Michigan oversize load rules
Legal limits, pilot car requirements, travel restrictions, superload thresholds and permit fees for oversize and overweight loads in Michigan.
Legal limits without a permit
| Width | 8′6″ on designated highways · 8′ elsewhere |
|---|---|
| Height | 13′6″ |
| Length | 53′ semitrailer and 65′ combination on designated highways · 50′ and 59′ elsewhere · 40′ single vehicle |
| Weight | 80,000 lb gross |
At a glance
| Escorts | 2 escort rules, starting at 14′ wide |
|---|---|
| Superload | 3 review triggers (height, length, width) |
| Travel | 5 restrictions (curfews, night, holidays) |
| Fees | 4 published fee lines |
Escort (pilot car) requirements
- 2 width, height and length thresholds with the escort count for each
- Overhang and route-type conditions
Travel restrictions
- 5 restrictions: curfews, night travel, weekends and holidays
- Which ones apply to a given load size
Superloads
- Exact thresholds and what the state requires past them
- Lead times, route surveys and police escort conditions
Permit fees
- 4 published fee lines with links to the fee schedule
- Validity periods and add-on charges
Common questions
When does a load need a pilot car in Michigan?
Over 14′6″ high always needs a lead escort with a height pole. Other escorts are written into each permit as special provisions rather than set by a published table.
Can oversize loads travel on weekends in Michigan?
Only by request, and only for loads within 10′ wide, 14′ high and 90′ long: all day Saturday and Sunday until 3 PM. Otherwise permits are Monday through Friday in daylight.
What is the largest load Michigan will permit on a single trip?
16′ wide, 15′ high and 150′ long. Beyond that the shipper must justify the move and submit a route survey at least ten working days ahead.
Sources
- MDOT T-2, Moving Oversize/Overweight Vehicles and Loads (PDF)
- MDOT T-1, Maximum Legal Truck Loadings and Dimensions (PDF)
- MDOT permit special provisions, conditions and restrictions (PDF)
- MDOT oversize/overweight permits FAQ
Planning reference. Permits carry their own conditions, and city and county roads have separate rules. Confirm with the Michigan DOT Transport Permits Unit before moving a load. Found an error? Report it.
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