Save Time and Cut Costs With Permit Agencies
Handling paperwork for yourself or your fleet can be a daunting task when dealing with oversize and overweight loads. As you may already know, you are required by law to have a permit in order to authorize travel on public roads when handling cargo that exceeds a defined size and weight. Applying for these permits can be difficult, as they vary by state, vehicle type, and cargo size. If you're struggling to understand your options and what your next steps should be, read on to learn more about where to find more information on Oversize permits, and the services available to assist you in obtaining them.
A great starting point to gather information on oversize permits is the official Federal Highway Administration website. While the specific restrictions vary by state, a good rule of thumb is to assume that if your load exceeds 80,000 lbs, 53' in length, 13 ½' in height or 8 ½' in width, it will require a permit. There are some other considerations that come into play here, including restrictions based on single axle weight, tandem axle weight, axle spacing, and other specifications. While the FHA sets the federal restrictions, overweight permits and oversize permits are handled and distributed on a state level. This means that each state may have additional restrictions and guidelines for transporting these kinds of loads. You can find your state's agency website and phone number on the page linked above for more information.
If you feel that you have an adequate understanding of the requirements, you can obtain one from your state permitting office and file for a permit yourself. You can obtain the forms online, or by visiting one of your state's permitting office's physical locations. If you live in Pennsylvania, for example, the pennDOT website has an extensive list of oversize permit and overweight permit applications that you can access here. Depending on the length of your journey, the routes involved, and the cargo you plan to haul, you may need to fill out supplemental forms and pay varying fees.
While you can save money by handling these forms on your own, filling them out incorrectly can lead to delays in processing, and the potential for fines and a loss of critical travel time if not accurately completed. For this reason, it may be in your best interest to look into an agency that will assist you in the process of obtaining overweight and oversize permits. These agencies will ensure that you understand the rules and regulations for your state of operation, what travel restrictions you may be subject to, and help to process and deliver your permits. If you are running a large fleet, or want to ensure your travel time is not put in jeopardy due to mishandled paperwork, I would strongly suggest that you use one of these services.
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