ArkansasOversize & overweight permits.

ARDOT has discretion to permit superloads, which are loads of any of these:

• 180,000 lb gross or more
• More than 16′6″ wide
• 15′6″ high or more
• 100′ long or more

ARDOT may require engineering examinations, so the application must come in far enough ahead to allow for them.

• Applications for extraordinary loads must include a detailed sketch of the vehicles

Check the permitted route yourself before starting; a permit is no promise that bridges can carry the load or that clearances fit.

The maximum permit width is 18′ on Interstates (except manufactured homes) and 20′ or less on other highways.

On an overweight permit, no single axle within a group may exceed:

• Tandem: 23,000 lb
• Tridem: 20,000 lb
• Quadrum: 17,000 lb

If the route leaves the state highway system, you must coordinate with the city or county and follow their rules; ARDOT may ask for written proof.

Over 15′ high, a front pilot car with a clearance bar 6″ above the permitted height leads the load, unless the permit says otherwise.

The Permit Section may require one or more vehicles from a law enforcement agency to accompany a move.

A pilot car must be a truck of at least ¼-ton rated load capacity or a car of at least 2,000 lb gross weight.

• Company or owner name and address on each door, legible at 50′

Pilot cars show OVERSIZE LOAD signs; a pilot car escorting a manufactured home shows OVERSIZE, the width in feet rounded up, and LOAD (e.g. OVERSIZE 14 LOAD).

• Yellow background, black letters at least 10″ tall with a 2″ stroke

Every pilot car runs an amber rotating, strobe or LED light mounted on its roof, plus two 18″ square solid red flags mounted at an angle on top.

Every pilot car is equipped with:

• A 10-lb Class BC dry (or equivalent) chemical fire extinguisher
• Four 15-minute flares, light sticks or triangles
• Any other device the Permit Section requires
• Two-way radio communication between vehicles

Pilot car liability insurance must be at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage ($325,000 combined single limit).

With two pilot cars, one runs in front and one behind unless the permit says otherwise.

• Keep 200′ between the pilot car and the towing vehicle at all times

Arkansas requires no permit, bond or fee for a pilot car, but escort services must carry proof of liability insurance in the vehicle.

Carry the permit in the vehicle it covers; an electronic permit counts if shown on a mobile device with a screen of at least 6″.

• Self-issued permits: copies, faxes and other reproductions are not valid

Apply to the Permit Section in writing, in person, by phone, by fax or online through ARPARS; unless stated otherwise, a permit covers a single one-way, nondiverted move.

• Permit Section staffed 6:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday

Manufactured homes over 14′9″ wide need 2 pilot cars. Over 12′ through 14′9″, 1 pilot car runs in front on highways other than controlled-access divided highways with 4+ lanes.

Manufactured homes may not move on Sundays, the restricted holidays or at night.

• Over 16′6″ wide: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. only

Manufactured homes over 12′ wide may not move on two-lane highways from 7–9 a.m. or 3–5 p.m.

• Does not apply on Saturdays or from June 15 through August 15

Before a house-move permit is issued, the mover arranges a District Engineer inspection of the house and route; every house move has a front and a rear pilot car.

Houses over 14′ wide may move only Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m.–noon and Sunday from daylight to 9:00 a.m.

• No house-move permits for Interstate highways

One vehicle can make repeated moves within six consecutive days, limited to two contiguous counties.

• No extensions and no movement on the restricted holidays

Besides single-trip and six-day county permits, the Part 111 appendix lists annual permits, including:

• 57′ trailer
• Width up to 10′8″ from an adjacent state, 15 miles one-way in one county
• Farm equipment hauler transport up to 12′ wide

A five-axle truck-tractor/pole trailer hauling logs may run without a permit only under the conditions in 27 CAR § 111-208; the exemption never applies on Interstates or fully controlled-access highways.