Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 14 - AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION › Sub-Agency 050 - MOTOR VEHICLES DEPARTMENT › Chapter 019 - OVERWEIGHT AND OVERDIMENSION VEHICLE PERMITS › Section 14 050 019 - OVERWEIGHT AND OVERDIMENSION VEHICLE PERMITS

Current through June, 2024
Blanket Permits.
-- INTRODUCTION:
23
				VSA §
										1400 and §
									1402
				empower the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to issue overweight or over
				dimension permits for the operation or movement of a vehicle over state
				highways and certain town highways in excess of the legal limit. The
				Commissioner may make regulations subject to which the vehicle must be
				operated. The approval may be given for a limited or unlimited length of time
				and may be withdrawn for cause. In addition, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles
				may deny permits for just cause including, but not limited to, providing false
				information on applications, continued violation of the rules governing
				overweight/over dimension operation and/or repeated violation of similar
				offenses.
The policy of the Department is to give consideration to the
				safety and convenience of the general public and the protection of the highway
				systems of this state. The legislature, in setting forth certain statutory
				limitations, intended to protect the public from hazard and unnecessary
				inconvenience and to preserve the highways.
-- DEFINITION -- BLANKET PERMIT:
A Blanket Permit is the written authorization granted by the
				Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for the movement of a vehicle or combination
				vehicle and its nondivisible load with prescribed limits of size and/or weight
				over State/Interstate highways.
Note: Vehicles obtaining blanket permits for weight must be
				registered to the maximum limit and so configured as to legally meet the road
				limit in accordance with
				23 VSA §
										1391 & § 1392.
-- DEFINITION -- NONDIVISIBLE LOADS:
Blanket Permits are issued for nondivisible loads. For this
				purpose nondivisible means any load or vehicle exceeding applicable dimension
				or weight limits which, if separated into smaller loads or vehicles,
				would:
1. Compromise the intended use
			 of the vehicle, i.e., make it unable to perform the function for which it was
			 intended;
2. Destroy the value of
			 the load or vehicle, i.e., make it unusable for its intended purpose;
			 or
3. Require more than eight (8)
			 work hours to dismantle using appropriate equipment. The applicant for a
			 nondivisible load permit has the burden of proof as to the number of work hours
			 required to dismantle the load.
Note: Nondivisible does not prohibit the movement of more than
				one piece when the permit is issued for the largest piece and additional pieces
				do not cause the total load to exceed a dimension already allowed by the
				permitting of the original piece.
For instance, a permit issued for an over width wooden truss
				would remain valid if a number of trusses were piled on but that action did not
				cause the load to exceed the width of the original truss or cause the load to
				be overlength, over height, or overweight.
-- WHERE TO APPLY:
Applications are primarily accepted through the mail or in
				person and may be obtained from:
Commercial Vehicle Operations
Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05603-0001
Fax: 802-828-5418
DMV. CommercialVehicleOSOWPermitting@vermont.gov
dmv. vermont.gov
-- EXPIRATION:
Blanket Permits expire with the vehicles registration.
-- PERMITS ISSUED TO REGISTRANT:
Permits must be issued in the name of the registrant and
				  match the registration certificate.
-- TRANSFER OF PERMITS:
Permits may only be transferred in conjunction with the truck
				  registration for an administrative fee.
-- HOURS OF OPERATION:
Travel with vehicles and/or loads which are over width or
				  overlength or over height shall be restricted to daylight hours and movement
				  shall be made between thirty (30) minutes before sunrise to thirty (30) minutes
				  after sunset. Vehicles, which are overweight only and are capable of traveling
				  with the traffic flow, are not restricted to daylight travel time.
On highways where traffic is heavy during certain hours, it
				  may be necessary to further restrict the movement to certain hours of the day
				  or to certain days of the week.
-- SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND HOLIDAY OPERATIONS:
On state highways unless otherwise stated, permits will not
				  be issued for movement of loads in excess of one hundred eight thousand
				  (108,000) pounds, or over twelve feet (12'0") wide or over one hundred feet
				  (100') long on any Saturday, Sunday, or on the following legal holidays as
				  observed in the State of Vermont:
* New Year's Day: January 1 [st ]
* Memorial Day: Last Monday in May
* Independence Day: July 4 [th ]
* Labor Day: 1 [st ] Monday in September
* Thanksgiving Day: 4 [th ] Thursday in November
* Christmas Day: December 25 [th ]
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may restrict the movement
				  of oversize and overweight vehicles before and after certain holidays if deemed
				  necessary.
