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Minnesota Oversize / Overweight Regulations

What is considered as "Oversized Load" in Minnesota?

Dimensions: Width: 8' 6" Height: 13' 6" Length: Truck-Semi-trailer 75' Legal Overhang: included in length limits

What is considered as "Overweight Load" in Minnesota?

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

Minnesota Oversize / Overweight Permits

Minnesota Permit Department Contact Information

651-296-6000

Fax: 651-215-9677

8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Central

http://www.dot.state.mn.us/cvo/

Minnesota Pilot Cars / Escorts

Requirements

Loads over 14’6” wide, 110’ long, 16’ high require lead and rear escorts on 2-lane (non-divided) roadways.

Only the rear certified escort on multi-lane (divided) roadways.

Escort Oversize Banner

When escorts are required the escort vehicle must display “Wide Load” or “Long Load” signs along with amber warning lights visible from a distance of no less than 500 feet. Radio communication between the permitted vehicle and escort vehicle is required. An escort driver must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license.

Pilot Car Sign and Flag Requirements

A pilot/escort vehicle must display a qualifying, clearly visible, legible, "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign mounted on the top of the vehicle.

  • Red/orange 18-inch flags must be mounted in line with the "Oversize Load" sign and mounted at approximately a 45-degree angle toward the sides of the pilot/escort vehicle.
  • A sign, light, or flag may not extend more than six inches beyond the widest part of the body of the pilot/escort vehicle.

Lighting Requirements

The pilot/escort vehicle must be equipped with at least one flashing yellow or amber light. These lights must be visible for 360 degrees for all traffic. Lights must be AAMVA/SAE/USDOT-approved yellow or amber, flashing or oscillating, strobe lights  visible from a minimum distance of 500 feet under normal atmospheric conditions.

An AAMVA/SAE/USDOT-approved yellow or amber, flashing or oscillating, strobe beacon light bar must be used, mounted on top of the pilot/escort vehicle. The light bar must have a minimum of two lights within the housing of the light bar. The light bar must be unobstructed and visible for 360 degrees.

Pilot/Escort Flagging Requirements

During the movement of an overdimensional load, the pilot/escort driver, in the performance of the flagging duties required by this chapter, may control and direct traffic to stop, slow, or proceed in any situation when deemed necessary to protect the motoring public from the hazards associated with the movement of the overdimensional load. The pilot/escort driver, acting as a flagger, may aid the overdimensional load in the safe movement along the highway designated on the overdimensional load permit.

Escort pilot cars drivers must be trained and certified by the MN State Patrol, or possess a valid certification from another state that MN has reciprocity with. For more information, visit https://www.hennepintech.edu/workforce-education/programs-workforceeducation/pilot-escort-driver-training.html 



Minnesota Axle Regulations

The following are the axle combinations and weights for Minnesota.

Axle Group                                  Legal              Category A                  Category B                              Category C

Single                                           20,000 lb.       20,000 lb.                    20,000 lb.                                 20,000 lb.

Tandem                                        34,000 lb.       18,000 lb.                    19,000 lb.                                 20,000 lb.

Tridem       8"+                             42,000 lb.       16,000 lb.                    18,000 lb.                                 20,000 lb.

                    9'                                43,000 lb.       18,000 lb.                 

                11' 6"                             51,500 lb.              --                           15,500 lb.                                 18,000 lb. 

Quad      12' 6"+                           51,000             13,000 lb.                   15,500 lb.                                 18,000 lb.                                

                13' 6"+                           51,500 lb.                                            15,500 lb.                                18,000 lb.   

5-Axle GVW                                  80,000 lb.       84,000 lb.                    88,500 lb.                                  92,000 lb.           

6-Axle GVW                                  80,000 lb.       96,000 lb.                   104,500 lb.                                 112,000 lb.   

7-Axle 2 Tridem Groups             80,000 lb.       108,000 lb.                120,500 lb.                                 132,000 lb.  

7-Axle   1 Tandem, 1 Quad        80,000 lb.       100,000 lb.                 112,500 lb.                                 124,000 lb.  

8-Axle GVW                                  80,000 lb.       112,000 lb.                 128,500 lb.                                145,000 lb. 

9-Axle GVW                                  80,000 lb.       128,000 lb.                 140,500 lb.                                155,000 lb. 



Minnesota Trip and Fuel (IRP / IFTA) Permits

120 Hour Trip Permit

$15, plus $10 filing fee. One permit per vehicle every 30 days; issued up to 80,000 lbs.


120 hour Fuel Trip Permit

$25, no filing fee. No limit to the number of permits issued.


Minnesota Overweight / Oversize Fines

The following are penalties for a vehicle operated with a gross weight  in excess of specified weight limit. If the operator knowingly operated the vehicle at the excess weight, the fines will be doubled.

