State Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Arkansas

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Arkansas DOT Phone Number: (501) 569-2381

DOT Website

PERMITS: Arkansas oversize permits are valid for three days. Must have permit prior to entering state.

OPERATING TIME: Daylight only (sunrise to sunset for Arkansas), seven days a week. Continuous travel may be allowed if OW only, not to exceed 108,000 pounds. Loads not exceeding 90′ long (other dimensions legal) may have continuous travel

RESTRICTED TRAVEL: No oversize movement through the metropolitan Little Rock area between the hours of 7:00 am – 9:00 am and 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, and on I-30 (M.M. 138-143), I-40 (M.M. 151-155), and all of I-630. No travel on major holidays (New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). If holiday falls on Monday or Friday, no weekend movement allowed.

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LEGAL DIMENSIONS

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS

Length: 53′-6″ trailer & load

Overhang:

  • 60′ poles, pipes, machinery, steel beams or other objects of a structural nature do not require a permit for daylight travel for up to 90′ overall length.
  • Night travel requires a permit.
  • Otherwise, up to 53′-6″ trailer/load is allowed without permit.
  • (If long beams are on a stretch trailer and do not extend beyond the rear of the trailer, then a permit is required.)

Width: 8′-6″

Height: 13′-6″

Weight: 80,000 Gross

  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 34,000
  • Tridem – 54,000
  • Steer Axle – Arkansas asks for manufacturer’s front axle weight rating (up to maximum of 20,000 pounds), which you are not allowed to exceed.

Length: No set limit

Width: 16′ (20′ on some non-interstate routes)

Height: 17′ (Over 16′ must obtain special approval, and not allowed on Interstates. Utilities personnel must accompany load over 17′.)

Note: Over 14′ wide or over 15′ high is looked at on a case-by-case basis to determine if route survey is required.

Weight:

  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 46,000
  • Tridem – 60,000
  • Quad – 68,000

Loads exceeding these dimensions are classed as Super Loads.

Escorts

Length:

  • Over 100′ – one escort
  • over 130′ – two escorts

Width:

On 2-lane Highways:

  • Over 12′ – one escort
  • over 14′ – two escorts

On Interstate and Controlled Access Highways:

  • over 14′ – one escort
  • over 16′ – two escorts
  • Police escorts for larger loads are looked at on a case-by-case basis.

Height: Over 15′ – one escort with height pole

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS:

  • “Oversize Load” signs required on all loads exceeding legal width, height or length.
  • Red flags 18″ square are required on rear corners on all loads exceeding legal width, height or length.
  • There are no sign or flag requirements for overweight only loads.

Shipping Containers: According to Federal regulation, loaded shipping containers may not overhang the transporting trailer. Empty containers are allowed 5′ overhang in California. Other states may have different rules on empties.

Important Notice:
The following is provided for informational purposes only. We do not procure or arrange permits on behalf of carriers or discuss permit and escort requirements for particular shipments. The following links provide general guidelines for oversize permits and escorts for heavy haul shipping by state/province. State regulations are subject to change; If you find inaccurate information, please let us know, and we will update the page accordingly.