INDOT: Oversize and/or Overweight Superload Permits

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Governor Mitch Daniels

Oversize and/or Overweight Superload Permits

INDOT Oversize and/or Overweight Superload Permits

When is a permit needed?
When is a Superload Permit needed?
How is a Superload Permit ordered?
What is the "Bridge" program?
What is O.R.S. and B.A.R.S.?
What is the Telephone Superload program?
Safety requirements and restrictions which may apply
Escort requirements
Oversize/Overweight Vehicle General Provisions
Superload Special Provisions
Permit fees
Frequently requested numbers

Download the complete Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permitting Handbook

When is a permit needed?
A permit is needed for the movement of a vehicle or a combination of vehicles, including the load, of a size and/or weight that exceeds the maximum legal size and weight limits as established by Indiana law [IC 9-20-3, IC 9-20-4]. Except for certain vehicles, which are given a permit exemption, any transport exceeding these limits must obtain a permit prior to moving on Indiana highways:

Legal width limitation is 8 feet 6 inches.
Legal height limitation is 13 feet 6 inches.
Legal length limitation of a single vehicle operated under the vehicle's own motive power is 40 feet;
Recreational vehicle is 40 feet.
Common carrier of persons is 40 feet.
Two-vehicle combination is 60 feet, with a 53-foot limit on the semitrailer. In addition, a semitrailer longer than 48 feet 6 inches may not be operated on any Indiana public highway when the distance between the kingpin and the rearmost axle of the semitrailer exceeds 40 feet 6 inches for semitrailers manufactured after December 31, 1984; or 42 feet 6 inches for semitrailers manufactured before January 1,1985.
Three-vehicle combination is 65 feet, with a limit of 28 feet 6 inches for each semitrailer and trailer.
Legal weight limitation of 80,000 pounds total gross weight, subject to all individual axle weights conforming to the Federal Bridge Formula.

When is a Superload Permit needed?
A Superload Permit is needed if, in addition to exceeding the legal limitations, the dimensions and/or the weight exceed additional pre-defined limitations. If you find that your load exceeds the maximum legal dimensions and/or weight, but does not meet the criteria for a Superload Permit, you should contact the Indiana Department of Revenue for a "routine issue" oversize/overweight permit. That Agency may be reached by phone at (317) 615-7320, by fax at (317) 821-2336, or by mail at:

Indiana Department of Revenue

The pre-defined limitations for a Superload Permit are as follows:

Width exceeds 16 feet
Height exceeds 15 feet
Length exceeds 110 feet
Weight exceeds 108,000 pounds. NOTE: There are six approved drawing configurations for which an applicant may receive a "routine issue" permit at weights up to and including 120,000 pounds.

In general, vehicles that exceed these dimensions and weights will require additional efforts, engineering judgment, coordination between INDOT's six District Offices, etc.

How is a Superload Permit ordered?
For first-time companies that have never gotten an oversize and/or overweight permit in Indiana, - you should first contact the Indiana Department of Revenue at (317) 615-7350. A representative will aid you in setting up your Indiana account. Upon your submission of a completed Transporting Company Permit Application (Form M-203) and a Certificate of Insurance, a "company number" will be assigned to your company. This number, which consists of 5 numbers followed by a letter, is a confidential number and should not be given out to anyone other than an INDOT or I.D.O.R. permit agent or to your Permit Service. In setting up your account, you will be given an option of paying your permit fees by using blank checks or by placing a credit card number on file in the accounting office of the Indiana Department of Revenue. This is a very secure procedure and has been set up for the convenience of the transporting companies. Should you choose to not take advantage of this service, payment will be required along with every permit application, either in the form of a check, money order, or credit card. Once your account has been set up, superload permits may be ordered in a variety of ways. The first step in ordering a typical oversize and/or overweight Superload Permit is to complete 2 original Superload Permit applications, Form M-233. Check carefully to see that you have supplied all necessary information completely and correctly. The application must be signed and should include your company number. Missing information will result in a delay in obtaining your permit...a delay that could have been avoided! One of the original applications should be kept at your office, while the second application should be forwarded to Indiana Department of Transportation, if the total gross weight is equal to or greater than 200,000 lbs., at the following address.

This application may be sent via mail (U.S. mail, any express delivery service (FedEx, Airborne Express), UPS, etc.), faxed at (317) 233-1565, or delivered in person to this office.

