Wisconsin

Width

8'6"

Height

13'6"

Truck-semi-trailer length

70'

Single axle

20,000 lb.

Tandem axle

34,000 lb.

Max gross weight

80,000 lb.

Phone

608-266-7320

Fax

608-264-7751

Hours

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Central

Website

dot.wisconsin.gov

On two-way, two-lane highways: any part of the load or vehicle extending beyond the left of the roadway centerline requires 1 escort; width over 15' up to 16' frequently requires 1 front escort; any highway designated by permit may require additional escorts; width over 16' requires 2 escorts (1 front, 1 rear); length over 125' requires 2 escorts (1 front, 1 rear). On multi-lane highways, the same rules apply, but the trigger is extending beyond the left of the right-hand lane rather than the centerline. For mobile homes: width over 14' on certain highways requires 1 escort; width over 16' requires a police or private escort — 1 rear on divided highways, or 1 front and 1 rear on non-divided highways.

Single axle

20,000 lbs

Tandem axle

34,000 lbs

Any one wheel/wheels supporting one end of an axle

11,000 lbs

Truck tractor steering axle

13,000 lbs

Gross vehicle weight

80,000 lbs

A permit is typically required if any of these weights are exceeded.

72-hour trip permits authorize one round trip into and out of Wisconsin; vehicles registered in Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota need a trip permit for travel beyond their reciprocity zones. Only applicants moving unregistered vehicles into Wisconsin are eligible for the 72-hour permit — it cannot authorize movement of unregistered vehicles for trips beginning in Wisconsin, or moving out of or within the state. Exempt "for hire" carriers (intrastate or US DOT exempt) must have Wisconsin authority and insurance on file before obtaining a trip permit. Registration and fuel portions are usually purchased together but can be bought separately — $15 each, $30 total; payment by credit/debit card (convenience fee applies) or ACH (no fee). The permit must be presented in paper form.

A conviction must be reported to the Department within 48 hours by the court clerk or judge.

A second conviction in the same year carries a $100–$300 base fine, with per-pound add-ons of $0.02–$0.18 across the same weight tiers. Fines are based on permit weight, and operators are fined for over-axle or over-gross, whichever is greater; if the overload is 1,000 lbs or less, the driver may shift the load to avoid the penalty, or pay $50 to continue without shifting.

Vehicles/loads not exceeding 12' wide, 13'6" high, or 150' long have no hours-of-operation restrictions. In Columbia, Dane, Milwaukee, Rock, or Waukesha counties, travel is restricted 4–8 PM on Sundays and 4–8 PM on Fridays between the fourth Friday in May and Labor Day. Vehicles/loads exceeding those dimensions may not operate during hours of darkness, 4–8 PM on those same Fridays, noon Saturday to sunrise Sunday, or 4–8 PM on Sunday. Additional restrictions apply on the Milwaukee County Expressway.

When required by permit, warning lamps must be amber, flashing or revolving, with 6-inch-diameter reflectors visible from 500 feet or more (strobe lamps may substitute). A vehicle/load over 10 feet wide or overlength needs two "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs (black letters on yellow, at least 7 feet long by 18 inches high, letters at least 10 inches high with a 1.4-inch stroke) — one on the front of the power unit, one on the rear of the towed unit or load; the message may not be displayed when not operating under permit. Flags must be solid red or orange, at least 18 inches square — an over-width load needs a flag at each front and rear corner (plus a widest-point flag if part of the load is more than 4 inches wider than the vehicle/load width front or rear); an overlength load needs 1 rear flag if the overlength/projecting portion is 2 feet wide or less, or 2 flags if wider than 2 feet.

All vehicles (automobiles, trucks, buses, tractors, trailers, recreational vehicles, mobile homes) must be equipped with pneumatic tires inflated with compressed air, or an equally resilient material. Tire chains are permitted for safety in snow, ice, or similar conditions. Tires with embedded wire or wire coils for traction must keep metal-to-road contact under 5% of total tire area after the first 1,000 miles of use (20% during the first 1,000 miles). Tungsten carbide stud usage seasons are set by department rule, and use is limited to emergency vehicles, school buses, mail delivery vehicles, or out-of-state vehicles passing through (no more than 30 days) — studs may not protrude more than 1/8 inch beyond the tread.

Active. Coverage: state and US numbered highways across all five zones, with the I-39 and I-41 corridors included as exceptions to the general interstate exclusion (no other interstates are covered); local roads are not covered — contact local highway authorities separately for local frost/thaw declarations.

A Multiple Trip (Annual) permit allows unlimited trips over a 3–12 month range, valid on all roadways (subject to local conditions like posted bridges or roads), with the carrier responsible for its own routing — not valid during spring thaw except where specified. A Sealed Container (CM) permit is available for sealed international-trade loads weighing 80,001–90,000 lbs on a minimum of six axles, valid on all Interstate highways, and must be ordered through the online Self Issue System.

Highway workers and motorists are killed or injured every year in Wisconsin construction zones. Slow down for flashing lights and move over if possible — posted reduced speed limits must be obeyed. Put down the phone at orange cones, avoid all distractions, expect the unexpected (lanes may be changed and people may be working near the road), give plenty of room and avoid tailgating, watch for orange diamond warning signs, be patient (workers may be present even when not visible — watch for the "end work zone" sign), plan ahead using 511 Wisconsin, and follow the law to slow down or move over for flashing lights.

A Single Trip Permit is required for moving buildings — houses, garages, or other structures over 12' wide, 14'3" high, or 100' long (excluding modular/manufactured homes) — being relocated to a new foundation. It is valid for 5 days, one trip only, with the route specified; a free return trip can be included with the original application, requested up to 5 days in advance. A Multiple Trip Permit covers modular/manufactured homes up to 15' wide at the box (16' at the roof), 15' high, 80' single vehicle length, or 100' vehicle combination length, and is valid 3–12 months.