North Dakota oversize load rules
Legal limits, pilot car requirements, travel restrictions, superload thresholds and permit fees for oversize and overweight loads in North Dakota.
Legal limits without a permit
| Width | 8′6″ |
|---|---|
| Height | 14′ |
| Length | 50′ single unit · 53′ semitrailer · 75′ combinations on non-designated highways (95′ or 110′ on four-lane divided and designated routes) |
| Weight | 80,000 lb on Interstate (bridge formula); 105,500 lb on state highways unless posted |
At a glance
| Escorts | 5 escort rules, starting at 14′6″ wide |
|---|---|
| Superload | 1 review trigger (weight) |
| Travel | 4 restrictions (curfews, night, holidays) |
| Fees | 4 published fee lines |
Escort (pilot car) requirements
- 5 width, height and length thresholds with the escort count for each
- Police escort triggers
- Overhang and route-type conditions
Travel restrictions
- 4 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 North Dakota require pilot cars?
Over 14′6″ wide, 18′ high or 120′ long. Up to 16′ wide a flashing amber light can stand in for the pilot car; over 16′ two-lane roads need a lead and a follow car (one follow car on four-lane divided). Over 18′ the Highway Patrol may escort.
Can oversize loads travel at night in North Dakota?
Only if the load is 12′ wide or less and 120′ long or less; otherwise no movement from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
How much is a North Dakota oversize permit?
$20 for a standard single trip plus a $10 service fee; loads over 150,000 lb pay $30–$70 on a graduated scale.
Sources
- NDHP Policy 9-6, Permits for Oversize and Overweight Vehicles and/or Loads
- NDHP Policy 9-1, Vehicle Legal Size and Weight Guide
- NDHP E-Permits
Planning reference. Permits carry their own conditions, and city and county roads have separate rules. Confirm with the North Dakota Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Division, Permit Office (Bismarck) before moving a load. Found an error? Report it.
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