Iowa Code § 321E.9 — IA Code / Title VIII / Chapter 321E / Section 321E.9
Single-trip permits.
Status: in_force

Subject to the discretion and judgment provided for in section 321E.2, single-trip permits, which may include a round trip to and from a job or delivery site, shall be issued in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) The maximum height, width, length, and weight of vehicles and loads operating under permits authorized by this section shall be limited to the maximum physical limitations and clearances of the roadway and infrastructure of the intended route of travel, provided that the gross weight on any one axle does not exceed the maximum prescribed in section 321.463, pursuant to rules adopted pursuant to chapter 17A. The permit-issuing authority shall make the final determination regarding the issuance of a permit and the suitability of the intended route based upon known roadway clearances and capacities. Permits shall be authorized only when the movement will not cause undue stress or damage to highway pavement, bridges, or other highway infrastructure. In addition to the dimension and weight limitations of an intended route, a permit-issuing authority shall consider the interests of public safety and, at the discretion of the permit-issuing authority, may deny the issuance of a permit when the intended movement of any vehicle or load poses a potential risk to the public.

(2) Vehicles with indivisible loads may be moved in special or emergency situations, provided the permit-issuing authority has reviewed the route and has approved the movement of the vehicle and load.

(2) (a) The permit-issuing authority may impose any special restrictions on movements as deemed necessary or exempt movements from the restrictions of sections 321E.7, 321E.11, and 321E.32 by permit under this subsection.

(2) (b) When the department determines a special or emergency situation exists, the combined gross weight or gross weight on any one axle or group of axles on a vehicle or combination of vehicles issued a permit under this subsection may exceed the maximum weights specified in section 321.463, subject to the limits and routes established by the permit-issuing authority.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, cranes exceeding the maximum gross weight on any axle as prescribed in section 321.463 or 321E.7 and used in the construction of alternative energy facilities may be moved with approval from the permit-issuing authority.

(4) Containers for international shipment shall be considered an indivisible load for purposes of transportation under a permit issued pursuant to this section if all of the following conditions are met:

(4) (a) The combination of vehicles transporting the container under the permit does not exceed the maximum dimensions specified in sections 321.454 through 321.457.

(4) (b) The container is sealed for international shipment and is either en route for export to a foreign country or en route to the container’s destination from a foreign country.

(4) (c) Documentation, such as a bill of lading or another similar document, is carried in the vehicle, in written or electronic form, that ties the container being moved to the container listed in the documentation using the unique container number marked on the container. The documentation shall clearly state the foreign country of origin or destination, and shall be provided to a peace officer upon request.

[C39, §5035.18; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, §321.469; C71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321E.9]91 Acts, ch 133, §2; 94 Acts, ch 1087, §12; 96 Acts, ch 1152, §21; 97 Acts, ch 100, §9; 97 Acts, ch 104, §26, 27; 2008 Acts, ch 1124, §13, 40; 2013 Acts, ch 49, §6; 2019 Acts, ch 158, §4; 2023 Acts, ch 3, §1; 2025 Acts, ch 149, §3