Kentucky OSOW Regulations (KYTC)

Legal Dimensions (No Permit Required)

• Width: 8'6" (Interstate and designated roads), 8' (non-designated roads)
• Height: 13'6"
• Length - Trailer/load on Interstate and designated highways: 53'
• Length - Truck and trailer on other highways: 65'
• Legal Overhang: 5' rear overhang on 48' trailer

Legal Weights (No Permit Required)

• Gross vehicle weight: 80,000 lbs maximum
• Single axle: 20,000 lbs
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs
• Tridem axle: 48,000 lbs

Routine Permit Limits

• Width: 16' maximum
• Height: 15'6" maximum
• Length: 110' maximum
• Weight: 160,000 lbs maximum

Annual Permit Limits

• Width: 16' maximum
• Height: 13'6" maximum
• Length: 120' maximum (including towing vehicle and trailer combination)
• Weight: 160,000 lbs maximum

Permit Types and Costs

Single Trip Permit

• Valid: 10 calendar days
• Cost: $60 per permit requested

Annual Permit

• Less than 14' wide: $250
• Exceeding 14' wide: $500

Escort Vehicle Requirements

When Escorts Are Required

Two-Lane Highways - Lead Escort Required

• Width exceeds 12'
• Length exceeds 75'
• Height exceeds 14'11"

Two-Lane Highways - Trail Escort Required

• Width exceeds 12'
• Length exceeds 85'
• Load cannot maintain posted speed limit

Four or More Lane Divided Highways

• Over 12': 1 escort
• Over 14': 2 escorts
• Over 16': 4 escorts

Height Requirements

• 14'11" or greater: Height pole required on front escort

Escort Distance

• Escort vehicles must accompany overweight/overdimensional vehicle at distance of 300 feet on open highways

Escort Signs

• "OVERSIZE LOAD" warning signs must be displayed on lead escort vehicle for loads exceeding 12' width

Transport Vehicle Requirements

Signs

• "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs mandatory for:
  • All loads exceeding 10'6" width

Flags

• Must be displayed on all four corners of any wide load
• Must be placed on extremities

Operating Times

Standard Hours

• 24/7 travel permitted in Kentucky unless specified otherwise on permit

Regional Rush Hour Restrictions

Restricted travel 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Monday through Friday in:

• Boone County
• Campbell County
• Fayette County
• Jefferson County
• Kenton County

Holiday Restrictions

• No holiday travel restrictions in Kentucky

Contact Information

• Website: https://drive.ky.gov/Motor-Carriers/Overweight-Over-Dimensional/Pages/OWOD-Permits.aspx
• State: Kentucky
• Agency: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)
• System: DRIVE (Division of Motor Carriers)

Regulatory References

• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
• 601 KAR 1:018 (Special Overweight or Overdimensional Motor Vehicle Load Permits)
• 601 KAR 1:019 (Overweight or Overdimensional Farm Equipment)
• https://drive.ky.gov/Motor-Carriers/Overweight-Over-Dimensional/Pages/OWOD-Permits.aspx
• https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/kentucky/601-KAR-1-018
• https://jjkellercompliancenetwork.com/regsense/oversize-and-overweight-movements-kentucky

Last Updated: 2025-11-11