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DOR > About Us > Resources > Tax Talk Blog > Archived Articles - Tax Talk > Oversize, overweight and trucking – what a combination! Oversize, overweight and trucking – what a combination!

June 23, 2008

While the Tax Talk blog was designed to discuss topics dealing with individual income tax, this summer we are turning over the reins to some of the divisions within the department who deal with other kinds of taxes, permits and fees. First up is a three-part series from our Motor Carrier Services division.

Roadway traffic and safety issues are always important, especially during the summer months when many of us do more traveling. Guest blogger Corina starts off with information about oversize and overweight loads, and the permits needed to get things moving. So, without any more ado, let’s go trucking!

Have you ever been driving down the road and looked in your rearview mirror to see a huge 16- foot-wide manufactured home coming at you? This may look scary, but believe me, these drivers are prepared. Manufactured homes are just one commodity among many that are being moved with oversize and/or overweight dimensions.

Frankly, if you need to move a big load that can’t be broken down into smaller loads, you may have to get an oversize and/or overweight permit. In general, to travel legally on all Indiana roads you cannot exceed the following dimensions or weight without getting a permit:

  • 13 feet 6 inches in height; or
  • 8 feet 6 inches in width; or
  • 40 feet in length for a single vehicle; or
  • 60 feet in length for a two-vehicle combination; or
  • 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight; or
  • 12,000 pounds on the steering axle; or
  • 20,000 pounds on a single axle; or
  • 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle; or
  • 800 pounds per inch of rim width and subject to the above axle weights.

If the load you need moved exceeds those dimensions, you’ll have to get a permit. To get one you’ll have to have the following information:

  • Vehicle information (Vehicle ID Number, make, year, license plate number, State where plated)
  • Vehicle dimensions (length, width, height, total gross weight, axle weight and axle spacings)
  • Route information (origin, destination, route to be traveled, mileage)
  • Load information (load description and how it is loaded)

Now some of these loads can take weeks to prepare to move. Having route information is more than just looking at a map and determining a route. You have to be sure the route is safe.

For instance, if your load is over the 13’ 6” maximum height, you have to make sure your load can clear any low bridges, overhead wires, etc. If you have a really wide load you have to make sure the load can make it though on ramps/ off ramps and through the guardrails. If the load is overweight (some of these loads weigh upwards of 300,000 pounds), the state ensures that the bridges you plan on using can handle the weight.

To make this all easier, the Department now offers electronic processing of oversize/overweight permit requests. This can be done at www.in.gov/dor/mcs  Select OSW, and get your user ID and password by clicking on First Time User? Register for OSW. Once you have your User ID and password, you can login to OSW and order, pay for, and print your permits electronically.

So the next time you see that manufactured home coming at you in your rearview mirror, know that the driver and the Department of Revenue have worked together to ensure the load is safe to travel on our roads.

Archived articles…

If you would like to submit a question or topic suggestions, please send those to feedback@dor.in.gov.