Utah OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – all oversize or overweight loads require a permit from the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), Motor Carrier Division.
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 14'
- Length: 81' (combo); 53' trailer allowed
- Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW (standard axle limits apply)
Permitted Load Maximums (Typical Upper Limits)
- Width: Up to 18' with escorts
- Height: Over 16' requires route survey and utility clearance
- Length: Over 120' requires routing review and escorts
- Weight: Over 125,000 lbs requires detailed axle information and bridge engineering approval
Superloads must be submitted well in advance and may involve UDOT engineers, law enforcement, and local coordination.
Travel Hours
- Standard: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
- Weekend: Allowed for loads under 10' wide, 105' long, and 14' high
- Holidays: No travel on major holidays or after noon the preceding day
- Night travel: May be authorized for smaller loads with lights and specific permit approval
Escort Requirements (General Guidelines)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 12' | 1 Escort (front on 2-lane, rear on 4-lane) |
| Width > 14' | 2 Escorts (front and rear) |
| Height > 16' | High pole escort and utility coordination required |
| Length > 120' | 1 or more Escorts depending on load and route |
Additional Notes
- Oversize Load signs, red/orange flags, and amber beacon lights are required
- Mountain passes, weather, and narrow roads may affect routing and timing
- Permits are issued through the UDOT Motor Carrier Permit System (ePermit)
Detailed Information
PERMITS: Permits valid for four days. Must have permit prior to entering the state. Permits can also be purchased at these POE: Echo (I-80 w of Eyanston WY) St. George( I-15 UT/AZ border) and Wendover(I-80 UT/NV border).
OPERATING TIME: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, including Saturday and Sunday, plus the following exception: Loads not exceeding 10' wide, 14’ high, 105' overall length, and 10' overhang may travel 24/7 on all highways with proper lights (marker lights indicating extreme width, amber lights at the front and center of the load and red lights at the rear), lights and flags on rear if overhang is exceeding 4'.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: Loads exceeding 10' wide, legal height, 105' overall length are prohibited from 6:00AM to 9:00AM and 3:30PM to 6:00PM Monday through Friday in the following counties: Box Elder – all highways south of exit 357 of I-15 (Perry Interchange); all highways in Weber, Davis, and Salt Lake counties, and in Utah county, all highways north of SR75- Exit 261 I-15 (Ironton) and SR68 MP 16. Holiday travel is not allowed during major holidays and holiday weekends, and on Pioneer Day (July 24th). Check with Permit Office for updated holiday restrictions.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS: Width: 8'6" Height: 14' Length: 53' semi-trailer on designated highways Overhang: 3' front (tractor), 6' rear Weight: 80,000 Gross Single – 20,000 Tandem – 34,000 Tridem – 42,500 Divisible Loads Exceeding 80,000: You can order a permit to exceed 80,000 gross on state highways and Interstate as long as you are legal on all axle/group weights and you are prorated at 80,000 pounds for Utah.
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS: Width: 14'6” (Bulldozer blades over 16' must be removed; but can be hauled on same load). Height: 14’ Length: No set maximum. If road can handle the length it will be permitted. Weight: 100,000* (5 axles) 136,750* (6 axles) 148,500* (7 axles) * Depends on axle spacings and configuration. Single – 29,500 Tandem – 50,000 Tridem – 61,750 Loads in excess of these dimensions are reviewed on individual basis. Over 17’6" in height requires documentary clearance proof from utilities, city and state signal divisions and municipalities
ESCORTS:
On Interstate and freeways: Width: Over 14' – 1 escort; over 16' – 2 escorts. Height: Over 16' – 2 escorts; over 17'6" – 2 escorts plus Highway Patrol, and notify utilities. Length: Over 120' – 1 escort Overhang: Over 20' – 1 escort On other highways: Width: Over 12' – 1 escort; over 14' – 2 escorts; over 17' – 2 escorts and 2 police escorts Height: Over 16' – 2 escorts; over 17'6" – 2 escorts plus Highway Patrol, and notify utilities. Length: Over 105' – 1 escort; over 120' – 2 escorts Overhang: Over 20' – 1 escort. Note: Twisting and turning canyon roads with limited sight distance may require escorts, at D.O.T. discretion.
SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: Flags are required to mark all extremities on any load overhanging the sides and on all vehicles exceeding 10' in width, on all front overhangs exceeding 3' or rear overhangs exceeding 4', and on the trailer corners on overheight only loads. "Oversize Load" signs front and rear are required on all vehicles/loads exceeding 10' in width, or exceeding 14' in height, and must be displayed to the rear of any vehicle which exceeds 92' in length, whether loaded or empty. Overhang of 20' or more must have rotating, flashing or oscillating amber light mounted at end of the overhang and at least 4' above ground level. See Operating Time section, above, for lighting during permitted night moves.