Connecticut
Permit thresholds, escort requirements, axle limits, fees, and running restrictions for oversize/overweight loads in Connecticut.
This is a reference summary, not a substitute for your permit. Requirements can change and specific loads may carry additional conditions — our team verifies every detail against the state's current rules before your load moves.
Oversize Load Dimensions
- Width
- 8'6"
- Height
- 13'6"
- Overhang — front
- 4'
- Overhang — rear
- 10'
- Length
- 48' trailer (no overall length limits)
Overweight Limits
- Axles spaced less than 6' apart
- 18,000 lbs per axle
- Axles spaced 6' or more apart
- 22,400 lbs per axle
- Legal maximum
- 80,000 lbs (meets Federal Bridge Formula)
Permits are issued primarily for indivisible loads, valid for one trip and return over a three-day period. Weekend travel permits (Saturday and Sunday only, daylight to noon) are available on request for loads up to 160,000 lbs.
Permit Department Contact
- Phone
- 860-594-2880
- Fax
- 860-594-2949
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Eastern
- Website
- cvisn.ct.gov/ct/index.do
Pilot Car & Escort Requirements
| Dimension | Roadway | Escort requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Height over 14' | Any | One front pilot with height pole |
| Height/width over 15' high & 15' wide | Any | One front and two rear pilots |
| Width up to 12', length up to 100', mobile homes up to 10' wide/80' long | Divided highway | No pilot car required |
| Width over 12', length over 120', mobile homes over 12' wide | Divided highway | One rear pilot car |
| Width over 13'6", length over 120'; mobiles over 12' wide or over 85' long | Divided highway | One front and one rear pilot car |
| Width up to 12', length over 80', mobile homes up to 10' wide or over 80' long | Undivided highway | One rear pilot car |
| Width over 12', length over 100'; mobiles over 10' wide, over 85' long | Undivided highway | One front and one rear pilot car |
A single required escort precedes the load on two- or three-lane conventional roads, or follows on four-or-more-lane divided roads. When two are required, one precedes and one follows.
Axle Regulations
Axle combinations and maximum weights
| Configuration | Max weight |
|---|---|
| 3-axle — lift | 53,800 lb. |
| 3-axle — fixed | 53,800 lb. |
| 4-axle — lift | 76,500 lb. |
| 4-axle — fixed | 76,500 lb. |
| 4-axle spread 6+ ft | 80,000 lb. |
| Maximum permitted load | 160,000 lb. |
Trip & Fuel Permits
- 72-Hour Trip Permit (state fee)
- $46.95
- 10-Day Fuel Permit
- $29.95
An IFTA license is required if you travel in two or more member jurisdictions and your vehicle either weighs more than 26,000 lbs or has three or more axles regardless of weight. If your vehicle qualifies and is not currently registered with IFTA, a temporary fuel permit is required to travel in and out of Connecticut.
Fines & Violations
A reckless driving fine of up to $2,000 may apply in addition to overweight fines, which are based on the percentage over the legal weight.
Overweight fines by percentage over legal limit
| % overweight | Fine per 100 lb over | Minimum fine |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 5% | $3.00 | — |
| 5 – 10% | $5.00 | $50 |
| 10 – 15% | $6.00 | $100 |
| 15 – 20% | $7.00 | $200 |
| 20 – 25% | $10.00 | $300 |
| 25 – 30% | $12.00 | $500 |
| Over 30% | $15.00 | $1,000 |
Running Hours & Holiday Restrictions
Loads 13'6" or wider and 14'+ high may only travel Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM. No travel on New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day — movement must stop at noon the day before through daylight the day after. Weekend travel permits (Saturday and Sunday only, daylight to noon) are available for loads up to 12' wide, 13'6" high, and 80' long. Travel time restrictions may change year to year.
Flags, Lights & Banners
A yellow warning sign at least 7' long by 18" high with black lettering at least 8" high (1" minimum stroke) is required for all oversize loads. 18-inch square red or fluorescent orange warning flags are required at four corners and/or widest points. A roof-mounted amber light visible from at least 1,000 feet is also required.
Tire Regulations
Tires must have at least 2/32 inch of center tread. Studded tires and snow chains are only permitted November 15 through April 30. A first violation outside those dates is an infraction with no fine assessed; a second violation carries a fine of up to $200.
Annual Permits
- Width
- 16 feet
- Height
- 15 feet 6 inches
- Length
- 110 feet (generally reviewed case by case)
- Cost — Annual Indivisible Permit
- $9.00 per 1,000 lbs (or fraction) of trailer registered weight plus tractor light weight, plus a $5.00 transmittal fee
- Cost — dump truck annual
- $698
- Cost — dump trailer annual
- $725 (CT construction projects only)
Annual Indivisible Permits are issued only to Connecticut-based carriers.
Road Conditions
Work zones can present unfamiliar hazards that appear suddenly and unexpectedly. Stay alert, pay attention to construction signage, maintain a safe following distance, obey posted speed limits, and obey road crew flaggers.
Manufactured Homes / Mobile Homes
The towing vehicle must have a minimum manufacturer's GVWR of 10,000 lbs and dual wheels on the drive axle, and all towing features must meet ICC requirements. Travel is generally restricted to daylight hours, Monday through Friday, under favorable weather and road conditions; units over 12' wide are restricted to 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, Tuesday through Thursday. Maximum width for house trailers is 14' including all roof overhangs, sills, knobs, and siding. Convoy-style hauling is not permitted, and a safe passing distance is required whenever overall width exceeds 10'. Combined length of the unit and towing vehicle may not exceed 85', except 90' is permitted when the towed unit does not exceed 66' excluding the hitch. Transporters who fail to comply with these restrictions will be denied future permits.