Simplify Your Oversize/Overweight Loads
Dimensions: Width: 8' 6" (8' Local roads) Height: 13' 6" Semi-trailer: 53' Overall: 70' (Unlimited on Interstates) Overhang: Front 3', and rear: 6'
Weights: Single Axle: 20,000 lb. Tandem axle: 34,000 lb. Max Gross Weight: 80,000 lb. (65,000 lb. local service routes)
West Virginia Permit Department Contact Information
304-558-0384
Fax: 304-558-0591
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern
Width Escorts Position Days of Travel
10 ft. 6 in.
to 12 ft One Escort 2 lane road – Front 7 days
4 lane road – Rear
12 ft. 1 in. – to 14 ft. Two Escorts 2 Lane Road - Front and Rear 7 days
One Escort 4 Lane Road - Rear 7 days
14 ft. 1 in. and 15 ft. Two Escorts 2/4 Lane Road 7 days
15 ft. 1 in. and 16 ft. Two Escorts 2/4 Lane Road Mon – Fri
16 ft and Above As Req’d by permit 2/4 Lane Road Mon – Fri
Height
15 ft.1” – UP Front Escort with 2/4
Lane Road Mon – Fri
Height Pole
Length
75 ft.1” – 90 ft. One Escort Light on Rear Required Mon – Fri
90 ft.1” – 120 ft. Two Escorts Rear Escort Required Mon – Fri
City Limit Travel Restrictions
120 ft. – up - Front and Rear Escorts Require Mon – Fri
Overhang
Front – Exceeds 10 ft. One Front Escort Mon – Fri
Rear – Exceeds 10 ft. One Rear Escort Mon – Fri
Maximum Weights Allowed
Interstate Highways
Gross Vehicle Weight - 80,000 lbs.
Steer Axle - 20,000 lbs.
Single Axle - 20,000 lbs.
Tandem Axle - 34,000 lbs.
Federal Bridge Formula applies to all other combinations
TOLERANCE: None
US and West Virginia Routes
Gross Vehicle Weight - 80,000 lbs.
Axle Limit - 20,000 lbs.
Single Unit Tandem (3 axles total) 60,000 lbs.
Single Unit Tridem (4 axles total) 70,000 lbs.
Single Unit Quadrum (5 axles total) 73,000 lbs.
Tractor-Semi Trailer (5 axles total) 80,000 lbs.
Tractor-Semi Trailer (6 axles total) 80,000 lbs.
Combination Tandem
w/2 axles Trailer (5 axles total) 80,000 lbs.
Combination Tridem
w/2 axles Trailer (6 axles total) 80,000 lbs.
TOLERANCE: 10%
Gross Vehicle Weight 65,000 lbs.
Steer Axle 20,000 lbs.
Single Axle 20,000 lbs.
Tandem Axle 34,000 lbs.
TOLERANCE: 10%
Maximum Permit Weight Allowed
Overweight and Oversize Blanket permits are limited to vehicles meeting the following size and weight limilts.
Overweight and Oversize Blanket Permits cost $500 each.
This permit is for overweight seagoing containerized cargo.
Travel is allowed on most major highways, but some restrictions apply.
The weight limits for this type of permit are as follows:
Gross Weight: 90,000 lbs.
Single Axle: 28,000 lbs.
Tandem Axle: 45,000 lbs.
Tridem Axle: 50,000 lbs.
Seagoing Blanket permits cost $150 for 1-15 permits, and $15 for each additional permit.
Trip Permit - Not Required
Fuel Permit - Valid for 10 days, $24.00
Penalties for violating weight laws in WV is a fine that a violator must pay based on the exceeding weight and impounding the vehicle. The offender is liable for any reasonable storage costs incurred in storing impounded vehicles: Provided, That if the owner of the vehicle is a resident of or has a principal place of business located in this state and the vehicle has been duly licensed in the state, then the vehicle may not be impounded by the arresting officer who shall deliver to the operator a written notice of the violation; the place, date and time of violation; the license number of the vehicle; the title number and name and address of the owner; the driver's name, address and the number of his or her commercial driver's license; and the court, place, date and time for hearing, which shall be within ten days of the violation.
