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Idaho Oversize / Overweight Regulations

What is considered as "Oversized Load" in Idaho?

Dimensions: Width: 8' 6" Height: 14' Length 48'53' Legal Overhang: Front 4', Rear 10'

What is considered as "Overweight Load" in Idaho?

Weights: Single Axle: 20,000 lb. Tandem axle: 34,000 lb. Tridem: 42,000 lb. Max Gross Weight: 80,000

Idaho Oversize / Overweight Permits

Idaho Permit Department Contact Information

208-334-8420

Fax: 208-334-2006

7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Mountain

http://dmv.idaho.gov

Idaho Pilot Cars / Escorts

Pilot car requirements are divided into three categories, defined by route colors: Red, Black and White.

Red routes:

Overwidth: 8ft 10 in. to 10 ft - 1 Escort in Front

                    10ft 1 in. to 12 ft 6 in. - 1 Escort in Front, 1 in Rear

Overlength: 75 ft -     1 Escort in front

Overlength and overwidth: Length 75 ft and width 8 ft 7 in. - 12 ft 6 in.- 1 Escort in Front, 1 in Rear

Black routes:

Overwidth: 8ft 7 in. to 12 ft - N/A

                    12 ft 1 in. to 14 ft. - 1 Escort in Front, 1 in Rear

Overlength: 100 ft -     1 Escort in Front

Overlength and overwidth: Length 100 ft and width 12 ft 1 in. - 18 ft in.- 1 Escort in Front, 1 in Rear

White routes:

Overwidth: 8ft 7 in. to 15 ft - N/A

                    15 ft 1 in. ft 1 in. to 18 ft. - 1 Escort in Rear

Idaho Axle Regulations

Interstate Highways

 Single Axle - 20,000

Tandems - 34,000 pounds

 total gross weight - 80,000 lb  

Non-Interstate Highways

Single Axle - 20,000

Tandems - 37,800 pounds

 total gross weight - 80,000 lb  

Permit required for weights for vehicles with loads exceeding 80,000


Idaho Trip and Fuel (IRP / IFTA) Permits

A 120-hour fuel permit is available separate from or in conjunction with the 120-hour Registration Permit for carriers who are operating interstate (crossing state lines) and do not have a current IFTA license in any IFTA jurisdiction.

Fees are: $60 per permit.

A fuel permit is required if you are operating a vehicle that is:   

  • Over 26,000 lbs using diesel, propane or natural gas and;
  • Does not have current IFTA license (International Fuel Tax Agreement) and;
  • Operating in Idaho and another state during this trip.

120-Hours Temporary Permit

Duration - 5 days (120 hours)

If the Power Unit is registered for Idaho and the trailer is registered with Idaho or another state: No Permit fee is required

If the Power Unit is not registered for Idaho and the trailer(s) is registered in Idaho or another state: the Single Permit Fee is $60.00

If the Power Unit is registered for Idaho, but the trailer is not registered in Idaho or another state or if hauling piggy-back: the Single Permit Fee is $60.00

Idaho Overweight / Oversize Fines

Fines start at 300$ and go well over 2500$ with county jail also being a punishments if the violation is sever enough. If caught multiple times in a 12 month period the fines can be upwards of a few thousand dollars or up to 6 months in jail.

Running Hours and Holiday Restrictions

Lights are only required for night time travel, which is defined as traveling 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise. Lights can be consistent or flashing as long as it's visible.

Flags, Lights and Banners

Vehicles can move 7 days a week, with night time travel allowed if stated on the permit and with proper lighting. Holiday travel will be listed on the permit and each city has their own rules in regards to travel time.

Idaho Tire Regulations

Studded snow tires are permissible from October 1 to April 30. There are no specific restrictions on the use of tire chains in Idaho. While it may be legal to use the tires, officials advise against it unless conditions warrant. Studded tires may cause undue wear on bare roadways. There are times when chains are required. Signs will be posted “Chains required beyond this point” when the road is snow-covered or icy.

Note: 2/32 inch is the minimum legal tread depth.

Solid rubber tires on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire traction surface at least one (1) inch thick of the entire periphery.

Chains may be required at Lookout Pass or Fourth of July Pass on interstate 90 or Lolo Pass on state highway 12.  The state will provide advance notice of the chains requirement adequate opportunities to pull out and chain up.


