ODPERMIT / STATE FIELD GUIDE HI
HawaiiOversize & overweight permits.
For a Hawaii equipment move, check the loaded rig, island route and HDOT or county permit authority. Pay particular attention to projecting loads, escort conditions and the travel window on the permit.
General information only, not legal advice or a permit. Confirm with the issuing agency before you move. Read the disclaimer
AI-generated illustration · not to scale
- 01Legal size
What is legal without a permit?
Axle limits Legal With a permit- Axles in the same transverse plane 40″ or less apart count as one axle.
- Groups longer than 96″ follow the bridge formula W = 500 (LN/(N-1) + 12N + 36).
- No load may exceed the manufacturer's axle or gross vehicle rating, or a posted bridge limit.
The rule in full4 official sources
General width: 9′
Vehicle and load under HRS §291-34(a); statutory exceptions apply.
Loaded height: 14′
Vehicle and load under HRS §291-34(b); do not exceed a posted bridge or structure height.
NN semitrailer: 48′
Federal National Network allowance for a tractor with one semitrailer. Longer trailers may qualify under state axle-position and route rules; local roads can differ.
Overall length: 65′ off designated routes
*For a tractor with one compliant semitrailer on the National Network. Other combinations, trailers, projecting loads and local access have separate limits; see the state measurements below.
Interstate weight: 80,000 lb*
*Federal baseline, subject to the bridge formula, registration and postings: 20,000 lb single axle and 34,000 lb tandem. A particular configuration may have a lower limit; state grandfather allowances need verified spacing and route eligibility.
Legal size and weight
Hawaii's ordinary limits are 9′ wide and 14′ high, including the load; posted structure heights still control. Ordinary semitrailers are limited to 48′. Truck-tractor and semitrailer combinations are generally limited to 65′ overall off Interstates and qualifying federal-aid highways designated by HDOT. Projecting loads have separate length, clearance and escort conditions under HRS §291-34(c)(4). Check axle, group, bridge and posted weight limits as well.
Width
Under HRS §291-34(a), vehicles over 9′ wide, including the load, may not use Hawaii public roads, except as the statute allows.
Height
Under HRS §291-34(b), vehicles over 14′ high, including the load, are not allowed. No vehicle may exceed a posted structure height.
Axle limits: legal and with a permit
Legal: single 20,000 lb, tandem (over 40″ to 96″) 34,000 lb, wheel 10,000 lb. With a permit: . Axles in the same transverse plane 40″ or less apart count as one axle. Groups longer than 96″ follow the bridge formula W = 500 (LN/(N-1) + 12N + 36). No load may exceed the manufacturer's axle or gross vehicle rating, or a posted bridge limit.
- 02Requirements
Where each requirement starts
Legal limitWidth up to 9′Up to 9′ wide, including the load, moves without a permit; wider needs one.
1Hawaii Revised Statutes §291-34 — Size of vehicles; width, height, and length · checked Oct 13, 2026What official sources leave open15
Where Hawaii’s official sources disagree or say nothing, confirm with the agency before dispatch.
- Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 19-104 (oversize/overweight permits, including escort-vehicle, flagger, hours and sign rules) is posted by HDOT only as a scanned image PDF, so none of its text is quoted here.
- No size-based escort table, height-pole rule, police-escort threshold or pilot-car equipment or certification rule was found in machine-readable official text; escorts are set on each permit, apart from the 4′ projection rule. The DOT 4-005 application has POLICE ESCORT and PRIVATE ESCORT boxes but states no threshold for either.
- No superload or engineering-review size or weight threshold is published; HDOT says only that excessive loads may require further review, which 'may take up to a minimum of three (3) weeks.'
- No holiday dates are published; the application's time options include 'NO MOVEMENT SATURDAY, SUNDAY, & HOLIDAYS' without listing the holidays.
- No sunrise/sunset travel window; movement hours are set on each permit.
- No permit maximum dimensions or permit axle weights are published.
- No flag-size or rear-overhang marking rule (feet of projection) was found; the permit conditions say only that extremities are marked with flags and lights.
- Legal gross weight: HRS §291-35 sets axle limits and the bridge formula; 80,000 lb appears only as the cap for two consecutive 34,000 lb tandems. No separate statewide gross cap was found. §291-35 also says its limits do not apply where they would adversely affect federal highway funds.
- Length limits on Interstate highways and HDOT-designated federal-aid highways are not stated in HRS §291-34; the 65′ combination and 60′ projecting-load limits apply only off those routes.
