Not only is Utah home to five National Parks and several other National Monuments and Sites, but it’s also home to some transportation history. The world’s first transcontinental railroad was completed in Promontory where the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads met. To see this now National Historic Site while driving an oversized load through the state, you’ll need an oversize permit in Utah, which is where The Permit Company comes in.
The Permit Company takes the hassle out of obtaining oversize and overweight truck permits, working directly with state and local agencies on your behalf. Below is everything you need to know about moving oversized loads through the state of Utah and how to obtain a permit.
1. How long are oversize permits valid in Utah?
Single trip permits are valid for four consecutive days or 96 hours.
2. What are the legal dimensions for loads in Utah?
The legal limits in Utah are as follows:
- Gross Weight: 80,000 lbs. on all roads
- Width: 8’6” on all roads
- Height: 14’ on all roads
- Length: 45’ for single units and buses on all roads; 53’ for semi-trailers on all roads; 61’ for both trailers of cargo and cargo carrying twins and doubles on designated highways and 81’ on all other roads; 75’ for autotransporters and stinger steered on all roads; 95’ combined trailer length for turnpike doubles, triples, and cargo and cargo carrying Rocky Mountain doubles on designated highways and 81’ for combined trailer length on all other roads; 75’ for saddlemounts on designated highways and 95’ for three-unit saddlemounts on all other roads.
Federal Bridge Formula applies.
3. What are the permit limits for loads in Utah?
The routine-issue permit limits in Utah are as follows:
- Weight:
- Single: 29,500
- Tandem: 50,000
- Tridem: Bridge Formula
- Quad: Quads must be cleared through the Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Trunnion: Bridge Formula applies
- Gross Weight*:
- 5 axles: 100,000
- 6 axles: 136,750
- 7 axles: 148,500
- 8 axles: 186,750
- Length: There is no maximum length. If the road can handle the length, then the permit will be issued. Loads more than 105′ in length need to be sent in for review**.
- Width: Anything more than 14’6” requires review**.
- Height: Anything more than 14’6” requires review**.
*These are just guidelines. The gross weight depends on your axle spacing and axle configurations. DOT will decide if these weights are permissible. Anything weighing more than 125,000 lbs. or the maximum allowed for a group, and the permit must go to bridge for analysis.
**Loads up to 14’6” wide, 14’6” high, 105’ long and with a gross weight of 125,000 lbs. or under should automatically be issued a permit.
If load exceeds any of these dimensions or weights, refer to the section on super loads.
4. Is continuous travel allowed for oversize permits in Utah?
Continuous travel is allowed one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset seven days a week. You may travel 24 hours a day, seven days a week with loads 10′ wide (on all highways with proper lights and flags on all extremities), 105′ long and 14′ high. Loads 10’ to 12’ wide or 105’ in length may move on secondary highways at night with two certified pilot escorts. Loads 10’ to 14’ wide or exceeding 105’ in length may move at night with one certified pilot escort. Loads exceeding 14’ in height must have approval from UDOT.
Travel is prohibited for loads exceeding 10′ wide, 14′ high or 105′ long on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Pioneer Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
5. When are escorts needed in Utah?
On all secondary highways:
- 1 front escort needed for widths 12’-14’
- 1 front and 1 rear escort (2 total) needed for widths 14’-17’
- 1 front and 1 rear escort plus two police vehicles (4 total) needed for widths more than 17’
- 1 rear escort needed for lengths 105’-120’
- 1 front and 1 rear escort (2 total) needed for lengths more than 120’
- 1 front with height pole and 1 rear escort (2 total) needed for heights 16’-17’6”
- 1 front and 1 rear escort plus police vehicle (3 total) needed for heights more than 17’6”*
- 1 front and 1 rear escort (2 total) needed for vehicles that cannot maintain the minimum posted speed
- 1 front or rear escort needed for vehicles with an overhang of 20’ or more
On roads with four lanes or more:
- 1 rear escort needed for widths 14’-16’
- 1 front and 1 rear escort (2 total) needed for widths more than 16’
- 1 rear escort needed for lengths 120’ or more
- If the weight of the load is such that it cannot maintain the minimum safe speed (45 mph), an “Oversize Load” sign is needed. The sign should be 7′ x 18″ on a yellow background with black letters that are 10″ high in 1 5/8″ brush strokes.
- 1 front and 1 rear escort (2 total) needed for heights 16’-17’6”
- 1 front and 1 rear escort plus police vehicle (3 total) needed for heights more than 17’6”*
- 1 front and 1 rear escort (2 total) needed if the height keeps the vehicle from maintaining the minimum posted speed
- 1 escort needed if overhang is more than 20’
*Must notify utility companies for heights more than 17’6”.
Utah escort certification has reciprocity with any state that has an accredited course and issues a certification card.
State programs accepted include: Ariz., Colo., Fla., Minn., N.C., Okla., Va. (issued after 1/1/2014 only for eight-hour training), and Wash.
Notes:
- Utah requires a written test and classroom training for escorts.
- Utah DOT may require escort vehicles at its discretion when sight distance is deficient or when the route requires it for safety reasons (i.e. – turning and twisting on canyon roads).
- Front escorts must use height pole more than 16′ high.
- State police will require 48-hour advance notice. Contact 801-965-4518 for assistance.
6. What is a super load in Utah?
Super loads are generally considered to be anything more than 17′ wide, 17’6″ high and 125,000 lbs. gross weight. The state considers any load requiring bridge analysis and special routing to be a super load. Diagrams of axle spacings and weights are required along with the routes you plan to travel.
Applications are usually processed within one day, but if it is an extremely large or heavy load, it may take up to 48 hours.
Loads in excess of 17′ wide, 17’6″ high or 175′ in length require police escorts. Some secondary routes require police escorts for smaller loads. For more information, check the secondary highway restrictions.
If you need help getting an oversize permit in Utah or have a question about permits in any other states, give us a call at (800) 359-9407or send us an email.
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