Michigan Oversize Permits Michigan Oversize and Overweight Permits phone number: (630) 800-4551. Michigan Oversize and Overweight Permits
Michigan Oversize Permits and Overweight Permits Phone number: 630-800-4551
Michigan Oversize Permits are required for carrying oversize and overweight load throughout the state. Complying with state standards guarantees safe and lawful travel. This guide contains all of the required information on Michigan oversize and overweight trucking permit requirements, including PDF resources, online applications, and cost considerations. Understanding Michigan oversize load requirements, wide load permit charges, and building limitations is critical for a successful transportation operation.

Michigan Oversize Permits are provided by Overweight Permit, a permit organization that provides all types of trucking oversize permits. We provide Michigan Oversize Permits, Michigan Overweight Permits, Michigan Overhang Permits, Michigan Single Trip Permits, and Michigan Annual Permits. We verify that your loads conform to Michigan requirements, making the process of transferring oversize loads simple and hassle-free. Contact Overweight Permit at 630-800-4551 if you need assistance obtaining permits or want to better understand the rules. We are here to assist you in completing this authorization procedure smoothly.
Michigan Oversize Permits and Overweigh Load Regulations
Under Michigan law, any load that exceeds particular weight and dimension restrictions is considered oversize or overweight. Here are the main dimensions.
Michigan Legal Size Limit
Width: The maximum allowed height for vehicles on non-designated roads is either 8 feet 6 inches or 8 feet, not including any safety equipment.
Height: The maximum height allowed for vehicles, from the roadbed to the highest point, is 13 feet 6 inches.
Truck and semi, trailer length: 65′; 59′ on undesignated roadways (measured from the front to the back of the vehicle or load).
Semi-trailer length: 53′; 50′ on undesignated roadways (measured from the front to the back of the vehicle or load).
Front overhang: 3′
Rear overhang: No limit, as long as overall length is legal.
Michigan Legal Weight Limit
Maximum gross weight (including load): 80,000 lbs.
– Single axle: 20,000 lbs.
– Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs.
Michigan Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
Michigan issues a 5-day single-trip permit for non-divisible load that exceed the permissible weight and dimension restrictions. This permit allows for one movement between the two places mentioned in the permit. A separate permit may be required if the load is to be returned to its original site. The fee ranges from $15 for oversize loads only to $50 for both oversize and overweight loads.
Michigan Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
This annually permit grants unlimited travel of a vehicle and acceptable load for up to 365 days. It allows for travel between designated points along approved routes.
To be eligible for an annual permit, the load must fulfill the following requirements:
Maximum width: 16′ (14′ if seasonal limits apply)
Maximum height: 15′ Maximum length: 150′
The fee for an annual permit ranges from $30 for oversize loads only up to $100 for combined oversize and overweight loads.
Michigan Oversize Permits and Wide Load Requirements
For loads that are wider than 8′ 6″, an oversized permit from the Michigan Department of Transportation is essential. To mark the extremities of oversize trucks and load, use red or bright orange flags measuring 18 inches square.
Michigan Banner Requirements for Oversized Loads:
All oversize trucks must display "oversize load" banners (signs).
Michigan Sign Requirements for Oversized Loads:
Signs must have black text and a yellow background.
Michigan Lighting Requirements for Oversized Loads:
A load that extends 4 feet or more beyond the back of the vehicle (rear overhang) must be flagged for daytime visibility. To notify people at night, it should have a red light or a lantern.
Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles for Oversized Loads:
12′ - 14′ wide: 1 front escort vehicle Over 14′ wide: 1 front and 1 rear escort vehicle 90′ - 100′ long: 1 rear escort vehicle Over 100′ long: 1 front and 1 rear escort vehicle Over 14'5″ high: 1 front escort vehicle with a height pole Over 15′ high: 1 front and 1 rear escort vehicle with a height pole. Please keep in mind that the permit may include extra escort requirements.
Michigan Oversize Permits Wide Load Restrictions
Consider the following limits for loads wider than 8′ 6″:
Oversized loads cannot be transported on the following holidays, unless mentioned in the permit: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. These limitations begin at 12:00 noon the day before the holiday and last until daybreak the day following.
