OVERVIEW
PERMITS: West Virginia oversize permits valid for five calendar days. Must have permit prior to entering the state.
OPERATING TIME: Sunrise to sunset, Monday through Friday, plus the following for weekend movement: On Interstate and divided routes, weekend running is allowed if dimensions do not exceed 14’6″ high, 14′ wide, 95′ long or 15′ total overhang. On US and selected WV routes, weekend running is allowed when not exceeding 14′ high, 12′ wide, 75′ long, and 10′ total overhang. On all other routes, weekend running is allowed when not exceeding 13’6″ high, 12′ wide, 75′ long, and 10′ total overhang. Overweight only, not exceeding 110,000 pounds gross are allowed 24/7 movement. Overweight only, exceeding 110,000 pounds gross can only travel sunrise to sunset, Monday through Friday.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: Over-dimensional travel usually not allowed on major holidays and holiday weekends.
WEST VIRGINIA PARKWAY: No night running or overnight parking is allowed on the Parkway so cutoff time for entry depends on time of year. Vehicles/loads over 14′ wide are restricted to Monday through Thursday movement, no Friday movement allowed. Most of the other over dimensional rules are the same as on the Interstates in West Virginia.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS
Length:
- 53′ trailer or load on Interstate and designated highways, (with measurement from rear tractor axle to trailer first axle not to exceed 37′)
- 48′ trailer and 60′ overall on non-designated roads
Overhang:
- 3′ front
- 6′ rear (all roads)
Width:
- 8’6″ Interstate and designated roads
- 8′ on non-designated
Height: 13’6″
Weight: 80,000 Gross on designated routes, 65,000 on non-designated routes)
- Single – 20,000
- Tandem – 34,000
- Tridem – 42,500 (8′ spacings)
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS
Length: No limit if route can accommodate
Width:
- 16′ on 4-lanes
- 15′ on 2-lanes
Height:
- 16′ if route can accommodate
- Over 15′ needs engineer approval
Weight: 120,000 Gross
- Single – 28,000
- Tandem – 45,000
- Tridem – 50,000
- “superload” permit can go higher and is usually routine issue
Loads exceeding these dimensions are considered as Super Loads.
ESCORTS
On 4 or more lane divided highways:
Length:
- Over 95′ – 1 escort
- Over 100′ – 2 escorts
Overhang: Over 10′ front or rear overhang – 1 escort
Width:
- Over 12′ – 1 escort
- Over 14′ – 2 escorts
- Over 15′ – 3 escorts
- Over 16′ as required by route
Height: 15′ – 1 escort (high pole) in addition to any other escort
On 2-lane highways:
Length:
- At 75′ – 1 rear escort
- Over 95′ – 2 escorts
Overhang: Over 10′ front or rear overhang – 1 escort
Width:
- At 10’6″ to 12′ – 1 front escort
- Over 12′ – 2 escorts
- Over 15′ – 3 escorts
- Over 16′ as required by routes
Height: 15′ – 1 escort (high pole) in addition to any other escort
Note: Local districts may impose additional escort requirements
Signs, Flags, and Lights: “Oversize Load” signs front and rear and six flags are required for all oversize loads. The flags should be displayed one on each side of the front bumper of the power unit and one on each top corner of the load. Overhang over 4′ needs flag or flashing amber light. There are no sign or flag requirements for overweight only loads.