Kentucky Oversize Permit, Wide and Heavy Haul Information

Summary:

• In Kentucky, oversize loads can travel at any time, with a few exceptions.
• Kentucky offers several types of permits, including single-trip, annual, and blanket Permits.

Operating Hours, Restricted Travel, and Holiday Restrictions

Kentucky has specific routes designated for over-dimensional vehicles. Operators are required to adhere to these designated routes and are prohibited from using roads that are not approved for their particular load. These routes are chosen based on factors such as bridge clearances, road conditions, and traffic considerations to ensure the safe passage of these large and heavy loads. However, you are still responsible for measuring all clearances of highway structures, both laterally and vertically, along the route prior to passage.

Travel in Kentucky is allowed at all times of the day or night unless otherwise specified on the permit. An exception to this rule is mobile homes, which are allowed to travel only during daylight hours, Monday through Saturday. Additionally, permitted loads are restricted from traveling in the following counties between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. or 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday:

• Boone
• Campbell
• Fayette
• Jefferson
• Kenton

There are no holiday travel restrictions in Kentucky.

If a wind advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service, or If adverse weather conditions or road conditions would cause dangerous conditions, an overweight or over-dimensional load more than twelve (12) feet wide cannot be moved on a highway.

Signs, Flags, and Lights Requirements

Signs

Vehicles exceeding 10 feet and six inches in width or having a front overhang must display two warning signs. The warning sign needs to be 6 to 8 feet in width and have the words “OVERSIZE LOAD” in black letters on a yellow background. The sign’s letters must be at least 18 inches high and have a brush stroke of at least one and four-tenths inches.

A warning sign should be displayed at the front of the power unit and the rear of the towed unit or rear of the load.

Flags

Overwidth vehicles must display four warning flags, one at each of its four corners. If any portion of the load extends beyond the four corners, additional flags are required to be displayed at the widest points of the load.

Over-length vehicles or ones with a rear-end overhang must display two warning flags to indicate the maximum width at the extreme rear of the vehicle or load.

Lights

If a front overhang exceeds ten feet, an amber strobe or flashing light has to be placed on the power unit of the towing vehicle. This light must be in use while the power unit is in operation.Additionally, the lighting devices and reflectors established in 49 C.F.R. 393.11 for pole trailers and projecting loads are required in Kentucky​.​​

Obtaining a Permit

Kentucky issues permits for various types of oversize and overweight loads, including:

• Single Trip Permit: For a single, one-way trip.
• Annual Permit: Valid for a one-year period for frequent haulers.
• Blanket Permit: Issued for multiple trips with similar characteristics.

Permits can be ordered at the Kentucky state website or by calling 1-502-515-1575​​.

Partnering with a Logistics Company

Consider partnering with a modular logistics company to streamline Kentucky’s oversize permit process and ensure a seamless wide and heavy haul experience. If you are interested in more information, connect with our experts.

Read more:

• Over-Dimensional and Heavy Haul Permitting 101
• What You Need to Know About State Oversize Permits for Over-Dimensional, Wide, and Heavy Haul Trucking
• State Oversize Permit & Wide Load Regulations: Simplified

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