DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OVERSIZE PERMITS & ESCORTS INFORMATION
District of Columbia Oversize Permits Phone Number (630) 222-5770
PERMITS: Permits are valid for five days.
OPERATING TIME: Travel allowed 24 hours a day “unless extremely overwidth or overheight,” except no travel from 7:00 am – 9:30 am and 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Some moves may be restricted to the hours of 10:00pm – 5:00 am.
Travel is allowed on weekends and holidays.

LEGAL DIMENSIONS
Length: 48′ semi-trailer
no overall limit on designated routes
55′ overall on non-designated routes
Overhang: 3′ front, 5′ rear
Width: 8′-6″ (8′ on non-designated)
Height: 13′-6″
Weight: 80,000 Gross
Steer – 20,000
Single – 20,000
Tandem – 34,000
Tridem – depends on axle spacings
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS
Length: Determined by route
Width: Determined by route
Height: Determined by route
Weight: Maximum determined on case by case basis. No axle can exceed 31,000 lbs. Loads 140,000 lbs. and up need special approval.
ESCORTS
Length: 80′ or over – one escort
Width: Over 12′ – one escort
Height: Over 13′-6″– one escort
Weight: Over 79,000 lbs or any axle weight over 31,000 lbs – one escort
Miscellaneous: Blades, buckets, counterweights can be hauled with the equipment.
Signs & Flags: “Wide Load” signs are required on all overwidth loads. No flag requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Width: Up to 8 feet, with exceptions for 15+ passenger buses, which can be up to 8 feet 6 inches wide.
Height: A maximum height of 13 feet 6 inches, including the load.
Length: Single-unit vehicles must not exceed 40 feet; buses can be up to 60 feet, and semi-trailers and other vehicle combinations are limited to 55 feet.
Weight Limits: Trucks over 26,000 pounds face route restrictions.
Size Limits: Width is capped at 8 feet, with a few exceptions for buses. Length restrictions include 40 feet for single units, 60 feet for buses, and 55 feet for combos.
Designated Routes: Trucks must stick to certain routes, with through-travel banned on many roads, though local deliveries are permitted.
Loading Zones: There are specific commercial loading and unloading areas.
Operating Times: There might be restrictions on truck operations during peak traffic hours.