Indiana oversize and overweight rules
The short answer
Last checked
Without a permit, a load in Indiana can be up to 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high and 80,000 lb gross, with the conditions in the legal limits table. The first pilot car is required for loads over 12 ft 4 in wide or over 110 ft long, and a height pole car for loads over 14 ft 6 in high, with the conditions in the pilot car table. It treats a load as a superload when it is over 16 ft wide, over 15 ft high, over 110 ft long or over 108,000 lb gross.
Jump to a section
Legal limits without a permit
| Limit | Up to | Roads | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 inFederal width-exclusive devices, the equipment covered under 23 CFR 658, are left out of this width measurement. | All roads | ISP, Summary of Indiana Size and Weight Laws, The basic legal dimensions |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | All roads | ISP, Summary of Indiana Size and Weight Laws, The basic legal dimensions |
| Length, single truck | 40 ftFor a single self-propelled vehicle; recreational vehicles may be up to 45 feet long. | All roads | ISP, Summary of Indiana Size and Weight Laws, The basic legal dimensions |
| Length, semitrailer | 53 ftNo overall length limit applies to a truck tractor and semitrailer combination. | All roads | ISP, Summary of Indiana Size and Weight Laws, The basic legal dimensions |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lb | All roads | IC 9-20-4-1(a)(1) |
Source: Indiana State Police, Summary of Indiana Size and Weight Laws (IC 9-20), IC 9-20-4-1; IC 9-13-2-177
Axle weight limits
| Axle or group | Without a permit | With a permit | Roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any single axle | 20,000 lb | Not set | All roads |
| 2 axles in a group, spread over 3 ft 4 in to 7 ft 11 in | 34,000 lb | Not set | All roads |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lb | Not set | All roads |
| Per inch of tire width | 800 lb an inchTire width is measured between the rim flanges. | 800 lb an inchThe 800 pounds per inch is taken at the flanges and applies to every tire on a permitted vehicle. | All roads |
| Steering axle, when the gross is over 80,000 lb | Not set | 17,600 lbOr 800 pounds per inch of tire width at the flanges, whichever is less. This is the most any overweight permit allows on the front axle. | All roads |
| Any axle but the steering axle | Not set | 20,000 lbSteer axles are excluded. If the whole permit route stays on Interstate highways, U.S. routes and four lane state highways (plus any two lane state road needed to reach them), one tandem group may go to 24,000 pounds per axle. | All roads |
| 2 axles in a group | Not set | 48,000 lb (24,000 lb an axle)Just one tandem group qualifies, and only when the whole route stays on Interstate highways, U.S. routes and four lane state highways, plus any two lane state road needed to reach them. This is the ceiling for any overweight permit. | All roads |
The bridge formula applies to axle groups on all roads (IC 9-20-4-1(a)(1)). “With a permit” lists the state’s permit figures; read each row’s condition, since some are review thresholds rather than limits.
Source: IC 9-20-4-1; IC 9-13-2-177, 105 IAC 10-3-3
Pilot cars and escorts
Each row is one rule. A load can meet several; the permit lists the escorts for your move.
| Load | Roads | Front | Rear | Height pole | Police | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| over 17 ft wideState Police escorts are needed, at least one ahead and one behind, with more possible at their discretion. Over 16 feet wide, travel is limited to weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Special Provisions item 5, Width Exceeds 17 Feet | All roads | 2 police escorts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| over 14 ft 6 in highThe escort with the height stick has to run ahead of the load.Escort Vehicle(s) Requirements, third bullet | All roads | 1 height pole car | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| over 200,000 lb grossThe State Police escort is not needed on an interstate-only route with no required slowdowns for a vehicle under 250,000 pounds. A permit with weight restrictions needs at least two escorts, one ahead and one behind.Special Provisions item 1 | All roads | police escort | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| over 12 ft 4 in up to 14 ft 4 in wideOn an undivided highway the single escort rides in front of the load. Above 14 feet 4 inches wide, more escorts are needed under the next tier.Escort Vehicle(s) Requirements, first bullet | Two-lane roads | 1 in front | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| over 110 ft longOn an undivided highway the single escort rides in front of the load.Escort Vehicle(s) Requirements, first bullet | Two-lane roads | 1 in front | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| over 12 ft 4 in up to 14 ft 4 in wideThe single escort rides behind on a divided highway and in front on an undivided one; on a four lane undivided road, confirm the position with the permit office.Escort Vehicle(s) Requirements, first bullet | Two or more lanes in your direction | 1 behind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 110 ft longThe single escort rides behind on a divided highway and in front on an undivided one; on a four lane undivided road, confirm the position with the permit office.Escort Vehicle(s) Requirements, first bullet | Two or more lanes in your direction | 1 behind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 14 ft 4 in up to 17 ft wideThis single rear escort is for dual lane divided highways such as interstates. Loads over 17 feet wide need Indiana State Police escorts instead.Escort Vehicle(s) Requirements, fourth bullet | Interstates | 1 behind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 14 ft 4 in up to 17 ft wideFront and rear escorts apply on every road except a dual lane divided highway. The form misprints its upper width; 17 feet appears to be meant, and wider loads need Indiana State Police escorts.Escort Vehicle(s) Requirements, fourth bullet | Roads other than interstates | 1 in front, 1 behind | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 15 ft highThis is not an escort vehicle. Each permitted load needs an approved signal contractor and bucket truck along, and whoever applies for the permit pays for any traffic signal handling.The condition says what goes alongSpecial Provisions item 3, Height Exceeds 15 Feet | Roads other than interstates | See the source | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- The lead pilot car is the one that carries the height pole.
