Hawaii OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – any load exceeding legal size or weight should have a permit before moving. State-highway oversize/overweight permits are issued through the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT). Because Hawaii's rules are administered across both state and county roads, county public works departments (DPW) may set their own thresholds for movements off the state highway system – verify the controlling agency for your route.
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 13'6"
- Length: 65' (combo)
- Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW (standard axle limits apply)
Anything over a legal dimension or weight requires an oversize/overweight permit before the move. Loads beyond routine permit limits may require additional engineering review and route survey; confirm requirements with the issuing office.
Travel Hours
The data reviewed here does not set out fixed statewide daylight-only or holiday travel windows. Treat over-dimensional moves as daylight, fair-weather operations unless the issued permit states otherwise, and confirm any time-of-day, weekend, or holiday restrictions with the issuing agency for your route before moving.
Escort Requirements (General Guidelines)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 16'0" | Front (lead) pilot car on state highways |
| Width > 18'0" | Second (rear) pilot car added – lead and chase both required on state highways |
| Height > 15'0" | Lead pilot must carry a height-clearance pole on state highways |
| Length > 100'0" | Escort required for combinations over 100' overall on state highways |
Detailed Information
ESCORTS: A front pilot car is required for widths over 16' on state highways (HAR §19-120.1). A second (rear) pilot car is required when width exceeds 18' on state highways, with lead and chase both required (HAR §19-120.1). An escort is required for combinations over 100' overall length on state highways (HRS §291C-133). County roads may have lower thresholds – verify with the county DPW.
HEIGHT POLE: The lead pilot must carry a height-clearance pole for loads over 15' tall on state highways (HAR §19-120.5).
COUNTY ROUTES: Hawaii oversize moves can cross both state highways and county roads. County roads may apply lower escort thresholds than the state-highway figures above; confirm requirements with the county public works department for any portion of the route off the state system.
Additional Notes
- "Oversize Load" signs, red/orange flags, and amber warning lights are expected on the load and escort vehicles per permit conditions.
- State-highway thresholds cited here (HAR §19-120.1, §19-120.5; HRS §291C-133) may differ from county requirements – verify the controlling agency for your route.
- Permit conditions issued for the specific move govern and may impose requirements beyond these general thresholds.
Source: Hawaii DOT — Oversize/Overweight Permits. Informational only — always verify against the live permit office before any move; permit conditions control. These Hawaii details are not independently verified, so confirm current rules with HDOT (and the county DPW where applicable) before relying on them.
