicle if located somewhere other than the front seat of the vehicle. In addition, the escort vehicle cannot exceed the legal size and weight limits, and must have a body width of at least 60 inches but no more than 102 inches. The vehicle must be equipped with outside rear-view mirrors, located on each side of the vehicle. The escort/pilot vehicle may not pull a trailer, nor shall the pilot/escort operators perform tillerman duties while performing escorting duties.

The following specialized equipment must be carried in the escort vehicle(s):

Standard 18-inch STOP AND SLOW paddle sign;
Three bi-directional emergency reflective triangles;
Minimum of one five-pound B,C fire extinguisher, or equivalent;
High visibility safety garment designed under ANSI standards, fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, or fluorescent red in color, to be worn when performing pilot/escort duties outside of the vehicle;
Height-measuring device (pole) on the front of the lead pilot/escort vehicle that is nonconductive and nondestructive to overhead clearances, when required by the special permit;
First-aid supplies; and
Flashlight in good working order with red nose cone (extra batteries should also be on hand).

The pilot/escort vehicle must also have a two-way radio communication system capable of providing reliable two-way voice communications at all times between the operators of the pilot/escort vehicle(s) and the extra-legal vehicle(s). Other nonemergency communication is prohibited.

Escort certification

Operators of pilot/escort vehicles must be certified as having received Department-approved base level training as a pilot/escort vehicle operator. A pilot/escort vehicle operator with a Washington state driver's license must have a valid Washington state pilot/escort vehicle operator certificate/card which must be on the operator's person while performing escort vehicle operator duties.

Pilot or escort vehicle operators with a driver's license from a jurisdiction other than the state of Washington may acquire a Washington state escort vehicle operator certificate/card, or operate with a certification from another jurisdiction approved by the Department, subject to the periodic review of the issuing jurisdiction's certification program. A current list of approved programs will be maintained by the department's commercial vehicle services office.

Every applicant for a state of Washington pilot/escort operator certificate must attend an 8-hour classroom training course and successfully complete a written test.

Washington state pilot/escort vehicle operator cards must be renewed every three years.

Escort car signs, flags, and lights

The vehicle's headlights must be activated while escorting an extra-legal vehicle. Pilot/escort vehicles must be equipped with a minimum of one flashing or rotating amber (yellow) light or strobe light, positioned above the roof line, visible from a minimum of 500 feet to approaching traffic from the front or rear of the vehicle and be visible a full 360 degrees around the vehicle. Light bars with appropriately colored lights meeting the visibility minimums are acceptable. Lights must only be activated while escorting an extra-legal vehicle or when used as traffic warning devices while stopped at the side of the road taking height measurements during the prerunning of a planned route.

The pilot/escort vehicle must be equipped with a sign reading OVERSIZE LOAD measuring at least five feet wide by 10 inches high with black lettering at least eight inches high in a one-inch brush stroke on yellow background.

The sign must be mounted over the roof of the vehicle and must be displayed only while performing as the pilot/escort of an extra-legal load. When the vehicle is not performing as a pilot/escort, the sign must be removed, retracted, or otherwise covered.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	Vehicles or combinations operating under a special permit for overweight/overdimensional may be permitted to move at night on state highways subject to department preferred hours and routes of travel. "Night movement approved" must be stated on the permit. Vehicles operating overweight/overdimensional permits (unless exempted) may be restricted from specified sections of state highways having excessive volumes of traffic during morning and afternoon commuting hours.
Weekend	NS
Holidays	Oversize movements may be prohibited on the following holidays and during the afternoon on the day preceding these holidays (commencing at noon the day preceding): • New Year’s • Labor Day • Independence Day • Memorial Day • Thanksgiving and (the day after Thanksgiving) • Christmas
Visibility	No movements may be made when visibility is reduced to less than 1,000' or when hazardous roadway conditions exist. During winter, restrictions may be in effect on some types of movement. If any signs are displayed indicating that traction devices or chains are advised, recommended or required, all movement under special permit is prohibited.

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

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Oversize and overweight movements - Washington