Motor Carriers

Oversize/overweight permits

Determine if a permit is required

• A permit is issued to a carrier to allow operation of a vehicle or load that exceeds the statutory limits.
• Permitted loads must be nondivisible unless you are operating under the All Systems OW permit. Trucks or combinations transporting raw agricultural products are allowed to operate in excess of their registration weight by up to 25 percent when in Iowa.
• Permits are issued by the Iowa DOT for state and interstate highways only. Separate permits must be obtained from local city or county jurisdictions for travel on those roadways.

Definition of an indivisible load

Any load or vehicle exceeding applicable length, height, width or weight limits that 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).
3. Require more than eight work hours to dismantle using appropriate equipment.

Legal dimensions

A permit is typically required if vehicle dimensions exceed:

More information and exceptions to the dimensions listed above is available at the following links.

• Exceptions
• Width
• Height
• Length

Weight

A permit is typically required if vehicle gross weight exceeds 80,000 pounds. Maximum individual axle weight allowed under permit is 20,000 pounds per axle.

For more information and exceptions to the above weight limits:

• Maximum gross weight exceptions

Additional resources and information is available at the following links.

• Iowa Code 321E – Vehicles of Excessive Size and Weight
• 761 IAC 511 – Special Permits for Operation and Movement of Vehicles and Loads of Excess Size and Weight
• Iowa Truck Information Guide

Need a permit?

If you have questions:

Email: oversizepermits@iowadot.us
Phone: 515-237-3264
Fax: 515-237-3257