-- INCLEMENT WEATHER:
For loads 12' wide or greater, and/or 80' long or
				  greater:
No travel is allowed during any ice condition, sleet,
				  freezing rain, slush or combination thereof or any snow accumulation to the
				  extent it is heavy enough to stick to the highway surface; and when visibility
				  is reduced by rain, fog or any other weather condition to the extent the load
				  is not readily identifiable by users of the highway at a distance of a quarter
				  ( 1/4) mile. At all times roads must be safe and clear enough to allow traffic
				  to pass.
When such conditions exist during a trip, permitted vehicles
				  must exit the road at the first available safe location where vehicle and load
				  can park without impeding traffic until the weather conditions clear. A vehicle
				  is not permitted to travel during inclement weather if it is subject to, or was
				  required to have, an engineering review.
-- SPEED:
The Commissioner may prescribe maximum speeds below legal
				  limits for hazardous loads or conditions. State highways speed is limited to
				  forty-five (45) miles per hour for loads in excess of ninety thousand (90,000)
				  pounds or ten feet (10') in width or thirteen feet, six inches (13' 6") in
				  height or seventy-five feet (75') in length. Interstate highways maximum speed
				  shall be sixty (60) miles per hour unless otherwise specified. Speed may be
				  restricted further on specific roads or portions of roads as required to ensure
				  safe movement of over dimension loads.
-- POSTED ROADS:
During winter thaws, rainy periods or when frost begins to
				  melt, the Agency of Transportation may post state highways. Permits DO NOT
				  supersede road postings.
-- MAXIMUM LIMITS:
Blanket permits for statewide operation must conform to the
				  following guidelines:
1. Maximum
				Width: Ten feet, six inches (10' 6") when length is greater than seventy-five
				feet (75') up to one hundred feet (100').
2. Maximum Width: Twelve feet, six inches
				(12' 6") when length does not exceed seventy-five feet (75').
3. Maximum Height: Fourteen feet
				(14').
4. Maximum Weight for
				Nondivisible Loads Only:
* One hundred eight thousand (108,000) pounds, depending on
				  the number of axles and axle spacing.
* Twelve thousand (12,000) pounds allowed on the steering
				  axle, twenty thousand (20,000) pounds on all other axles:
-- Five (5) axle combination vehicle = ninety-two thousand
				  (92,000) pounds,
-- Six (6) or more axle combination vehicle = one hundred
				  eight thousand (108,000) pounds.
Vehicle must be registered to the maximum allowed for the
				  vehicle's configuration.
5.
				Maximum length for vehicles without a trailer or semi-trailer (single vehicle):
				Forty-six feet (46').
Operation at one hundred feet (100') or more in length, the
				  permit applicant shall file with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, a special
				  certificate of insurance showing minimum coverage of $ 250,000 for death or
				  injury to one person, $ 500,000 for death or injury to two or more persons and
				  $ 250,000 for property damage, all arising out of any one accident.
Blanket permits will not be issued for over width, over
				  length, or over height truck or truck -- trailer combinations for statewide
				  operation where the vehicle, excluding the load, is in excess of the legal
				  limit subject to the Special Oversize Trailers exception set forth below.
				  Blanket permits may be issued for over width or over length statewide
				  operations where the vehicle is the commodity being transported.
-- SPECIAL OVERSIZE TRAILERS -- DEFINITION; BLANKET PERMITS
				  AVAILABLE UNDER LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES:
Special Oversize Trailers or semi-trailers that are over
				  legal length or width. The length or width in excess of legal dimensions is
				  required to move certain oversize loads.
Single Trip Permits are required and are the only permits
				  available for special oversize trailers with two (2) exceptions for which
				  Blanket Permits may be issued.
1.
				Trailers actually registered on September 1, 1994 and subsequently renewed only
				by that registrant.
If ownership of the trailer is transferred, it no longer
				  falls under the so-called "grandfather" clause. Single Trip Permits would be
				  issued for the delivery of oversize loads that require an oversize trailer and
				  for the dispatch and return of the trailer. Single Trip Permits would also be
				  issued for the movement of empty trailers for repairs or for some similar
				  purposes.
2. The second
				exception is for trailers or semi-trailers designed and used to transport
				highway building equipment and road making appliances.
