Overview
Pennsylvania oversize and overweight permits are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Central Permit Office. Single-trip permits are valid for five travel days.
Permit approval depends on the proposed route, dimensions, axle weights and bridge-engineering analysis.
Permit Office
| Office | Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Central Permit Office |
| Address | P.O. Box 2671, 400 North St, 6th Floor Keystone Building, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 |
| Contact | (717) 787-5367 |
| Hours | 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (ET) |
Permit Basics
| Permit validity | Single-trip permits are valid for five (5) travel days. |
| Operating time | 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (ET) |
Dimensions & Weights
Routine permit limits
| Length | Generally 120′; up to 160′ on 4-lane highways |
| Width | 16′ is generally the maximum |
| Height | 14′6″ (over requires a route survey) |
| Weight | Ranges subject to bridge engineering analysis |
| Axle / group | Spacing | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Single | — | 27,000 |
| Tandem | — | 52,000 |
| Tridum | — | 63,000 |
| Quad | — | 72,000 |
Escort Requirements
| Based on | Escorts required |
|---|---|
| Width | On all-lane highways — width over 13′: 1 (rear if multi-lane, front if 2-lane) |
| Width | On all-lane highways — width over 16′: police escort |
| Length | On all-lane highways — length over 90′: 1 rear |
| Length | On all-lane highways — length over 160′: police escort |
| Overhang | On all-lane highways — rear overhang over 15′: 1 rear |
| Height | On all-lane highways — height over 14′6″ with high pole: 1 front; permittee must notify public utilities at least 1 day prior to arrange relocation of affected wires |
- Overweight greater than 201,000 lbs: police escort
- Overweight if permit requires reduced speeds over bridges: 1 rear
- Overweight if permit requires load to be only vehicle on a bridge or occupy more than 1 lane to cross on a 2-directional bridge: 2 (front & rear)
- If bridge supports only 1 lane of traffic: 1 rear
- Urban areas — oversize load allowed to run 3:00 a.m. to sunrise: 2 (front & rear)
- Urban areas — permitted load unable to maintain 40 mph on limited-access highways, allowed only 9 a.m.–4 p.m.: 1 rear
- Non-urbanized areas — permitted load unable to maintain 40 mph on limited-access highways: 1 rear
- Police escort requires 24-hour advance notice; cost is usually $2.00/mile + $50 setup fee + overtime
- Police escort may be required when any permit provision is contravened or conditions warrant; PennDOT personnel escort may also be required
Notes
- Gross Weight — 5 Axles: 116,000–120,000
- Gross Weight — 6 Axles: 127,000–147,000
- Gross Weight — 7 Axles: 136,000–174,000
- Gross Weight — 8 Axles: 136,000–201,000
- Weight ranges are authorized subject to bridge engineering analysis