Arkansas OSOW Regulations

Legal Dimensions (No Permit Required)

• Width: 8'6"
• Height: 13'6"
• Length - Single Vehicle: 40'
• Length - Semi-trailer: 28'
• Length - Truck-semi-trailer: 57'
• Legal Overhang: Front 3', Rear 4'

Legal Weights (No Permit Required)

• Gross vehicle and cargo weight: 80,000 lbs (on 5 or more axles)
• Must meet federal bridge formula for 80,000 lbs
• Single axle: 20,000 lbs maximum
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs maximum (legal limit)
• Front (Steer) Axle: 12,000 lbs (except vehicles of special design)
• Secondary highways: Restricted to 40 MPH, may be posted for lesser weight

Maximum Permitted Weights (With Permit)

Axle Group Configurations

Single Axle:

• Maximum permitted: 20,000 lbs
• No permit issued for single axle exceeding 20,000 lbs (except off-the-road vehicle/equipment)

Tandem Axle:

• Maximum permitted: 40,000 lbs total
• No single axle in group shall exceed 20,000 lbs

Tridem Axle:

• Maximum permitted: 60,000 lbs total
• No single axle in group shall exceed 20,000 lbs

Quadrum Axle:

• Maximum permitted: 68,000 lbs total
• No single axle in group shall exceed 17,000 lbs

Special Steering Axle Permits

Director may issue permits for vehicles of special design, equipment, or construction engaged in occasional or specialized heavy hauling (heavy machinery, specialized equipment commodities, oil/gas field equipment, etc.):

• Single front/steering axle: Up to 18,000 lbs
• Tandem front/steering axle: Up to 32,000 lbs
• Period: Not more than 12 consecutive months
• Requirement: Written application with satisfactory proof vehicle used solely for specified purposes

Escort Vehicle Requirements

When Escorts Are Required

Over Length

• 100+ feet on 4+ lane highways (Interstates, controlled access, divided): 1 escort following
• 100+ feet on all other highways: 1 escort leading
• 115+ feet on highways with <4 lanes: 2 escorts (one leading, one following)

Over Width (Non-Manufactured Homes)

• >14 ft on 4+ lane controlled access highways: 1 escort (following, 200 ft behind during continuous travel)
• >14 ft on all other highways (not 4+ lane controlled access): 2 escorts (one leading, one following)
• >12 ft but ≤14 ft on highways (not 4+ lane controlled access): 1 escort (leading)

Over Height

• >15 ft: 1 escort with clearance bar (extending 6" above permitted height) preceding the load (unless otherwise specified on permit)
• >17 ft: Must obtain written agreements signed by overhead facility owners (utilities, traffic signals, etc.) along route
  • Move must be accompanied by representatives of owners OR obtain letters indicating owners are aware of height and do not desire representative to accompany

Additional Escorts

• Permit Section may require additional escorts for safety of motoring public
• May require law enforcement vehicles to accompany movement

Escort Vehicle Insurance Requirements

• Bodily injury coverage: $100,000 per injury/death
• Per accident coverage: $300,000
• Property damage: $25,000 per accident
• Minimum combined single limit: $325,000

Escort Vehicle Specifications

Vehicle Requirements

• Truck: ≥1/4 ton rated load capacity
• Automobile: ≥2,000 lbs gross weight
• Must be properly licensed under Arkansas laws and/or reciprocal agreements

Identification

• Company name and address OR telephone number and city
• Must be on each door
• Plainly legible and visible to motoring public
• Well-known company logos acceptable
• Logos/names must match documentation shown on proof of insurance carried in vehicle

Signs

• Standard loads: "OVERSIZE LOAD"
• Manufactured homes: "OVERSIZE LOAD/OVERSIZE [width in feet] LOAD"
  • Example: "OVERSIZE 14 LOAD" (rounded up to nearest whole foot)
• Construction: Durable material
• Colors: Yellow background, black letters
• Letter specifications: 2" stroke, minimum 10" height

Safety Equipment (Required)

• 10 lb Class BC dry chemical fire extinguisher (or equivalent)
• 4 fifteen-minute burning flares, light sticks, or triangles
• Any other device required by Permit Section

Lighting Requirements (Choose One)

Rotating Light:

• Incandescent or halogen bulb
• Minimum 35,000 total candlepower (factory certified)
• Steady beam of light
• Minimum 6" lens height
• 360° horizontal visibility

Strobe Light:

• Strobe type light source
• Minimum 500,000 total candlepower (factory certified)
• Minimum 80 flashes per minute
• Minimum 3.5" lens height
• 360° horizontal visibility

Mounting: Light must be mounted on top of escort vehicle with no obstructions (signs, appurtenances) blocking 360° visibility

Flags

• Two solid red flags, 18" square
• Mounted at 40-70° angle (not vertical or horizontal)
• Must not extend more than 6" on either side of vehicle
• Maximum width at spread: 8'0"
• Mounted in line with warning lights

Clearance Bar

• Required for overheight loads
• Must warn of clearance problems for load being escorted

Communications

• Two-way radio communication required between all escort and towing vehicles

Operational Requirements

Distance

• 200 feet between escort and towing vehicle at all times

Escort Vehicle Placement

• Overheight loads: 1 escort travels in front
• Two-escort requirement: One in front, one behind vehicle/cargo
• Permit Section may grant exceptions

Traffic Control

• Escorts serve as warning of possible hazard to other traffic
• See Act 918 of 1991, Arkansas Code Annotated 27-35-213 and 27-35-310 for provisions on stopping and directing traffic