-- SPECIAL LOW BED TRAILER:
Annual permits may be issued for "low bed" trailers at the
				  fee established by
				  23
				  VSA §
															1402(e). Low bed
				  trailers are manufactured for the primary purpose of carrying heavy equipment
				  on a flat-surfaced deck, which deck is at a height equal to or lower than the
				  top of the rear axle group provided the total vehicle length does not exceed
				  seventy-five feet (75'), a loaded width of twelve feet, six inches (12' 6") and
				  total weight of one hundred eight thousand (108,000) pounds and has a height
				  not exceeding fourteen feet (14'). Signs and flags are required if the vehicle
				  exceeds seventy-five feet (75') in length or eight feet, six inches (8' 6") in
				  width.
-- PERMISSION FROM CITIES/TOWNS:
* OVERWEIGHT:
For operation of a vehicle in excess of the statutory weight
				  limits over highways and bridges under the jurisdiction of a municipality,
				  except Class 1 town highways, application will be made to the appropriate
				  legislative body or its representative. A list of any special weight limits
				  which differ from statutory limits is available from the Department of Motor
				  Vehicles along with the name of the person responsible for issuing permits in
				  each municipality.
* OVERDIMENSION:
For operation, on highways under the jurisdiction of a
				  municipality, of a vehicle and load in excess of the statutory dimensions, but
				  within the dimensions allowed under a "Blanket Permit", permits may be issued
				  by the Department of Motor Vehicles, Commercial Vehicle Operations Unit. For
				  operation of a vehicle and load in excess of the dimensions allowed under a
				  blanket permit, permits are issued by the municipality. Application is made to
				  the appropriate legislative body or their representative.
-- MAXIMUM WEIGHT:
No vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be operated upon
				  the highways of this state when the gross weight on the road surface through
				  any wheel thereof exceeds six hundred (600) pounds per inch of tire width.
				  (Manufacturer's designation shall be used for computing tire width.) Any permit
				  issued shall not be valid upon the state highways, state aid or town roads or
				  bridges that are posted for a lower road limit than the gross weight of the
				  vehicle and load.
-- MAXIMUM HEIGHT:
The clearance of facilities and general safety of the
				  traveling public are the governing factors in issuing over height permits. The
				  height of structures shall be checked by the permit applicant to insure
				  adequate clearance is available for the movement. The height of traffic lights
				  at fourteen feet (14') is a factor in determining the height allowed.
Note: Older traffic signals may be lower due to stretch and
				  sag.
-- FLAGGERS:
Flaggers, wearing reflective traffic vests, may be required
				  for over dimension or overweight loads. The purpose of the flagger is to
				  protect traffic when entering or leaving main highways and to assist the driver
				  at locations where visibility is reduced or obscured.
-- FLAGS/LIGHTS:
Flags are required on all oversize loads. The flag must be
				  bright or fluorescent red or orange and have a minimum size of eighteen inches
				  by eighteen inches (18" x 18"). They shall be displayed on all four corners (or
				  as close as practicable) of all loads or vehicles that exceed the legal
				  dimensions.
Flags shall be in such condition as to be easily
				  distinguished from a reasonable distance. All warning flags shall be secured by
				  at least one corner or mounted on a staff.
1. Over Width Loads: At least four (4) flags
				mounted at the corners of the vehicle if the vehicle is oversize and at the
				corners of the load if the load is oversize. In cases of irregular shaped loads
				such additional flags as may be necessary to mark the widest extremities of the
				load.
2. Over length loads or loads
				with rear or front end overhang in excess of four feet (4') shall display one
				flag at the end of the overhang if less than two feet (2') wide and two (2)
				flags if the overhang is two feet (2') wide or more.
3. Commercial motor vehicles as defined in
				49
				CFR 390.5; Such vehicles must have lights
				installed and operable on the projecting loads as required by
				49 CFR
				393.11 Footnotes 9 & 10.
-- USE OF TRAVEL LANES:
When two or more lanes are available in one direction,
				  vehicles shall travel in the right lane except in an emergency or to comply
				  with any other restrictions established by the state.
-- SLOW MOVING VEHICLES:
All slow moving vehicles shall keep as close to the right
				  hand side of the highway as practicable. A person operating a motor vehicle
				  impeding other traffic on a highway shall pull off the highway at the first
				  location where vehicle and load can park without impeding traffic to allow the
				  traffic to pass before proceeding.
-- PARKED OVERSIZE LOADS:
Any oversize load, when parked at other than its place of
				  origin or destination, shall conspicuously display the name and telephone
				  number of a party that, at all hours can see to its immediate removal or
				  security if needed. These markings shall be easily legible.
-- SIGNS/SIGN REQUIREMENTS:
Oversize load sign required:
* For over eight feet, six inches (8' 6") width.
* For over thirteen feet, six inches (13' 6") height.
* For over seventy-five feet (75') in length.
