Indiana Pilot Car Services

PERMITS
Indiana oversize permits are valid for fifteen days.

OPERATING HOURS
Loads up to 110 feet in length, 10 feet wide, 13 feet 6 inches high, and under 200,000 pounds gross weight may operate continuously, 24/7, including weekends.
Loads over 110 feet long, between 10 feet and 14 feet 4 inches wide, and up to 15 feet high may operate daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Loads 14 feet 4 inches to 16 feet wide are restricted to Monday through Friday, during daylight hours.
Loads over 16 feet wide, over 15 feet high, or exceeding 200,000 pounds typically may only travel from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday, though other provisions may apply.
Overweight-only loads with legal dimensions may travel 24/7.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL
No permitted travel is allowed on major holidays or holiday weekends.

TOLL ROAD
Without a state permit, maximum allowed dimensions are:

• Width: 12 feet
• Height: 14 feet 6 inches
• Length: Over 65 feet
• Gross weight: 90,000 pounds

Larger loads require a state permit and incur an additional $50 special toll road permit fee.
Loads over 10 feet wide are limited to daylight hours only.
12-foot wide loads may operate on weekends, excluding certain holidays.
Toll fees are based on axle count and mileage. For example, a legal-weight load under 12 feet wide from Gate 21 (Portage) to the Ohio state line costs approximately $30.
Escort requirements are consistent with other Indiana divided highways.

LEGAL DIMENSIONS

Length:

• 53-foot semi-trailer and load (including overhang)
• Kingpin to rear axle must not exceed 43 feet

Width: 8 feet 6 inches
Height: 13 feet 6 inches
Gross Weight: 80,000 pounds

• Single axle: 20,000 pounds
• Tandem: 34,000 pounds
• Tridem: 51,000 pounds

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS

Length: 110 feet
Width: 16 feet
Height: 15 feet

Gross Weight (Varies by Spacing):

• 5 axles: 108,000 pounds
• 6 axles: 120,000 pounds

Axle Weight Limits:

• Single: 28,000 pounds
• Tandem: 48,000 pounds
• Tridem: 60,000 pounds

Loads that exceed these thresholds are considered Super Loads.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR OVERSIZE LOADS

• Loads over 16 feet wide require a detailed route survey
• Loads over 15 feet high require a pre-qualified signal contractor or utility bucket truck for travel on non-Interstate routes
• Loads over 17 feet high require both a route survey and a letter from utility companies if overhead lines need to be raised

ESCORT REQUIREMENTS

Length:

• Over 110 feet: 1 escort
• Over 130 feet: Front and rear Police escorts required

Width:

• Over 12 feet 4 inches (all highways): 1 escort
• 14 feet 4 inches to 17 feet:
  • 1 escort on divided highways
  • 2 escorts on all other roads
• Over 17 feet: Front and rear Police escorts required

Height:

• Over 14 feet 6 inches: 1 escort with high pole
• Over 15 feet: Utility bucket truck required (except on Interstates)
• Over 200,000 pounds GVW: 2 escorts

MISCELLANEOUS
Blades, buckets, and other attachments must be transported separately. Indiana does not allow length exemptions for beams or other construction materials.

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTING

• “Oversize Load” signs are mandatory on all permitted vehicles and loads
• Flags (18 inches square) are required on all corners and at the widest point on each side
• Low-beam headlights must remain on while transporting any oversize load