Michigan
Michigan Oversize Permits & Escorts Information
Do you need oversize load permits in the state of Michigan? Find out the maximum width and weight allowed on Michigan highways, the legal operating times, the oversize load signage rules, and when Michigan 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: 75′
- Width: 8’6″
- Height: 13’6″
- Weight: 80,000 lbs gross
- Overhang: 3′ in the front; 4′ off the rear
Permits
Michigan oversize permits are valid for five travel days. Permits are required prior to entering the state. For more information, visit the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Legal Operating Times
- Sunrise to sunset. Weekend travel, Saturday and Sunday, from daylight to 3:00 p.m., permitted on trial basis for loads less than 90′ long, 10′ wide, and 14′ high.
- No travel on major holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day) and the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- Continuous 24/7 travel allowed for overweight only loads not exceeding 70′ in length.
- No travel for loads over 90′ long or 12′ wide from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Genesee, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Macomb, Oakland, Saginaw, Westenau, and Wayne counties.
Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicles
Escort vehicle or pilot car required for heavy-haul or oversize loads if:
- Length: 90′ to 100′ requires one rear. Over 100′ requires a rear pilot or “chase” escort.
- Width: Over 12′ wide requires one front on two-lane roads and one rear on four-lane roads. Over 14′ wide requires one front and one rear.
- Height: Over 14’5″ high requires one with a height pole. Over 15′ high require one front with height pole and one rear.
- Weight: None required if load can maintain minimum speeds.
- Overhang: Over 15′ requires one rear.
Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements
Pilot cars and escort vehicles must be a pickup truck or passenger car. It must have an “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign, 5′ wide by 1′ tall, with a yellow background and black letters at least 8″ tall and at least one rotating or flashing amber light mounted atop the vehicle with visibility of at least 500′.
Oversize Load Sign Requirements
“OVERSIZE LOAD” signs are required on the front and rear of any over-dimensional load. Over-width or over-length loads require flags at each corner of the load and a flag at the widest point on each side if the load extends beyond the corner flags. When the rear overhang exceeds 4′, the extreme rear of the load must display a flag during the day and a red light or lantern at night.
The data on this page is for informational purposes only, and we do not guarantee its accuracy.