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Kentucky Oversize Permit Phone Number: (270)908-9656
Kentucky Oversize/Overweight Permits Rules and Regulations
Kentucky Oversize/Overweight permits Validity: Oversize permits issued in Kentucky remain valid for a total of Ten consecutive days. Drivers are required to secure the permit before entering the state.
Kentucky Traveling Time with Oversize Load: Kentucky allows 24/7 movement for most oversize loads, including weekends, except for the listed restrictions and superloads.
Kentucky Travel Restriction with Oversize Load: Travel is not allowed during peak hours (4:00 PM to 6:00 PM) in the following regions: Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties (greater Cincinnati area), Jefferson County (most of Louisville), Fayette County (most of Lexington), and on the KY 2155 bridge in Owensboro
Kentucky Holiday Restriction: Unless stated otherwise on the permit, there are generally no holiday restrictions for oversize travel in Kentucky. However, movement of modular or manufactured homes may be restricted on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Kentucky Road/Bridge Restriction with Oversize Load:
Kentucky follows the Federal Bridge Formula for weight limits. Other road-related restrictions include:
- Prohibited travel through construction zones.
- Ignoring warning signals in work zones.
- Failure to yield to law enforcement, emergency vehicles, or traffic control
Oversize load Seasonal Restriction in Kentucky:
Kentucky does not have specific frost laws or seasonal weight limits, unlike some northern states and Canadian provinces. However, seasonal limitations may still appear on permits depending on the load and travel route.
Kentucky Oversize Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in good operating condition, properly inflated, and meet minimum tread depth standards.
Retreaded or regrooved tires are permitted only if they are safe and well-constructed.
Weight on any tire must not exceed 600 pounds per inch of tire width.
For rubber-tired vehicles using chains, the chains must not exceed ¾ inch in thickness or width and must be placed no more than 10 inches apart around the tire frame.
Chain Requirements:
No person is allowed to operate a vehicle with chains on a snow-covered highway unless the chains are mounted on tires that are fitted with snow treads at least 6 inches wide. For rubber-tired vehicles using chains, the cross chains must not exceed ¾ inch in thickness or diameter, and they must be spaced no more than 10 inches apart around the tire frame
Kentucky Legal Dimensions/Size Limit
Kentucky Legal Length:
Maximum trailer length is 53 feet on Interstate and other designated highways. For non-designated roads, the total length of the truck and trailer together must not exceed 65 feet
Overhang: Rear overhang is limited to 5 feet when using a 48-foot trailer. For 53-foot semi-trailers, overhang must be within legal limits including the load
Kentucky Wide Load Limit: The standard maximum width is 8 feet 6 inches on Interstates and marked highways, while on other roads, the limit is 8 feet
Kentucky Legal Height: Vehicles and loads cannot exceed 13 feet 6 inches in overall height
Kentucky Legal Weight Limit: 80,000 pounds
- Axle Limits:
Single Axle: 20,000lbs.
Tandem Axles: 34,000lbs.
Tridem Axles: 48,000lbs.
Maximum Load Dimensions with permits in Kentucky
Length:
- o Up to 110 feet allowed on four-lane roads
o Limited to 75 feet on two-lane roads.
Width: 16 feet
Kentucky Wide Load Requirements:
- In Kentucky, any vehicle wider than 8 feet 6 inches (or 8 feet on certain local roads) must obtain an oversize permit.
- Marking & Safety Requirements
- Escort Vehicle Requirements on Multi-Lane Highways:
Width over 12 feet: 1 rear escort
Width over 14 feet: 1 front and 1 rear escort
Width over 16 feet: 2 front and 2 rear escorts - On Two-Lane Roads:
Width over 12 feet: 1 front and 1 rear escort
Width over 16 feet: 2 front and 2 rear escorts
Kentucky Wide Load Restrictions: The Restriction may apply:
- Travel Restrictions
- Holiday Travel
- Traveling Restrictions
- Road & Bridge Restrictions
- Seasonal Restrictions
Height:
- Up to 15 feet 6 inches
- Loads exceeding this height are generally not authorized for travel within Kentucky. In rare cases, delivery within the state may be permitted if a safe route is identified and approved in advance.
