Wisconsin OSOW Regulations (WisDOT)

Legal Dimensions (No Permit Required)

• Width: 8'6"
• Height: 13'6"
• Length: 53' (vehicle)

Legal Weights (No Permit Required)

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

Superload Definition

Superloads exceed:

• 16' width, OR
• 150,000 lbs

Escort Vehicle Requirements

When Escorts Are Required

Two-Lane Highways

• Load/vehicle extends left of centerline: 1 escort vehicle required
• Width 15' to 16': 1 front escort required
• Width over 16'2" OR length over 125': 1 front escort AND 1 rear escort required

Multi-Lane Highways

• Width over 14' on certain highways: 1 escort required
• Width over 16' on divided highways: 1 rear escort required
• Width over 16' on non-divided highways: 1 front escort AND 1 rear escort (police or private)

Escort Vehicle Equipment

• Lighting: Roof-mounted amber warning lights required
• Vehicles escorting oversize loads must be properly equipped per state regulations

Permit Types

General 5-Day Single Trip Permit

• Valid: 5 days
• Covers: One movement from point A to point B
• Applies to: Non-divisible oversize and overweight loads exceeding legal limits

Operating Times

Superload Restrictions (Over 16' or 150,000 lbs)

• No travel during hours of darkness
• No travel from noon Saturday until sunrise Monday
• Summer restriction (4th Sunday in May through Labor Day): No travel 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Overweight Only Vehicles

• 24/7 operation allowed unless permit states otherwise

Holiday Restrictions

No travel allowed on:

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

Contact Information

• Website: https://wisconsindot.gov/pages/dmv/com-drv-vehs/mtr-car-trkr/osowgeneral.aspx
• State: Wisconsin
• Agency: Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
• Bureau: Bureau of Highway Maintenance

Regulatory References

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation
• Wisconsin DMV Form MV2600 (Oversize/Overweight Single Trip Permit)
• https://wisconsindot.gov/pages/dmv/com-drv-vehs/mtr-car-trkr/osowgeneral.aspx
• https://jjkellercompliancenetwork.com/regsense/oversize-and-overweight-movements-wisconsin

Last Updated: 2025-11-11