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Florida OSOW Regulations

Permit, escort, and operating-hour requirements for oversize and overweight moves in Florida.

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Florida OSOW Regulations (FDOT)

  • Width: 8'6" (8' for roadways narrower than 12')
  • Height: 13'6" to 14' (varies by source)
  • Length - Single vehicle: 40'
  • Gross vehicle weight: 80,000 lbs maximum
  • Single axle: 21,000 lbs maximum
  • Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs maximum
  • Tridem axle: 42,000 lbs maximum

Permit Requirements

Self-Issue Trip Permits (PAS System)

Maximum dimensions for self-issue:

  • Width: 16' maximum
  • Height: 18' maximum
  • Length: 150' maximum
  • Weight: 200,000 lbs maximum (140,000 lbs for self-propelled equipment)

When Permit Required

  • Loads wider than 8'6" (or 8' for highways narrower than 12')
  • Loads exceeding legal height
  • Loads exceeding legal length
  • Loads exceeding legal weight

Permit Types and Costs

Single Trip Permits (7-Day Duration)

Fee structure based on load dimensions:

Tier 1 - Smaller loads:

  • Dimensions: Up to 12' wide, 13' high, or 85' long
  • Cost: $5 for 7 days

Tier 2 - Medium loads:

  • Dimensions: Up to 14' wide, 14'6" high, and 95' long
  • Cost: $15 for 7 days

Tier 3 - Larger loads:

  • Dimensions: Up to 14' wide, 18' tall, or 120' long
  • Cost: $25 for 7 days

Note: Typical oversize/overweight loads may cost $16-$30 for single trip permits

Ten-Day Trip Permits

  • Duration: Valid for 10 days
  • Use: Single trip or round trip

Three-Month Route Specific Blanket Permits

  • Duration: Valid for 3 months
  • Coverage: Specific route authorization

Annual Blanket Permits

Fee structure based on load dimensions:

Tier 1 - Smaller loads:

  • Dimensions: Up to 12' wide, 13' high, or 85' long
  • Cost: $20 for 12 months

Tier 2 - Medium loads:

  • Dimensions: Up to 14' wide, 14'6" high, and 95' long
  • Cost: $150 for 12 months

Tier 3 - Larger loads:

  • Dimensions: Up to 14' wide, 18' tall, or 120' long
  • Cost: $250 for 12 months

Annual Vehicle Specific Blanket Permits

  • Coverage: Tied to specific vehicle/VIN
  • Duration: Valid for one year

Overweight Permit Fees

  • Fee range: $10 to $100+ per trip
  • Based on: Axle group weights and distances traveled

Contact FDOT at (850) 410-5777 for current fee schedule

Escort Vehicle Requirements

When Escorts Are Required

Over Width

  • Over 12' wide: Escort vehicle required
  • Over 14' wide: Both law enforcement escort AND licensed escort vehicle required

Over Height

  • Over 14'6" high: Escort vehicle required
  • Over 16' high: Both law enforcement escort AND licensed escort vehicle required

Over Length

  • Over 85' long: Escort vehicle required
  • Over 250' long: Both law enforcement escort AND licensed escort vehicle required

Escort Vehicle Positioning

  • One escort required: Precedes load on two-lane highways OR follows load on four-lane divided highways
  • Two escorts required: One must precede load, one must follow

Escort Vehicle Specifications

Vehicle Requirements

  • Single unit vehicle only
  • Gross vehicle weight rating: Minimum 2,000 lbs, maximum 26,000 lbs

Equipment Requirements

  • High visibility rotating, strobe, or flashing Class 2 warning lights
  • Must be mounted to be seen at distance of at least 500 feet

Driver Qualifications

Must complete one of the following:

  • Minimum 8-hour defensive driving course (National Safety Council qualified instructor, not employed by escort service)
  • Possess valid Commercial Driver License (Class A, B, or C)
  • Minimum 8-hour pilot/escort flagging course

Transport Vehicle Requirements

Signs

  • "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs required for:
    • All loads exceeding 10' wide
    • Loads over legal length
    • Loads 14' high or more

Flags

  • Color: Red or orange
  • Size: 18" square
  • Placement: All four corners and all protrusions, projections, and overhangs

Operating Times

Standard Operating Hours

  • 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset

Weekend Travel

  • Saturday and Sunday (loads 10' wide and under): If legal trailer length and height not exceeding 14'6"
  • Saturday and Sunday until 12:00 noon: Loads over 10' wide but not exceeding 14' wide

Holiday Restrictions

No movement allowed on:

  • New Year's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

Penalties and Fines

Overweight Violations (Without Valid Permit)

Per-Pound Penalty:

  • $0.05 per pound for all weight over the legal weight limit when operating without valid permit

Weight-Based Fines (Florida Statute 316.545):

  • 200 lbs or less over: $10
  • Greater than 200 lbs over: $0.05 per pound for each pound of excess weight
  • Unlawful axle weight (first 600 lbs): Maximum fine of $10 (if gross weight doesn't exceed maximum allowable)

Oversize Violations (Without Valid Permit)

Dimensional Violations:

  • Width, height, or length violations: Up to $1,000 per violation
  • Based on: Number of feet (or portion of a foot) over legal dimensions

Permit Violations

Violation of Permit Stipulations:

  • Up to $1,000 per violation for each safety stipulation violated in special permit

Official References

  • Florida Statute 316.545 (Overweight penalties)
  • Florida Administrative Code 14-24 (Safety regulations and permit fees)

Contact Information

  • Website: https://www.fdot.gov/maintenance/divisions.shtm/structures/owodpermits.shtm
  • State: Florida
  • Agency: Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
  • Enforcement: Florida Highway Patrol

Regulatory References

  • Florida Department of Transportation
  • Florida Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
  • https://www.fdot.gov/maintenance/divisions.shtm/structures/owodpermits.shtm
  • https://www.flhsmv.gov/florida-highway-patrol/commercial-vehicle-enforcement/safety-enforcement/size-and-permit-enforcement/
  • https://jjkellercompliancenetwork.com/regsense/oversize-and-overweight-movements-florida

Last Updated: 2025-11-11