Weight:
- Axle Group Limits:
Single axle: 24,000 pounds
Tandem axle: 45,000 lbs (for 5-axle vehicles), 48,000 lbs (with 6+ axles)
Tridem axle: Up to 60,000 pounds
Quad axle: Up to 80,000 pounds - Gross Weight Limits (by axle count):
5 axles: Up to 96,000 pounds
6 axles: Up to 120,000 pounds (mainly on two-lane highways)
7 axles: Up to 134,000 to 140,000 pounds (typically on four-lane highways using booster axles instead of tridems to exceed 134,000 lbs)
Superload: Weight and dimensions may vary based on the selected route and infrastructure conditions. A load is generally not considered a superload until it exceeds 300,000 pounds gross.
What Are The Requirements For a Pilot Car In Idaho
For 2-Lane Roads:
- Length: Over 100 feet – 1 escort vehicle
- Rear Overhang: Over 25 feet – 1 escort vehicle
- Width:
Over 12 feet – 1 escort
Over 14 feet – 2 escorts
Over 16 feet – may require 3 escorts - Height: Over 16 feet required one escort
Signage, Flashing Amber lights and flags Requirements and Kentucky Additional Information
When a load is wider than 10 feet 6 inches, it is required to have an “Oversize Load” sign visibly displayed. All extremities must be flagged, including the four corners. Rear overhangs must also be flagged, but do not require a sign.
Additional Guidelines: Blades, buckets, and similar equipment wider than 14 feet must be detached, though they may be transported on the same load. Smaller parts may be carried separately but still be considered part of the same load, regardless of total width.
Kentucky Oversize/Overweight Permit fee:
The cost of oversize and overweight permits in Kentucky depends on the type of load, its dimensions, weight, and the kind of permit required. Fees can range from as low as $25 for temporary permits to over $1,500 for annual or specialty permits
- Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permit
A general single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible loads that exceed legal size or weight limits.
The permit costs 60 dollars.
It is valid for 10 calendar days and covers travel from one origin to a specified destination.
It can only be used once per trip. - Trip Permits (Temporary IRP and KYU Permits)
Carriers operating vehicles that weigh over 59,999 pounds must obtain a KYU permit.
This 10-day temporary permit costs 40 dollars.
Out-of-state carriers that are not part of the International Registration Plan (IRP) must get a temporary non-reciprocal permit:
The cost is 25 dollars for vehicles weighing up to 55,000 pounds.
For vehicles over 55,000 pounds, the cost increases to 40 dollars. - Fuel Permits (IFTA and KIT Permits)
Carriers operating across state lines with vehicles weighing over 26,001 pounds or with three or more axles must obtain a temporary IFTA fuel permit.
This permit is valid for 10 days and costs 40 dollars.
Intrastate carriers based in Kentucky with similar vehicle specifications must obtain a KIT fuel permit, which also costs 40 dollars and is valid for 10 days. - Specialty Permits
Some permits are issued for specific commodities or transport needs based on the load’s nature and dimensions.
Metal Commodities Permit
Covers the transport of metal items, both divisible and non-divisible, up to 120,000 pounds.
The annual permit costs 1,250 dollars.
A single-trip version is available for 100 dollars.
Routes must be pre-approved.
Non-Divisible Steel Permit
For steel transport within 150 miles, the cost is 250 dollars.
For statewide coverage, the permit costs 500 dollars.
Both allow a maximum weight of 120,000 pounds.
Feed Transport Certificate
Required for hauling feed on designated routes.
The permit costs 150 dollars and allows up to 88,000 pounds.
Industrial Equipment Haul Permit
Specifically for transporting industrial equipment.
This permit is priced at 20 dollars. - Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
Kentucky offers several annual permits based on load dimensions and purpose:
For non-divisible loads less than 14 feet wide, the annual permit costs 250 dollars.
