Minnesota

Width

8'6"

Height

13'6"

Length — truck-semi-trailer

75'

Overhang

Included in length limits

Single axle

20,000 lb.

Tandem axle

34,000 lb.

Tridem axle

42,000 lb.

Max gross weight

80,000 lb.

Phone

651-296-6000

Fax

651-215-9677

Hours

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Central

Website

dot.state.mn.us/cvo

Loads over 14'6" wide, 110' long, or 16' high require lead and rear escorts on two-lane (non-divided) roadways; only the rear certified escort is needed on multi-lane (divided) roadways. Escort vehicles must display "Wide Load" or "Long Load" signs along with amber warning lights visible from at least 500 feet, maintain radio communication with the permitted vehicle, and the driver must be at least 18 with a valid license. A pilot/escort vehicle must display a qualifying "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign mounted on top, with 18-inch red/orange flags mounted in line with the sign at roughly a 45-degree angle toward the sides (not extending more than 6 inches beyond the widest part of the vehicle body). The vehicle must carry at least one AAMVA/SAE/USDOT-approved amber flashing or oscillating strobe light, visible 360 degrees from a minimum of 500 feet, or a light bar with at least two lights, unobstructed and visible 360 degrees. Escort drivers may act as flaggers to direct traffic when necessary, and must be certified by the Minnesota State Patrol (or hold reciprocal certification from another state).

120-Hour Trip Permit

$15, plus $10 filing fee — one per vehicle every 30 days, up to 80,000 lbs

120-Hour Fuel Trip Permit

$25, no filing fee, no limit on permits issued

If the operator knowingly operated the vehicle at the excess weight, fines are doubled.

In general, oversize/overweight travel is not restricted for loads up to 14'6" wide, 110' long, and 16' high, unless noted otherwise on the permit. Holiday restrictions: no OSOW travel statewide from 2:00 PM the day before to 2:00 AM the day after a holiday for loads exceeding 9' wide and/or 110' long. Summer restrictions (Memorial Day weekend through the weekend before Labor Day): no oversize travel 2:00–8:00 PM on Fridays and Sundays for loads exceeding 9' wide and/or 110' long. Rush hour (Twin Cities and Duluth metro): no OSOW travel Monday–Friday 6:00–8:30 AM and 3:30–6:00 PM for loads exceeding 14'6" wide, 110' long, and/or 16' high, unless noted otherwise on the permit. Night travel (Twin Cities metro only): OSOW night travel is allowed only 12:00–5:00 AM (Monday–Friday, unless noted otherwise) for loads exceeding 14'6" wide on non-divided roadways, or 16' wide on divided roadways.

"Oversized Load" signs are required front and rear when width exceeds 12'6" and/or length exceeds 95', lighted or reflective if traveling between sunset and sunrise, visible at least 500'. Red, orange, or yellow warning flags at least 18" square are required when a vehicle or load exceeds 9' wide or 75' long — at the widest points, at the end of any overhang exceeding 4', and every 20' along the outside of the load. At night, a steady light is required at those same points; loads over 12'6" wide or combinations over 95' long need lead and rear escorts or an approved LED lighting package. Warning lights (flashing, strobe, or rotating beacon, visible from at least 500') are required whenever signs are required.

No tire on a vehicle may have any protuberance other than rubber projecting beyond the tread, except tire chains permitted for safety in snow, ice, or similar conditions. A nonresident may occasionally operate a properly licensed and registered vehicle with metal studded tires if their home state or province authorizes studded tires (use in Minnesota for more than 30 days in a consecutive six-month period is not "occasional"). A person whose regular employment or education is within Minnesota may not operate a vehicle with tires that would be unauthorized if the vehicle were registered in-state, regardless of its actual place of registration.

Active — Winter Load Increase (WLI) is in effect for the North zone (ending March 20, 2026), North-Central (ending March 18, 2026), Central (ending March 6, 2026), and Metro (ending March 3, 2026). South and Southeast zone WLI ended February 24, 2026, transitioning to Spring Load Restrictions on March 3, 2026; no zone was yet under Spring Load Restrictions as of February 25, 2026. Coverage: state and federal trunk highways.

A Temporary Trip Permit ($20, valid 72 hours) is available in lieu of IRP plates for travel within Minnesota, and a Temporary Fuel permit ($20, valid 5 consecutive days, limited to 3 per calendar year) is available in lieu of IFTA licensing — both obtainable through a permitting service with an additional processing fee.

Summer: stay alert (especially at night), stay off cell phones and mobile devices, be patient and expect delays during peak travel, obey posted speed limits (a work zone violation carries a $300 fine), and use the zipper merge. Winter: turn on headlights, turn off cruise control, slow down and allow at least 10 car lengths behind a plow, stay behind the plow (the road behind it is safer), and watch for plows turning or exiting with little warning.

Coverage

Manufactured Homes and Manufactured Storage Buildings Annual Permit — required for new and used mobile homes; storage sheds allowed under this permit type

Height

15 feet

Length

110 feet

Width

16 feet

Weight

Legal

Fee

$120

A route approval is required.