South DakotaOversize & overweight permits.

Some applications need DOT or Highway Patrol review, usually up to two working days. These may take longer:

• Over 200,000 lb
• Overweight and wider than 12′
• More than 16′ high

Overweight permits are issued only after the SD Department of Transportation approves the route.

Overweight loads on the Interstate move only on single-trip permits. Any oversize load needs its permit before entering the Interstate.

Trucks with 2, 3 or 4 axles hauling nondivisible loads cannot be permitted more than 10% overweight. Self-propelled or towaway equipment can be.

A wide load cannot be more than three times the width of the narrowest axle on the trailer. Wider loads need extra-width axles or multiple line axle groups.

A single-trip permit is $25. Overweight loads also pay 2 cents per excess ton per mile over these gross weights:

• 2 axles: 40,000 lb · 3 axles: 60,000 lb · 4 axles: 80,000 lb
• 5 axles: 85,000 lb · 6 axles: 90,000 lb · 7 or more: 95,000 lb
• Book of 10 self-issuing single-trip permits: $250
• Extended-period (annual) permits: $60 unless the rule says otherwise

Apply and pay online in the South Dakota Automated Permitting System (SDAPS), or call the SDHP Permit Center.

• Permit Center phone: 7:00 am–7:00 pm, Monday–Friday
• Also from any Highway Patrol district office, trooper or motor carrier inspector
• An application does not guarantee a permit

Cities and counties issue their own single-trip and annual permits for roads they maintain. The Motor Carrier Handbook lists city and county permit contacts.

Escorts run in front on two-lane highways and behind on divided highways:

• Interstate: over 16′ wide
• Listed Black Hills highways: over 10′ wide, or over 16′ wide on a second list (front escort)
• All other state highways: over 20′ wide
• The permit-issuing authority may require escorts for route limits, traffic or unusual configurations
• A local trooper may waive the front escort on a section with adequate geometrics

Minimum escort vehicle equipment:

• A licensed motor vehicle; motorcycles may not escort
• A revolving amber light or two flashing amber lights, at least 4″ in diameter
• A sign such as WIDE LOAD AHEAD or WIDE LONG LOAD in letters at least 12″ high
• Bright red or orange flags, at least 12″ square, on each side of the sign
• Cover or remove signs when not escorting

Leave traffic a lane at least 10′ wide. Escorts and flaggers (special traffic handling) are required when:

• The load extends more than 2′ into an adjacent driving or passing lane
• Traffic cannot pass unless it or the load uses the shoulder
• Turns, bridge crossings or height clearances need special maneuvers (may be required)

Earthmoving equipment, alone or in convoy, needs an escort with a CONVOY WIDE LOAD or WIDE LOAD sign.

• Escort ahead of the unit or convoy; on the Interstate it follows immediately behind
• Units spaced at least 500′ and no more than 3,000′ apart
• Rubber-tired road construction equipment: 20 mph maximum

An emergency single-trip permit may allow a daylight-only load to move at night with extra roof lights and front and rear escorts.

• Escort: passenger car or two-axle truck at least 60″ wide, 12,000 lb GVW or less
• Escort sign: OVERSIZE LOAD, at least 12″ × 60″, 8″ black letters on yellow, reflectorized
• Voice contact between load and escorts at all times
• Escort spacing 500′–1,000′; a convoy may share one front and one rear escort

Red or orange flags at least 18″ × 18″ go on every oversize vehicle or load:

• On all corners when the vehicle or load is wider than 8′6″
• On all corners of a load wider than the hauling vehicle's bed
• On projections more than 3′ past the front or 4′ past the rear: 1 flag if the end is 2′ wide or less, 2 if wider

Front and rear signs are required over 95′ long, over 12′ wide, or at night:

• OVERSIZE LOAD; WIDE LOAD, LONG LOAD or OVERSIZED LOAD also allowed
• At least 18″ high × 84″ wide, black letters on yellow
• Letters at least 10″ high with a 1⅜″ stroke, legible at 500′
• Reflectorized for night moves; cover or remove when not required

At night, extra lamps and reflectors mark a load that sticks out:

• More than 4″ past the sides: amber at the front edges, red at the rear edges
• More than 4′ past the rear: red lamps and reflectors on the end or each rear corner
• More than 3′ past the front: amber lamps and reflectors on the end or each front corner
• Lamps and reflectors visible from 50′ to 500′

Carry the permit in the permitted vehicle and show it on request. A permit issued electronically may be shown electronically.

• Self-issued or telephonic permits must be filled out completely, or they are void
• A self-issuing book permit must be validated before use (contact the Permit Center)
• LCVs carry the original signed permit for the whole trip

Permit applicants must carry at least $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000 property damage, or qualify as a self-insurer.

Before using a permit for an overweight or combination vehicle, write on it the carrier, permit holder, tractor unit number, tractor state and plate, date and bill of lading number.

An annual permit covers nondivisible oversize (not overweight) loads on one or two units, within:

• 14′6″ wide, side overhang up to 3′3″
• 14′ high
• Front plus rear overhang up to 30′ combined
• Single unit 60′ long; two units 85′, second-unit wheelbase up to 43′
• Fee $60

An annual permit covers manufactured homes up to 16′ wide and 80′ long (16′6″ and 80′6″ with appendages), on a rig up to 15′ high.

• Tow vehicle at least 6,000 lb GVWR (8′–10′ wide), 8,000 lb (10′–12′), 9,000 lb (12′–18′)
• Not valid when wind exceeds 25 mph
• Check the route for width and height limits before moving

Moving a structure on state trunk highways needs a single-trip permit.

• On a flatbed or lowboy: no wider than 3× the narrowest trailer axle, roof overhang excluded
• Flaggers, when required, at least ¼ mile ahead of and behind the load
• Multi-level structures, or over 2,000 sq ft, are weighed by the Highway Patrol first unless waived
• Power-line lifts: written utility-notice verification 48 hours before the move

An extended-period permit lets dealers and commercial farm machinery operators move oversize (not overweight) implements:

• Up to 16′ wide on the Interstate, 20′ on other state highways
• Up to 100′ long and 18′ high
• Three-unit combinations: not on the Interstate, 25 mph max, sunrise to sunset
• Larger moves need a single-trip permit

A multiple-trip permit (up to 12 months) moves a company's own oversize or overweight construction equipment on state highways. Overweight units stay within a base county and its bordering counties.

• Up to 20′ wide and 110′ long
• Daytime only; not valid on the Interstate
• Signs over 90′ long or 12′ wide: OVERSIZED LOAD, 7′ × 18″
• Not valid for commercial hauling of others' equipment

LCV permits allow listed combinations on the Interstate and listed state highways up to 110′ (truck-trailer 85′) and 129,000 lb.

• Books of ten only, $100 per book, from SDHP Motor Carrier Services
• One trip or 24 hours, whichever comes first
• LONG LOAD sign on the rear trailer, at least 7′ × 18″