South Dakota

South Dakota Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Do you need oversize load permits in the state of South Dakota? Find out the maximum width and weight allowed on South Dakota highways, the legal operating times, the oversize load signage rules, and when South Dakota 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: 6′ in the front; 3′ off the rear

Permits

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

Legal Operating Times

• One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, including Saturday and Sunday.
• Continuous 24-7 travel allowed on Interstate Highways and on state highways within a 2-mile radius of Interstate Highways for loads not exceeding 10′ wide, 14’6″ high, and 110′ in overall length.
• Continuous 24/7 travel allowed for overweight only loads.
• No travel on major holidays (New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day).

Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicles

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

• Length: Over 120’ long requires one rear.
• Width: Over 14’6” wide requires one front on two-lane roads. Over 16’ wide requires one front and one read on two-lane roads and one rear on four-lane roads.
• Height: Over 18’ high requires one front.
• Weight: Undefined.
• Overhang: Undefined.

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements

Pilot car and escort vehicles must have a gross weight of over 2,000 lbs and a manufacturer’s gross weight rating of less than 26,000 lbs. A yellow “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign that is at least 5′ long and 12″ with black letters no less than 10″ tall and 1 1/2″ in width must be mounted on the bumper or roof and be visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle. Two red or orange safety flags at least 18″ of long and/or tall must be mounted at a 40 to 70-degree angle on all four corners of the vehicle. Company identification signs, at least 8″ tall and 12″ wide, displaying the name and phone number of the company, must be placed on both sides of the vehicle. An amber-colored rotating, flashing, or strobe light with 360-degree visibility at a minimum of 500′ must be horizontally-mounted on the vehicle. All pilot cars and escort vehicles must be equipped with a CB radio or 2-way communication device, two 5-lb type A, B, and C fire extinguishers, a “STOP”/”SLOW” paddle sign at least 18”x18” with 6″ high letters, a red safety-colored flag no less than 18″ square with a handle, three reflective emergency road triangles or 18″ traffic cones, two “OVERSIZE LOAD” banners, and a safety-colored (red, orange, yellow, or lime green) vest, jacket, or shirt to be used while directing traffic.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements

“OVERSIZE LOAD” signs are are required on the front and rear of permit loads that exceed 12′ wide or 95′ long or that operate during nighttime hours (these signs must be reflective). All over-dimensional loads must display flags. Flags must be attached to all corners of loads wider than 8’6”, to corners of loads that extend beyond the width of the hauling vehicle, and to load projections that exceed 3′ in front or 4′ in the rear. If the front or rear projection is less than 2′ wide, at least one flag is needed on the projection; two flags are required on the projection if it exceeds 2′ in width. Load projections must be lighted with amber lights, red lights, and reflectors for nighttime travel.

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