Iowa Oversize Permits Iowa Oversize & Overweight Permits Phone number: 630-800-4551.
Iowa Oversize and Overweight Permits
Iowa Oversize Permits are required for those transporting oversize loads across the state. Whether you’re dealing with the cost of an Iowa annual oversize permit, understanding Iowa oversize regulations, or using Iowa obtained permits, it’s critical to be informed. Drivers can benefit from the Iowa overweight permit map, as well as Iowa trip and fuel permits and Iowa fuel permit information. Having the correct Iowa DOT overweight permits and understanding the requirements for the Iowa overweight permit 2023 are also important aspects of compliance. For your convenience, you can easily access the Iowa DOT permit online, or you can obtain a single trip permit for specific journeys. Additionally, staying current with Iowa DOT grain hauling regulations will help ensure a smooth transportation experience.
At Overweight Permit, we are dedicated to helping you with all of your permit needs. We’ve got you covered for Iowa Oversize Permits, Iowa Overweight Permits, and Iowa Overhang Permits. Whether you require Iowa Single Trip Permits or Iowa Annual Permits, our team is ready to assist.
Iowa Oversized/Overweight Regulations
In Iowa, any load that exceeds the following dimensions and weights is categorized as oversize or overweight:
Size Limits:
- Maximum width of 8 feet 6 inches, measured from the outermost points, excluding safety devices.
- Height: The highest point of the cargo or vehicle cannot be more than 13 feet 6 inches above the roadbed.
- Single Unit Length: The vehicle or load can be up to 45 feet long from front to back.
- Semi-Trailer Length: The vehicle or load can be up to 53 feet long from front to back.
- – Front Overhang: Maximum of 3 feet.
- – Rear Overhang: Maximum of 4 feet.
Weight Limits:
- Maximum Gross Weight: 80,000 pounds, including the weight of the cargo.
- Single Axle: Maximum of 20,000 pounds.
- Tandem Axle: Maximum of 34,000 pounds.
- Tridem Axle: Maximum of 42,500 pounds.
Iowa Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
In Iowa, a basic 5-day single-trip permit is provided for non-divisible load that exceed legal size and weight limitations. This permit allows for a one-way transportation from one site to another within the stated time limits. If you need to return to the original place, you may need to get a separate permit.
Note: The weight per axle should not be more than 20,000 pounds.
Iowa Annual Oversized/Overweight Permits
This permit enables for unrestricted travel for a year, allowing a specific vehicle and allowed load to make several one-way trips between two places on defined routes.
To get an annual permit, follow these requirements:
- Maximum width: 13 feet 5 inches
- Maximum height: 15 feet 5 inches
- Maximum length: 120 feet
- Maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW): 156,000 pounds (126,000 pounds for special mobile equipment, excluding cranes)
Note: Weight per axle should not exceed 20,000 pounds.
Fee: An annual permit costs $400.
Iowa Wide Load Requirements
Any load wider than 8 feet 6 inches requires an oversize permit from the Iowa Department of Transportation. Oversize vehicles and loads must be identified with 18-inch square flags in either red or bright orange. Oversized trucks must show "oversize load" flags.
Sign Requirements for Oversized Loads
- Signs must be 7 feet long and 18 inches tall, with 10-inch-high, 1.5-inch stroke black lettering against a yellow backdrop.
Lighting requirements for oversized loads:
The towing equipment must have a flashing amber light. For continuous motions, illuminated amber lights must be placed at the front corners and lighted red lights at the back. Vehicles 12 feet to 16 feet 6 inches wide may have strobe lights on the cab and back of the vehicle or load.
Pilot Car or Escort Vehicle Requirements:
Width: - A rear escort is necessary on four-lane roadways with a width more than 16 feet 6 inches. - A front escort is required if the width is 14 feet 6 inches or less and exceeds half of the roadway on two-lane roads (lane width less than 12 feet), or if the width is 14 feet 6 inches or less and exceeds half of the roadway on two-lane roads (lane width 12 feet or more) without adequate shoulders, or if the width exceeds 14 feet 6 inches. Length: - A rear escort is necessary if the vehicle exceeds 120 feet in length. Height: - A front escort with a height pole is necessary if the height exceeds 14 feet 4 inches and extends up to 20 feet. - An escort without a height pole is necessary beyond 20 feet.
