Minnesota

Minnesota Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Do you need oversize load permits in the state of Minnesota? Find out the maximum width and weight allowed on Minnesota highways, the legal operating times, the oversize load signage rules, and when Minnesota 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′
• Width: 8’6″
• Height: 13’6″
• Weight: 80,000 lbs gross
• Overhang: 3′ in front, 4′ in rear

Permits

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

Legal Operating Times

• Sunrise to sunset, without special lighting, Monday through Saturday. Sunrise to noon on Sunday.
• 10′ wide and under, 2:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday (excluding curfew and summer-restricted areas), with front and rear flashing amber lights and lights in place of flags outlining vehicle when running at night.
• Over 10′ wide, to run before sunrise or after sunset, (excluding curfew and summer-restricted areas) must have front and rear escorts plus lights.
• No travel on major holidays and some holiday weekends. No travel on on Fishing Opener Weekend in May.
• Summer restrictions: Memorial Day weekend through the Friday after Labor Day, no travel allowed from 2:00 p.m. on Friday until sunrise on Saturday, except for loads less than 9′ wide and 14′ high on roadways at least 22′ wide.
• Curfew areas: Vehicles over 95′ long, 12′-6″ wide, or 14′ high, no travel allowed in Twin City Metro area from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or within the Duluth city limits from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., unless specifically stated on permit.

Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicles

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

• Length: 95′ to 110′ feet requires one rear. Over 110′ requires one front and one rear.
• Width: Over 12’6″ wide requires one on most state roads. 14’6″ to 16′ wide requires one front and one rear on non-divided highways but only one rear on divided highways. Over 16′ wide requires one front on roads with less than four lanes and one rear on roads with four lanes or more. Over 18″ wide requires a police escort.
• Height: Over 14’6″ high requires a height pole on certain routes.
• Weight: Undefined.
• Overhang: Undefined.

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements

Pilot car and escort vehicles may be pickup trucks, SUVs, vans, or passenger vehicles that are in good operating condition, properly equipped, and not towing any type of trailer or other vehicles while in operation. The driver must be at least 18 year old, have a valid driver’s license, and have valid certification from Minnesota DOT or a reciprocal state (Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington). All pilot cars and escort vehicles must display atop the vehicle a clean and clear”WIDE LOAD” or “LONG LOAD” sign that is visible to all traffic. Rotating strobe or flashing amber lights must be installed in the center of the vehicle’s roof and may not be obstructed by any signage. Multiple lights, provided that they are not obstructed by anything, may be placed on the far right and left-hand sides on top of the vehicle. A lead vehicle must proceed the shipment by a at least 300′ but no more than 700′. Rear vehicles must follow the shipment at a close, safe distance.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements

“OVERSIZE LOAD” signs are required when the shipment requires escorts or when the load exceeds 12′ in width. At night, the signs must be lit up. 18″-square flags are required when the rear overhang exceeds 4′ or when the load exceeds 75′ in length or 9′ in width. Flags must be mounted at the tip of the overhang and at the corners and widest points of load. An over-width or over-length load requires flags at each corner of the load, with an additional flag on each side at the the load’s widest point, if it extends beyond the corner flags. Overhangs exceeding 4′ require lights at night. Flashing amber lights are typically required if the load is over 12′ wide.

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