This sign shall be at least seven feet (7') long by eighteen
				  inches (18") high with yellow background and black lettering. Letters shall be
				  at least ten inches (10") high with a one and one-quarter inch (1 1/4") brush
				  stroke. The sign shall be made of durable material that will not be affected by
				  inclement weather and be kept in legible condition. It shall read "OVERSIZE
				  LOAD". A similar sign that is allowed in other states will be accepted.
The sign must be securely attached to the front most portion
				  and rear most portion of the load or vehicle. The sign must be covered or
				  removed when not making an oversize move.
If a load consists of an over length object such as a pole or
				  beam, the sign need not be seven feet (7') long but must be of a sufficient
				  size to clearly display the same size lettering as described above.
-- ESCORT VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS:
Escort vehicles are required when the vehicle and/or load
				  meet or exceed the following dimensions or at the discretion of the
				  Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or his/her authorized representative:
* Wide load of twelve feet (12') or greater.
* Long load of eighty feet (80') or greater.
* Overhang of fifteen feet (15') or greater.
An escort vehicle must be at least the size of a compact car
				  or larger. Escort vehicles must maintain two-way radio contact with the
				  permitted vehicle at all times. The escort vehicle must be equipped with a
				  flashing amber light above the highest point of the vehicle or a combination of
				  lights visible from 360 degrees. An escort vehicle preceding an oversize load
				  shall have a sign on the front reading "OVERSIZE LOAD" and an escort vehicle
				  following shall have a sign on the rear reading "OVERSIZE LOAD". These signs
				  shall have ten inch (10") black letters one and one-quarter inch (1 1/4") brush
				  stroke on a yellow background at least five feet (5') long and twelve inches
				  high (12"). Signs must be maintained in a legible condition.
The signs must be covered or removed when the escort vehicle
				  is not accompanying an oversize load.
The escort vehicle must maintain proper spacing between
				  itself and the oversize load so as to adequately warn approaching
				  vehicles.
When one escort is required, it shall precede a load on
				  undivided highways and follow the load on divided highways. Escort vehicle
				  headlights shall be on low beam during all moves.
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or his/her authorized
				  representative may require two or more escort vehicles.
-- CONVOY OPERATIONS:
There shall be a minimum spacing of one thousand feet
				  (1,000') between permitted vehicles when two (2) or more permitted vehicles are
				  traveling together.
-- ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES:
BLANKET PERMITS:
Administrative Penalties for Violations of:
1. Providing false information on
				application.
2. Operation in
				violation of permit.
3. Continued
				operation after an order to cease operation(s) has been given.
These violations may result in the following penalties in
				  addition to any other traffic complaints or citations:
*
				1 st Offense:
1.
				Officer issues Vermont Civil Violation Complaint.
2. Vehicle may continue after being brought
				into compliance or new permit issued.
*
				2 nd Offense Within 1 Year:
1. Officer issues Vermont Civil Violation
				Complaint; permit is voided.
2.
				Vehicle may continue after being brought into compliance and a new permit is
				issued.
* 3 rd Offense
				Within 1 Year:
1. Officer issues Vermont Civil
				Violation Complaint; permit is voided.
2. Vehicle and load brought into
				compliance.
3. 24-hour permit
				issued.
4. No permit issued to
				cited vehicle for fifteen (15) days.
*
				4 th Offense Within 1 Year:
1. Officer issues Vermont Civil Violation
				Complaint; permit is voided.
2.
				Vehicle and load brought into compliance.
3. Cited vehicle's permit canceled.
4. 24-hour permit issued.
5. No Blanket or Single Trip Permit issued to
				cited vehicle for thirty (30) days.
Emergency Moves.
-- INTRODUCTION:
23
				  VSA §
																			1400 and §
																		1402
				  empower the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to issue overweight or over
				  dimension permits for the operation or movement of a vehicle over state
				  highways and certain town highways in excess of the legal limit. The
				  Commissioner may make rules subject to which the vehicle must be operated. The
				  approval may be given for a limited or unlimited length of time and may be
				  withdrawn for cause. In addition, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may deny
				  permits for just cause including, but not limited to, providing false
				  information on applications, continued violation of the rules governing
				  overweight/over dimension operation and/or repeated violation of similar laws
				  or regulations.
The policy of the Department is to give consideration to the
				  safety and convenience of the general public and the protection of the highway
				  systems of this state. The legislature, in setting forth certain statutory
				  limitations, intended to protect the public from hazard and unnecessary
				  inconvenience and to preserve the highways.
