Your Guide to Driving an Oversized Load Through Indiana

Indiana’s state motto is “Crossroads of America,” which is due to the fact that Indiana has more miles of Interstate Highway per square mile than any other state. If you plan on traversing these highways with an oversized load, you’ll need an Indiana oversize permit. And The Permit Company is here to help.   The…

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Indiana’s state motto is “Crossroads of America,” which is due to the fact that Indiana has more miles of Interstate Highway per square mile than any other state. If you plan on traversing these highways with an oversized load, you’ll need an Indiana oversize permit. And The Permit Company is here to help.

 

The Permit Company takes the hassle out of obtaining oversize and overweight truck permits by 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 Indiana and how to obtain a permit.

 

1. How long are oversize permits valid for in Indiana?

Single-trip permits are valid for 15 consecutive days.

 

2. What are the legal dimensions for loads in Indiana?

The legal limits in Indiana are as follows:

  • Gross weight: 80,000 lbs. on all roads*
  • Width: 8’6″ on all roads
  • Height: 13’6″ on all roads
  • Length: 40′ for single units on all roads; 45′ for buses on all roads; 65′ for articulating buses on all roads; 53′ for semi-trailers** and load on all roads; 28’6″ for twins and doubles on all roads; 65′ for auto and boat transporters on all roads; 75′ for stinger-steered on all roads; Rocky Mountain doubles, turnpike doubles and triples are not allowed on any roads***; 75′ for saddle mounts on designated highways, 33′ on all other roads

*Bridge Formula applies.

 

**Trailers more than 48’6″ shall have a kingpin setting that does not exceed 40’6″ for trailers manufactured before 12/31/84 and 42’6″ for trailers manufactured before 1/1/85. For trailers manufactured since 1/1/85, the kingpin setting should not exceed 43′. Kingpin distance is measured to the rearmost axle.

 

***Turnpike and Rocky Mountain doubles are allowed on the toll road. A tandem trailer combination shall have a minimum of five axles and a maximum of nine axles. There is no overall length limit. Triples are allowed as long as they are three of the same size (28’6″). There is no overall length limit for triples. Triple trailer combinations should have a minimum of seven axles and a maximum of nine axles. Triples and doubles must get a special permit to run on the tollway, and the weight maximum is 127,400 lbs. Drivers must have a physical exam every two years.

 

The permitted vehicles cannot be operated during the existence of hazardous weather or road and traffic conditions; furthermore, any movement shall not proceed when visibility is less than 500′. Oversized movement shall not be operated at any time when the wind velocity exceeds 25 mph.

 

Drivers going into or coming out of the following ports will be required to have a Transportation Workers Identification Card issued by the Transportation Safety Administration: Evansville, Indiana Harbor and Louisville.

 

3. What are the permit limits for loads in Indiana?

The routine-issue permit limits in Indiana are as follows:

  • Weight:
    • Single: 28,000
    • Tandem: 48,000
    • Tridem: 60,000
  • Gross Weight*:
    • 5 axles: 108,000 on specified configurations
    • 6 axles: 120,000 on specified configurations
    • 7 axles: 120,000 on specified configurations
    • 8 axles: 120,000 on specified configurations
  • Length: 110′
  • Width: 16′
  • Height: 15’

If the load exceeds any of these dimensions or weights, refer to the section on superloads.

 

 

4. Is continuous travel allowed for oversize permits in Indiana?

Loads that are only overweight can travel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 

Loads up to 110′ long, 10′ wide, and 13’6″ high — and with a weight under 200,000 lbs. — will be allowed continuous travel seven days a week.

 

Loads more than 110′ long, 10’–14’4″ wide, 13’6″–15′ high — and with a weight of up to 200,000 lbs. — may travel one half hour before sunrise until one half hour after sunset, seven days a week.

 

For loads exceeding 16′ wide, 15′ high or 200,000 lbs., travel is permitted from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

The state of Indiana reserves the right to post any road during spring frost.

 

Travel is prohibited on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

 

Travel is prohibited beginning at noon on the last weekday preceding the holiday and continuing until sunrise of the weekday following the above mentioned holidays.

 

5. When are escorts needed in Indiana?

On all highways:

  • One escort is needed for lengths more than 110′.
  • One escort and one height pole are needed for heights more than 14’6″.
  • A detailed route survey is needed with the application for widths more than 16′.
  • For heights more than 17′, a letter must be secured from utility companies stating their knowledge of the move and approval to disturb aerial lines across the route. If no aerial line exists, you must have a statement that the entire route has been checked and that no utilities will be affected.

On two-lane highways:

  • One front escort is needed for widths 12’4″–14’4″.

  • One front and one rear escort (two in total) are needed for widths 14’4″–17′.

On four-lane highways:

  • One rear escort is needed for widths 12’4″–14’4″.

  • One rear escort is needed for widths 14’4″–17′.

  • Two police escorts needed for widths more than 17′. The fee is $31 per hour and $.044 per mile.

 

6. What is a superload in Indiana?

Superloads are loads more than 16′ wide, 15′ high, 110′ long and 120,000 lbs.

  • Companies will be required to submit one original M-233 form with the permit application.
  • Permits will be issued via the telephone. The company will receive the permit number, fee expiration date and special provisions in that manner.
  • Companies will receive special provisions sheets, a copy of which must be attached to the permit that will be held in the truck. The company will type the numbers of the provisions that apply in the Special Provisions box on its copy of the permit.
  • Loads over 130′ will require a route survey if the load does not have a rear-steerable dolly.
  • Other movements generally do not require a route survey; however, it could be required upon specific request.
  • A traffic control letter is only required if the application has a slowdown on an Interstate, which will require police escort.
  • 24-hour notice is no longer required. The company must notify INDOT that the movement is taking place prior to the movement.
  • Companies may fax changes on superload applications to the Permit Section.
  • Drawings of the load are only required if the load exceeds 17′ in height.

 

If the load is only oversized, permits are $40 plus $10 executive approval. Overweight permits are $20, plus 60 cents per mile if the load weighs 108,001–150,000 lbs. Loads weighing 150,000 or more are $1 per mile plus the design review fee. There is also a $25 executive approval fee, $10 administrative fee and a $10 per-bridge fee.

 

Permits for superloads weighing more than 200,000 lbs. will take five to seven days to process.

 

Allow two weeks for processing applications.

If you need help with getting an oversize permit in Indiana, or have a question about permits in any other states, give us a call at (800) 359-9407 or send us an email.

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