Nebraska Oversize / Overweight Regulations

What is considered as "Oversized Load" in Nebraska?

Dimensions: Width: 8' 6" Height: 14'"6" Semi Trailer Length: 53' Maximum Length: 90'

What is considered as "Overweight Load" in Nebraska?

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

Nebraska Oversize / Overweight Permits

Nebraska Pilot Cars / Escorts

Height:

Over 16' on interstate and non interstate roads requires a pole car.

*Note: The state reserves the right to attach additional escorts/pilot cars to any load that deem necessary. This means a load that is shorter may also need a pilot car.

Width:

Interstate:

Over 12' wide requires a escort/pilot car or may use a light bar if listed on the permit.

Over 16' wide requires a front and rear escort/pilot car

Non Interstate:

Over 12' wide requires a front escort/pilot car

Over 16' wide requires a front and rear escort/pilot car

Length:

Interstate:

Over 100' long 1 pilot/escort vehicle is required, or a light bar maybe be used instead if listed on the permit.

Over 150' long  2 pilot/escort vehicles are required for travel.

Non Interstate:

Over 100' long 1 rear pilot/escort vehicles are required.

Over 150' long 2 pilot/escort vehicles are required for travel.

Nebraska Axle Regulations

Maximum Legal Weights

• Maximum Single Wheel Load - 10,000 lbs.
• Single Axle - 20,000 lbs.
• Tandem Axle - 34,000 lbs.
• Maximum Weight on State Highways - 95,000 lbs. (refer to bridge chart)
• Maximum Weight on Interstate - 80,000 lbs.
• 95,000 lbs. - with Conditional Interstate Use Permit.

A Tandem Axle is defined as any two consecutive axles whose centers are more than 40" and not more than 96" apart, measured to the nearest inch between any two adjacent axles in the series. 

No permit shall authorize a weight greater than 20,000 lbs. on any Single Axle.

Conditional Interstate Use Permit

A permit issued for vehicles weighing up to 95,000 pounds on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (Interstate). No vehicle may exceed 20,000 pounds on a Single Axle or 34,000 pounds on a Tandem Axle. The overall Gross Weight of a group of two or more consecutive axles must conform to the requirements of the Nebraska Bridge Formula.

Superload

A vehicle or vehicle combination transporting a non-divisible load that is in excess of any of the following dimensions or Gross Weight:

• 16 feet in width
• 16 feet in height
• 100 feet in length
• Gross Weight over 160,000 pounds is a superload.

A superload permit application will require review and approval by the Lincoln Permit Office and may require review and/or approval by the Bridge Division and/or the District Engineer prior to issuance of the permit. Review and approval by Department staff may take up to five working days. 

Harvest Permits are not authorized on Interstate Highway System:

Nebraska Trip and Fuel (IRP / IFTA) Permits

Temporary Permit

Nebraska will issue temporary registration authority for a vehicle(s) to be added to an established fleet for a period of forty-five (45) days while apportioned registration is being processed. The carrier must be in good standing with the Department to be eligible for temporary authority. Temporary authority can be obtained from Motor Carrier Services 402-471-4435.

One temporary per unit will be issued at no fee. Temporary authorization will be faxed or e-mailed directly to the carrier.

Temporaries are granted for:

1. Newly acquired vehicles
2. Weight increases
3. Lost vehicle identification (valid for twenty (20) days only).

Fuel Permit
A temporary decal/permit is valid for a period of thirty (30) days and must be carried in the cab at all times, along with a copy of the IFTA license. Failure to carry the temporary decal/permit may subject the vehicle operator to purchase a trip permit and citation. To receive a temporary permit contact Motor Carrier Services at 402-471-4435.

Nebraska Overweight / Oversize Fines

Oversize and Overweight Fines and Penalties

Any driver of a vehicle who refuses to stop and submit the vehicle and load to a weighing or who refuses, when directed by a peace officer or carrier enforcement officer upon a weighing of the vehicle, to stop the vehicle and otherwise comply with the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class III misdemeanor. Operators may be fined for either over axle or over gross, whichever is the greater.

Weight restrictions can vary according to the road. The civil penalty for each violation of this section is in an amount equal to twenty-five dollars ($25) for each one thousand pounds or fraction thereof in excess of the gross weight Additionally, operators may be fined separately if two axle groups are over. Court costs of $21 are added to each fine.

Note: Court costs of $21 are added to each fine.

Weight (percent in excess of maximum legal weight for the vehicle)

Over Weight (Percentage )       Fine
0 -5%                                              $25

5 - 10%                                           $75

10 - 15%                                        $150

15 -20%                                         $350

20 -25%                                         $500

25 - 30%                                        $750

30 - 35%                                        $950

35 - 40%                                        $1,150

40 - 45%                                        $1,550

45 - 50%                                        $2,000

Over 50%                                       $2,500

Running Hours and Holiday Restrictions

"Oversized Load" Banner Regulations

 On loads more than 10 feet in width, signs stating “OVERSIZE LOAD” must be displayed on the front of the hauling vehicle and on the rear of the          load. Size" 7"' long, 18"" high Letters: Black, 10" high Background: yellow

Flag Requirements

 On loads more than 12 feet in width, red flags, not less than 18 inches square, must be displayed on all four corners of the vehicle or vehicles.

Warning Lights

 A compliant light bar may be allowed in lieu of an escort vehicle on divided highways when stated in the permit.

Flags, Lights and Banners

One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, including Saturday and Sunday. Travel is restricted for all over-dimensional permit vehicles on Holidays and Long Holidays.

The specific hours of restriction for each Holiday/Long Holiday will be designated on each permit.

Nebraska Tire Regulations

Tire Chains of reasonable proportions are permissible on any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other condition tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid. (Section 60-6, 250)

Studded Snow may  be used from November 1 to April 1.

No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any clock, stud, flange, cleat, or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire.

Nebraska Annual Permits

Maximum Dimensions: 

• Length: 53′ (single semi-trailer), 75’ max overall length
• Width: 14′ 
• Height: 15′ 6”

Cost: 

$25 for 90 days up to 1 year

Time, it takes to receive: 1 business day

Mailing method: email or fax

Commodity specific? Truck specific

Need to obtain a route? No

Nebraska Road Conditions

Work Zone Safety Reminders

• Drive smart in work zones!
• Don't crowd - Most work zone crashes in Nebraska involve rear-end collisions.
• Leave 2 seconds of braking time between you and the car in front of you.
• Day and Night:
  • Turn your headlights on.
  • Pay Attention.
  • Buckle up. Safety belts only work when you use them.

Work Zone Safety for Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV)

• Fatal crashes in work zones involved at least one large truck.
• Slow down, maintain extra following space, and be prepared to stop.
• Obey all work zone signs and signals.
• Scan ahead for changing traffic patterns, and be alert to vehicles entering your blind spots.
• Keep a sharp eye out for road workers and flag crews.
• Always signal and brake to give other drivers plenty of time to notice your intent.
• Driving too fast for weather or road conditions or failing to slow down for curves or ramps create risks for spills and rollovers, as well as crashes.
• Buckle up every time.

Nebraska Manufactured Houses and Mobile homes

There are 2 types of permits for Manufactured Homes. Type 1st is for a dealer or "new" building. The 2nd is "pre owned" or used. You can get a single trip, multi month, or annual permit to move manufactured housing.

Oversize / Overweight Regulations By State