Kentucky Oversize Permits

Legal size/weight limits, escort thresholds, travel restrictions, and permit office contact for Kentucky.

⚠ REFERENCE ONLY — NOT A PERMIT. VERIFY WITH THE STATE BEFORE YOU TRAVEL.

These figures are a reference summary of publicly published state rules, not a substitute for a state-issued permit and not legal advice. Rules change — always confirm current limits and requirements directly with the state permit office before you plan or run a move. Last verified: 2026-07-16. Oversize Ops is NOT responsible and CANNOT be held liable for decisions made from this reference. Official source ↗

Legal Maximum Dimensions (no permit required)

Width: 8.5ft (102in)
Height: 13.5ft (162in)
Max semitrailer length: 53ft
Max overall combination length: 65ft
Gross Weight: 80,000 lbs
Single Axle: 20,000 lbs
Tandem Axle: 34,000 lbs

Kentucky legal height including body and load is 13 ft 6 in (162 in / 4.115 m). A vehicle and load over 13 ft 6 in must obtain an overweight/overdimensional SINGLE-TRIP permit under KRS 189.270(2) before moving. ⚠️ An ANNUAL permit may not be issued or used where the combined load and towing vehicle exceeds 13 ft 6 in — repeat over-height moves need a permit each time.

Official source for this height limit →

53 ft semitrailer on Interstates and designated highways (a grandfathered length), with no overall limit there. All OTHER state-maintained highways cap the whole combination at 65 ft, which a tractor plus a 53 ft trailer will typically exceed.

Official source for these length limits →

Escort / Pilot Car Thresholds (see glossary for terms, certification requirements for the driver)

These escort figures are route-dependent — they can change with road classification, lane width, two-lane vs multilane, and time of day. Confirm with the permit office before dispatching.

Front escort required over: 12ft wide
Rear escort required over: 12ft wide
Both escorts required over: 12ft wide
Height escort required over: 14.9ft tall

Route-dependent per 601 KAR 1:018. TWO-LANE roads: lead escort if over 12' wide (144 in), over 75' long, or over 14'11" high (179 in); trail escort if over 12' wide, over 85' long, or unable to maintain posted speed (so over 12' wide on two-lane effectively needs BOTH lead and trail). FOUR-LANE divided: lead escort if over 14' wide (168 in) or over 14'11" high; trail escort if over 12' wide, over 110' long, or over 12' wide and traveling below 45 mph. Lead escort for loads over 14'11" high must carry a height pole. Not tied to weight (superloads over 200,000 lbs handled separately).

Travel Restrictions

Night travel: Generally allowed
Weekend travel: Generally allowed
Sunday travel: Generally allowed

General overweight/overdimensional loads may travel continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including weekends (per KYTC DRIVE guidance). NO travel in Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Fayette, or Jefferson (Louisville) counties, or over the Owensboro KY-2155 bridge, from 7:00-9:00 a.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Mobile homes: Monday-Saturday daylight hours only, NO Sunday travel. Superloads and some oversize loads may carry additional route/time limits.

Holiday blackouts: None for general overweight/overdimensional loads - Kentucky permits continuous travel. Individual superload or specially-restricted permits may impose holiday limits.

See how Kentucky compares to every state ›

Superload Thresholds

Weight over: 200,000 lbs

A movement over 200,000 lbs gross is treated as a superload, requiring side- and rear-view drawings plus axle-spacing information with the application (601 KAR 1:018). No fixed superload width/height/length threshold; over-dimensional cases handled via route survey. Annual permits separately capped at 16' wide and 120' long.

Estimated Permit Cost Verify before relying

$60 standard (+$100 for metal commodities category)

Source: 601 KAR 1:018 — verify current fee with the permit office before budgeting a move.

Permit fee only — does not include escort/pilot-car service costs (market-rate, arranged separately) or third-party permit-service fees. This is an estimate for planning purposes, not a quote.

Get a Permit

Online portal: https://www.kyautomatedpermitsystem.com/
Phone: 502-564-1257

Spring weight restrictions typically March-April on secondary roads.

Planning a move through Kentucky?

Enter your load's exact size to see whether it needs a permit or escort here, plan a truck-legal route, or find a transporter or escort.

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