Arkansas Oversize Permits

ARKANSAS OVERSIZE PERMITS INFORMATION

PERMITS: Arkansas oversize permits are valid for three days. Must have permit prior to entering state.

OPERATING TIME: Daylight only (sunrise to sunset for Arkansas), seven days a week. Continuous travel may be allowed if OW only, not to exceed 108,000 pounds. Loads not exceeding 90’ long (other dimensions legal) may have continuous travel

RESTRICTED TRAVEL: No oversize movement through the metropolitan Little Rock area between the hours of 7:00 am -9:00 am and 4:00 pm -6:00 pm, and on I-30 (M.M. 138-143), I-40 (M.M. 151-155), and all of I-630. 

No travel on major holidays (New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). If holiday falls on Monday or Friday, no weekend movement allowed.

LEGAL DIMENSIONS

Length: 53’-6” trailer & load

Overhang:

• 60’ poles, pipes, machinery, steel beams or other objects of a structural nature do not require a permit for daylight travel for up to 90’ overall length.
• Night travel requires a permit.
• Otherwise, up to 53’6” trailer/load is allowed without permit.
• (If long beams are on a stretch trailer and do not extend beyond the rear of the trailer, then a permit is required.)

Width: 8’6”

Height: 13’6”

Weight: 80,000 Gross

• Single  20,000
• Tandem  34,000
• Tridem  54,000
• Steer Axle -Arkansas asks for manufacturers front axle weight rating (up to maximum of 20,000 pounds), which you are not allowed to exceed.

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS

Length: No set limit

Width: 16’ (20’ on some non-interstate routes)

Height: 17’ (Over 16’ must obtain special approval, and not allowed on Interstates. Utilities personnel must accompany load over 17’).

Note: Over 14’ wide or over 15’ high is looked at on a case-by-case basis to determine if route survey is required.

Weight:

• Single  20,000
• Tandem  46,000
• Tridem  60,000
• Quad  68,000

Loads exceeding these dimensions are classed as Super Loads.

ESCORTS

Length:

• Over 100’ -one escort
• over 130’- two escorts

Width:

On 2-lane Highways:

• Over 12’-one escort
• over 14’-two escorts

On Interstate and Controlled Access Highways:

• over 14’-one escort
• over 16’- two escorts
• Police escorts for larger loads are looked at on a case-by-case basis.

Height: Over 15’ - one escort with height pole

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS:

• Oversize Load signs required on all loads exceeding legal width, height or length.
• Red flags 18” square are required on rear corners on all loads exceeding legal width, height or length.
• There are no sign or flag requirements for overweight only loads.

Shipping Containers: According to Federal regulation, loaded shipping containers may not overhang the transporting trailer. Empty containers are allowed 5’ overhang in California. Other states may have different rules on empties.