If the total gross weight is less than 200,000 lbs., the original applications should be kept at your office, while the second application should be forwarded to Indiana Department of Revenue, at the following address.

Indiana Department of Revenue
Motor Carrier Division
5252 Decatur Blvd, Suite R
Indianapolis, IN 46241

This application may be sent via mail (U.S. mail, any express delivery service (FedEx, Airborne Express), UPS, etc.), faxed at (317) 821-2336, or delivered in person to this office.

Several transporting companies prefer to use a Permit Service to handle all of the paperwork and fee payments. We have several reputable and reliable Permit Services with which we do business. You should be advised, however, that different Permit Services do offer different services. Some permit services do not order superload permits for various reasons. Please check with your Permit Service well in advance of the date your superload permit is needed to ensure that this is a service they provide.

Once your superload permit application is received, it is logged and assigned to one of the Permit Agents for processing. While we attempt to process these applications as efficiently as possible, please allow at least 5-7 days for the processing of your application. Once the application has been approved, you will receive a call stating that your permit has been approved and is ready to be issued.

If you are not ready to have your permit issued and would like it to be held we will gladly file the permit. It will remain in your file for up to 60 days, during which time you may call and have the permit activated. If the 60 days lapses, your permit will be canceled and your company will be responsible for any cancellation fees.

What is the "Bridge" program?
Most bridges today are designed using a typical design vehicle known as "HS-20." This is a vehicle configuration that has been developed by AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) and is thought to be an adequate design for the majority of actual vehicles using the city streets and state highways. With this design vehicle, the "bending moment" or the stress is already known for different bridge span lengths. Our "Bridge" program will, upon entering your axle weights and axle spacings, calculate the stresses caused by your vehicle, compare those stresses to the stresses caused by an HS-20 design vehicle, and calculate an "equivalent HS rating" for your vehicle. An "equivalent HS rating" of 29.99 or more will necessitate the use of Superload Special Provision # 12. An "equivalent HS rating" of 40.00 or more will cause your permit application to be submitted to B.A.R.S., regardless of the total gross weight.

What are O.R.S. and B.A.R.S.?
O.R.S. and B.A.R.S. are acronyms for computer programs used daily in the INDOT Superload Permit Section. The two programs are used in conjunction with one another. O.R.S. is our Overload Routing System. This is a Paradox-based application that is used to create a data file and print-out of all bridges being crossed by a particular vehicle using the applicant's requested route. That data file, along with the axle weights and axle spacings of the vehicle, is submitted to B.A.R.S., the Bridge Analysis and Rating System. This program performs a detailed structural analysis on every bridge that will be crossed, using the actual vehicle configuration of the permitted vehicle. Once the program has finished and the output has been analyzed, one of four conditions will apply to each individual bridge on the route: a) NO RESTRICTION -- the bridge may be crossed at the maximum allowable speed with no restrictions; b) ONE LANE DISTRIBUTION -- the bridge must be crossed at the maximum allowable speed, travelling in the center of the travel lanes while alone on the structure; c) SLOWDOWN -- the bridge must be crossed at a reduced speed, travelling in the center of the travel lanes while alone on the structure; or d) FAILURE -- the bridge may not be crossed by this particular vehicle.

A superload permit clerk will call you after the analysis has been completed to let you know the results. Any bridges to be crossed as ONE LANE DISTRIBUTIONS or SLOWDOWNS will be faxed to you along with their locations. A traffic control letter, stating how the traffic will be controlled at these locations, will be required from your company prior to the permit being issued. You will also be notified if any of the bridges FAILED the B.A.R.S. analysis. If this happens, you may either try a different route, or try a different vehicle configuration (decreasing the axle weights and/or increasing the axle spacings). In either case, the permit application will need to be run again through O.R.S. and B.A.R.S. Please be aware of O.R.S. fees which your company will be expected to pay in addition to the permit fee.

B.A.R.S. analysis is automatically required for any permit application for a vehicle having a total gross weight in excess of 200,000 pounds, or for any vehicle for which the "Bridge" program returns an "equivalent HS rating" of 40.00 or more. For these applications, please allow an additional 3 to 5 days for processing.

What is the Telephone Superload program?
The Telephone Superload program has been developed in order to process certain superload permits more efficiently and allow your company to obtain your permit expeditiously. This program has been designed for vehicles with known configurations and dimensions that are permitted frequently and that do little damage to the State highways and bridges.

