Connecticut OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – all oversize or overweight vehicles require a permit from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT).
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 13'6"
- Length: 65' (overall combo), 48'/53' trailer (with restrictions)
- Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW
Permitted Load Maximums (Typical Upper Limits)
- Width: Up to 14' with escorts
- Height: Over 14'6" requires route analysis and possible utility clearance
- Length: Up to 120' with review
- Weight: Over 120,000 lbs may require structural analysis and longer processing time
Superloads require coordination with ConnDOT engineering and utility departments.
Travel Hours
- Standard: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
- Weekends: No travel allowed Saturday after 12:00 PM or all day Sunday
- Holidays: No travel on major holidays or holiday weekends
- Night travel: Rare and only by special exception
Escort Requirements (General Guidelines)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 12' | 1 Escort (usually front) |
| Width > 13'6" | 2 Escorts (front and rear) |
| Height > 14'6" | Route survey and high pole car |
| Length > 100' | 1 Rear Escort |
Additional Notes
- All oversize loads must display “Oversize Load” signs and red/orange flags
- Amber lights are required for escort vehicles and night travel (if approved)
- Connecticut has many low bridges and tight turns – route analysis is critical
- Permits are issued via the Connecticut oversize/overweight online system
Detailed Information
PERMITS: valid for three days.
OPERATING TIME: Daylight only (one-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset), no weekends or
holidays. Weekend travel is not allowed for overweight only loads. No moves 6:30 to 9:00 a.m. or 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Loads 13'6" wide or over 14' high can only travel Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The State of Connecticut is continuing its pilot program allowing some weekend travel. Weekend travel is allowed daylight to 12:00 noon Saturday and Sunday if load does not exceed 12’ wide, 13’6” high, 80’ long, or 120,000 lbs on 5 or more axles. Weekend must be requested when ordering permit. Pilot program is subject to change.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: No travel on major holidays (New Years, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). If holiday falls on Monday, shut down is at 12:00 noon on Friday. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, shut down is at 12:00 noon on the day before the Holiday. Ask the Permit Office to verify, as these may be subject to change from year to year.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS: Width: 8'6" Height: 13'6" (Note: CT will not issue a permit for overheight for any kind of a building.) Length: 48' trailer. Note: 53' semi-trailer is only legal on Interstate and Designated Highways if the distance between the kingpin and the center of the rear axle does not exceed 43'. (Kingpin setting does not matter on a single piece O/D load permit load but the 43’ maximum does apply on a multiple piece load, even when the extra pieces are legal size).
Note: You can be fined $750 if you have a 53' semi-trailer traveling without a permit and kingpin setting over 43' if you are traveling empty unless the return trip is shown on your permit!
Overhang: No permit need for overhang, but overhang over 4’ needs flagged for day and lighted for night.
Weight: 80,000 Gross Single – 22,400 Tandem – 36,000 Tridem – 42,500
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS: Width: 16' Height: 14' (Route survey required for height over 14'); 13'6” is the maximum height for any kind of building Length: 130' Weight: Tridem – 67,500. Single – 22,500 Tandem – 40,000 Connecticut does not go strictly by axle weights. They will go as high as 25,000 on a single, providing that the manufacturer’s rating is not exceeded and provided that the gross is within the limits stated above for 5, 6 or 7 axles. Over 14' wide, 14' high or 120 long is considered a Super Load. Over 140,000 lbs. requires an engineer review. Note: the maximum superload width in Massachusetts is 16 feet.
ESCORTS: Width: Over 12' – 1 escort on divided highways, 2 on undivided highways; over 13'6" – 2 escorts, 15' (over 14’11”) – 3. Height: Over 14' – 1 escort with pole (route survey required before ordering permit). Over 15'3" – 2 or more State Police Escorts. Length: Divided Highway over 100' – 1 escort, over 120' – 2 escorts. Undivided Highway over 80' – 1 escort; over 100' – 2 escorts. Overhang: Over 25' – 1 escort.
MISCELLANEOUS: When hauling equipment with a blade up to 14' wide, blade can remain attached. If overweight and weight can be reduced by removing the blade, then the blade must be hauled separately. Connecticut does not issue permits for containers. Connecticut will not issue a permit of overheight on any kind of building.
SIGNS & FLAGS: "Oversize Load" signs are required on loads over 10' wide or 13'6" high. Over 4' of overhang must be flagged during the day and lighted at night. Flags are required on all corners of the permitted vehicle on any oversize or overweight load, and on widest points of wide loads.