Michigan Oversize Permits are valid on weekdays during daylight hours (half an hour before dawn to half an hour after sunset).
Weekend travel is permitted for load measuring less than 10 feet wide, 14 feet high, and 90 feet long, in accordance with surrounding state regulations. This implies that travel is allowed all day on Saturday and until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Weekend travel excludes mobile and modular dwellings.
Michigan Oversized Road and Bridge Restrictions:
Michigan follows to the Federal Bridge Formula for particular bridge restrictions.
Oversized road limitations may include driving across construction zones.
– Ignoring warning signs in work zones.
– Not prioritizing police enforcement, emergency vehicles, and so forth.
Road and Bridge limitations:
Michigan follows to the Federal Bridge Formula for particular bridge restrictions.
Oversized road limitations may include driving across construction zones.
- Ignoring warning signs in work zones.
- Not prioritizing police enforcement, emergency vehicles, and so forth.
Michigan Oversize Seasonal Weight limits:
The Frost Law applies in many states and Canadian provinces, and particular limits may be incorporated in Wisconsin oversize load permits depending on the nature and kind of load.
Michigan Seasonal (spring weight) Restrictions:
Maximum 11-axle truck entry and exit.
- Width should not exceed 14 feet.
- Axle groups may transport 25-35% less on non-interstate highways.
- No axle group can exceed the permitted weight limit.
Michigan Oversize Permits and Wide Load Limits
Michigan follows to the Federal legal width restriction of 8′ 6″. Anything larger requires a permit to travel on public highways.
Maximum Load Limits before Obtaining a Trucking Permits:
Width: For vehicles on non-designated roadways, the width should not exceed either 8 feet 6 inches or 8 feet, measured from the outermost edges, excluding any safety apparatus.
Axle Weight Limits:
Legal Axle Weight Limit
- Maximum gross weight is 80,000 pounds (including the load).
- Single axle: 20,000 pounds.
- Tandem axle: 34,000 pounds.
Note: Use the Federal Bridge Formula to calculate the maximum permitted weight.
The maximum permitted axle weight limit is 700 pounds per inch of tire width for a single axle.
Oversize tire regulations require tires to be in good condition, adequately inflated, and have a minimum tread depth (2/32 inch for rear wheels and 4/32 inch for front wheels).
- The maximum permissible weight is 700 pounds per inch of tire width.
- Tires should have no protuberances other than rubber or tire chains, unless essential for safety or approved.
- Vehicles may utilize pneumatic tires with wire up to 0.075 inches as long as the tire’s metal contact with the road does not exceed 5% of the total contact area (20% for the first 1,000 miles). Michigan standards may differ during harsh winter circumstances, influencing studded tires, traction devices, and road wear.
Michigan Travel Permits
For out-of-state operators and carriers, Michigan charges $20 for a 72-hour IRP (temporary journey) permit, plus a handling and processing fee.
Michigan Fuel Permits
Michigan Fuel Permits Out-of-state operators and transporters can get a 5-day IFTA permit for $20, plus extra fees for handling and processing. A maximum of three permits may be issued each calendar year.
Michigan Specialty Permits
Michigan Specialty Permits Depending on the nature, size, and weight of your load, you may need a special permit.
HM Permits/Registration:
Transporting hazardous materials within or across states needs registration with the U.S. DOT/RSPA.
– A permit from the Department of Environmental Quality is required to transport hazardous trash inside Michigan.
– Moving explosives and fireworks within Michigan requires a permit from the Bureau of Fire Services.
– In Michigan, storing regulated medical waste needs a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality.
Amber Light Permits:
When transporting oversize loads, vehicles must have roof-mounted amber warning lights.
Loading zone permits can be given for non-commercial delivery trucks utilizing commercial loading zones.
Michigan Oversize Permits and Overweight Load Fines
Michigan imposes penalties on loads that exceed the maximum allowable weight limitations. Here’s what you should know.