This program is open to companies with an established method of payment (either through a Permit Service or having checks or credit card on file with the Indiana Department of Revenue), whose vehicles meet the following criteria:

You must be approved in advance for this type of permit. Send a letter requesting to participate in the Telephone Superload program, and include a drawing (s) which detail the following:

Company name, address, and phone number.
Company number
Individual axle weights
Axle spacings
Overall length
Tire sizes
Number of tires per axle
Total gross weight

Direct your request to the: Indiana Department of Revenue
Motor Carrier Division
5252 Decatur Blvd, Suite R
Indianapolis, IN 46241

The vehicle configuration will be entered into our "Bridge" program for calculations. Only those vehicles with an "equivalent HS rating" of 29.49 or less will be allowed to participate in the Telephone Superload program.

Once approved for the program, your company's vehicle configuration(s) will be assigned a drawing number. You will then be allowed to phone in your superload permit request (317) 615-7325) during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time only. Your permit will be issued to you immediately over the telephone. You can also fax your request at (317) 821-2336 and the permit will be issued to you the same day (Be certain to write "Telephone Superload" at the top of your request if you send it via fax.). For Telephone Superloads, please use the hours of travel found in General Provision #9. Any Telephone Superload, which has been pre-approved with a length greater than 110 feet should use the hours of travel, found in Superload Special Provision #1.

If the transporting company's requested permit data does not match the pre-approved drawing(s) or if the configuration was not approved for inclusion in the Telephone Superload program, the application must be submitted in writing and processed in the usual Superload manner, possibly taking 5 to 7 business days.

Any violation on a Telephone Superload permit (or regular Superload permit) could result in immediate removal from the Telephone Superload program. The first violation in a 12-month period will result in a 45-day suspension from the program. The second violation in a 12-month period will result in a 90-day suspension from the program. A third violation in a 12-month period will result in removal from the Telephone Superload program, with no reinstatement considered for at least 2 years. (A violation on any "routine issue" oversize/overweight permit or travelling without a required oversize/overweight permit may result in the same actions.)

Safety requirements and restrictions which may apply

Escort requirements

If vehicle and/or load is...	...and dimension is...	Escort requirements for...
		Dual-lane divided highway	Multi-lane divided highway	Two-lane bi-directional highway
		Are:
Overlength	Greater than 85'	One rear escort	One front escort	One front escort
Overheight *	Greater than 14'6"	One rear escort	One front escort	One front escort
Overwidth	Greater than or equal to 12'4" but less than 14'4"	One rear escort	One front escort	One front escort
	Greater than or equal to 14'4" but less than 16'	One rear escort	One front escort and one rear escort	One front escort and one rear escort
	Greater than or equal to 16'	One front escort and two rear escorts	One front escort and two rear escorts	Two front escorts and one rear escort
Overweight (with bridge slowdowns**)	Any	Escorts must detain trailing traffic.	Escorts must detain trailing traffic.	Escorts must detain both trailing and on-coming traffic.

