PennsylvaniaOversize & overweight permits.

Pennsylvania law defines a superload as any of these:

• Gross weight over 201,000 lb
• Total length over 160′
• Total width over 16′
• Not counted: a building moved under 67 Pa. Code § 179.11, a vehicle moved across the highway under a multiple-crossing or quarry-equipment permit, or a drag line moved across a highway under permit

Send the superload application to the Central Permit Office at least 3 weeks before the move, with justification:

• Detailed routing, including city streets and township roads
• Manufacturer or designer certification that it can't be built smaller
• Statements from air, water or rail carriers if asked
• Written approval from each city on the route
• How many similar loads you expect to move in the next year
• Include Form M-936AS in the same submission when the weight rules require it
• A traffic control plan when PennDOT determines (or agrees) that traffic may be adversely affected

A route survey on Form M-936ARS must be physically driven over the entire proposed route and is valid for 21 days from the date it is performed.

• Certify clearances, turns, overhead structures, steep grades, parking and stop-off spots, and that gross weight is within posted limits
• Identify the cities; list local roads in parentheses and get authorization to use them

Superload applicants need permission from every city on the route, even when every road is a State Route. This applies only to municipalities officially classified as cities, and only to non-limited-access State roads within them.

• Use Form M-936SLCA; the form lists Pennsylvania's cities
• Local roads also need the local authority's permission

File Form M-936AS with the application whenever:

• Gross weight is over 136,000 lb
• Gross exceeds Table 8-1 Column I (up to Column II)
• Any axle is over 27,000 lb
• Axle weights exceed Table 8-2 (up to 27,000 lb)
• A truck tractor's steering axle is over 20,000 lb, unless excused
• A bridge on the route is posted BRIDGE LIMITED TO ONE TRUCK
• Special mobile equipment is over 800 lb per inch of tire width (up to 1,000)

The PennDOT permit covers only the PennDOT highways named on it. Local roads shown in brackets or parentheses need the local authority's permission.

• Not valid on the Pennsylvania Turnpike unless the Vehicle Code authorizes it
• National Park Service permission for Route 209 between TR 402 (Monroe County) and TR 6 (Pike County)

PennDOT's Certified Escort Policy lets superloads use Certified Escort Vehicles instead of State Police escorts for loads up to 18′ wide and up to 260′ long, on highways with at least two lanes in one direction, moving with the established traffic pattern.

• A State Police escort is required when the load exceeds those conditions or moves against established traffic patterns
• PennDOT, in consultation with the State Police, determines whether a State Police escort is necessary
• State Police are notified at least 24 hours before the first move

75 Pa.C.S. § 4962(f.6) requires a superload to keep one certified escort vehicle, in addition to all other pilot car requirements, unless it is determined under § 4901(c) that an additional certified escort or a State Police escort is necessary.

Form M-938, which reprints 67 Pa. Code § 179.10(12), requires a uniformed State Police or local police escort for buildings over 16′ wide and for superloads; a PennDOT personnel escort may also be required if conditions warrant.

• If a State Police escort is necessary, apply early enough for the Central Permit Office to notify State Police at least 24 hours before the first move
• Over 13′ wide with a police escort: the pilot car follows

Drivers of certified escort vehicles for superloads must be certified by PennDOT:

• At least 21 with 3 years escorting oversize loads and a valid license
• 8-hour accredited class and written exam; certification from VA, GA, NC, CO/UT, FL or WA is accepted
• Defensive driving course and flagger training
• FHWA Class 2 or 3 vehicle with the PennDOT emblem, no towing
• Carry height pole (over 14′6″), two-way radio, cell phone, STOP/SLOW paddle, ANSI hard hat and vest, 3 cones, flares, extinguisher, first aid kit, spare tire
• No red or blue lights or anything that imitates police

Pilot cars run one or two flashing or revolving amber lights the whole move, plus:

• Yellow OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 5′ × 1′ with 8″ black letters, front and rear
• Visual and two-way radio contact with the load
• The load's headlamps and rear lamps on while escorted

Over 14′6″ high, the lead pilot car runs 1,000′ to 3,000′ ahead with a height pole, and you must notify affected utilities at least 24 hours before the move.

PennDOT's Number of Pilot Cars Cheat Sheet calls for two pilot cars (one leads, one follows) when:

• Over 13′ wide and over 14′6″ high (lead car carries the height pole)
• Over 13′ wide and over 120′ long
• Mobile or modular home over 14′ wide
• Any oversize load moving in an urbanized area during darkness
• Over 13′ but less than 14′ wide and less than 120′ long: only one pilot car

Overweight permits add pilot cars at bridges, and slow loads need a following pilot car:

• Crawl speed over bridges: a pilot car follows while the load is at reduced speed
• Only vehicle on the span, or using more than one lane, on a two-way bridge: pilot cars lead and follow
• The same on a one-way bridge: a pilot car follows
• Any permitted load that can't hold 40 mph on limited-access highways outside urbanized areas: a pilot car follows

A permitted oversize load may not travel within 1,000′ of another going the same way.

• Exceptions: military vehicles, construction zones, and within 2,500′ of a stop sign, signal or other stop

Permitted oversize loads show yellow OVERSIZE LOAD signs front and rear (7′ × 18″, 10″ black letters, 2″ stroke).

• Cover or remove signs once the load is off
• 18″ red or fluorescent orange flags at the points of excess width and length, including a load more than 4′ past the rear

A truck over 80,000 lb gross on a state highway needs a working engine, exhaust or hydraulic brake retarder.

Don't let more than six vehicles build up behind you unless there is no open road ahead; at the first safe spot, signal, pull completely off the traveled road and stop to let them pass.

Carry the permit and a copy of Form M-938, ready for police or PennDOT inspection.

• Last trip's vehicle inspection report, or a 7-day equipment check certificate for special mobile equipment and trailers
• Single-trip permits run one way and expire after 5 authorized weekdays
• A return trip only if the permit shows it

Permittees need liability insurance of at least $250,000 per person and $1 million per occurrence, naming the Commonwealth as additional insured.

• Pilot car owners count as contractors and need it too
• PennDOT may require a bond or letter of credit to cover road and bridge damage

After an emergency or accident affecting public safety or convenience, PennDOT may authorize an oversize or overweight move; APRAS account holders can get permits 24/7.

• Office hours (8 a.m.–4 p.m., not weekends or legal holidays): contact the nearest Engineering District Office before moving; an emergency superload needs Central Permit Office authorization first
• Offices closed: apply in APRAS first and, if not auto-issued, call PEMA at (717) 651-2001
• No APRAS account: contact a Permit Service Partner

Homes over 14′ body width (up to 16′) need special equipment and two pilot cars:

• At least four axles with working brakes on every wheel
• Home unit no more than 80′ long including hitch, and no more than 14′6″ high
• One pilot car leads and one follows on all highways

A dozer blade over 12′ and up to 15′ wide may stay on if a traffic protector guiderail device is fastened to the dozer or the blade is angled so the load is no wider than 12′; a blade over 15′ wide is removed and hauled separately.