Superloads
Indiana treats a load as a superload when it is any one of these:
- over 16 ft wide
- over 15 ft high
- over 110 ft long
- over 108,000 lb gross
Source: Indiana Department of Revenue Form M-204 (4-22), Escort Vehicle(s) Requirements, Indiana Department of Revenue, Special Provisions for Vehicle Permitting (M-204S), 105 IAC 10-1.5-2, Indiana State Police, Commercial Vehicles, Superload Escorts
When you can travel
Holidays
All permits except Overweight Commodity and Bulk Milk permits
No operation on state highways from noon on the last weekday before until half hour before sunrise the day after the holiday. 2026: Thanksgiving, noon Wed Nov 25 to Fri Nov 27; Christmas, noon Thu Dec 24 to Sat Dec 26; New Year 2027, noon Thu Dec 31 to Sat Jan 2 (each ending half hour before sunrise). Overweight Commodity and Bulk Milk permits are exempt.
INDOT Permit Guide M-204, holiday restrictions; 105 IAC 7-1-26Dates computed
Weekends
Varies by load size
Up to 110 ft long, 10 ft wide, 13 ft 6 in high and under 200,000 lb: 7 days, continuous. Over 110 ft long and 10 to 14 ft 4 in wide, up to 15 ft high: 7 days in daylight. 14 ft 4 in to 16 ft wide: Monday to Friday only. Over 16 ft wide, over 15 ft high or over 200,000 lb: Mon to Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mobile homes 8 ft 6 in to 14 ft 4 in wide: Mon to Fri plus Saturday to noon.
Night
Varies by load size
Continuous (night allowed) for loads up to 110 ft x 10 ft x 13 ft 6 in and under 200,000 lb. Wider or longer loads: half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset. Paving equipment between jobsite and home base: 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset, Mon to Fri. Over 16 ft wide and similar: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cities and rush hour
No named-city rush-hour curfew found in the state permit guide. The largest class (over 16 ft wide, 15 ft high or 200,000 lb) is limited to 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays. Separately, the permit does not apply to I-65 or I-70 inside I-465.
Every state on one page: holiday, weekend, night and city restrictions by state. For this year’s holiday, see Thanksgiving 2026 restrictions.
Single trip permit fees
Within each kind of fee the largest that fits your load applies, and the kinds add up.
| Fee | When it applies | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Permit fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(b)(1) and (c) | Every single trip permit | $20 |
| Permit fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(b)(2)(A), over 148 inches wide | over 12 ft 4 in wide | $30 |
| Permit fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(b)(2)(B), over 162 inches high | over 13 ft 6 in high | $30 |
| Permit fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(b)(2)(C), over 95 feet (1,140 inches) long | over 95 ft long | $30 |
| Permit fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(b)(3); superload defined in 105 IAC 10-1.5-2(11)(B), more than 16 feet wide | over 16 ft wide | $40 |
| Permit fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(b)(3); superload defined in 105 IAC 10-1.5-2(11)(A), more than 15 feet high | over 15 ft high | $40 |
| Permit fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(b)(3); superload defined in 105 IAC 10-1.5-2(11)(C), more than 110 feet long | over 110 ft long | $40 |
| Review fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(h), permit fee schedule | over 120,000 lb gross | $10 |
| Design fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(h), permit fee schedule, 200,000 lbs and over row | 200,000 lb or more gross | $25 |
| Bridge review105 IAC 10-1.5-3(h), permit fee schedule, 200,000 lbs and over row | 200,000 lb or more gross | Not computed here, see the source |
| Per mile fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(d)(1) and (e)(1) | over 80,000 lb up to 108,000 lb gross | Not computed here, see the source |
| Per mile fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(d)(2) and (e)(2) | over 108,000 lb up to 150,000 lb gross | Not computed here, see the source |
| Per mile fee105 IAC 10-1.5-3(d)(3) and (e)(3) | over 150,000 lb gross | Not computed here, see the source |
Where to apply
Indiana issues permits through Indiana OSOW Permitting System (IN OSOWPS). Start from the agency’s permit page, which leads to it.