Idaho Frost Laws

Type of Load Restrictions: This rule states the size, weight or speed limit restrictions the Department may place on the state highway system if the operation of vehicles could cause damage to the road due to climatic or other conditions. Due to conditions, loads will be restricted to one of the following categories in the interests of public safety: (1) Maximum of: legal allowable weight, (2) 16,000 pounds on any axle, (3) 14,000 pounds on any axle, or (4) 12,000 pounds on any axle.

Width Limitation on Two Lane Road: A spring breakup weight restriction to less than legal weight automatically also places a restriction on width allowed by special permit to 12 feet 6 inches during the period of the weight restriction.

Expect Speed Restrictions  (30 mph) and Weight Restrictions during spring breakup, including: 

a. Minimum tire width is 10 inches or larger.

b. Maximum axle weight on single axle having 2 single wheels shall not exceed 10,000 pounds.

c. Maximum axle weight on single axle having 4 or more tires shall not exceed 14,000 pounds.

Idaho Annual Permits

Multitrip permits up to 12 months in duration may be issued to transport indivisible loads on specified highways to an alternative energy construction site or staging area for alternative energy transportation. These vehicles are allowed up to 256,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight but must adhere to single axle limits of 20,000 lbs. each. The permit-issuing authority may include other restrictions or require special considerations before issuing the permit (Iowa Code Ann. §321E.9B).

Dimensions: 

  • Width - 16’, 
  • Height - 15’6”, 
  • Combination Length - 110’ including load overhang. 
  • Annual oversize permits for red coded routes shall be limited to a width of 12’6”.

Cost: 

Overweight/Oversize (non-reducible) annual permit fee for 12 consecutive months - $128 plus quarterly mileage reports;

Oversize annual permit - $43

Idaho Road Conditions

The Idaho Transportation Department's policy is to plan, design, construct, maintain and operate safe and efficient Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) zones and providing Law Enforcement in work zones .

Don’t Be A Distracted Driver and dedicate your full attention to the roadway while traveling in a construction zone.

Special Penalties Apply - an additional $50 penalty for breaking the posted speed limit. If the weather is poor, you may need to drive even slower. Keep your speed consistent with traffic flow and do not resume your normal driving speed until you see signs indicating that it is safe to do so.

Idaho Manufactured Houses and Mobile homes

All manufactured homes moved on their own axles on any public highway are required to be licensed, permanently or temporarily, with the exception of, new manufactured homes, being transported either prior to first sale at retail or to the initial setup location of the original purchaser.

Liability insurance is required: $300,000 coverage for permittee’s own manufactured home or $750,000 when hauling for hire.

Length. Not in excess of 80 feet including tongue. 

Width. Shall be limited to a maximum of 16 feet at the base and shall not exceed 18 feet overall width including the eaves.

 All axles shall be in accordance with CFR Title 24, for the year the manufactured home was built, except that 16-foot wide (at the base) manufactured homes shall be required to have a minimum of 4 axles. 

Brakes shall be in accordance with CFR Title 24, for the year the manufactured home was built, except that 16 foot wide (at the base) manufactured homes shall be required to have brakes on a minimum of three (3) axles. 

The unit shall have stop lights, turn signals, and tail lights. 

Towing Vehicle. Tow vehicles for manufactured homes, modular buildings, and office trailers shall comply with the following minimum requirements: 


Manufactured Homes and Office Trailer WidthTire WidthDrive Axle Tire RatingMin. Unladen WeightRear Axle Rating
over 8ft to 10ft7.00 inches6 Ply6,000 lbs.None 
over 10ft to 12ft8.00 inches8 Ply8,000 lbs.15,000 lbs.
over 12ft8.25 inches10 Ply12,000 lbs.15,000 lbs.
A minimum speed of 25 mph must be maintained. 

Drivers must hold current Class A or B Commercial Driver's License.

Maximum Speed Limit 60 miles per hour.

Length not to exceed 80 feet. 

 Width. Not in excess of 16 feet at the base and 18 feet overall.

No restrictions on eaves as long as the 18-foot maximum overall width limitation is not exceeded.


Oversize / Overweight Regulations By State