IOWA OVERSIZE PERMITS & ESCORTS INFORMATION
PERMITS: Iowa oversize permits are valid for five days. Must obtain permit before entering state.
OPERATING TIME: Permitted vehicles up to 100′ in length, 11′ width, 14’4 height may have continuous travel seven
days a week (24/7), provided travel is on roadway with a minimum width of 22 feet and minimum lane width of 11 feet,
and with safety lighting as specified on Iowa provisions sheet. Larger loads may travel one-half hour before sunrise to onehalf
hour after sunset, including Saturdays and Sundays.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: Des Moines I-235 travel prohibited from 7:00 – 9:00 A.M. and from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M.
Monday through Friday. Other highways in Des Moines can be included under the curfew at officer’s discretion if traffic is
heavy. Check for any holidays or holiday weekend travel restrictions.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS:
Width: 8’6″
Height: 13’6″
Length: 53′ semi-trailer and load. (Overhang which results in over 53′ semitrailer and load length is not legal without permit. Steel pipe, beams and constructions materials aren’t exempt.)
Weight: 80,000 Gross Single – 20,000 Tandem – 34,000 Tridem – 42,000 (w/ minimum 8’1″ axle spacing)
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS:
Width: 18′
Height: 18′
Length: 120′
Weight: Single – 20,000 Tandem – 40,000 Tridem – 60,000
Steer Tire: Permit does not break out the steer axle weight but enforcement goes by the single (steer) tire weight rating (on the side of the tire) times two.
You must be licensed for as much as you wish to permit in Iowa.
Loads exceeding these dimensions or weight are considered as super loads.
ESCORTS:
On 4-lane roadways:
Width: When width exceeds one-half of roadway up to 16’6″ – 1 rear escort or 2 amber revolving or strobe lights (one on power unit, one on rear extremity of vehicle or load). Over 16’6″ on 4-lane roadways – 1 escort.
On 2-lane highways:
Width: When width exceeds one-half of roadway width up to and including 14’6″ – 1 front escort. Width over 14’6″ –
1 escort. An amber or strobe light on the power unit and on the rear extremity of the vehicle or load may be used
instead of an escort if the width is up to and including 14’6 and exceeds one-half of the roadway and lane width is 12
feet or more with sufficient shoulders.
On all highways:
Height: Over 14’4″ – 1 escort with high pole.
Length: Over 85′ – 1 escort or amber revolving light. Over 120′ – 1 escort
Overhang: Front projection over 25′ or rear over 10′ – 1 escort or amber revolving light or strobe light on rear of load
for rear overhang over 10′).
MISCELLANEOUS: Blades, buckets, counterweights, etc. do not have to be removed when the load is just over
dimension. If the load is overweight, they must be hauled separately.
SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: “Oversize Load” signs and flags are required when a vehicle and load exceeds 75′ in
length, 8’6 width, and/or 14’4 in height. Flags are required for rear overhang exceeding 4 feet on all permitted vehicles/ loads.
Flags should be mounted at each front corner of the towing unit, at each rear corner of the load, and at any wide points or
protrusions of the load. An amber revolving light at least 7″ high and 7″ in diameter is required on the towing unit whenever
length exceeds 85′, front overhang exceeds 25′ or rear overhang exceeds 10′ (light should be on the load in the rear) or weight
exceeds 80,000 lbs. An escort can be used in lieu of amber light.
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