Wind
- Permitted loads must stop when the wind is over 25 mph (DOR M-204 (4-22), General Provisions, Weather paragraph, second sentence).
What the rules don’t say
Where the sources are silent or say two things. Ask the state before you rely on these.
Legal limits
- The legal size figures come from a State Police summary of IC 9-20, not the statute text. Confirm current limits with the permit office before relying on them.
Axle weights
- Indiana defines a tandem as axles spaced more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart. It is unclear whether a three axle group under 96 inches is held to 34,000 pounds, so ask how groups of three or more are treated.
- The 48,000 pound tandem allowance on a permit applies only on a route made up of Interstate routes, U.S. routes and four lane state routes. Confirm the route class before planning around it.
- Permit conditions also cover axle weight balance within a group (2,000 pounds), a 36 foot inner bridge, a 51 foot outside wheelbase, at least 5 axles (6 over 100,000 pounds) and 3 feet 6 inches between axles. Confirm these for your configuration.
- The permit rule (105 IAC 10-3-3) gives no gross ceiling; the gross follows from the axle limits and spacing. Revenue Department rulings say no permit is available for an axle over the IC 9-20-4-1 limit, so treat the permit axle figures as hard ceilings.
- IC 9-20-4-1 was amended effective July 1, 2026. Also confirm toll road weights, local lower limits, heavy duty highway limits and any seasonal restrictions for your route.
- The 17,600 pound permit front axle cap may matter even at or under 80,000 pounds gross, when only the front axle is over its 20,000 pound legal limit. Ask the permit office how it handles that case.
Pilot cars and superloads
- Indiana has three superload definitions. INDOT uses over 15 feet high, 16 feet wide or 110 feet long; the State Police add over 108,000 pounds; the Revenue Department cites 120,000 pounds. Confirm which applies, since State Police arrange superload escorts.
- Over 17 feet wide, the State Police require at least front and rear police escorts (M-204S); over 200,000 pounds they require an escort with no stated count. They may add more, and required slowdowns can add escorts, so ask early.
- A single escort rides in front on an undivided highway and behind on a divided one. The rules do not clearly settle a four lane undivided road, so confirm the position for your route.
- The printed width band on the permit form is inconsistent, though 14 feet 4 inches up to 17 feet appears to be intended. Confirm the band and the front and rear escort requirement for it.
- The published rules give one escort over 110 feet long and no larger length tier. Ask whether the State Police require escorts for longer loads.
- Over 17 feet high needs a route survey and utility letters. Over 18 feet wide, or over 130 feet long without a rear steerable axle, needs a survey before the permit issues.
- Loads over 16 feet wide, 15 feet high or 200,000 pounds move only 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Permit fees
- The bridge review fee is unsettled. The rule sets $10 per bridge, while the Revenue Department fee page still shows $35. Confirm the amount before quoting a customer.
- The rule gives the executive fee as $25 in one place and $10 in its schedule, and adds nothing for oversize loads weighing 108,001 to 120,000 pounds. Confirm what an overweight only load in that band pays.
- It is not stated what weight makes an overweight load a superload. Confirm the base fee, the $10 review fee over 120,000 pounds and the $25 design fee, including whether exactly 200,000 pounds triggers it.
- Per mile fees over 80,000 pounds and the per bridge fees depend on your route. Amendment, cancellation and time extension fees, State Police escort charges and pilot car costs are separate. Get a full quote.
- The fee rule took effect about mid June 2025 by the Register’s timing. Confirm the current schedule with the permit office.
Wind
- The 25 mph limit is a permit condition, not a codified rule. The condition doesn’t say how wind speed is averaged or whether gusts count, so ask the permit office how it is applied.
Where to apply
- Start from Indiana’s permit page and confirm which online system, currently the IN OSOW Permitting System, takes applications.
Questions about Indiana
- When do I need an oversize permit in Indiana?
- Without a permit, a load in Indiana can be up to 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high and 80,000 lb gross, with the conditions in the legal limits table. Loads past these figures generally need a permit from the state; see the legal limits table for the exceptions and for length, which depends on the vehicle.
- How much does an Indiana oversize permit cost?
