Need an oversize permit in Illinois? You’ll find everything you need to know here in our Illinois permit FAQ.
1. How long are oversize permits valid in Illinois?
Single-trip permits are valid for five (5) days, and round-trip permits are valid for ten (10) travel days. Companies can be suspended for one year following their third permit violation.
2. What are the legal dimensions for loads in Illinois?
The legal limits in Illinois are as follows:
- Gross Weight: 80,000 lbs. on all roads (federal bridge formula applies)
- Width: 8’6” on all roads
- Height: 13’6” on all roads
- Length: 42’ for single unit and buses on all roads, 53’ for semi-trailer on all roads, 28’6” overall length for twins/doubles on designated roads and 65’ for twins/doubles on all other roads overall; 65’ for autotransporters on all roads; rocky mountain doubles, turnpike doubles, and triples are not allowed. 75’ for saddlemounts on all roads. Trailers over 48’ are restricted to a kingpin setting not to exceed 45’6” in length.
- Overhang must measure 3’ in front and 4’ in rear, unless it stays within legal limits.
3. What are the permit limits for loads in Illinois?
The routine-issue permit limits in Illinois are as follows:
- Weight:
- Single: 24,000 lbs.
- Tandem: 48,000 lbs.
- Tridem: 60,000 lbs.
- Quad: 60,000 lbs.
- Gross Weight:
- 5 axles: 100,000 lbs.
- 6 axles: 120,000 lbs.
- 7 axles: 120,000 lbs.
- 8 axles: 120,000 lbs.
- Length: 145’ **
- Width: 14’6” **
- Height: 15’ depending on overhead clearance. 3” clearance required
**A maximum width of 10’ is allowed on most toll roads due to physical limitations. A maximum width of 12’ is allowed on sections of the toll road system. If load exceeds any of these dimensions or weights, refer to the section on super loads.
4. Is continuous travel allowed for oversize permits in Illinois?
- Overweight permit loads with legal dimensions are authorized to move 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Overweight and/or Over-dimension permit loads with dimensions:
- Equal to or less than 12’0″ wide, 13’6″ high, 200’ long are authorized to move 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with one additional civilian escort when traveling during the hours of darkness.
- Equal to or less than 14’ 6″ wide, 15’ high, 200’ long are authorized to move from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset, 7 days a week.
- Equal to or less than 16’0″ wide, 17’ high are authorized to move from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset Monday through Friday, and from ½ hour before sunrise until noon, Saturday (unless specified otherwise on the provision sheet or permit).
- Greater than 200’ long are authorized to move from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset Monday through Friday. No Saturday or Sunday movement is allowed (unless specified otherwise on the provision sheet or permit).
- Greater than 16’0″ wide, 17’0″ high, are authorized to move from 9:00am CST to 3:00pm Monday through Friday. No Saturday or Sunday movement is allowed (unless specified otherwise on the provision sheet or permit).
5. When are escorts needed in Illinois?
The number of escorts needed depends on the width and length of the load and the specific highway. Get in touch at (877) 416-1051, and we’ll help you determine whether or not you need escorts depending on your load and route.
6. What should I know when applying for a superload in Illinois?
When applying for a superload in Illinois, applicants must include axle weights and spacings. Loads exceeding 16’ high require a route survey. Processing time can be up to 10 business days based on weight configuration and routes. Note the movement of objects greater than 16 feet wide and/or 17 feet high are restricted to the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday statewide.
If you have any questions about permitting in Illinois or would prefer that someone else do the heavy lifting (pun intended), give us a call at (877) 416-1051 or send us an email.