Minnesota Overweight/Oversize Permits

MinnesotaPERMITS

Minnesota oversize permits are valid for five travel days. Drivers must have a permit prior to entering the state.

OPERATING TIME

Sunrise to sunset can run without special lighting. Except for curfew areas and Friday summer restrictions (see below), vehicles up to and including 10′ wide can usually run from 2:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. on weekdays and Saturdays. However, they have to flash amber lights front and rear at night, and put lights in place of flags and outline vehicles and loads for night running. Over 10′ wide, must have front and rear escorts as well as lights to run before or after sunrise or sunset.

There is no movement from 2:00 p.m. Friday until sunrise Saturday during the summer months (Memorial Day weekend through the Friday after Labor Day), except for up to 9′ wide on a 22′ or wider roadway, and up to 14′ high. Travel is permitted Saturday all day and Sunday from sunrise to 12:00 noon. Over 10′ wide can travel at night only with front and rear escorts and must meet all lighting requirements.

LEGAL DIMENSIONS

Width: 8’6″
Weight: The gross weight is 80,000 lbs. on designated highways

  • 73,280 lbs. non-designated with 5 axles
  • 80,000 lbs. non-designated with 6 axles
  • Steer Axle – 600 lbs. per inch of tire width (13,200 lbs. with 11″ tires)
  • Single – 20,000 lbs. on designated highways (18,000 lbs. on other roads)
  • Tandem – 34,000 lbs.
  • Tridem – 42,000 lbs.
Length:
  • 43′ kingpin setting measured from kingpin to center of the rear axle group
  • 75′ overall
  • 53′ semi-trailer

Note: Utility Poles are not subject to permits only if the Bill of Lading lists the load as utility poles. Pipes, beams, etc. not exempt.
Height: 13’6″

PERMIT LIMITS

Width: 14’6″, and up to 16′ for certain routes
Length:
  • 95′ for two-vehicle combination (wheelbase of 75′)
  • 103′ with a single pivot point
Weight:
  • Single – 20,000 lbs.
  • Tandem – 40,000 lbs. (44,000 lbs. with a bridge check)
  • Tridem – 60,000 lbs.
  • Quad – 72,000 lbs.
  • Steer – 600 lbs. per inch of tire width (13,200 lbs. on 11″ tires)
  • Pusher Axle – 500 lbs. per inch of tire width (11,000 lbs. with two 11″ tires)

Note: You must be registered for at least the amount of weight you are permitting for Minnesota.
Height:
  • 14′ – 15’6″ with route restrictions
  • Loads over 15’6″ are highly restricted and a route survey is required

Loads exceeding these dimensions or weights are considered superloads.

ESCORTS FOR WIDELOAD AND OVERSIZED SHIPPING

When Escorts are Needed:

2-Lane Highways:

Width over 14’6″ Needs 2 escorts on 2-lane highways

On Multi-Lane Divided Highways:

Width over 14’6″ Needs 1 escort on multi-lane divided highways

On All Highways:

Length over 95′ up to 110′ Needs 1 escort
Length over 110″ Needs 2 escorts
Height over 15’5″ Needs 1 escort, suggested to also add a high pole, but not required.
Height over 15’6″ Must get a height survey to obtain a permit.

Police Escort

It is the prime responsibility of the permittee to determine the need for police escort, which is automatically required if the permittee is not able to yield right of way to oncoming traffic, if the vehicle/load will encroach into an oncoming traffic lane, or if traffic must be directed or controlled. The permittee is responsible for police escort fees. The state may require police for other safety reasons.

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS

“Oversize Load” signs are required in Minnesota when escorts are required or when the load is over 12′ wide. They must be lit up to run at night. When the rear overhang exceeds 4′, or the vehicle/load exceeds 9′ in width or 75′ in length, 18-square-inch rear overhang flags are required. Flags should be mounted at the tip of the overhang, at the corners, and the widest points of the load. An overwidth or overlength vehicle/load requires flags at each corner of the load, with an additional flag at the widest point on each side of the load if it extends beyond the corner flags. Overhang exceeding 4′ requires light at night. When the permit is over 12′ wide, flashing amber lights are usually required.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL

No travel on major holidays, some holiday weekends or on Fishing Opener Weekend in May. For vehicles over 12’6″ wide, over 95′ long, or over 14′ high, no travel in the Twin City Metro area between the hours of 6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. or in Duluth city limits between 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. unless specifically stated on the permit. These metro areas are defined on the OD/OW Travel Hours sheet available on their website.

You can also obtain any trip and fuel permits you may need with our sister site!