Transport Vehicle Requirements

Banner

• Display "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign across front and back
• Plainly legible
• Durable material
• Letters: 10" high, 2" stroke
• Background: Yellow
• Size: Not specified

Flags

• 18" red or fluorescent orange flags
• Required on all four corners of the load

Warning Lights

• No special lights required for oversize loads
• Standard vehicle lighting sufficient
• (Escort vehicles require caution lighting - see Escort Requirements above)

Running Hours and Holiday Restrictions

Permitted Movement Hours

• Daylight hours only
• Greater Little Rock area (Interstate 30): No oversized movement 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM or 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Holiday Restrictions

• No permits issued for movement on: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
• Weekend restrictions: If holiday is observed on Monday or Friday, no movement allowed on weekend following Friday or preceding Monday

Trip and Fuel Permits (IRP / IFTA)

Temporary Trip Permit

• Valid: 72 hours
• Cost: $33
• Issued in place of IRP plates
• Available at entry port or through permitting service (extra processing charges)

Hunter Permit (Unladen/Not Transferable)

• Valid: 30 days
• Cost: $39
• Available through Arkansas IRP department

IFTA Requirements

• Vehicles subject to International Registration Plan (IRP) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) must obtain IFTA fuel license and decal and IRP license plate and cab card before operating interstate

Overweight Fines and Penalties

Who Can Be Held Liable (Misdemeanor)

Violations apply to:

• Operators (drivers)
• Owners
• Principals
• Employers
• Lessors
• Lessees
• Agents
• Officers of any firm or corporation who permits an operator to violate provisions

Criminal Penalties (Progressive)

First Conviction:

• Fine up to $100 (misdemeanor)

Second Conviction Within 1 Year:

• Fine up to $200 (misdemeanor)

Third and Each Successive Conviction Within 1 Year:

• Fine up to $500 (misdemeanor)

Weight-Based Fines

General range: $10 minimum to 3-5 cents per pound overweight (maximum)

Important: Courts have discretion to impose minimum or maximum penalties within ranges. Repeat offenders face higher base criminal penalties plus weight-based fines.

Tire Regulations

General Tire Requirements (Arkansas Code 27-37-401)

Required:

• All motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers must be equipped with pneumatic rubber tires
• Nonpneumatic or solid rubber tire mountings are not permitted

Prohibited:

• Metal tires in contact with roadway
• Any tire with block, stud, flange, cleat, spike, or other protuberances (except rubber) projecting beyond tread traction surface

Exceptions:

1. Farm machinery with protuberances that will not injure highway
2. Tire chains of reasonable proportions when required for safety
3. Metal studded tires during prescribed period (see below)

Special Permits:

• State Highway Commission and local authorities may issue special permits for:
  • Traction engines or tractors with movable tracks with transverse corrugations
  • Farm tractors or other farm machinery otherwise prohibited

Studded Tires (Arkansas Code 27-37-402)

Legal Period:

• Permitted: November 15 - April 15 annually
• Unlawful: Any other time period

Specifications:

• Metal studs protruding maximum 1/16" from rubber tread surface
• Only on motor vehicles operated on public highways

Violations:

• Penalty: $25-$50 fine (misdemeanor)
• Operating with studded tires outside permitted period is unlawful

Federal Preemption Clause:

• If US Congress enacts legislation or federal agency adopts regulations prohibiting metal studded tires, Arkansas authorization terminates
• After federal prohibition, metal studded tires unlawful at all times in Arkansas

Tire Chains

• Permissible when required for safety
• Must be of reasonable proportions
• No restrictions on time period (unlike studded tires)

Annual Permits

• Arkansas has no annual permit requirements

Road Conditions and Work Zones

Work Zone Penalties

• All moving traffic violation penalties DOUBLE in marked work zones
• Higher fines apply when workers are present
• Signs reading "road work ahead" indicate higher fine zones

Manufactured Homes and Mobile Homes

Permit Requirements

• Special permit from Department of Transportation required for interstate/intrastate movement
• One permit required per single continuous movement of each manufactured home unit
• No local permits, bonds, fees, or licenses can be required by municipalities or counties for permitted manufactured homes

Emergency Permits (Units >16'6" Width)

• Available for units exceeding 16'6" width
• Department approval required based on:
  1. Maximum overall width
  2. Distance to travel
  3. Condition of highway
  4. Volume and type of traffic

Contact Information

• Phone: 501-569-2381
• Fax: 501-569-4998 or 501-569-4997
• Hours: 6:00 AM - 4:15 PM Central
• Website: http://www.arkansashighways.com

Regulatory References

• Arkansas Code Annotated 27-35-210
• Arkansas Code Annotated 27-35-213
• Arkansas Code Annotated 27-35-310
• Arkansas Code Annotated 27-37-401 (Tire Requirements)
• Arkansas Code Annotated 27-37-402 (Studded Tires)
• Act 918 of 1991
• http://www.arkansashighways.com/permits/regulations/General%20Information.htm
• http://www.arkansashighways.com/permits/regulations/Overweight%20Movement.htm
• http://www.arkansashighways.com/act300/AR%20Motor%20Vehicle%202017%20Edition.pdf
• https://www.arkansashighways.com/highway_police/map21/Size_Weight.pdf
• https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/policy/rpt_congress/truck_sw_laws/app_a.htm#al

Last Updated: 2025-11-11