West Virginia OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – all oversize or overweight loads require a permit from the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH), Permit Section.
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 13'6"
- Length: 75' (combo); 53' trailer allowed
- Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW (with standard axle configurations)
Permitted Load Maximums (Typical Upper Limits)
- Width: Up to 16' with escort
- Height: Over 14'6" requires route survey and utility clearance
- Length: Over 120' with route review and escorts
- Weight: Over 150,000 lbs with bridge analysis and engineering review
Superloads require advance approval, detailed documentation, and may involve state police or utility company coordination.
Travel Hours
- Standard: Sunrise to Sunset only
- Weekend: Travel prohibited on Sunday; Saturday travel allowed until noon
- Holidays: No travel on major holidays or after 12:00 PM the day before
- Night travel: May be approved for small loads under 10' wide and under 110' long with lights and special permit
Escort Requirements (General Guidelines)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 12' | 1 Escort (rear on 4-lane, front on 2-lane) |
| Width > 14' | 2 Escorts (front and rear) |
| Height > 14'6" | High pole escort and utility coordination |
| Length > 120' | 1 or more escorts depending on configuration and route |
Additional Notes
- Loads must display “Oversize Load” signs, red/orange flags, and amber beacon lights
- Mountainous terrain and narrow roads require extra planning—check routes carefully
- Permits are issued through the WVDOH Oversize/Overweight Online Permit System
Detailed Information
PERMITS: Permits valid for five calendar days. Must have permit prior to entering the state.
OPERATING TIME: Sunrise to sunset, Monday through Friday, plus the following for weekend movement: On
Interstate and divided routes, weekend running is allowed if dimensions do not exceed 14'6" high, 14' wide, 95' long or 15' total overhang. On US and selected WV routes, weekend running is allowed when not exceeding 14' high, 12' wide, 75' long, and 10' total overhang. On all other routes, weekend running is allowed when not exceeding 13'6" high, 12' wide, 75' long, and 10' total overhang. Overweight only, not exceeding 110,000 pounds gross are allowed 24/7 movement. Overweight only, exceeding 110,000 pounds gross can only travel sunrise to sunset, Monday through Friday.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: Over-dimensional travel usually not allowed on major holidays and holiday weekends.
WEST VIRGINIA PARKWAY: No night running or overnight parking is allowed on the Parkway so cutoff time for entry depends on time of year. Vehicles/loads over 14' wide are restricted to Monday through Thursday movement, no Friday movement allowed. Most of the other over dimensional rules are the same as on the Interstates in West Virginia.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS: Width: 8'6" Interstate and designated roads, 8' on non-designated. Height: 13'6" Length: 53' trailer or load on Interstate and designated highways, (with measurement from rear tractor axle to trailer first axle not to exceed 37'); 48' trailer and 60' overall on non-designated roads Overhang: 3' front, 6' rear (all roads) Weight: 80,000 Gross (designated routes, 65,000 non-designated routes) Single – 20,000 Tandem – 34,000 Tridem – 42,500 (8' spacings)
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS: Width: 16' on 4-lanes, 15' on 2-lanes Height: 16' if route can accommodate, over 15' needs engineer approval. Length: No limit if route can accommodate Weight: 120,000 Gross Single – 28,000 Tandem – 60,000 Tridem – 70,000 for regular permit, "superload" permit can go higher and is usually routine issue. Loads exceeding these dimensions are considered as Super Loads.
ESCORTS: On 4 or more lane divided highways: Width: Over 12' – 1 escort; over 14' – 2 escorts; over 15' – 3 escorts; over 16' as required by route Height: 15' – 1 escort (high pole) in addition to any other escort Length: Over 95' – 1 escort; over 100' – 2 escorts Overhang: Over 10' front or rear overhang – 1 escort On 2-lane highways: Width: At 10'6" to 12' – 1 front escort; over 12' – 2 escorts; over 15' – 3 escorts; over 16' as required by routes. Height: 15' – 1 escort (high pole) in addition to any other escort Length: At 75' – 1 rear escort; over 95' – 2 escorts Overhang: Over 10' front or rear overhang – 1 escort Note: Local districts may impose additional escort requirements
MISCELLANEOUS: Maximum width for a blade or bucket is 12 feet. Blade has to be detached and hauled on separate trailer if the gross dozer plus blade weight is over 80,000 pounds.
SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: "Oversize Load" signs front and rear and six flags are required for all oversize loads. The flags should be displayed one on each side of the front bumper of the power unit and one on each top corner of the load. Overhang over 4' needs flag or flashing amber light. There are no sign or flag requirements for overweight only loads.