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Michigan OSOW Regulations

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

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Michigan OSOW Regulations (MDOT)

  • Width: 8'6"
  • Height: 13'6"
  • Gross vehicle weight: 80,000 lbs maximum (including load)
  • Single axle: 20,000 lbs maximum
  • Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs maximum

Maximum Permitted Dimensions

  • Width: 16' maximum (super loads beyond this)
  • Height: 15' maximum (super loads beyond this)
  • Length: 150' maximum (super loads beyond this)
  • Weight: 150,000 lbs maximum
  • Maximum speed: 45 MPH for any permitted shipment

Super Loads

Definition: Loads that are 16' wide, 15' high, and/or 150' long

Height Responsibility

  • Shippers/drivers responsible for finding safe routes when height exceeds 13'6"

Escort Vehicle Requirements

When Escorts Are Required

Over Width

  • Over 12' wide: Rear escort required on all movements
  • Over 14' wide: Escort required at both front AND rear

Over Height

  • Over 14'6" high: Must be preceded by escort vehicle equipped with sensing device
  • Over 15' high: Front escort with sensing device AND rear escort required

Over Length

  • 90' to 100' long: One escort required
  • Over 100' long: Two escorts required

Escort Vehicle Specifications

Vehicle Requirements

  • Passenger car or pickup truck

Equipment Requirements

  • At least one flashing or rotating amber light displayed on top of cab
  • Amber lights must be visible for distance of 500 feet

Signs

  • "OVERSIZE LOAD" sign displayed on roof of escort vehicle
  • Dimensions: 5 feet long x 12 inches high
  • Letters: 8 inches high
  • Colors: Black letters on yellow background

Operating Times

Standard Hours (Monday - Friday)

  • Daylight hours only: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset

Weekend Movement

Loads not exceeding 10' wide, 14' high, and 90' long:

  • Saturday: All day
  • Sunday: Until 3:00 PM

Holiday Restrictions

No movement from 12:00 noon on day preceding through daylight of first day after:

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

Seasonal Restrictions (Spring Weight Restriction Period)

Overweight Restrictions

  • No overweight permits issued during spring weight restriction period
  • Exception: Public emergency only

Width Restrictions

  • No permits issued for widths exceeding 14' during spring restriction period
  • Exception: Public emergency only

Permit Types and Costs

Single Trip Permits (5-Day)

Over-dimension (legal weight):

  • Cost: $15
  • Duration: 5-day period
  • Coverage: One-way trip from point A to point B
  • Return trip: Can be requested within same 5-day period with same configuration or empty trailer

Over-dimension and/or Overweight:

  • Cost: $50
  • Duration: 5-day period
  • Coverage: One-way trip

Processing time: Usually issued within 12 business hours

Extended/Annual Permits

Extended Permits:

  • Cost: $100.00 for each truck, each trailer, and each piece of equipment
  • Applies to: Equipment that when loaded is overweight and/or over-dimension
  • Processing time: Usually issued within 15 to 21 business days from receipt by MDOT

Annual Renewal (Over-dimension, Legal Weight):

  • Cost: $30 for each truck, trailer, or piece of equipment

Pro-rated pricing: New extended permit prices are pro-rated based on when received and expiration month. See Fee Schedule on MDOT Truckers webpage for specific costs.

Note: MiTRIP assigns fees based on exact dimensions and weights entered into the system

Payment Methods: Credit card, debit card, or electronic fund transfer through MDOT Permit Gateway (MPG) Shopping Cart

Application Process

MiTRIP System

  • Michigan Transport Routing and Internet Permitting (MiTRIP)
  • Submit applications through MDOT Permit Gateway (MPG)

Height Certification

  • Applications for permits exceeding 13'6" in height must certify that proposed route has been traveled to ensure vertical clearance

Penalties and Fines

Civil Fines

Maximum civil fine:

  • Up to $500 for overweight vehicles

Per-Pound Penalty Structure (MCL 257.724)

Escalating penalties based on excess weight:

  • Over 1,000 lbs: $0.03 per pound
  • Over 2,000 lbs: $0.06 per pound
  • Over 3,000 lbs: $0.09 per pound
  • Over 4,000 lbs: $0.12 per pound
  • Over 5,000 lbs: $0.15 per pound
  • Over 10,000 lbs: $0.20 per pound

Misload Penalties

1,000 to 4,000 lbs misload on one or more axles:

  • $200 fine per axle (not exceeding 3 axles)

4,000 to 8,000 lbs misload on one or more axles:

  • $400 fine per axle (not exceeding 3 axles)

Official Authority

  • Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.724) - Overweight penalties
  • MDOT Permit Office - Enforcement and permitting

Contact Information

  • Website: https://www.michigan.gov/mdot
  • State: Michigan
  • Agency: Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)
  • System: MiTRIP (Michigan Transport Routing and Internet Permitting)

Regulatory References

  • Michigan Department of Transportation Permit Office
  • Michigan Transport Routing and Internet Permitting (MiTRIP) System
  • MDOT Form T-2
  • https://www.michigan.gov/mdot
  • https://jjkellercompliancenetwork.com/regsense/oversize-and-overweight-movements-michigan

Last Updated: 2025-11-11