- On the fee schedule we checked, a single trip permit starts at $20. Some charges are not computed here; the fee table names them. The estimator on this page adds up the fees for your load.
- When do you need a pilot car in Indiana?
- The first pilot car is required for loads over 12 ft 4 in wide or over 110 ft long, and a height pole car for loads over 14 ft 6 in high, with the conditions in the pilot car table. How many cars, and whether they lead or follow, depends on the road; the pilot car table lists each rule.
- What is a superload in Indiana?
- Indiana treats a load as a superload when it is over 16 ft wide, over 15 ft high, over 110 ft long or over 108,000 lb gross. The superloads list on this page gives each threshold with its source.
- When can oversize loads travel in Indiana?
- At night: Continuous (night allowed) for loads up to 110 ft x 10 ft x 13 ft 6 in and under 200,000 lb. Wider or longer loads: half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset. Paving equipment between jobsite and home base: 1.5 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset, Mon to Fri. Over 16 ft wide and similar: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On weekends: Up to 110 ft long, 10 ft wide, 13 ft 6 in high and under 200,000 lb: 7 days, continuous. Over 110 ft long and 10 to 14 ft 4 in wide, up to 15 ft high: 7 days in daylight. 14 ft 4 in to 16 ft wide: Monday to Friday only. Over 16 ft wide, over 15 ft high or over 200,000 lb: Mon to Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mobile homes 8 ft 6 in to 14 ft 4 in wide: Mon to Fri plus Saturday to noon.
- Can oversize loads move on holidays in Indiana?
- No operation on state highways from noon on the last weekday before until half hour before sunrise the day after the holiday. 2026: Thanksgiving, noon Wed Nov 25 to Fri Nov 27; Christmas, noon Thu Dec 24 to Sat Dec 26; New Year 2027, noon Thu Dec 31 to Sat Jan 2 (each ending half hour before sunrise). Overweight Commodity and Bulk Milk permits are exempt. This applies to all permits except Overweight Commodity and Bulk Milk permits.
Sources
- Indiana Code, Title 9 (IC 9-20-4-1, Maximum weight restrictions, and IC 9-13-2-177, Tandem axle group)IC 9-20-4-1; IC 9-13-2-177Indiana General Assembly, Legislative Services Agency. Read .
- Indiana State Police, Summary of Indiana Size and Weight Laws under Title 9 Article 20Indiana State Police, Summary of Indiana Size and Weight Laws (IC 9-20)Indiana State Police, Commercial Vehicle Division. Read .
- 105 IAC 10-3-3: Permit requirements (overweight load permits)105 IAC 10-3-3Indiana Department of Transportation (rule); published by the Indiana Legislative Services Agency, Indiana Administrative Rules and Policies. Read .
- Indiana Department of Revenue Form M-204, General Provisions of an Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permit, Escort Vehicle(s) RequirementsIndiana Department of Revenue Form M-204 (4-22), Escort Vehicle(s) RequirementsIndiana Department of Revenue, Motor Carrier Services. Read .
- Indiana Department of Revenue Motor Carrier Services, Special Provisions for Vehicle Permitting (M-204S)Indiana Department of Revenue, Special Provisions for Vehicle Permitting (M-204S)Indiana Department of Revenue, Motor Carrier Services. Read .
- Indiana State Police, Superload EscortsIndiana State Police, Commercial Vehicles, Superload EscortsIndiana State Police, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. Read .
- Indiana Register, Final Rule LSA Document #25-65, Oversize/Overweight Vehicular Permit FeesLSA Document #25-65(F), Indiana Register 2025-06-11Indiana Department of Transportation (published by the Legislative Services Agency). Read .
- Indiana Department of Revenue, Fines, Fees and Penalties (Oversize / Overweight Permit Fees)Indiana Department of Revenue, Fines, Fees and Penalties, Oversize / Overweight Permit Fees tableIndiana Department of Revenue, Motor Carrier Services (the office that issues the permits). Read .
- Indiana Department of Revenue form M-204 (4-22), General Provisions of an Oversize/Overweight Vehicle PermitDOR M-204 (4-22), General Provisions, WeatherIndiana Department of Revenue, Motor Carrier Services. Read .
- Indiana Department of Revenue page naming the permit systemIndiana Department of Revenue, permit system pageIndiana Department of Revenue. Read .
Found something wrong or out of date? Report an error to hello@thirteensix.com.
This page is a dated summary in our own words, not legal advice. The permit the state issues governs your move, and states change their rules; check with Indiana before you travel.
Bordering states
- Crossing into Illinois? See Illinois rules
- Kentucky, coming soon
- Michigan, coming soon
- Crossing into Ohio? See Ohio rules
More guides: all states and the rules library.
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