Permits
Permits are valid for five days.
Operating Time
Permit loads up to 12′ wide, 13′-6″ high, 200′ long authorized 24 hour 7 days a week with one civilian escort when traveling during the hours of darkness. Permit loads up to 14′-6″ wide, up to 15′ high, up to 200′ in length, can now travel seven days a week, one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Loads exceeding these dimensions are allowed to travel one half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset Monday through Friday, and one-half hour before sunrise until noon on Saturday. Overweight only are allowed continuous travel if the permit shows all other dimensions as legal.
Restricted Travel
Permit loads on Expressways in Cook County are restricted to a maximum of 120,000 pounds, 12′ wide and/or 13′-6″. Several special restrictions apply in Cook County, as listed on provision sheets (General Provisions B). Loads over 14′-6″ wide up to and including 16′ wide are limited to the hours of 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday in the following counties: Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Madison, McHenry, Monroe, St. Clair and Will. Over 16′ wide may have additional restrictions. No travel from noon the day before major holidays or holiday weekends.
Illinois Toll Roads
Maximum width is 10′ except 12′ is allowed on sections that carry I-80 (near Indiana line) and US51 (near Wisconsin line). Gross weight 80,001 – 104,000 costs about $35.00; 104,001 – 120,000 is around $150.00. Maximum gross weight allowed is 120,000. Length exceeding 100′ needs prior approval and special permit. Maximum height 14′-6″; over 13′-6″ is $15.00 extra.
Legal Dimensions
Length:
53′ semi-trailer on designated highways
65′ overall on non-designated
*Kingpin to center of rear axle not over 45′-6″, or needs to be permitted.
Overhang 3′ front, 4′ rear; more rear overhang is allowed if within legal length limits
Width:
8′-6″ on designated highways
8′ on non-designated
Height: 13′-6″
Weight:
80,000 Gross
Single – 20,000
Tandem – 34,000
Tridem – 42,500
Routine Permit Limits
Length: 145′
Width: 14′-6″
Height: 15′ (depending on overhead clearances, 3″ clearance required)
Weight:
Single – 24,000
Tandem – 48,000
Tridem – 60,000 (no single axle to exceed 21,000)
Quad – 60,000 on standard permit, up to 100,000 with a superload permit.
Notes:
No interstate routing is allowed for over 15’-9” height
Height of 16′ or more requires detailed route survey.
Superload Note: Overweight applications get treated as super loads, when:
5 axles, grossing over 100,000 pounds and/or over 44,000 pounds on a tandem group
6 or more axles, grossing over 120,000 pounds and/or over 48,000 pounds on any axle group.
Note: on Lift or Pusher axles: Maximum weight variance between axles in a group is 2,000 pounds.
Loads exceeding these dimensions or weight are considered as super loads. Over 16′ wide or 17′ high will require a field or district engineering investigation. Over 17′ high, all overhead utility companies must be contacted and documentation must be provided.
Exemptions
Length limitations do not apply (O/D permit not needed) for vehicles operated in the daytime, Monday through Friday, when transporting beams, poles, pipe, culvert or other objects of a structural nature 80′ or less in length (overall length 100′ or less). Farm tractors and other implements of husbandry may be hauled without a permit during daylight hours (including weekends) when over width only. Permit is still needed if over 13′-6″ high, or over weight.
Escorts
Length:
Over 110′ – one escort
Over 145′ – three escorts
Over 200′ – State Police
Width:
Over 14′-6″ – one escort
Over 16′ – three escorts
Over 18′ – Illinois State Police escorts
Height:
Over 14′-6″ – one escort w/ high pole
Over 16′ – route survey to get permit & one escort
Over 18′ – two escorts & State Police
Note: Loads exceeding the any two of the above dimensions – two escorts.
Miscellaneous
Lift axles are not considered for routine issuance. Blades, buckets, counterweights, etc. may be attached. Combination loads cannot
be permitted for two over dimensions on two different pieces (example: cannot permit a load with overwidth dozer and overheight backhoe on same load).
Signs, Flags & Lights
Flags are required on the extremities of all oversize vehicles or loads and all protruding objects. “Oversize Load” signs are required on loads over 10′ wide, 14′-6″ high and/or 75′ long. All oversize/overweight permit loads must display an operable oscillating, rotating or flashing amber light or lights on the tractor. Size of the light(s) is not specified, but it must be visible from both sides and the front, and must be strong enough to be seen for at least 500 feet in the daytime. When visibility of the light is blocked from the rear, and for loads over 80′ long or combinations over 100′ long require a second light is required mounted 10′ of rear of the object, mounted as high as practical over it, is required.
