States that Allow Electronic Oversize Permits
It was in 2015 when states in the United States (U.S.) started accepting digital or electronic permits for truckers. The trend picked up momentum gradually as states, one after another, began digitization of their transport and logistics management. That particularly includes regulatory compliance systems via digital or electronic permits. Electronic permits, often referred to as e-permits or electronic logging devices (ELDs), are used to track and manage hours of service for truck drivers.
However, a few states are still following paper-based credentials and away from allowing electronic permits for truckers for various reasons. However, the majority of them have approved laws for digital compliance systems and are accepting e-permits with their state-specific requirements.
Alabama (AL): Electronic permits allowed on both laptop and phones no minimum screen size
Alaska (AK): Must be able to show permit regardless of service area, otherwise will be considered to have no permit Must have paper permit
Arizona (AZ): Electronic permits are allowed but paper copy is preferred
Arkansas (AR): Electronic permits allowed on seven-inch screen or larger
California (CA): Electronic transportation permits (RCATZ/STARS2 only) and any required accompaniments are allowed on any electronic device, no minimum screen size
Colorado (CO): Electronic permit allowed, no minimum screen size
Connecticut (CT): Electronic verification of permit is acceptable, no minimum screen size. The driver must be able to produce the permit on an electronic devise to show enforcement if pulled over.
Delaware (DE): Must have paper permit, state does not allow electronic handheld devices at all per state law.
District of Columbia (DC): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size
Florida (FL): Electronic permits are allowed with no minimum screen size, although blanket permits must be a paper copy.
Georgia (GA): Paper permit is required. Discretion of the officer requesting to view the permit if they will accept an electronic copy.
Iowa (IA): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size
Idaho (ID): Oversize & overweight permits can be displayed electronically. No minimum screen size. Temporary registrations/fuel permits must be hard copy.
Illinois (IL): Paper required if Police escort is required. All others acceptable just have to be downloaded so it is readable such as a PDF. No certain screen size or device required
Indiana (IN): Paper required if Police escort is required. No certain screen size or device required
Kansas (KS): State law says paper permits only, however some highway patrol will accept electronic permits with permit number
Kentucky (KY): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size
Louisiana (LA): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size, permits must be legible
Massachusetts (MA): Must have paper permit
Maryland (MD): Electronic permits acceptable on smart phone or tablet. No minimum screen size
Maine (ME): Electronic permits are acceptable as long as they can be read by the officer, no minimum screen size
Michigan (MI): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size, they must be signed on the device
Minnesota (MN): Electronic permits are acceptable on laptops, tablets or smartphone device, no minimum screen size, must provide complete and legible copies of the permit and general provisions
Mississippi (MS): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size
Missouri (MO): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size
Montana ( MT): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size
North Carolina (NC): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size
North Dakota (ND): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size.
Nebraska (NE): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size
New Hampshire (NH): Electronic permits are acceptable if permit can be signed electronically, but the check list that comes with the permit has to be in paper form.
New Jersey (NJ): Must have paper permit
New Mexico (NM): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size
Nevada (NV): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size.
New York (NY): Must have paper permit
Ohio (OH): Special hauling permits issued through the OHPASS system may be shown when needed via an electronic device, such as a mobile phone. All other rules and regulations apply.
Oklahoma (OK): Electronic permits are acceptable but must have paper permit in the cab.
Oregon (OR): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size, but it is highly suggested the driver screenshots or downloads the permit just in case they are stopped in a bad service area and can’t get it to load.
Pennsylvania (PA): Must have paper permit
Rhode Island (RI): Must have paper permit
South Carolina SC: Must have paper permit
South Dakota (SD): Electronic permits allowed, must be legible, no specific guidelines around screen size
Tennessee (TN): Electronic permits are acceptable
Texas (TX): Up to law enforcement’s discretion, paper copy is still recommended
Utah (UT): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size
Virginia (VA): Both electronic and paper permits are required
Vermont (VT): Electronic permits are acceptable, no minimum screen size
Washington (WA): Electronic permits are acceptable for single trips only, everything else has to be paper. Electronic permit must be signed. The state takes no responsibility for loss or damage to electronic devices. Permits containing routing information require the electronic device to have a screen display of no less than three and a half inches by five inches. Other permit types may have smaller screen displays. Must be legible or have zoom capability. Must allow physical control of the device by law enforcement. The permittee must comply with the requirements for electronic display of a permit or must have a paper copy of the permit carried on the power unit at all times while transporting the permitted load. Trip and Fuel permits are the only permit types that must be printed out and signed in ink and may not be stored electronically.
Wisconsin (WI): Must have paper permit, farmers can show their no cost permits electronically
West Virginia (WV): Electronic permits acceptable on smart phone or tablet, no minimum screen size
Wyoming (WY): Electronic Permits are allowed, no minimum screen size