Operating Hours, Restricted Travel, and Holiday Restrictions
Generally, oversize/overweight travel is not restricted for vehicles up to 14 feet and 6 inches wide, 16 feet high, and 110 feet long, unless noted otherwise on the permit.
There is no travel on major holidays and some holiday weekends, like Fishing Opener Weekend in May. In addition, travel is not allowed statewide from 2:00 pm the day before a holiday to 2:00 am the day after the holiday when the vehicle exceeds 9 feet wide and/or 110 feet long.
In the Twin Cities and Duluth Metro areas, there is no oversize travel Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 8:30 am and 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm when exceeding 14 feet and 6 inches and/or 110 feet long and/or 16 feet high, unless it is otherwise noted on the permit.
In the Twin Cities metro area, oversize vehicles’ night travel is restricted to 12:00 am to 5:00 am Monday through Friday when exceeding 14 feet and 6 inches wide on non-divided roadways and exceeding 16 feet wide while on divided roadways.
Summer travel restrictions are from the weekend after Memorial Day through the weekend before labor day and forbid oversize travel for vehicles over 9 feet wide and/or 110 feet long from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Fridays and Sundays.
No movement is authorized when road conditions are unsafe due to ice, snow, rain, or if visibility is less than 500 feet.
Signs, Flags, and Lights Requirements
Signs, flags, and lights are required when moving heavy haul loads or superloads for the safety of everyone on the road. In addition, different states may have slightly different requirements on size and placement.
Signs
Signs that read “OVERSIZE LOAD” are required on the front and rear of the vehicle when the width exceeds 12 feet and 6 inches or the length exceeds 95 feet. These signs must be lighted or made of reflective material and be visible for at least 500 feet. For night travel, the signs must be illuminated. In addition, an overhang that exceeds 4 feet must be lit up at night.
Flags
Fluorescent red flags measuring at least 18 inches square need to be mounted at the corners and widest points of the load. If there is an overhang exceeding 4 feet, a flag must be attached to the tip.
Lights
Amber lights are required for loads over 12 feet wide. They may be flashing, strobe, or rotating beacons and must be visible from at least 500 feet.
Obtaining a permit
MnDOT special oversize/overweight transportation permits are not valid on local roads unless the local road authority gives specific permission. The permittee is responsible for contacting and obtaining approval for each local road authority on roads within its jurisdiction.
A permit can be acquired in person at MnDOT, emailed to
[email protected], or submitted through the online permit system at
https://osowpermits.dot.state.mn.us/rbnet/Account/Login.aspx A permit application may also be faxed to 651-215-9677 or mailed to the following address:
Minnesota Department of Transportation
OFCVO - Permits
395 John Ireland Boulevard, MS 420
St. Paul, MN 55155
