Oklahoma OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – all oversize or overweight loads require a permit from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS), Size & Weight Permits Division.
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 13'6"
- Length: 59'6" (combo); 53' trailer allowed
- Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW (with standard axle spacing)
Permitted Load Maximums (Typical Upper Limits)
- Width: Up to 16' with proper escorting
- Height: Over 15'9" requires route survey and utility notification
- Length: Over 100' permitted with escort
- Weight: Over 120,000 lbs requires bridge/engineering review
Superloads require advance notice, detailed axle information, and additional coordination.
Travel Hours
- Standard: Sunrise to Sunset
- Weekend: Travel allowed on Saturday; prohibited on Sunday for most OS/OW loads
- Holidays: No travel on major holidays or after 12:00 PM the day before
- Night travel: May be allowed for loads under 10' wide and 100' long with proper lighting
Escort Requirements (General Guidelines)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 12' | 1 Escort (front on 2-lane roads, rear on 4-lane roads) |
| Width > 14' | 2 Escorts (front and rear) |
| Height > 15'9" | High pole escort and utility clearance required |
| Length > 100' | 1 or more escorts depending on route and configuration |
Additional Notes
- Oversize Load signs, red/orange flags, and amber flashing lights are required
- Oklahoma Turnpike Authority requires a separate permit for toll roads
- Permits issued through the Oklahoma DPS Permitting System (SWP Online)
Detailed Information
PERMITS: Permits valid for five days. Must have permit prior to entering the state.
OPERATING TIME: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset seven days a week. Overweight only can have continuous travel, but must be requested when ordering permit.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: Oversize load movements are not allowed on the Interstate system through Cleveland,
Oklahoma and Tulsa counties between 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (does not apply to O/W only). No permit travel allowed on major holidays.
OKLAHOMA TURNPIKES: Loads up to 9'6" wide are permitted without requiring a Pike Pass. Loads over 9'6" wide up to 11'6" wide (and up to 13'6" wide on Cherokee Turnpike only) need a Pike Pass reference number for permitting. Maximum weight for the turnpikes is 108,000 pounds. Weight is paid for on the state permit; the turnpike does not charge extra above the usual per axle charge.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS: Width: 8'6" (8' on any highway having a surface width of less than 20 feet) Height: 13'6" Length: 59'6" semitrailer and load is legal on Oklahoma's "U.S. Defense Highway System" which includes all interstate routes and many of the main U.S. Highways; 53' semitrailer and load on other routes. Weight: 80,000 Gross on Interstate, 90,000 on non-Interstate routes (with legal tandem and tridem weights) Single – 20,000 Tandem – 34,000 Tridem – 42,000
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS: Width: 16' Height: Depends on routes Length: No set maximum Weight: Single – 20,000 Tandem – 40,000 Tridem – 60,000 Quad – 65,000 Steer Axle – 15,000. Requests for more than 15,000 pounds on steer axle have to go to bridge engineering for approval, taking an extra day or two. For an overweight permit, your registration must be prorated for 90,000 for Oklahoma, or for at least the amount of gross weight you need permitted if less than 90,000 pounds. According to the Oklahoma Permit Manual, an approved scale weight ticket or a certification of gross weight from the shipper should be attached to an overweight permit. Loads exceeding these dimensions will take extra time for approval.
ESCORTS: Width: Over 12' on all highways – 1 escort, over 14' on two-lane highways or over 16' on multi-lane highways – 2 escorts. Height: Over 15'9" – 1 high pole and 1 rear; "All public utilities and railroads along the route must be contacted in advance of the move by the permittee." Length: Over 80' on 2-lane highways – 1 escort, over 100' on 2-lane highways – 2 escorts.
MISCELLANEOUS: Dozers with blades that exceed 12 feet in width shall not be permitted to travel more than 50 miles from the base of operation. When exceeding the 50-mile limit, the blade is to be removed. Agricultural equipment is no longer exempt from needing permits in Oklahoma.
SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: "Oversize Load" signs are required on front of tractor and rear of load or trailer (whichever extends the farthest) on all oversized loads moving under permit. They are also required on two-lane highways when the load exceeds 59-1/2 feet in length. Flags are required at the widest point of any oversize load. Rear overhang of 4 feet or more must be flagged.