- Insurance minimums ($100,000/$300,000/$50,000) and the other General Conditions come from the 2015 DOT 4-005 form (HWY-C 07/15R); page 2 of the current 2020 form (HWY-C 05/20 R) linked from the Guide to Permits is a scanned image, so its conditions could not be read.
- Contact conflicts between official HDOT pages: Oahu is (808) 831-6700 ext. 107 on the OS/OW page and both DOT 4-005 forms, but ext. 123 in the Guide to Permits sidebar; the Hawaii District email is DOT.HWY-H_Permits@hawaii.gov on the OS/OW page but DOT.HWYH.Permits@hawaii.gov in the Guide to Permits sidebar; Kauai is (808) 241-3000 on the OS/OW page, Guide sidebar and 2015 form, but 241-3100 on the 2020 form.
- Fees: HDOT's July 8, 2026 announcement (Trucking and Guide to Permits pages) waives 'all application fees' for oversize/overweight permits until further notice, but the OS/OW page (last modified 2023) still says 'Permit fee varies from $5.00 to $25.00' and HRS §291-36(j) sets $5 single trip, $10 continuous trip, and $25 for overweight over 1.35 times the allowable load or width over 14′. The announcement does not say whether these statutory permit fees are the 'application fees' waived.
- Electronic permits: HRS §291-36(e) requires the permit to be carried in the vehicle, and the Guide to Permits says a copy of the approved form must be carried during the move; whether an electronic copy is accepted is not stated.
- USDOT number or operating authority requirements for OS/OW permits are not stated.
- County roads: county engineers issue permits for county roads and streets (HRS §291-36(a)) and counties may impose stricter ordinances (§291-36(i)); no county permit contact page was verified.
The rule in full2 official sources
Width 9′: Legal width
Up to 9′ wide, including the load, moves without a permit; wider needs one.
Height 14′: Legal height
Up to 14′ high, including the load, moves without a permit. Never exceed a posted bridge or structure height.
Length 45′: Legal single vehicle
A single vehicle may be up to 45′ long, including the load.
Length 48′: Legal semitrailer
In a truck-tractor and semitrailer combination under the 65′ rule, the semitrailer may be up to 48′ long.
Length 60′: Legal with projecting load
With a projecting load, a truck with trailer may be up to 60′ including the projection, except on Interstates and HDOT-designated federal-aid highways.
Length 65′: Legal tractor-semitrailer
A truck-tractor and semitrailer may be up to 65′ overall, including the load, off Interstates and HDOT-designated federal-aid highways.
Overhang 4′: Legal projection without escort
A load, boom or mast may project up to 4′ past the end of the trailer or equipment. Past 4′, state law requires an escort vehicle in front of or behind the projection.
Weight 80,000 lb: Bridge formula · two tandems
Hawaii sets axle limits and a bridge formula, not a flat gross cap. Two consecutive tandems may carry 34,000 lb each when their first and last axles are at least 36′ apart and gross does not exceed 80,000 lb.
- 03The permit
Which permit do you need?
- HDOT issues oversize and overweight permits for state highways.
- County engineers handle county roads and streets; identify the authority for each road on the island route.
Apply to the island districtOahu · Maui · Hawaii · Kauai
Submit the application to the HDOT permit office for the island of the move:
- Oahu: DOT.HWYO.Permits@hawaii.gov, (808) 831-6700 ext. 107
- Maui County: DOT.HWYM.Permits@hawaii.gov, (808) 873-3535
- Hawaii Island: (808) 933-8866 (HDOT pages list two different email addresses; confirm by phone)
- Kauai: DOT.HWYK.Permits@hawaii.gov, (808) 241-3000
Large-load reviewExcessive loads: may take 3+ weeks
Review time varies. HDOT says excessive size or weight may require further review, which may take up to a minimum of three weeks.
- The application must include sketches showing the plan and elevation of the wheel arrangement, dimensions and load distribution
- A certificate of insurance must be on file
Application fees waivedWaived since July 8, 2026
HDOT announced on July 8, 2026 that all application fees for oversize/overweight permits are waived until further notice.
7HDOT — Trucking · checked Oct 13, 2026Permit typesSingle trip · continuous · annual
The HDOT application offers three permit types: single trip, continuous trip and annual.