Up to 999 lbs over    

$50 + general surcharge $75

1,000 – 1,999 lbs over

$100 + general surcharge $75

2,000 – 2,999 lbs over

$200 + general surcharge $75

3,000 – 3,999 lbs over

$300 + general surcharge $75

4,000 – 4,999 lbs over

$400 + general surcharge $75

5,000 – 5,999 lbs over

$500 + general surcharge $75

6,000 – 6,999 lbs over

$600 + general surcharge $75

7,000 – 7,999 lbs over

$700 + general surcharge $75

8,000 – 8,999 lbs over

$800 + general surcharge $75

9,000 – 9,999 lbs over

$900 + general surcharge $75

10,000 or above

$1.000 + general surcharge $75

Running Hours and Holiday Restrictions

"Oversized Load" Banner
Oversize Load signs required on front and rear of vehicle when width exceeds 12’6” and/or length exceeds 95’. Signs must be lighted or of reflective material between sunset and sunrise and visible at least 500’.

Flag Requirements

Red, orange or yellow warning flags, 18" square, must be displayed when a vehicle or its load exceeds 9’ in width or 75’ in length. Flags are required at: Widest points of the load, At the end of overhang in excess of 4', and every 20' along the outside of the load.

Warning Lights: Color and Placement

At night, a steady light at: Widest points of the load, at the end of overhang in excess of 4', every 20' along the outside of the load

At night, when over 12’6” wide or when combination is over 95’ long, lead and rear escorts OR approved LED lighting package is required.

Warning lights are required whenever signs are required. Lights may be flashing, strobe, or rotating beacon and must be visible from a distance of no less than 500’.

Flags, Lights and Banners

Running Hours

In general, OSOW travel is not restricted for loads up to 14’6” wide; 110’0” long; 16’0” high, unless noted otherwise on the permit.

Holiday Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel is allowed statewide from 2:00 p.m. the day before the holiday to 2:00 a.m. the day after the holiday, when exceeding 9’0” wide and/or 110’0”long. 

Summer Travel Restrictions: (weekend after Memorial Day thru weekend before Labor Day) No oversize travel allowed from 2:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays, when exceeding 9’0” wide and/or 110’0” long.

Rush Hour Restrictions: (Twin Cities & Duluth Metro areas) No OSOW travel Monday thru Friday from 6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. when exceeding 14’6” wide and/or 110’0” long and/or 16’0” high, unless noted otherwise on the permit.

Night Travel Restrictions: (Twin Cities Metro only) OSOW night travel only allowed 12:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. (Monday thru Friday, unless noted otherwise on permit) when exceeding 14’6” wide while on non-divided roadways, and when exceeding 16’0” wide while on divided roadways.

Minnesota Tire Regulations

Except as provided in this section, no tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberances of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire.

It is permissible to use  tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid

Occasional use of studded tires by nonresidents.

A person, occasionally operating a motor vehicle properly licensed and registered in another state or province of a foreign country which authorizes the use of tires with metal studs on its highways, may operate the motor vehicle with tires having metal type studs. Use of a vehicle in this state formore than 30 days in any consecutive six-month period is not occasionally.

Note: A person whose regular place of employment is within the state or who is a student at an educational institution located within the state, shall not operate a vehicle, regardless of its place of registration, upon any highway within the state if such vehicle is equipped with tires which would be unauthorized were the vehicle registered in this state.

Minnesota Frost Laws

The Minnesota Department of Transportation institutes maximum load restrictions in the spring of the year. Specific dates for reduced lad weights are usually published in early March of the year, ending the higher winter load limits. 

Frost zones and restricted routes can be found on the MnDOT load limits map. Start and end dates and other load limit information are shown at mndot.gov/loadlimits. Overweight permits for more than 80,000 pound gross vehicle weight will continue and new permits will be issued if all axle and group weights are legal (axle weight limits). 

The Minnesota weight limits pamphlet and map can be found at:
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/materials/pvmtdesign/sll/doc/weight-limits-pamphlet-2014.pdf

This is a tabbed table showing dates and routes subject to seasonal restrictions, maps, weight information, seasonal load limits, etc.

Minnesota Annual Permits

A Temporary Trip Permit is issued in lieu of IRP plates for travel within Michigan. The fee for a Temporary Michigan Trip Permit is $20 and is valid for 72 hours. Permits can be obtained through a permitting service, who will charge an additional processing fee.

A Temporary Fuel permit is issued in lieu of IFTA licensing for travel within Michigan. The fee for a Temporary Michigan Fuel permit is $20 and is valid for 5 consecutive days. Permits can be obtained through a permitting service, who will charge an additional processing fee. No more than 3 permits can be obtained per calendar year.



Minnesota Road Conditions

Summer safety tips

Drivers traveling too fast and not paying attention are the main causes of work zone crashes. Follow these safe driving tips:
  • Stay alert, especially at night.
  • Stay off cell phones and mobile devices.
  • Be patient. Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Obey posted speed limits. Fine for a violation in a work zone is $300.
  • Do the zipper merge

Winter safety tips;

  • Turn on your headlights
  • Turn off your cruise control.
  • Slow down; allow at least 10 car lengths between your vehicle and a plow.
  • Stay behind the snowplow. The road behind a snowplow is safer to drive on.
  • Watch for snowplows that turn or exit frequently, and often with little warning

Minnesota Manufactured Houses and Mobile homes

Manufactured Homes and Manufactured Storage Buildings Annual Permit 

This Permit is required for new and used mobile homes. Storage sheds are allowed with this permit type. 

Maximum limits:

  • Height: 15 feet
  • Length: 110 feet
  • Width: 16 feet 
  • Weight: Legal


Fee: $120

A route approval is required.


Oversize / Overweight Regulations By State