Arkansas

Arkansas Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Do you need oversize load permits in the state of Arkansas? Find out the maximum width and weight allowed on Arkansas highways, the legal operating times, the oversize load signage rules, and when Arkansas requires pilot cars. The following data is for informational purposes only. We are not a permit service, do not arrange permits for carriers, and do not answer permit and escort requirement questions.

Oversize Load Limits

Maximum load sizes before a permit is required:

• Length: 53’6″
• Width: 8’6″
• Height: 13″6″
• Weight: 80,000 lbs gross, 20,000 lbs gross on a single axle, 34,000 lbs gross on any tandem axle, and 54,000 lbs gross on any tridem axle.

Permits

Arkansas oversize permits are valid for three days. Permits are required prior to entering the state. For more information, visit the Arkansas Department of Transportation.

Legal Operating Times

• Daylight only (sunrise to sunset), including Saturday and Sunday.
• No travel on major holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day).
• Overweight only continuous travel may be allowed if load does not exceed 108,000 lbs.
• Oversize movement not allowed through the Little Rock metro area on I-30 (M.M. 138-143), I-40 (M.M. 151-155), and all of I-630 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Loads with a width over 14′ may not travel on Fridays, except on the Parkway.

Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicles

Escort vehicle or pilot car required for heavy-haul or oversize loads if:

• The length is 75′ to 95′. (On two-lane roads, one rear required.)
• The width is 10’6″ to 12′. (On two-lane roads, one front required. On four-lane roads, none required.)
• The width is 12’1″ to 14′. (On two-lane roads, one front and one rear required. On four-lane roads, one rear required.)
• The width is 14’1″ to 15′. (On all roads, one front and one rear required.)
• The width is 15’1″ to 16′. (On two-lane roads, two front and one rear required. On four-lane roads, one front and two rear required.)
• The height exceeds 15′. (One front high pole care required.)
• The front overhang exceeds 10′. (On all roads, one front required.)
• The rear overhang exceeds 10′. (On all roads, one rear required.)

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements

Bumper or roof-mounted “OVERSIZE LOAD” signs are required and must be visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle. The sign must be at least 5′ long and 12″ in tall with a yellow background and black letters no less than 10″ tall and 1.5″ wide. Two red or orange safety flags, a minimum of 18″x18″, must be mounted on all four corners of the vehicle at a 40- to 70-degree angle. Legible identification signs, no less than 8″ tall and 12″ wide, displaying the company’s name and phone number, must be placed on both the left and right-hand sides of the vehicle. An amber-colored rotating, flashing, or strobe light must be horizontally mounted on the vehicle. It must have 360-degree visibility at minimum of 500′. All pilot cars and escort vehicles must be equipped with a CB radio or 2-way communication device, one standard 18″ “STOP”/”SLOW” paddle sign, one red safety colored flag with a handle no less than 18″x18″, three reflective emergency road triangles or 18″ traffic cones, a safety colored (red, orange, yellow, or lime green) vest, jacket or shirt for use while directing traffic), and two 5-lb fire extinguishers type A, B, and C.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements

“OVERSIZE LOAD” signs are required on all loads that exceed the legal width, length, or height. 18″x18 red flags must be placed on the rear corners of all loads that exceeds legal width, length, or height. Overweight only loads require no signs or flags.

The data on this page is for informational purposes only, and we do not guarantee its accuracy.