WEIGHT FINE
1 – 4,000 lb. $.01 cents per pound overweight
4,001 – 8,000 lb. $.03 cents per pound overweight
8,001 – 12,000 lb. $.07 cents per pound overweight
12,001 – 16,000 lb. $.10 cents per pound overweight
16,001 – 20,000 lb. $.15 cents per pound overweight
20,001 – 40,000 lb. $.30 cents per pound overweight
40,000 lb. or more $.45 cents per pound overweight
Overhang over 4 ft. needs flag or flashing amber light - a rotating or strobe amber yellow plastic, acrylic or glass covered flashing light which is visible from at least 500 feet and has a horizontal placement which is visible from all directions 360 degrees.
“Oversize Load” signs (bumper mounted or roof mounted yellow 5 in. ft. x 12 in. signs with black letters 10 in. high, 1-1/2 in. wide brush stroke, which must be visible from front or rear) required front and rear and six flags are required for all oversize loads.
Travel for oversize vehicles 14' 0" or less wide allowed on all routes except the West Virginia Turnpike from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. School bus hours or other curfews may apply.
Oversize vehicles exceeding these dimensions travel from sunrise to sunset, Monday through Friday on all routes (except West Virginia Turnpike).
Special times/oversize dimensions on WV Turnpike by permit.
Loads in excess of 10' 6" require escorts.
Night travel requires special permit.
Movement is restricted on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
It shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid, and it shall be permissible to use studded tires during the period from November 1 to April 15 of the following year: Provided, That in the interest of highway maintenance, no vehicle moved on a highway, other than school buses, shall be equipped with studded tires that are operational with a recommended air pressure greater than forty pounds per square inch.
Dimensions:
Annual permit for oversize and/or overweight.
May be used for modular homes and most other non-divisible loads excluding mobile homes.
Size and weight limits are listed below:
Interstate/other US and selected All other Axle limits
divided routes routes routes all
routes
14’6” high 14’ high 13’6” high 28,000 lbs. single For OW Permit
14’ wide 12’ wide 12’ wide 45,000 lbs. tandem For OW Permit
95’ long 75’ long 75’ long 50,000 lbs. tri For OW Permit
15’ overhang 10’ overhang 10’ overhang 20,000 lbs. single For OS Permit
110 000 lbs. 90 000 lbs. Legal Weight 34,000 lbs. tandem For OS Permit
Cost:
Blanket (Regular) - $200 for each oversize permit or $500 for each oversize and overweight permit
Time, it takes to receive: 1 Business day
We are you, just slow down, work zone safety is in your
hands.Safety Tips for Drivers
- Obey the posted speed limit
- Stay alert
- Put down your phone. It’s the law!
- Don’t tailgate. Follow other vehicles at a safe distance.
- Expect the unexpected. Workers, vehicles, or equipment may enter your lane
without warning.
- Be patient. It takes only a few extra seconds more to travel at the 10-15 mph
reduced speed through work zones. Pay attention to work zone signs, and always
obey the directions of the road crew flagger personnel, Allow for plenty of
space between you and the car in front of you. Be ready for lane shifts and
merge when instructed to do so, do not pass on the shoulder, do not change
lanes unless directed to do so.
Be sure to check the WV511
Traveler Information System for information on work zones and real-time
traffic for information on work zones and real-time traffic alerts.
Visit the DOH
Districts page for information on maintenance work being performed in each
county.
Blanket (Annual) Permits
Annual permits for mobile homes 14' wide or less. Not vehicle or route specific. Except for width and height, Single Trip limits listed below apply.
Fee: $200 for each permit.
Valid for: 1 year
Permit information required: Company name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
Single Trip Permit
Vehicle and route specific.
Maximum Limits:
Combination Length 110'
Mobile Home Length 80'
Width 16'
Height 15' 6"
Fee: $20.00 per trip.
Valid for: 10 days.
No travel is permitted on holidays.
Permit information required: Company name and address, Driver’s name, insurance information, origin and destination, travel dates, license number, make and year of tow truck, mobile home make, serial number, license number and size.
Travel Restrictions:
Mobile homes up to and including 14' wide can move from sunrise to sunset, Monday through Friday and sunrise until noon on Saturday. Mobile homes greater than 14' wide up to and including 16' can move sunrise to sunset, Monday through Thursday and sunrise until 3:00 pm on Friday. Mobile homes greater than 16' wide are not allowed.