Permit:
Permits are valid for 7 days. Driver must have permit prior to entering the state.

Operating time:
Sunrise to sunset can run without special lighting. Up to and including 10′ wide can usually run 2:00A.M. to 10:00P.M, weekdays and Saturdays (except for curfew areas and Friday summer restrictions, below) but must have flashing amber lights front and rear at night, and lights in place of flags and outlining vehicle and load for night running. Over 10′ wide must have front and rear escorts plus lights to run before sunrise or after sunset. During summer months (Memorial Day weekend through the Friday after Labor Day), no movement from 2:00 p.m. Friday until sunrise on Saturday except for up to 9′ wide on 22′ or wider roadway, up to 14′ high. Travel is permitted Saturday all day, and Sunday from sunrise to 12:00 noon. Over 10′ wide can travel at night only with front and rear escorts and must meet all lighting requirements.

Restrictions:
No travel is allowed from 2:00 p.m. the day before major holidays, some holiday weekends and on Fishing Opener Weekend in May until 2:00 a.m. the day after the holiday. No travel is allowed after 2:00 p.m. Fridays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For vehicles over 14’6″ wide, over 110′ long, no travel is allowed Monday through Friday in the Twin City Metro area between the hours of 6:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. or in Duluth area between 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. unless specifically stated on permit.

SEASONAL LOAD (WEIGHT) RESTRICTIONS: Winter load increases (allowing 10% over maximum axle weights) usually go into effect sometime in December. The start date changes from year to year. Over legal axle/group weights are usually not allowed during the spring thaw period, usually from about February 1 or March 1 (depending on zone) through early to mid-May, then middle-range limits take effect until about May 31.

Legal dimensions:
The vehicle must have the following characteristics:

• Width: 8’6″
• Height: 13’6″
• Length: 75′ overall, 53′ semi-trailer, 43′ kingpin setting measured from kingpin to center of rear axle group.
• Overhang: 3’ front and over 4’ rear must be flagged during day hours.
• Weight: 80,000 Gross on designated highways; 73,280 non-designated with 5 axles (80,000 with 6);
• Steer Axle – 600 pounds per inch of tire width (13,200 pounds with 11″ tires); Single – 20,000 designated highways (18,000 other roads); Tandem – 34,000; Tridem – 42,000

Routine permit limits:

• Width: 14’6″, and up to 16′ for certain routes; 20′ wide requires route survey
• Height: 14′ – 15’6″ with route restrictions. Loads over 16′ are highly restricted and a route survey is required.
• Length: 95′ for two-vehicle combination (wheelbase of 75′), 103′ with a single pivot point. Loads over 160′ long require a route survey
• Weight: Single – 20,000 Tandem – 40,000 (46,000 with bridge check) Tridem – 60,000 Quad – 72,000; Steer – 600 pounds per inch of tire width (13,200 on 11″ tires) Pusher Axle – 500 pounds per inch of tire width (11,000 pounds with two 11″ tires)

You must be registered for at least the amount of weight you are permitting for Minnesota.

Loads exceeding these dimensions or weights are considered as Super Loads.

Escorts:

• Width: Over 14’6″ – 1 escort pilot car on divided highways, 2 escort pilot cars on non-divided highways. Over 16′ – 2 escort pilot cars; Police escort required if load encroaches on opposing lane
• Height: Over 15’6″ – 1 escort pilot car with high pole suggested, but not required. Height survey is required to get a permit for over 15’6″ height.
• Length: Over 95′ – 1 escort pilot car; over 110′ – 2 escort pilot cars.

Note: A few routes with “deficiencies” may require an extra escort. For night travel, 2 escort pilot cars required for loads over 10′ wide and/or over 85′ long.

Security measures:
“Oversize Load” signs required when escorts are required or when load is over 12′ wide for day travel and 10′ wide for night travel and/or length exceeds 85′. At night, required signs must be lighted or reflective and visible from at least 500ft. Flags (18″ square) are required whenever rear overhang exceeds 4′, or when vehicle/load exceeds 9′ in width or 75′ in length. Flags should be mounted at tip of overhang, at corners and widest points of load. An over width or over length vehicle/load requires flags at each corner of the load, with an additional flag at the widest point on each side of the load if it extends beyond the corner flags. Overhang exceeding 4′ requires light at night. Flashing amber lights are usually required on the permit when over 12′ wide.MINNESOTA OVERSIZE PERMITS INFORMATION