-- DEFINITION:
For the purpose of these permits, an emergency is defined as
				  follows:
" A calamity, existing or imminent, which requires immediate
				  remedial action to protect life, property and the environment ". The fact a
				  contractor or mover is being delayed in the execution of a job or contract or
				  has a crew waiting for a piece of equipment is not sufficient justification for
				  an emergency permit.
The request must be based upon such an emergency condition.
				  If it is necessary to make an emergency move at a time the Department of Motor
				  Vehicles is closed, the applicant must contact the Department of Public Safety,
				  Central Communications
Center, 802-244-8727, Waterbury, Vermont and give a brief
				  description of the emergency. The Department of Public Safety will contact the
				  authorized official for the Department of Motor Vehicles and provide
				  information on the nature of the emergency.
-- PROCEDURE:
The following procedure must be followed and the permit
				  number issued prior to the move.
a.
				The person requesting the permit must provide the following information:
1. Reason for the emergency move
				request.
2. Complete name of
				mover.
3. Description of
				load.
4. Overall dimensions and
				weight of vehicle and load.
5.
				Description of towing vehicle and trailer.
6. Total number of axles.
7. Axle spacing.
8. Tire sizes (weight in excess of eighty
				thousand [80,000] pounds).
9. Exact
				location of load.
10. Exact
				destination.
11. All routes
				requested.
12. Any additional
				information requested by the authorized Department of Motor Vehicles
				official.
b. The
				Department of Motor Vehicles authorized official will contact the Agency of
				Transportation for restrictions on bridges and road conditions when
				appropriate.
Authorized Official: Vermont Agency of
				  Transportation
c. Based on
				the information provided, the authorized Department of Motor Vehicle official
				will determine any special restrictions to be attached to the permit.
1. The mover will be issued a special number
				preceded by the initials of the authorizing official.
2. The mover may be assessed a fee.
3. The authorized official will be
				responsible for notifying pertinent state and local law enforcement of the
				conditions of the move.
Authorized Official: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
				  Commissioner or his/her designee
-- ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES:
MULTIPLE CONVICTIONS OF VIOLATIONS
SINGLE TRIP PERMITS:
Administrative Penalties for Violations of:
1. Providing false information on the
				application.
2. Operation in
				violation of the permit.
3.
				Continued operation after an order to cease operation(s) has been given.
These violations may result in the following penalties in
				  addition to any other traffic complaints or citations:
* 1st Offense:
1.
				Officer issues Vermont Civil Violation Complaint.
2. Vehicle may continue after being brought
				into compliance or new permit issued.
* 2nd Offense Within 1 Year:
1. Officer issues Vermont Civil Violation
				Complaint; permit is voided.
2.
				Vehicle may continue after being brought into compliance and new permit is
				issued.
* 3rd Offense Within 1
				Year:
1. Officer issues Vermont Civil
				Violation Complaint; permit is voided.
2. Vehicle and load brought into
				compliance.
3. 24-hour permit
				issued.
4. No Single Trip Permit
				issued to cited vehicle for fifteen (15) days.
*
				4th Offense Within 1 Year:
1. Officer issues Vermont Civil Violation
				Complaint; permit is voided.
2.
				Vehicle and load brought into compliance.
3. 24-hour permit issued.
4. No Single Trip Permit issued to cited
				vehicle for thirty (30) days.
Farm Equipment Dealer Permits.
-- INTRODUCTION:
23
				  VSA §
																										1400 and §
																									1402
				  empower the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to issue overweight or over
				  dimension permits for the operation or movement of a vehicle over state
				  highways and certain town highways in excess of the legal limit. The
				  Commissioner may make rules subject to which the vehicle must be operated. The
				  approval may be given for a limited or unlimited length of time and may be
				  withdrawn for cause. In addition, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may deny
				  permits for just cause including, but not limited to, providing false
				  information on applications, continued violation of the rules governing
				  overweight/over dimension operation and/or repeated violation of similar laws
				  or regulations.
The policy of the Department is to give consideration to the
				  safety and convenience of the general public and the protection of the highway
				  systems of this state. The legislature, in setting forth certain statutory
				  limitations, intended to protect the public from hazard and unnecessary
				  inconvenience and to preserve the highways.
-- DEFINITION:
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or his/her
				  representative, upon application, may issue annually to dealers in farm
				  tractors or other farm implements, over width permits to transport or draw upon
				  a highway such farm implements as are incidental to the conduct of such
				  business.
-- WHERE TO APPLY:
Applications are primarily accepted through the mail or in
				  person and may be obtained from:
Commercial Vehicle Operations
Department of Motor Vehicles