West Virginia OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – any load exceeding legal size or weight must have a hauling permit from the West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT), Division of Highways. Single-trip and term permits are issued through the WVDOT permits office.
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 13'6"
- Length: 75' (combo); 53' trailer allowed
- 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 (such as widths over 16') are handled case-by-case and may require special routing and conditions.
Travel Hours
- Standard: Oversize loads travel sunrise to sunset.
- 7-day travel: Loads 14' or narrower, 75' or shorter, 14' or shorter in height, with 10' or shorter overhang may travel seven days a week.
- Over 14' wide: Restricted to Monday–Friday only.
- WV Turnpike: Weekend travel allowed only for loads 95' or shorter, with 15' or shorter combined overhang, 14'6" or shorter in height, and 110,000 lbs or lighter GVW.
Escort Requirements
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width 10'6"–12' | 1 front escort (2-lane, 7 days); no escort (4-lane, 7 days) |
| Width 12'1"–14' | 1 front + 1 rear (2-lane, 7 days); 1 rear only (4-lane, 7 days) |
| Width 14'1"–15' | 1 front + 1 rear (both lane types), Mon–Fri only |
| Width 15'1"–16' | 2 front + 1 rear (2-lane); 1 front + 2 rear (4-lane). Over 16' case-by-case, Sunday only |
| Height over 15' | 1 front escort with height pole (Mon–Fri, both lane types) |
| Length 75'–95' | 1 rear (2-lane, Mon–Fri); no escort (4-lane, 7 days) |
| Length 95'1"–100' | 1 front + 1 rear (2-lane); 1 rear (4-lane), Mon–Fri only |
| Length over 100' | 1 front + 1 rear (both lane types), Mon–Fri only |
| Front overhang over 10' | 1 front escort required, Mon–Fri |
| Rear overhang over 10' | 1 rear escort required, Mon–Fri |
Detailed Information
WIDTH ESCORTS: From 10'6" to 12' wide, a single front escort is required on 2-lane highways (no escort on 4-lane), seven days a week. From 12'1" to 14' wide, a front and rear escort are required on 2-lane highways and a rear escort only on 4-lane, seven days a week. From 14'1" to 15' wide, one front and one rear escort are required on both lane types, Monday through Friday only. From 15'1" to 16' wide, two front and one rear escort are required on 2-lane highways, and one front and two rear on 4-lane; widths over 16' are handled case-by-case and move on Sundays only.
HEIGHT POLE: Loads over 15' in height require a front escort equipped with a height pole, Monday through Friday, on both lane types.
LENGTH ESCORTS: From 75' to 95', a rear escort is required on 2-lane highways (Mon–Fri) with no escort on 4-lane (7 days). From 95'1" to 100', a front and rear escort are required on 2-lane highways and a rear escort on 4-lane, Monday through Friday. Over 100', both a front and rear escort are required on both lane types, Monday through Friday only.
OVERHANG: A front overhang exceeding 10' requires a front escort, and a rear overhang exceeding 10' requires a rear escort, Monday through Friday.
Additional Notes
- "Oversize Load" signs, red/orange flags, and amber warning lights are required on the load and escort vehicles per WVDOT permit conditions.
- Loads over 14' wide are restricted to Monday–Friday travel; loads 14' or narrower, 75' or shorter, 14' or shorter high, with 10' or shorter overhang may travel seven days a week.
- The West Virginia Turnpike imposes its own weekend-travel limits on length, overhang, height, and gross weight.
- Permit conditions issued by WVDOT govern the specific move and may impose requirements beyond these general thresholds.
Source: West Virginia DOT — Hauling Permits. Informational only — always verify against the live permit office before any move; permit conditions control.
