Vermont OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – oversize or overweight loads must obtain a permit from the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 13'6"
- Length: 75' (combo); 53' trailer allowed
- Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW
Permitted Load Maximums (Typical Upper Limits)
- Width: Up to 16' with escorts
- Height: Over 14' requires route survey and utility clearance
- Length: Over 100' requires review and escort
- Weight: Over 150,000 lbs requires axle details and bridge analysis
Superloads require prior coordination with VTrans and local authorities, especially for rural and mountainous routes.
Travel Hours
- Standard: Sunrise to Sunset
- Weekend: No movement allowed on Sundays or after noon Saturday
- Holidays: No travel on major holidays or after 12:00 PM the day before
- Night travel: Only allowed by special permission for smaller loads with proper lighting
Escort Requirements (General Guidelines)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 12' | 1 Escort (front on 2-lane roads, rear on 4-lane) |
| Width > 14' | 2 Escorts (front and rear) |
| Height > 14' | High pole escort required with route verification |
| Length > 100' | 1 or more Escorts depending on route |
Additional Notes
- All oversize loads must display “Oversize Load” signs, flags, and amber lights
- Rural and mountainous terrain can present significant routing challenges
- Permits are issued via the Vermont DMV online oversize/overweight permitting system
Detailed Information
PERMITS: Permits valid for seven travel days. Must have permit prior to entering the state.
OPERATING TIME: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. No weekend travel for loads over 10’ 6” wide, 100’ in length or 108,000 pounds gross. Movement may be restricted on Friday afternoons between July 1st and Labor Day. Overweight only and capable of traveling with the traffic flow are not restricted to daylight travel.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: Permits for loads not originating or delivering in Vermont are only issued if travel through Vermont is the most direct route. Vermont tries not to permit loads not originating or ending in Vermont. Unless otherwise posted, speeds are not to exceed 45 miles per hour on state highways for loads exceeding 90,000 pounds or 10 feet in width, overheight, or over 75’ long. No travel on Holidays for loads over 10’ 6” wide, 100’ in length or 108,000 pounds gross
LEGAL DIMENSIONS: Width: 8'6" Height: 13'6 Length: 53' semi-trailer on Interstate and designated highways (41' Kingpin to center of rear axle), 75' overall length. 48' trailer on non-designated highways. Weight: 80,000 Gross Single – 20,000 designated highways, 22,400 other roads Tandem – 34,000 designated highways, 36,000 other roads Tridem – Federal Bridge Formula (34,000 for 8' axle spacing, 42,500 for 9' of spacings)
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS: Width: 15 Height: 14’ Length: 100' Overhang: Not to exceed one-third the length of the load. Weight: “Department decides on case-by-case basis.” Loads exceeding these dimensions or exceeding 150,000 pounds gross weight are treated as super loads and require an engineering review for state highways. This can take up to 10 working days. The cost for an engineering review are: $800 for loads under 150,000 pounds gross, $2000 for loads from 150,001 to 200,000 pounds gross, and even higher for heavier loads.
ESCORTS: Width: At 12' or greater – 1 escort Height: Usually not required (over 14' height is very restricted) Length: At 80' or greater – 1 escort Overhang: At 15' or greater – 1 escort Note: A second escort may be required at state’s discretion.
SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: "Oversize Load" sign required on front of an oversize vehicle and on the rear of the vehicle or load, for any O/D move. Mount flags (at least 18" square) on corners and extremities of overwidth and overlength loads or vehicles. For overlength loads or rear overhang which exceeds 4 feet, one flag shall be displayed at the end of the overhang if less than 2 feet wide, and two flags if the overhang is 2 feet wide or greater. Loads at and over 12 feet wide or 80 feet overall length require a flashing amber light on the towing vehicle. Signs are not required for movements that are overweight only.