8HDOT Form DOT 4-005 (HWY-C 05/20 R) — Application to Operate or Transport Oversize and/or Overweight Vehicles and Loads over State Highways · checked Oct 13, 2026County roads are separateState highways only
An HDOT permit is valid on state highways only; other routes are subject to city and county regulations.
8HDOT Form DOT 4-005 (HWY-C 05/20 R) — Application to Operate or Transport Oversize and/or Overweight Vehicles and Loads over State Highways · checked Oct 13, 2026Official route and permit tools- OS/OW permit page and district contactsWhere to email applications on each island
- Application DOT 4-005Current form linked from the Guide to Permits
- Weight-posted bridges (statewide)State bridges posted for load
- Bridge clearances on OahuVertical clearance of state bridges on Oahu
- Planned roadworkMap and list, updated every Friday
The rule in full6 official sources
Roads & authorities
HDOT issues oversize and overweight permits for state highways. County engineers handle county roads and streets; identify the authority for each road on the island route.
How to apply
Apply on form DOT 4-005. Follow the permit's route, date, load and conditions. Carry the permit, or the allowed annual-permit copy, for inspection.
Larger-load review
Very large or heavy loads may need extra HDOT review. Confirm what review your loaded vehicle and route need before arranging the move.
Apply to the island district
Submit the application to the HDOT permit office for the island of the move: Oahu: DOT.HWYO.Permits@hawaii.gov, (808) 831-6700 ext. 107. Maui County: DOT.HWYM.Permits@hawaii.gov, (808) 873-3535. Hawaii Island: (808) 933-8866 (HDOT pages list two different email addresses; confirm by phone). Kauai: DOT.HWYK.Permits@hawaii.gov, (808) 241-3000.
Large-load review
Review time varies. HDOT says excessive size or weight may require further review, which may take up to a minimum of three weeks. The application must include sketches showing the plan and elevation of the wheel arrangement, dimensions and load distribution. A certificate of insurance must be on file.
Application fees waived
HDOT announced on July 8, 2026 that all application fees for oversize/overweight permits are waived until further notice.
- 7HDOT — Trucking Checked
Permit types
The HDOT application offers three permit types: single trip, continuous trip and annual.
County roads are separate
An HDOT permit is valid on state highways only; other routes are subject to city and county regulations.
- 04Permit cost
What does the permit cost?
Example agency fee$0- 9′1″ W
- 13′ H
- 70′
- 72,000 lb
- 100 miles
The rule in full5 official sources
Example agency fee
$0 for a nondivisible load 9′1″ wide, 13′ high and 70′ long at 72,000 lb gross, on a five-axle truck with a 48′ trailer, for 100 miles in Hawaii. It assumes an 80,000 lb legal gross limit. Enter your own load in the calculator below.
- 7HDOT — Trucking Checked
- 4Hawaii Revised Statutes §291-36 — Exceptions Checked
- 1Hawaii Revised Statutes §291-34 — Size of vehicles; width, height, and length Checked
- 2Hawaii Revised Statutes §291-35 — Gross weight, axle, and wheel loads Checked
- 3HDOT Highways — Oversized and Overweight Vehicles on State Highways Checked
What the fee covers
HDOT waived OS/OW application fees from July 8, 2026 until further notice. The statutory $5–$25 amounts remain a historical reference; permits and county requirements still apply. Local permits, escorts, tolls, payment charges and ODPermit services are separate.
- 7HDOT — Trucking Checked
- 4Hawaii Revised Statutes §291-36 — Exceptions Checked
- 1Hawaii Revised Statutes §291-34 — Size of vehicles; width, height, and length Checked
- 2Hawaii Revised Statutes §291-35 — Gross weight, axle, and wheel loads Checked
- 3HDOT Highways — Oversized and Overweight Vehicles on State Highways Checked
- 05Pilot cars
When do you need pilot cars?
1 escort, in front of or behind the projectionMinimums by size alone. Combined dimensions, night moves and the issued permit can add escorts.
Escorts set on the permitEscort conditions set per permit
HDOT may set route, equipment, speed, escort-vehicle and safety conditions on each permit.
4Hawaii Revised Statutes §291-36 — Exceptions · checked Oct 13, 2026Projecting loadsOver 4′ projection: escort
A truck or trailer carrying a load, boom or mast that projects front or rear must meet all of these:
- Projection more than 4′ past the trailer: an escort in front of or behind it
- Held securely or controlled by the driver or an operator
- Does not block the driver's view or control
- At least 7′ above the road past the front tires
- Truck with trailer: 60′ maximum including the projection, except on Interstates and designated federal-aid highways
The rule in full3 official sources
Escorts
The 4-foot projection rule for escorts applies only to the setups in HRS §291-34(c)(4). For any other private or police escort, the permit and route set the count and placement.