Escort Vehicle Requirement:
- Proof of public liability insurance coverage of $100,000, $200,000, or $50,000. - The size of the escort vehicle should be similar to that of a typical passenger car or pickup truck. - While escorting, use an amber rotating light that is at least 7 inches high and 7 inches in circumference, with a 100-candlepower lamp providing 360º warning (or strobe light). - 18-inch square red flags on each corner of the front bumper.
Iowa Wide Load Restrictions
For weights that exceed 8 feet 6 inches in width, the following limitations apply:
Holiday Restrictions for Oversized Loads:
Oversize loads cannot be transported on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, unless specified in Iowa wide load permits, beginning at noon the day before the holiday. If a holiday falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, no movement is permitted between noon on the Friday preceding the holiday weekend and the conclusion of the holiday.
Legal travel time restrictions for oversized loads:
- Permitted vehicles may travel from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after dusk.
- Nighttime mobility is permitted under the following conditions:
- Width: 11 feet
- Length 100 ft.
- Height: 14 feet 6 inches.
Weight is within the permissible limits.
- The road width is ≥22 feet.
- The lane width is ≥ 11 feet.
- The vehicle is equipped with side-marker and clearance lights that meet federal rules.
Road and Bridge limits for Oversized Loads:
- Iowa follows the Federal Bridge Formula for bridge limits. Oversize road limits may include driving past construction zones.
- Ignoring warning signs in work zones.
- Not prioritizing police enforcement, emergency vehicles, and so forth.
Note: All vehicles, whether being driven or towed, has to conform to specified bridge weight limitations.
Seasonal weight restrictions for oversized loads:
Although the Frost Law is implemented in many states and Canadian provinces, Iowa has no special seasonal limitations. These may, however, be included in Iowa oversize load permits, depending on the nature and kind of the load.
Note: The governing agency is in charge of posting signs and notices for seasonal weight embargoes, as well as temporary or permanent bridge weight limitations.
Iowa Wide Load Limits
Iowa legal width restriction is 8 feet 6 inches, which is the same as the federal norm. Any weight larger than this requires a permit to transport on public roadways.
Maximum Load Limits before Permitting:
Width: 8 feet 6 inches (measured from the outermost points, excluding safety devices).
Limits on axle weight: – Legal Axle Weight Limit:
Maximum Gross Weight: 80,000 pounds (including load)
– Single Axle: 20,000 pounds
– Tandem Axle: 34,000 pounds
– Tridem Axle: 42,500 pounds
Note: Use the Federal Bridge Formula to calculate the maximum legal weight.
Maximum Permitted Axle Weight Limit:
- Single Axle Weight: No more than 20,000 pounds.
- Gross weight: 156,000 pounds.
Oversize Loads Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in good working order, properly inflated, and have the minimum tread depth required.
- The maximum weight limit is 575 pounds per inch of tire width (600 pounds for steering tires).
- Tires must have no extensions other than rubber or tire chains, unless absolutely essential or allowed.
Note: Studded tires are permitted from November 1 to April 1, providing the studs do not reach more than 1/16 inch beyond the tread.
Iowa Trip Permits
Iowa Trip Permits Out-of-state operators and carriers in Iowa can get a 72-hour International Registration Plan (IRP) permit for $35. There is also an extra cost for managing and processing the permit application.
Iowa Fuel Permits
Iowa Fuel Permits Out-of-state operators and carriers can get a 72-hour (or one trip) International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) permit for $20. There is also an extra cost for managing and processing the permit application.
Iowa Specialty Permits
Special permits may be necessary depending on the kind, size, and weight of the load.
Highway Use Tax Permits:
The IRS imposes the Federal Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax to pay road building and maintenance. If you register a vehicle weighing 55,000 pounds or over in Iowa, you must show evidence of payment or an exemption issued by the IRS during the registration procedure.
Amber Light Permits:
Vehicles transporting oversize loads must have roof-mounted amber warning lights.