The widest load allowed under standard regulations is 13 feet 11 inches.
The maximum length is 120 feet.
Height is limited to 13 feet 6 inches.
Maximum weight is 160,000 pounds.
For non-divisible loads between 14 and 16 feet wide, the annual permit costs 500 dollars.
The length, height, and weight limits remain the same as above.
For farm equipment less than 14 feet wide, the permit fee is 80 dollars.
Legal limits for length, height, and weight apply.
For farm equipment between 14 and 16 feet wide, the cost is 150 dollars.
This type is typically issued only to dealerships.
The load can be up to 120 feet long, 13 feet 6 inches high, and weigh up to 160,000 pounds.
Manufactured homes require a special permit costing 1,500 dollars.
Maximum width is 16 feet.
Maximum length is 120 feet.
Maximum height is 15 feet.
Weight can go up to 160,000 pounds. - Application and Processing Fees
In addition to the base permit cost, Kentucky may charge an extra fee for processing your application, depending on the type and urgency of the request.
Oversize/Overweight Load Penalties in Kentucky
Fines for transporting oversize or overweight loads in Kentucky are calculated based on how much the vehicle exceeds the legal weight limits. For loads that exceed the permitted weight by up to 5,000 pounds, a fine of two cents per pound is applied, with a minimum fine of 100 dollars. If the excess weight goes beyond 5,000 pounds, the fine increases and may exceed 500 dollars.
Important:
Violating Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 189.950 can result in a fine ranging from 100 to 1,000 dollars. In more serious cases, failing to comply with oversize or overweight transport laws can also lead to imprisonment for up to 30 days.
FAQ’s
You can contact at (270)908-9656 Express Heavy Haul for Kentucky Oversize Permits.
Kentucky defines a vehicle as oversize if its width is more than 8 feet 6 inches, its height exceeds 13 feet 6 inches, or its overall length surpasses 85 feet. Any load exceeding these limits requires a special oversize permit before operating on state roads.
The cost of a wide load permit in Kentucky varies depending on the size, weight, and route of the load. Typically, single trip permits start at $10 and can increase based on additional dimensions and axle weight.
Yes, Kentucky accepts electronic versions of oversize and overweight permits. Drivers may display the permits on a digital device during inspections as long as they are clearly readable.
In most cases, oversize loads are restricted to daylight hours only. Travel is typically permitted 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset, and night travel is generally not allowed unless specifically authorized in the permit.
Escort vehicle usage within Kentucky is determined by the specific dimensions of width, height, or length being transported. For example, loads over 12 feet wide usually require one escort, and loads exceeding 14 feet wide may require two escorts. Height over 15 feet 6 inches may also require a pole car.
Kentucky requires all oversize or overweight vehicles to obtain a permit prior to travel. Movement is limited to authorized timeframes, and based on size, escort vehicles may be required. Special restrictions apply near holidays, urban areas, and during adverse weather.
In Kentucky, the legal maximum width for a vehicle is 8 feet 6 inches. Anything wider is considered a wide load and requires an oversize permit.
Oversize transport is permitted from 30 minutes prior to sunrise until 30 minutes past sunset, Monday through Saturday. Sunday and holiday travel is generally prohibited unless specified in the permit.
Oversize travel at night is not typically allowed in Kentucky. Exceptions may be granted for certain loads, but they must be explicitly stated in the issued permit.
The standard travel window for oversize loads in Kentucky is from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, Monday through Saturday. Travel during nighttime hours or on holidays is not allowed unless special authorization is granted.
In Kentucky, the maximum legal height for any vehicle without requiring an oversize permit is 13 feet 6 inches.
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Get Your Kentucky Oversize Permit - Trucking Permits
If your vehicle exceeds those numbers, it’s likely overweight or hauling an oversize load. Let Express Heavyhaul Trucking Permits help get you your Kentucky oversize or overweight permit. State Direct. 24/7 Live Service. Order Online Today. Trip & Fuel Combo Permits. Types: Oversize, Overweight, Trip.
