West Virginia
Permit thresholds, escort requirements, axle limits, fees, and running restrictions for oversize/overweight loads in West Virginia.
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" (8' on local roads)
- Height
- 13'6"
- Semi-trailer length
- 53'
- Overall length
- 70' (unlimited on Interstates)
- Legal overhang — front
- 3'
- Legal overhang — rear
- 6'
Overweight Limits
- Single axle
- 20,000 lb.
- Tandem axle
- 34,000 lb.
- Max gross weight
- 80,000 lb. (65,000 lb. on local service routes)
Permit Department Contact
- Phone
- 304-558-0384
- Fax
- 304-558-0591
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Eastern
- Website
- transportation.wv.gov
Pilot Car & Escort Requirements
| Dimension | Escort requirement | Position | Days of travel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width 10'6"–12' | 1 escort | 2-lane front / 4-lane rear | 7 days |
| Width 12'1"–14' | 2 escorts (or 1 on 4-lane) | 2-lane front + rear / 4-lane rear | 7 days |
| Width 14'1"–16' | 2 escorts | 2/4-lane | 7 days |
| Width over 16' | As required by permit | 2/4-lane | Mon–Fri |
| Height 15'1"+ | Front escort with height pole | 2/4-lane | Mon–Fri |
| Length 75'1"–90' | 1 escort, rear light required | — | Mon–Fri |
| Length 90'1"–120' | 2 escorts, rear escort required | City limit travel restrictions apply | Mon–Fri |
| Length over 120' | Front and rear escorts required | — | Mon–Fri |
| Front overhang over 10' | 1 front escort | — | Mon–Fri |
| Rear overhang over 10' | 1 rear escort | — | Mon–Fri |
Axle Regulations
Maximum weights by route type
| Route type | GVW | Steer | Single | Tandem | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interstate highways | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb (Federal Bridge Formula for other combos) | None |
| US and WV routes | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 10% |
| Local service routes | 65,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 10% |
US/WV routes also allow: single-unit tandem (3-axle) 60,000 lbs; tridem (4-axle) 70,000 lbs; quadrum (5-axle) 73,000 lbs; tractor-semi (5- or 6-axle) 80,000 lbs; combination tandem with a 2-axle trailer (5-axle) 80,000 lbs; combination tridem with a 2-axle trailer (6-axle) 80,000 lbs.
Blanket/annual permit dimensions by route category
| Route category | Height | Width | Length | Overhang | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interstate & divided | 14'6" | 14'0" | 95'0" | 15'0" | 110,000 lb |
| US & other selected routes | 14'0" | 12'0" | 75'0" | 10'0" | 90,000 lb |
| All other routes | 13'6" | 12'0" | 75'0" | 10'0" | Legal weight |
Axle limits on all routes: 28,000 lbs single, 45,000 lbs tandem, 50,000 lbs tridem (or 20,000/34,000 lbs single/tandem under a standard OS permit). Blanket permits cost $500 each. A Blanket Permit — Seagoing (for overweight containerized cargo) allows 90,000 lbs GVW, 28,000 lbs single, 45,000 lbs tandem, 50,000 lbs tridem, and costs $150 for 1–15 permits plus $15 for each additional.
Trip & Fuel Permits
A trip permit is not required. A fuel permit is valid 10 days and costs $24.00.
Fines & Violations
Penalties are based on the excess weight, and the vehicle may be impounded (the owner is liable for reasonable storage costs) — unless the owner is a West Virginia resident or has a principal place of business in the state and the vehicle is duly licensed there, in which case written notice is given instead, with hearing details, within 10 days.
Overweight fines
| Weight over limit | Fine per lb. |
|---|---|
| 1 – 4,000 lb. | $0.01 |
| 4,001 – 8,000 lb. | $0.03 |
| 8,001 – 12,000 lb. | $0.07 |
| 12,001 – 16,000 lb. | $0.10 |
| 16,001 – 20,000 lb. | $0.15 |
| 20,001 – 40,000 lb. | $0.30 |
| 40,000 lb. or more | $0.45 |
Running Hours & Holiday Restrictions
Loads up to 14'0" wide may travel all routes except the West Virginia Turnpike, sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week (school bus hours or other curfews may apply). Loads exceeding 14'0" may travel sunrise to sunset, Monday through Friday, on all routes except the Turnpike; special times and dimensions on the Turnpike are permit-specific. Loads over 10'6" require escorts, and night travel requires a special permit. Movement is restricted on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Flags, Lights & Banners
An overhang over 4' needs a flag or flashing amber light (rotating/strobe, visible 500 feet, 360 degrees). "Oversize Load" signs (bumper- or roof-mounted, yellow 5' by 12", black 10-inch letters with a 1.5-inch stroke) are required front and rear, and six flags are required on all oversize loads — two red or safety-orange flags at least 18 inches square, one on each side of the front bumper and one on each top corner of the load.
Tire Regulations
Tire chains of reasonable proportions are permitted for safety in snow, ice, or similar conditions. Studded tires are permitted from November 1 to April 15 of the following year (except on school buses), with a recommended maximum operational air pressure of 40 psi to protect highway surfaces.
Annual Permits
Annual permits for oversize and/or overweight loads may cover modular homes and most other non-divisible loads (excluding mobile homes), using the same dimension table shown under Axle Regulations above.
- Cost — Blanket (Regular), oversize only
- $200
- Cost — Blanket (Regular), oversize and overweight
- $500
- Turnaround
- 1 business day
Road Conditions
Work zone safety is in your hands — obey the posted limit, stay alert, put the phone down (it's the law), don't tailgate, and expect the unexpected, since workers, vehicles, or equipment may enter your lane without warning. It only takes a few extra seconds to travel at the reduced work-zone speed, so heed the signs and obey flagger directions. Check the WV511 Traveler Information System and the DOH Districts page for maintenance information.
Manufactured Homes / Mobile Homes
A Blanket (Annual) Permit covers mobile homes 14' wide or less, not vehicle or route specific (except that width/height and Single Trip limits still apply). Fee: $200 per permit, valid 1 year, with company and insurance information required. A Single Trip Permit is vehicle and route specific — maximum combination length 110', mobile home length 80', width 16', height 15'6". Fee: $20.00 per trip, valid 10 days, with no holiday travel. Travel restrictions: homes up to 14' wide may travel sunrise to sunset Monday through Friday, plus sunrise to noon Saturday; homes over 14' up to 16' wide may travel sunrise to sunset Monday through Thursday, plus sunrise to 3 PM Friday; homes over 16' wide are not allowed.