General penalties:
Vehicle owners, operators, and drivers may face civil penalties of up to $500.
If a misloaded vehicle is discovered, courts have the authority to determine the appropriate penalties.
Misloads on axles weighing four thousand pounds or less may result in a $200 fine per axle, with a maximum of three axles.
Specific Fines:
A misload of 1,000 to 4,000 pounds on an axle can result in a $200 fine per axle (up to three axles).
- The penalties for 4,000 to 8,000 pounds of misloads is $400 per axle (up to three axles).
- It is deemed a criminal to fail to stop at or bypass a weigh station.
Progressive Fines (Michigan Vehicle Code, MCL 257.724):
- 1,000 to 2,000 pounds overweight: 3 cents per pound over the permissible weight.
- 2,001 to 3,000 pounds overweight: 6 cents each pound over the permissible weight.
- 3,001 to 4,000 pounds overweight: 9 cents each pound over the permitted limit.
- Overweight of 10,001 pounds or more: 20 cents each pound beyond the permissible limit.
Progressive Fines (HB 5453, S-2):
- 1,000 to 2,000 pounds overweight: 6 cents each pound over the permitted limit.
- 2,001 to 3,000 pounds overweight: 12 cents each pound above the permissible weight.
- 3,001 to 4,000 pounds overweight: 18 cents each pound over the permitted limit.
- Overweight of 10,001 pounds or more: 400 cents each pound beyond the permitted limit.
Michigan Oversize Permits and Overweight Permits Cost.
The cost of acquiring an OSOW permit in Michigan varies depending on the load type, nature, and excess weight and size.
There may also be extra application fees for processing and managing your permit application.
Truck Permit Service
Overweight Permit provides full trucking permit services, assisting motor carriers in obtaining the requisite oversize and overweight permits, collaborating 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
The maximum width permitted for vehicles on non-designated routes in Michigan is 8 feet 6 inches, excluding safety equipment.
If the size and weight of your load exceed the permitted restrictions, you will require an oversize or overweight permit. For example, loads wider than 8 feet 6 inches or weighing more than 80,000 pounds require a permit.
The maximum weight allowed on a single axle in Michigan is 20,000 pounds.
A Michigan single-trip permit is good for five days and allows one transportation between two designated places.
Yes, Michigan provides annually passes that enable unlimited travel inside the state for up to 365 days. To qualify, your load must be of a specific size and weight.
To be eligible for an annual permit in Michigan, the load must not exceed 16 feet in width, 15 feet in height, and 150 feet in length.
Exceeding the weight restriction can result in civil fines of up to $500, with extra fines dependent on the amount by which the load exceeds the permissible weight. Progressive penalties can amount to up to 20 cents per pound beyond the allowed limit.
For loads that exceed the permissible width, height, or length, you must use red or orange flags, “oversize load” banners, and sufficient illumination. Escort vehicles may also be necessary, depending on the size of the load.
At Overweight Permit, we help truckers get Michigan oversize permits and overweight permits, ensure their loads fulfill state regulations, and provide assistance throughout the application process. We make the procedure simple and hassle-free.
Overweight Permit simplifies the permit application procedure by managing all documentation and interactions with authorities. Our experience provides a speedy and effective permit acquisition, allowing trucking businesses to concentrate on their main activities.
If you have any concerns or need assistance with your Michigan oversize permits, contact Overweight Permit at 630-800-4551. We’re here to walk you through the process.
Yes, Michigan has seasonal restrictions in the spring, when load limits on non-interstate routes are decreased, and some restrictions apply according on the size and weight of the cargo.
Yes, a permit is required for carrying hazardous loads in Michigan. Depending on the hazardous load, you may require a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality or other appropriate authorities.
Oversized loads are generally not permitted to travel on holidays such as New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, and Christmas Day, unless specifically indicated in the permit. Travel is forbidden between noon the day before and dawn the day following the holiday.
In addition to oversize and overweight permits, Overweight Permit offers fuel permits, specialized permits, and temporary IRP permits for out-of-state carriers, allowing you to simplify your operations in Michigan.