Pennsylvania OSOW Regulations (PennDOT)

Legal Dimensions (No Permit Required)

• Width: 8'6"
• Height: 13'6"
• Length: 70'
• Legal Overhang: Front 4', Rear 6'

Legal Weights (No Permit Required)

• Gross vehicle weight: 80,000 lbs maximum
• Single axle: 20,000 lbs
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs
• Tridem axle: 45,200 lbs

Superload Definition

Superloads exceed:

• 201,000 lbs gross weight, OR
• 160' length, OR
• 16' width

Permit Types and Costs

EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025

Emergency Single Trip Permits

Less than 14' wide:

• Base fee: $46
• Plus: $0.04 per ton-mile for overweight

Greater than 14' wide:

• Base fee: $97
• Plus: $0.04 per ton-mile for overweight

Travel Trip Permits

• Cost: $73
• Duration: Valid for 5 days

Annual Permits

Special Mobile Equipment with Overweight Axles:

• Cost: $300 per year

General Government Permits

• Single trip or annual permits: FREE
• For: Government entities

Official Fee Schedule: Complete 2025 fee schedule available at PennDOT website: https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/penndot/documents/programs-and-doing-business/permits/haulinginformation/documents/hauling-permit-2025-fees.pdf

Escort/Pilot Car Requirements

When Escorts Are Required

Over Width

• Over 13' wide: 1 front escort on single-lane roads; 1 rear escort on all other roads

Over Length or Rear Overhang

• Over 90' long: 1 rear escort
• Rear overhang over 15': 1 rear escort

Over Height

• Over 14'6" high: 1 pilot car must precede permitted vehicle by 1,000-3,000 feet
• Equipment: Height pole or other height sensitizing device required on all highways

Over Weight

• Over 201,000 lbs: Police escort required

Bridge Crossings

• Overwidth vehicle crossing bridge: 1 front escort AND 1 rear escort

Escort Vehicle Positioning

• Height escort: Precedes vehicle by 1,000-3,000 feet

Operating Times

Standard Hours (Monday - Friday)

• Sunrise to sunset

Saturday Travel

• Sunrise to noon

Weekend Travel Restrictions

Loads over 10' wide AND/OR 85' in length:

• No weekend travel allowed

Overweight Only (Continuous Travel Allowed)

Loads not exceeding:

• 107,000 lbs weight
• 70' overall length
• Operating at prevailing speeds
• 24/7 continuous travel permitted

Pennsylvania Turnpike Specific Requirements

When Turnpike Permit Required

• Weight exceeds 100,000 lbs
• Axle weight exceeds 22,400 lbs (27,000 lbs maximum)
• Height exceeds 13'6"
• Width over 10'0" to maximum of 11'6"

Turnpike Travel Times

Memorial Day to Labor Day:

• Monday to Thursday: Dawn to dusk
• Friday: Dawn to noon

Labor Day to Memorial Day:

• Monday to Friday: Dawn to dusk
• Saturday: Dawn to noon

Penalties and Fines

Overweight Violations

Fine Structure:

• Base fine: $75
• Additional: $75 for each 500 pounds (or part thereof) in excess of 3,000 pounds over maximum

Fine Calculation Examples:

• 5,000 lbs over: $75 + $150 = $225
• 10,000 lbs over: $75 + (14 × $75) = $1,125

Doubled Fines

If gross weight exceeds applicable gross weight allowed:

• Fine imposed is doubled

Extremely Large Violations

Over 150,000 lbs total vehicle weight:

• Minimum fine: $150 per 500 lbs (via court)
• Escalated penalties for extreme violations

Fine Reductions

66% reduction available if:

• Excess is less than 3,000 lbs AND
• Load is shifted or offloaded promptly

Out-of-Service Orders

Grossly overweight (more than 7,000 lbs over):

• Officer can declare vehicle out-of-service
• Must obtain special permit or reduce load before continuing

General Violations

Violations without specific penalty:

• Summary offense
• Fine: $300 per violation upon conviction

Official Authority

• 67 Pa. Code Chapter 179 (Oversize and Overweight Loads and Vehicles)

Contact Information

• Website: https://www.penndot.pa.gov/
• State: Pennsylvania
• Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
• Turnpike: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Regulatory References

• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
• 67 Pa. Code Chapter 179 (Oversize And Overweight Loads And Vehicles)
• Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
• https://www.penndot.pa.gov/
• https://www.paturnpike.com/commercial/permits-restrictions
• https://jjkellercompliancenetwork.com/regsense/oversize-and-overweight-movements-pennsylvania

Last Updated: 2025-11-11