Missouri

Missouri Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Do you need oversize load permits in the state of Missouri? Find out the maximum width and weight allowed on Missouri highways, the legal operating times, the oversize load signage rules, and when Missouri 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

Permits

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

Legal Operating Times

• One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, including Saturday and Sunday
• No weekend travel for loads over 14′ wide.
• No travel on major holidays, holiday weekends, and from noon the day before major holidays.
• Travel times in metropolitan and tourist areas may be more limited.
• Overweight only loads up to 112,000 lbs that are within legal size limits may travel 24 hours, except in metro and tourist areas.

Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicles

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

• The length is 90′ overall. (One rear pilot car is required if the highway is not divided.)
• The width is over 12’4″. (One rear pilot car is required. On non-designated roads, one escort vehicle and one pilot car are required.)
• The height is 15’6″ or higher. (On undivided roads, one high pole pilot car is required).
• The height is 15’6″ or higher. (On divided highways, one pilot car with a height pole is required.)
• The length exceeds 53′. (One pilot car is required. Lengths over 90′ may require one pilot car and one escort vehicle.)
• The load consists of at least two dimensions over the legal limits. (One pilot car and one escort vehicle is required.)

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements

Pilot car and escort vehicles must be a standard size, must have unrestricted vision in the front and rear, and must be in safe operating condition with the proper insurance. “OVERSIZE LOAD” signs must be a minimum of 5′ long and 1′ tall. They must have a yellow background with black print-quality letters at least 1″ thick. Signs must be displayed towards the front or rear, whichever is applicable. All pilot cars and escort vehicles must be equipped with 2-way radio capabilities and have red or orange safety-colored fluorescent flags mounted on both sides of the front of lead pilot car or both rear sides of chase escort vehicles. Flaggers, or any person directing or altering traffic, must be flagger certified.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements

“OVERSIZE LOAD” signs are required on the front and rear of the load vehicle when its width exceeds 10′6″ and on the rear of the load when the overall length exceeds 90′. Flags are required at the extreme ends of all over-width and over-length loads.

Super Load Shipping

A super load is any shipment that exceeds the permissible dimensions or weights of over-sized or over-weight loads. Per Missouri law, all super loads are required to have a minimum of $2 million in single-limit combined liability insurance.

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