Escorts set on the permit
HDOT may set route, equipment, speed, escort-vehicle and safety conditions on each permit.
Projecting loads
A truck or trailer carrying a load, boom or mast that projects front or rear must meet all of these: Projection more than 4′ past the trailer: an escort in front of or behind it. Held securely or controlled by the driver or an operator. Does not block the driver's view or control. At least 7′ above the road past the front tires. Truck with trailer: 60′ maximum including the projection, except on Interstates and designated federal-aid highways.
- 06Travel hours
When can you move?
Hours are set on each permit, including any weekend or holiday time.The rule in full5 official sources
Travel hours
Each permit sets its own hours for its route. Form DOT 4-005 has boxes for other hours and for weekends and holidays. A box that is not checked is not permission.
Check before you move
Before each move, check the permit's conditions, posted bridges, traffic, weather, construction, clearances and road-owner limits for the route and date.
Movement hours
The permit grants movement on the date and time stated on the application. The form's time boxes are: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. 12:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. No movement Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Keep traffic moving
The road must stay open to traffic at all times. On two-lane roads, keep opposing traffic moving and let same-direction traffic pass often, moving off the road at frequent intervals if necessary. HDOT or police can delay the move for traffic, weather or other hazards. No loading, unloading or parking on a state highway or bridge without permission, except in an emergency.
- 07Flags & lamps
Signs, flags and lights
The rule in full3 official sources
Safety conditions
Follow the issued permit and applicable Hawaii marking, lighting, clearance, securement, escort and traffic-control conditions.
Check overhead clearance
For overheight moves, the permittee checks structures and overhead utility lines for available clearance.
Flags and lights
Mark the extremities of an oversize vehicle or load with flags and lights, and bring any escort vehicles state and county law requires. Secure the vehicle and load with appropriate load-holding devices.
- 08Driver paperwork
What the driver carries
- Prepare the driver packetCarry the issued permit and present it for inspection.
- Insurance on fileFile an insurance certificate with the District Engineer naming the State as additional insured, with at least: $100,000 bodily injury or death, one person. $300,000 bodily injury or death, more than one person. $50,000 property damage.
- Carry the permitCarry the permit in the vehicle, open to inspection by any peace officer, traffic officer or highway employee.
Insurance on file$100K / $300K / $50K · State insured
File an insurance certificate with the District Engineer naming the State as additional insured, with at least:
- $100,000 bodily injury or death, one person
- $300,000 bodily injury or death, more than one person
- $50,000 property damage
- Higher minimums required by law prevail
Carry the permitPermit in the vehicle
Carry the permit in the vehicle, open to inspection by any peace officer, traffic officer or highway employee.
- Annual permits: a copy may be carried if the original is readily available at the operator's office in the county of issuance
The rule in full2 official sources
Prepare the driver packet
Carry the issued permit and present it for inspection. For an annual permit, a copy may be carried when the original is readily available at the operator's office in the county of issuance. Confirm the accepted document format with the issuing office; an application is not an issued permit.
Insurance on file
File an insurance certificate with the District Engineer naming the State as additional insured, with at least: $100,000 bodily injury or death, one person. $300,000 bodily injury or death, more than one person. $50,000 property damage. Higher minimums required by law prevail.
Carry the permit
Carry the permit in the vehicle, open to inspection by any peace officer, traffic officer or highway employee. Annual permits: a copy may be carried if the original is readily available at the operator's office in the county of issuance.
- 09Special permits
Special loads and permit programs
Pipe, poles and structural steelLength limits do not apply
The length limits in HRS §291-34(c) do not apply to pipe, poles, timbers, reinforcing or structural steel and similar structural loads that cannot readily be taken apart. At night, mark the ends of the projecting load with clearance lamps.
1Hawaii Revised Statutes §291-34 — Size of vehicles; width, height, and length · checked Oct 13, 2026Farm vehicles and harvestsApproved crossings: no permit
Farm vehicles that only cross a public road at approved crossings need no permit when:
- The owner builds and maintains suitable pavement at each crossing
- The owner cleans up debris and mud
- Vehicles carrying farm products are 80′ or shorter
- Vehicles carrying farm equipment are 100′ or shorter, including load
- Separately, HDOT may issue overweight permits for hauling products from where they are harvested or stored to where they are processed or used (HRS §291-36(b))
The rule in full2 official sources
Special permits
Construction and farm equipment, harvested crops and approved farm crossings each have their own legal path. Each needs its own eligibility, approval, route and vehicle details.