Oversize/Overweight Vehicle General Provisions

The permitted oversize vehicle shall be marked on front and rear with a sign reading "oversize load," the sign must be at least 18" high, at least 6' but not over 8' long, the letters shall be black and 12" high, with a 2" stroke on yellow background. Officially approved color combinations or wording of other states will be permitted when the trip originates outside Indiana. This provision applies to oversize loads only; not required on vehicles that are overweight only.
The permitted vehicle shall be marked with two (2) red or orange flags, placed at the widest extremities of the vehicle or load. These flags shall be in good condition, plain red with no figures, with a minimum of 18" square and shall be placed so approaching traffic can see them clearly. This provision applies to oversize loads only; not required on vehicles that are overweight only.
All permitted vehicles shall have low beam headlights lighted while transporting a permitted load.
Mobile homes and sectionalized building movements having a width in excess of 12'4" shall be equipped with four (4) high intensity amber, flashing lights, two (2) of which shall be mounted on the front and two (2) of which shall be mounted on the rear of the combination. The lights mounted on the home or building shall be placed at the outer edges and not less than six- (6) foot above the level roadway. The front lights may be mounted on the towing vehicle, at the furthest extreme of any safety device, not extending beyond the mirrors, and shall be double-faced lamps visible both front and rear. The lights shall be lighted during the permitted movement and shall have sufficient intensity to be visible at five hundred (500) feet in normal sunlight.
The operator of the permitted vehicle shall be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid Indiana Chauffeurs License or a Commercial Drivers License when applicable.
The driver of the permitted vehicle and/or load will have the permit in his possession during the progress of transportation, and will show said permit, on demand, to any police officer, motor carrier inspector, or authorized employee of the State of Indiana.
The mover and/or owner of said vehicle and/or load will be held responsible in the event that it is necessary to remove any buildings, railings or other structures from the highway or in the event that any buildings, railings or other structures are damaged, said cost of the removal and/or damage shall be borne by the applicant.
Permitted vehicles shall have escort vehicles as described below:
1. When the vehicle and/or load exceeds 12'4" in width, 85' in length or 14'6" in height, one escort vehicle shall be in front when moving on an undivided highway and in the rear when moving on a divided highway.
2. Any load exceeding 14'6" in height must have an escort vehicle with a height stick travelling to the front of the load.
3. When the permitted vehicle width is between 14'4" and 16', escort requirements are:
  1. Dual Lane Divided Highways - one rear escort;
  2. All Other Roads - Two escorts, one front and one rear
    All escort vehicles shall have a minimum of 4 wheels with a maximum gross vehicle registration weight of 11,000 pounds, a flashing amber light mounted on top, an oversize load sign which is visible to approaching traffic, radio communication with the permitted vehicle and/or load, and shall not be more than 500 feet away from the oversize vehicle and/or load.
Hours of operation for permitted vehicles shall be as follows:
1. Permitted oversize only vehicles between 85' to 110' in length, 10' to 14'4" in width and up to 15' in height may travel Monday through Friday, one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, and Saturdays from one-half hour before sunrise to 12:00 Noon.
2. Permitted vehicles up to 85' in length, 10' in width, legal height and/or overweight may have continuous travel seven days per week.
3. Permitted mobile homes, sectionalized buildings, with widths from 8'6" to 14'4" may travel only Monday through Friday from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, Saturdays from one-half hour before sunrise to 12:00 Noon.
4. Permitted vehicles between 14'4" to 16' in width may travel Monday through Friday, one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
5. The permitted vehicle shall not be operated on state highways during the period beginning 12:00 noon on the last weekday (Monday through Friday) preceding and continuing until one-half hour before Sunrise on the day following: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The transporting company at all locations needing such traffic control will provide Flagmen, in compliance with the provisions of the Indiana Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Locations requiring flagmen include, but are not limited to, encroachment into opposing traffic lanes and stops or blockage of traffic at locations where stops are not normally required by existing traffic control devices.
The permitted oversize vehicle whose dimensions exceed 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, and/or 80' long shall not be operated at a speed in excess of 45 miles per hour.
Permitted vehicle and/or load will at no time block traffic from the use of the highway, nor will equipment, load or object be loaded or unloaded within the travelway, nor vehicle or object be permitted to be parked either day or night on the shoulder or right-of-way.
The permitted vehicle and load are not to be operated during the existence of hazardous weather, road and traffic conditions, and/or when visibility is less than 500 feet. Oversize loads will not be operated at any time when wind velocity exceeds 25 miles per hour.
This permit does not apply to any state roads or bridges that are closed for construction purposes, or to any roads or bridges that are posted for gross load limit and/or structures, wires, etc., having a restricted height clearance that will not clear said load; or to any county roads or city streets.
Any violation of this permit shall automatically cause the permit to be void and upon violation the police officer or motor carrier inspector shall have the authority to withdraw said permit.
All transporting vehicles shall meet all safety requirements as set forth in Title 49, CFR (Code of Federal Regulations).
All permitted vehicle movements with widths from 14'4" to 16' are subject to a Special Provision Sheet attached to the permit and the permit shall not be valid without this attachment.

Superload Special Provisions

ON ALL SUPERLOAD APPLICATIONS UNLESS DIRECTED OTHERWISE.
The hours of movement shall be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., local time only, Monday through Friday.
HEIGHT EXCEEDS 15 Feet
Whenever a movement is routed off an interstate system a pre-qualified signal contractor with a bucket truck, for each permitted load, is required to accompany the movement. Any manipulation of a traffic control device shall be conducted at the applicants expense by an approved contractor and shall be performed to the complete satisfaction of the Indiana Department of Transportation.
HEIGHT EXCEEDS 17 Feet
The carrier or the driver must complete a route survey. If no utility lines interfere with the route, the carrier or the driver must sign an affidavit attesting the fact. If utility lines exist along the route, the driver must have letters from the utility company(s) stating that overhead lines will be moved and replaced.
WIDTH EXCEEDS 16 Feet
Front and rear police escorts are required.
PERMITTED VEHICLES WITH WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
Bridge run over 29.49
Due to weight restrictions, a total of two escorts are required one in the front and one in the rear. When crossing bridges the escorts should be located as listed below:

Restrictions for crossing bridge structures:
1. Dual-lane divided highways: The vehicle must travel center of the existing lanes on the structure at a speed not to exceed 45 mph. The civilian escorts must detain trailing traffic.
2. Multi-lane undivided highways: The vehicle must travel center of the directional existing travel lanes on that structure at a speed not to exceed 45 mph. The civilian escorts must detain trailing traffic only.
3. Two-lane/Two-way highways: The vehicle shall be the only vehicle on the bridge structure. The vehicle must travel in the center of the two lanes and cross the structure at a speed not to exceed 30 mph. A police escort is required and must detain oncoming and trailing traffic.
After crossing structures every reasonable effort shall be made to allow trailing traffic to pass while vehicle proceeds with movement.
DISTRICT ACCOMPANIMENT RECOMMENDATION
District accompaniment will be provided for this movement. The district office(s) may have a district permit inspector present while the movement is on state highways, and the applicant will reimburse the state for all inspection costs within ten (10) days from receipt of a statement. Please contact: (list which district(s) must be contacted)
DISTRICT RECOMMENDATIONS
Listed below are additional provisions that must be meet for this movement.

Permit Fees
The fee structure for Superload permits is as follows:
Oversize Superload Permits consist of a $30.00 flat fee
Overweight Superload Permits consist of a $20.00 base fee plus a mileage-distance charge based on the total gross weight, plus a $25.00 Design Review fee. In addition, all Superload applications are subject to a $10.00 Executive Approval fee. Unlike O.R.S. fees (see below), these fees are included as part of the permit fee. See immediately below for the mileage charge, which applies.

Total Gross Weight	Cost per mile
Less than or equal to 108,000 pounds	$0.35 per mile
108,001 pounds to 150,000 pounds	$0.60 per mile
Greater than 150,000 pounds	$1.00 per mile

Oversize and Overweight Superload permits are charged the greater of the cost of the oversize permit fee or the overweight permit fee.

For overweight Superload applications requiring B.A.R.S. processing, there is an O.R.S. fee of $10.00 per structure analyzed. This fee will not be included with your permit fee. You will be billed separately for this. For vehicles, which fail the B.A.R.S. analysis on the first attempt and are re-routed, the fee is reduced to $5.00 per structure for each subsequent attempt. This fee can compound rapidly though, and should be taken into account when dealing with a failed B.A.R.S. run. Failure to pay your O.R.S. fees will result in your company being placed on violation, thereby preventing you from obtaining any oversize/overweight permits in Indiana.

Frequently requested numbers
Oftentimes, we will receive inquiries from transporting companies for information or services, which could better be addressed by other agencies. We have tried to compile a list of the most frequently sought information to try to save you some time, energy, and hassles. If you do not see the information you are looking for below, please call us and we will do our best to help you find what you need

QUESTIONS?	RESPONSIBLE	AGENCY PHONE NO.
Annual inspections	U.S.D.O.T.	(317)226-7474
Audits on trucking companies	U.S.D.O.T.	(317)226-7474
Single State Reg. Receipts	Indiana Department of Revenue	(317)615-7350
DOT Regulations & Questions	U.S.D.O.T.	(317)226-7474
D.O.T. Numbers	U.S.D.O.T.	(317)226-7474
D.O.T. Physicals	Bureau of Motor Vehicles, CDL Medical Division	(317)233-4245
Drug Testing	Bureau of Motor Vehicles, CDL Medical Division	(317)233-4245
Fuel Permits & Tax (IFTA)	Indiana Department of Revenue	(317)232-1845
Hazardous Waste	Indiana State Police, Motor Carrier Enforcement Division	(317)233-6018
ICC Authority	U.S.D.O.T.	(317)226-7474
Intra-State Authority	Indiana Department of Revenue	(317)232-2725
Regulations on Size and Weight	Indiana State Police, Motor Carrier Division	(317)615-7373
Roadside Inspections	U.S.D.O.T.	(317)226-7474
Routine Issue OS/OW Permits	Indiana Department of Revenue	(317)615-7320

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