South Dakota Oversize Permit, Wide and Heavy Haul Information

South Dakota only allows large loads to travel between 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. The Department of Transportation may issue special travel permits, but this is normally rare. Large loads are also prohibited in overly congested areas.

For most travel, plan to avoid moving larger loads in the dark, on weekends, as well as New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The permit office is also closed on national holidays, so plan accordingly.
Signs, Flags, and Lights Requirements

Most large shipments require a variety of equipment which often includes signs, flags, and lights to increase the vehicle’s visibility. On any load exceeding 12 feet in width or 95 feet in length or traveling overnight, you should display an “Oversize Load” sign on both the vehicle’s front and the back of the load. If the sign is not required, it must be removed or covered before continuing the haul. Additionally, the signs should be reflective if moving at night. Any load that classifies as over the legal limit will need flags in each corner of the load. Additionally, loads that are 8 feet 6 inches wide or larger will need flags that mark any areas spreading outside of the vehicle. These flags should be the standard orange or red to alert other motorists. You should light any load traveling at night with amber lights, red lights, and reflective materials. For more information on obtaining a permit, call the South Dakota Department of Transportation at 605-773-7144 or send a fax to 605-773-7144 between 5:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday Central Time. You may also submit permit requests on the South Carolina Department of Transportation website at https://dot.sd.gov.