Oversize or Overweight Vehicles and Loads
Special Permit Requirements & Procedures
General Procedure
The statutes of the State of Michigan authorize the Department of Transportation to issue special permits for the movement over state highways of vehicles or loads which exceed the size or weight limitations specified by law.
Purpose of the Department:
To permit the movement of necessary overweight and oversize vehicles or loads consistent with the following obligations:
Protection of the Motoring Public
From potential traffic hazards
Protection of Infrastructure
Highway surfaces, structures, and private property
Normal Traffic Flow
Provisions for normal flow with minimum interference
Conditions and Limitations
Permit Eligibility
Permits are issued only to business entities or individuals actually doing the transporting. The transporting vehicles to be used must be owned by the applicant or operated under a bona fide lease or rental agreement.
Load Requirements
The issuance of permits is limited to those vehicles and/or loads which cannot reasonably be divided, dismantled, reduced, or otherwise rearranged to conform to legal dimensions and/or weights as provided by law.
Load Arrangement:
- • Loads shall be arranged to effect the minimum dimensions for height, length, or width
- • Staggered loading is not permitted
- • If a loaded commodity creates a single over-dimension, two or more commodities may be transported as one load provided:
- - Permit application indicates this
- - Legal axle loadings are not exceeded
- - No additional nonconforming dimensions are created or made greater
Double Bottoms Restriction:
Permits will not be issued for the use of double bottoms except for the movement of loads that are overlength only.
Superloads & Special Consideration
As a matter of general procedure, permits will not be issued for transportation of loads exceeding limitations specified in "Single Trips" below. Efforts should be made to move vehicles or loads exceeding these limitations by some means other than by highway or to dismantle the object being moved.
Special Loads Consideration:
- • All efforts to utilize other means of transportation have been exhausted
- • The object being moved cannot feasibly be reduced to comply with specified limitations
- • A complete written explanation is submitted with properly completed application
⚠️ IMPORTANT TIMING REQUIREMENT:
Applications and written explanations for special consideration must be on file in the Lansing permit office at least ten (10) working days prior to the tentative date of movement.
Vehicle Gauge
The measurement across the vehicle from outside of tire to outside of tire on the self-propelled equipment or the trailer or semi-trailer or other towed equipment. This information is required for overweight loads only.
Weight Restrictions
A request for an overweight permit will not be approved for a load consisting of more than one object, and in no event, shall any wheel load exceed 700 pounds per inch of tire width.
Exception:
Permits will be approved for empty self-propelled earth moving equipment provided it does not exceed 850 pounds per inch of tire width.
Spring Weight Restriction Period:
No overweight permits will be issued during the spring weight restriction period, except in case of public emergency.
Width Restrictions
Permits will not be issued for widths in excess of 14 feet during the spring weight restriction period, except in a case of public emergency.
Height Restrictions
Careful consideration must be given to any application requesting movement where the overall height exceeds 13 feet 6 inches because of possible overhead obstructions on proposed routes.
CERTIFICATION REQUIRED:
All applications for permits in excess of 13 feet 6 inches shall certify that the proposed route has been traveled to assure vertical clearance.
Escort Vehicles
Requirements:
- Must be a passenger car or pickup truck
- At least one flashing or rotating light on top of the cab
- Oversize Load sign displayed on roof: 5 feet long × 12 inches high with 8-inch high black letters on yellow background
- All flashing or rotating amber lights shall be visible for a distance of 500 feet
Time Restrictions
Permits are issued for daylight hours only, Monday through Friday. In some instances, other time limitations may be applied.
Holiday Movement Restrictions
Under no condition will a permit be issued for a movement to take place from 12:00 noon on the day preceding the holiday and continuing until daylight of the first day after the holidays listed below:
Key Takeaways
Need Help with Oversize/Overweight Permits?
Expert guidance on special transport permits and compliance
Call (248) 478-838224175 Industrial Park Dr., Farmington Hills, MI 48335
