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Connecticut Oversize / Overweight Regulations

What is considered as "Oversized Load" in Connecticut?

DIMENSIONS:

Width: 8' 6"

Height: 13' 6"

Overhang: Front 4', Rear 10' Length: 48' (trailer-no overall length limits)


What is considered as "Overweight Load" in Connecticut?

Axles spaced less than 6 feet apart 18,000 pounds per axle or axles spaced 6 feet or greater 22,400 pounds per axle.

Legal Maximum: 80,000 (meets Federal Bridge Formula)

Permit issued primarily for indivisible loads valid for one trip and return over a three-day period.  Weekend travel permits (Saturday and Sunday only between daylight and noon) are available upon request for loads up to 160,000 lbs.  

Connecticut Oversize / Overweight Permits

Connecticut Permit Department Contact Information

860-594-2880

Fax: 860-594-2949

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Eastern

https://www.cvisn.ct.gov/ct/index.do

Connecticut Pilot Cars / Escorts

Basic Requirement

  • Over 14’ high – 1 front pilot with height pole
  • Over 15’ high & 15’ wide-1 front pilot and 2 rear pilots

Divided highways:

  • 12' wide or under,100' long or under, mobile homes 10' wide or under, 80' long or under-no pilot car required
  • Over 12' wide, 120' long, mobile homes under 12' wide – 1 rear pilot car required
  • Over 13'6" wide, over 120' long; mobiles over 12' wide or over 85' long – 1 front and 1 rear pilot car required

Undivided highways:

  • 12' wide or under, over 80' long, mobiles 10' wide or under, or over 80' long – 1 rear pilot car required
  • Over 12' wide, over 100' long; mobiles over 10' wide, over 85' long – 1 front and 1 rear pilot car required
When a single escort/pilot car is required, it shall precede on two or three lane conventional roads or follow on four or more lane divided roads.

When two pilot cars are required, one shall precede and one shall follow the piloted load or vehicle.


Connecticut Axle Regulations

Axle Combinations and Maximum Weights

3-Axle - Lift                        53,800 lb.

3 Axle - Fixed                    53,800 lb.

Four Axle - Lift                  76,500 lb.

Four Axle - Fixed              76,500 lb.

4-Axle Spread 6+ ft         80,000 lb.

Maximum Permitted load is 160,000 lb.

Permit issued primarily for indivisible loads valid for one trip and return over a three-day period.  Weekend travel permits (Saturday and Sunday only between daylight and noon) are available upon request for loads up to 160,000 lbs.  


Connecticut Trip and Fuel (IRP / IFTA) Permits

72-Hour Trip Permit

State Fee - $46.95

If you do not have Apportioned plates, but need to cross the Connecticut border with either a multi-axled vehicle or a vehicle (or combination) over 26,000 pounds, you must obtain a Trip Permit for any jurisdiction you travel in.

Connecticut 10-Day Fuel Permit

Amount of Fee Paid - $29.95

You need an IFTA license if:

  • you travel in two or more member jurisdictions,
  • and if your vehicle either weighs more than 26,000 pounds,
  • OR has three or more axles, regardless of weight.

If your vehicle qualifies and it is not currently registered with IFTA, you must obtain a temporary fuel permit to travel in and out of Connecticut.

Connecticut Overweight / Oversize Fines

Overweight Fines

Two categories of fines may be levied for operating an vehicle in an overweight conditions:
There may be a fine of up to $2000 for reckless driving  in addition to the fines for amount the vehicle is overweight.

Overweight fines are based on percent of weight in excess of the legal weight.

% Overweight       Fine per 100 lb over         Minimum Fine

Less than 5%                     $3.00                             --

5 - 10%                                $5.00                           $50

10-15%                                $6.00                           $100

15-20%                                $7.00                           $200

20-25%                                $10.00                         $300

25-30%                                $12.00                         $500

 >30%                                  $15.00                         $1,000

Running Hours and Holiday Restrictions

"Oversized Load" Banner

All Oversize loads require: Sign Size: 7' long (min.), 18" high Lettering: black letters 8" high , 1 inch stroke Min) Background: Yellow

Flag Requirements

18 inch square, red flags at four corners and/or widest points.

Warning Lights

Required mounted on top of transporter--amber light visible from a distance of not less than 1,000 feet.

Flags, Lights and Banners

Loads 13' 6" inch or wider and 14+' feet high: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Holiday Restrictions: No travel on New Years, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Movement is to stop 12:00 noon the day before a holiday until daylight the day after the holiday.

NOTE: Travel time restrictions may change from year-to-year.

Weekend travel permits (Saturday and Sunday only between daylight and noon) are available upon request for loads up to 12’ wide, 13’6” high, 80’ long

Connecticut Tire Regulations

A tire must have two-thirty-seconds of an inch (2/32") center tread.

Failure to follow winter tire requirements may lead to fines.

Studded tires may be used from November 15 through April 30 only. The same date restrictions also apply to snow chains placed on tires.

Connecticut charges drivers who use studs or chains with snow tires at any time except when allowed by law with an infraction the first time, with no fine assessed. A second violation results in a fine of up to $200.

Connecticut Annual Permits

Dimensions: 

  • Width 16 feet
  • Height 15 feet 6 inches
  • Length 110 feet
  • In general, reviewed on case by case basis

Cost: 

The annual fee for an Annual Indivisible Permit is based on the gross weight to be shown on the permit. The fee is assessed at a rate of nine dollars ($9.00) per one thousand pounds or fraction thereof with an additional $5.00 charge for all permits available via electronic means.

Annual dump truck permits are $698 and dump trailers are $725 (issued to companies working on CT construction projects only)

Annual Indivisible permits are $9 per thousand pounds of trailer registered weight plus $9 per thousand pounds of tractor light weight plus $5 transmittal fee (issued to CT based carriers only


Connecticut Road Conditions

Work zones can present unfamiliar situations to all roadway users.

Hazards can appear suddenly and unexpectedly that can endanger both motorists and roadway workers.

Expect the Unexpected.

Conditions  may change overnight on the routes you travel daily. Stay Alert.

Pay attention to  construction signs through the work zone.

Maintain a safe following distance and obey posted speed limits.

Obey Road Crew Flaggers.

Connecticut Manufactured Houses and Mobile homes

In addition to the normal policies of transporting oversize loads, the following restrictions are required when transporting mobile homes, modular homes, house trailers, or sectional houses on Connecticut highways.

(1) The towing vehicle shall have a minimum manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds and shall have dual wheels on the drive axle. All towing features shall conform to ICC requirements. 

(2) (a) Travel for all mobile homes, modular homes, house trailers, or sectional houses except those in subsection 2 (b), is restricted to daylight hours, Monday through Friday, under favorable weather and road conditions. 

(b) Units that are in excess of 12′ wide are restricted to hours between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday. 

(3) The maximum width for house trailers is 14 feet. This 14 feet includes all roof overhangs, sills, knobs and siding. 

(4) Convoy style hauling is not permitted. A safe passing distance is required between vehicles on all movements when the overall width exceeds ten feet. 

(5) The combined length of the unit when attached to the towing vehicle shall not exceed eighty-five feet except that 90 feet is permitted when the towed unit does not exceed 66 feet in length excluding the hitch.

Transporters failing to comply with these restrictions will be denied future permits. These restrictions pertain to all house trailers.


Oversize / Overweight Regulations By State