How do I know if my load needs an oversize permit?

A load needs an oversize permit whenever any dimension exceeds a state's legal maximum — commonly 8 ft 6 in (102 in) wide, 13 ft 6 in to 14 ft tall, and 80,000 lbs gross, though the exact limits vary by state. Enter your width, height, length, and weight above and pick your state to see which dimensions are over and require a permit.

When do I need a pilot car or escort?

Most states require one or more pilot cars (escort vehicles) once a load passes a width threshold — often a front escort over about 12 ft wide, a rear escort or both over roughly 14–16 ft, and a height-pole car for tall loads. The threshold is set by each state. This tool applies your state's specific escort thresholds to your entered dimensions.

A superload is a load so large or heavy that it exceeds a state's normal oversize-permit range and requires special handling — route surveys, structural/bridge analysis, police escorts, and longer lead times. Each state sets its own superload thresholds for width, height, length, and weight; this checker flags when your load appears to cross them.

Is this tool an official permit?

No. This is a free planning reference built from published state DOT limits, shown with the date each state's data was last verified. It is not a permit and not legal authorization to move. Always confirm current rules with the state permit office and pull the actual permit before you travel.

Free Tool

Oversize Load Permit & Escort Checker

Enter your load's dimensions and pick a state to see if you need an oversize permit, how many pilot cars / escorts are required, and whether it's a superload — from real state DOT limits.

Home › Permit & Escort Checker

State or province

Width

ft in

Height

ft in

Overall length

Gross weight

lbs

Leave a field blank if it's within legal limits and you only want to check the others. Width/height accept feet and inches (e.g. 12 ft 6 in).

Select a state and enter at least one dimension to see your requirements.

Crossing several states on one trip? See at a glance where your load needs a permit, an escort, or counts as a superload.

How this checker works

Every state sets its own legal maximum dimensions — the size a load can be before any permit is needed (commonly about 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in–14 ft tall, and 80,000 lbs gross). Go over any one of them and you need an oversize/overweight permit for that state.

States also set escort (pilot car) thresholds: a width over which a front escort is required, a wider point where a rear escort or both are required, a height over which a height-pole car is required, and sometimes a weight threshold. This tool applies your entered dimensions to the state you pick using the same sourced data shown on our Permit Requirements by State pages.

If a load is large enough to cross a state's superload threshold, it needs special handling — route surveys, bridge/structural analysis, and often a police escort. The checker flags that too.

⚠ Reference only — not a permit and not legal authorization to move. State rules change without notice, and some limits depend on your exact axle configuration, route, and load type. Every result shows the date that state's data was last verified and a link to the official source. Always confirm current rules with the state permit office and obtain the actual permit before you travel.

Need an escort or a transporter for this move?

Find vetted pilot car / escort services and oversize transporters by state.

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