Pipe, poles and structural steel
The length limits in HRS §291-34(c) do not apply to pipe, poles, timbers, reinforcing or structural steel and similar structural loads that cannot readily be taken apart. At night, mark the ends of the projecting load with clearance lamps.
Farm vehicles and harvests
Farm vehicles that only cross a public road at approved crossings need no permit when: The owner builds and maintains suitable pavement at each crossing. The owner cleans up debris and mud. Vehicles carrying farm products are 80′ or shorter. Vehicles carrying farm equipment are 100′ or shorter, including load. Separately, HDOT may issue overweight permits for hauling products from where they are harvested or stored to where they are processed or used (HRS §291-36(b)).
Price your Hawaii loadAgency fees and pilot-car needs for your loaded rig. Free, no contact details.Open worksheet
HI / Permit worksheet
Price your Hawaii movement.
Enter the complete loaded vehicle. Get estimated agency fees and escort requirements before sharing your contact details.
The numbers behind your next move.
Your result will show the agency fee breakdown, potential pilot-car requirements, and the rules used to calculate them.
- 01 State agency fee subtotal
- 02 Escort & survey considerations
- 03 Sources & pricing assumptions
Single-state pricing uses the mileage you enter. For a proposed route and intermediate states, use the route calculator.
About the example equipment
The samples use ODPermit’s editable 48 ft flatbed · 5 axles planning profile. Loaded dimensions, gross weight, 100 state miles and Hawaii registration are example inputs, not a capacity rating or a route approval. Replace them with your actual setup.
Great Dane Freedom flatbed brochure — Drop-deck option: 20–26 in drop from the upper deck with a 40–34 in rear deck height, which gives the 60 in upper-deck planning height. Platform length, combined tare and tractor geometry are editable ODPermit assumptions.
Disclaimer
General information only. It is not legal advice and not a permit. ODPermit is operated by Frontline Express LLC, a private company, not a government agency.
We summarize official sources as of the dates shown, but rules change often and a summary can be incomplete or out of date. Only a permit issued by the state or local agency authorizes an oversize or overweight move, and that permit and the agency’s current rules control. Confirm limits, escorts, routes and travel times with the issuing agency before you move a load.
This information is provided “as is,” without warranties of any kind. To the extent the law allows, Frontline Express LLC is not liable for losses, fines or delays that result from relying on it.
Terms of service apply.
BEFORE THE TRUCK ROLLS
Turn the estimate
into a permitted move.
Confirm the loaded measurements, carrier details, travel dates and exact pickup and delivery. We can help coordinate permits, escorts and route surveys around those facts.
THE SOURCE RECORD
Official references.
Read the rule behind each requirement. These are dated references; current restrictions and the issued permit control your move.
- 01Hawaii Revised Statutes §291-34 — Size of vehicles; width, height, and length
§291-34(a), (b), (c)(1)–(5)
Source record: - 02
- 03HDOT Highways — Oversized and Overweight Vehicles on State Highways
1. Submit permit application to; 2. Applicability; 3. Permit requirements; 4. Review procedure
Source record: - 04
- 05HDOT Form DOT 4-005 (HWY-C 07/15R) — General Conditions
Page 2 — General Conditions 1–19
Source record: - 06Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 19-104: Movement by Permit of Oversize and Overweight Vehicles on State Highways
HAR §§19-104-3 through 19-104-6 · Page 3
Source record: - 07HDOT — Trucking
Announcement July 8, 2026; Oversized/Overweight Vehicles; bridge clearance and posted bridge downloads
Source record: - 08HDOT Form DOT 4-005 (HWY-C 05/20 R) — Application to Operate or Transport Oversize and/or Overweight Vehicles and Loads over State Highways
Page 1 — Application type, Route of Travel, movement-time boxes, special permit grant
Source record:
All 10 references
- 0923 CFR 658 Appendix B — National Network semitrailer lengths
Appendix B; 23 CFR 658.13(a)
Source record: - 1023 CFR 658.17 — Interstate gross, axle and bridge weights
23 CFR 658.17(a)–(e); grandfather exceptions are configuration-specific
Source record: