Home › Permit Requirements › North Dakota

North Dakota Oversize Permits

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

⚠ 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: 14ft (168in)
Max semitrailer length: 53ft
Max overall combination length: 75ft
Gross Weight: 80,000 lbs
Single Axle: 20,000 lbs
Tandem Axle: 34,000 lbs

N.D.C.C. 39-12-04: vehicles may not exceed 14 ft (168 in) loaded or unloaded. Implements of husbandry moved by a resident farmer, rancher, dealer or manufacturer up to 60 miles are exempt to 15 ft 6 in. The section also states the limit does not oblige anyone to alter existing bridges or underpasses lower than 14 ft.

Official source for this height limit →

THREE route-conditioned values, not one. NDCC 39-12-04(4)(f) exempts a truck tractor and semitrailer on the interstate system or director-designated federal-aid primary — on the National Network there is NO overall length limit. Off the designated system, 75 ft is a real binding overall limit. On four-lane divided and other NDDOT-designated highways it rises to 95 or 110 ft depending on route (Policy 9-1 Annex B map governs). Our previous 75 ft was the middle case published as if universal. Also 60 ft for trailers titled in ND before 1 July 1987, and for towed vehicles.

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: 14.5ft wide
Rear escort required over: 16ft wide
Both escorts required over: 16ft wide
Height escort required over: 18ft tall

Per ND Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Operations permit policy: an official escort/approved pilot car is required for movements exceeding 14'6" (174 in) width, 18' (216 in) height, or 120' length. Not exceeding 16' wide: a roof-mounted rotating/flashing amber light (visible 500') may substitute, and no pilot is needed on 4-lane divided highways. Over 16' wide (192 in): one pilot precedes AND one follows on 2-lane highways; one pilot follows on 4-lane divided highways. Over 18' high: two escorts plus one POLICE escort, plus written utility authority to travel under overhead wires. Pilot cars need roof amber warning lights and two-way radio contact.

Travel Restrictions

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

Statute NDCC 39-12-02(5): overdimensional loads NOT exceeding 12' total width may travel day AND night with proper lighting, and loads NOT exceeding 120' total length may travel day and night; loads over 12' wide OR over 120' long are restricted to daylight (sunrise-sunset). Overweight-only loads may move 24/7. Per ND HP permit policy, daytime travel is allowed including Saturday and Sunday EXCEPT loads over 16' wide and over 110' long may not travel Saturday afternoon or all day Sunday.

Holiday blackouts: Major US holidays.

See how North Dakota compares to every state ›

Superload Thresholds

Weight over: 150,000 lbs

ND does not use a single 'superload' width/height/length term; the key weight tier is GVW over 150,000 lbs. Multi-trip permits may be issued for non-divisible loads up to 150,000 lbs. When GVW exceeds 150,000 lbs, max tandem axle is 40,000 lbs and max single axle is 22,000 lbs. Loads over 200,000 lbs are handled under the Heavy Load Permit Policy or Building Moving Permit Policy. Statutory legal length: single unit 50', two-unit combination 75', up to 110' on 4-lane divided/designated highways, trailer/semitrailer 53'. State-highway gross may reach 105,500 lbs unless posted.

Estimated Permit Cost Current

$20 base + graduated $30–$70 overweight surcharge + $0.05 per ton-mile over 200,000 lbs

Source: N.D. Admin. Code ch. 38-06-03 (amended through Jan 2022).

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://apps.nd.gov/ndhp/epermits/login.htm
Phone: 701-328-2447

Spring thaw road restrictions common; oil patch counties may have additional rules.

Planning a move through North Dakota?

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.

Check my load in North Dakota Route Planner Find an Escort