Loading Zone Permits:
Non-commercial delivery trucks may require a loading zone permit to utilize commercial loading zones.
Fines for oversize/overweight loads in Iowa
Iowa imposes fines for oversize and overweight loads based on the amount by which they exceed the permissible limit. The fines follow a rising scale:
- $6.00 for the first 1,000 pounds overweight.
- $11.00 for 1,001-2,000 pounds overweight.
- $77.50 for 2,001-3,000 pounds overweight.
- $120.00 for overweight individuals weighing between 3,001 and 4,000 pounds.
- For 20,001 pounds or more overweight: $1,100.00 + 5 cents every pound above 20,000 pounds.
Oversized/Overweight Permit Costs in Iowa
The cost of an oversize and overweight (OSOW) permit in Iowa varies according on the kind, nature, and degree of the load’s excess size and weight. The rates range from about $35 for a single trip permit to more than $400 for an annual permit. In addition, there may be a processing and handling cost for permit applications.
Truck Permit Service
Overweight Permit provides complete trucking permit services, supporting motor carriers in getting required oversize and overweight permits, working with authorities, and assuring compliance with state requirements. This service saves time, effort, and potential fines, regardless of the load’s kind, nature, or destination.
FAQs
You may apply for an Iowa Oversize Permit online at the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) website, or you can contact a permit agency like ours for help obtaining the required papers.
The cost of an Iowa Oversize Permit varies. A single-trip pass costs around $35, and an annual permit might cost nearly $400. Additional processing and handling fees may apply.
- Maximum width: 8 feet, 6 inches.
- Maximum height: 13 feet, 6 inches.
- Maximum single-unit length is 45 feet.
- Maximum semi-trailer length is 53 feet.
- Maximum gross weight is 80,000 pounds.
Overweight loads and oversize vehicles are subject to special conditions.
Yes, an annual permit is provided for vehicles that regularly transport oversize loads over predetermined routes. The annually permit allows for several travels, making it a more convenient and cost-effective alternative for frequent movers.
The legal weight limit for oversize loads is 80,000 pounds, which includes the load. The specific axle restrictions are:
- Single axle weight: 20,000 pounds.
- Tandem axle, 34,000 pounds.
- Tridem axle weighs 42,500 pounds.
A single-trip permit is valid for five days and may be obtained online. It covers the one-way transportation of an oversize load within the specified time range. You may also get assistance from businesses such as ours to ensure that the necessary documentation is completed.
Escort vehicles may be required for load exceeding specific dimensions. The demand depends on the width, length, and height of the load. For example, if a load is wider than 16 feet 6 inches, a rear escort is required.
Oversize loads are prohibited from moving on significant holidays such as New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, unless otherwise mentioned in the permit. Movement is prohibited from noon the day before the holiday until the end of the holiday.
Yes, all trucks hauling oversize load must have warning flags (18-inch red or brilliant orange squares) and amber flashing lights for visibility. Vehicles may also need strobe lights and lighted signage, depending on the size of the cargo.
While Iowa has no unique seasonal weight restrictions, temporary bridge weight limits and road closures may apply based on road conditions and the kind of load being transported.
Overweight Permit provides a wide variety of permit services. We assist you in obtaining the essential permits for oversize and overweight load, assuring compliance with Iowa legislation. Our professionals can manage all documentation, saving you time and reducing the possibility of fines.
You may reach us at (630) 222-5770 if you have any concerns or need assistance acquiring your Iowa Oversize Permits. Our team is ready to assist you throughout the entire procedure!
Failure to get the correct permits can result in significant fines, depending on the size and weight of the oversize load. Fines for overweight vehicles grow dramatically. For example, exceeding 20,000 pounds over the limit can result in fines of up to $1,100, plus $0.05 each pound over the limit.
Yes, Overweight Permits can help out-of-state businesses get Iowa Fuel Permits. We can help you get a 72-hour International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) permit for $20.
Overweight Permit simplifies the permit process by providing professional counsel, timely service, and compliance guarantee. Whether you need a single-trip or annually permit, or customized permits for a specific load, our experts will do it all, saving you time, effort, and potential fines.
