West VirginiaOversize & overweight permits.

Any load over a single-trip permit limit is a superload. There is no set weight cap, but every superload must pass a bridge analysis.

• Over 16′ wide
• Over 120,000 lb gross
• Any axle over 28,000 lb single, 45,000 lb tandem, 50,000 lb tri or 55,000 lb quad
• Same fee as a single trip: $20 plus $0.04 per ton-mile for overweight

Apply well ahead of the move; superloads need at least 48 hours.

• Self-issued permits on GotPermits: usually a few minutes
• Single trips needing Permit Office review: normally within 24 hours
• Superloads: at least 48 hours
• Loads that fail the automated clearance check can be delayed for District bridge engineering review

WVDOH may charge $20 for a superload application that is analyzed but not turned into a permit within 30 days.

• Not charged when the District bridge department denies the application
• Not charged if you cancel before staff open the application and run the analysis
• You must track your own applications

Transformers, compressor machinery and similar loads that cannot be taken apart can get a special single-trip permit. WVDOH may require:

• Bridge strengthening at your expense, as the District Manager directs
• A professional charge to study feasibility before the analysis
• A bond to cover possible bridge or road damage
• A temporary traffic control plan, at your cost

WVDOH has no route-by-route list of allowed weights or sizes. Every application is run through an automated bridge and clearance analysis.

• The only way to get an exact answer for a route is to apply
• Loads that fail the automated check go to District bridge personnel for engineering review, which adds time

If the permit is approved at low impact, it lists the bridges, their locations and the required speed, plus a phone number to schedule monitors. Moving without a monitor violates the permit.

• The Monitoring Scheduling Office tries to accommodate scheduling from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays, and weekend monitoring, if monitors are available
• Loads requiring low impact are left out of the weekend travel WVDOH grants on request to loads not over 14′ wide

A regular single-trip permit covers loads up to:

• 16′ wide
• Height and length: no set limit if the route can take it
• 28,000 lb single, 45,000 lb tandem, 50,000 lb tri, 55,000 lb quad axle
• 120,000 lb gross
• Overhang up to 15′ front and 30′ rear (all permits)

Overweight permits are only issued for nondivisible loads.

Local authorities can ban trucks or cap their weight on designated roads they control, by ordinance or resolution, with posted signs.

• Local authorities can also close roads or cut weight limits for deterioration, rain, snow or other weather for up to 90 days in a calendar year, once signs are posted

Over 15′ high, a front pole car is required on two-lane and four-lane roads, in addition to any other escort.

Anyone moving a house or similar structure that could seriously disrupt traffic must arrange a police escort with the appropriate law enforcement agency. WVDOH decides when one is needed.

• Send proof of the police escort arrangement with the permit application
• House-move applications are due at least 10 days before the move
• Cities may require a police escort for mobile or modular homes

A licensed vehicle over 2,000 lb with a manufacturer's gross weight rating under 26,001 lb, equipped with:

• Company or owner name and phone number on signs at least 8″ × 12″ on both sides
• A rotating or strobe amber light visible from 500′ and from all sides (360°)
• A yellow 5′ × 12″ OVERSIZE LOAD sign, bumper or roof mounted, with 10″ black letters, visible from front or rear
• Two red or safety orange flags at least 18″ square at a 40–70° angle on the roof rack, or flags on all four corners

Every for-hire escort vehicle carries:

• CB radio or other two-way radio to talk with the load
• Two 5 lb ABC fire extinguishers
• STOP/SLOW paddle at least 18″ across with 6″ letters
• Safety orange vest, shirt or jacket, worn when directing traffic
• Red hand-held flag (18″)
• Two yellow OVERSIZE LOAD banners with black letters
• Three reflecting triangles or 24″ traffic cones
• Carriers may run their own escorts if they meet these requirements

Escort requirements are written on the permit. Districts and the Parkways Authority may add escorts or movement limits, but never fewer than the WVDOH charts.

No escort is required for overhang until it exceeds 10′ front or rear. Over 10′:

• Front overhang: 1 front escort on two-lane and four-lane roads, Monday–Friday
• Rear overhang: 1 rear escort on two-lane and four-lane roads, Monday–Friday

On the West Virginia Turnpike, a pilot car is required for:

• Loads 12′ wide or more
• Loads longer than 75′
• More than 10′ of overhang
• Any load the Turnpike decides needs one on inspection
• No overnight parking for oversize loads on Turnpike property

When the load sticks out 4′ or more past the rear of the bed:

• A red flag or cloth at least 12″ square at the very end of the load, at all times
• When lights are required, a red light or lantern at the end of the load, visible 500′ to the sides and rear, in addition to the normal tail light

If the load is over legal height, the permit holder must give owners of overhead wires, cables and similar facilities adequate notice. Nobody is required to raise wires or structures for you.

Keep the permit in the vehicle it covers and show it to any police officer or WVDOH agent. A paper copy or an electronic copy is accepted.

• A single-trip permit covers only the vehicle on the permit and cannot be transferred

WVDOT's Order Permits page says to apply online at wv.gotpermits.com (trips entirely within West Virginia, no convenience fee) or gotpermits.com (multi-state). Enter the truck details and routes; if the application passes the size and weight analysis, the permit may be issued immediately.

• Pay by major credit card or an escrow account with Bentley Systems
• If the analysis fails, or a needed route can't be selected, the application goes to the Permit Office for review

Insurance does not need to be filed with the permit office (except for mobile homes), but operators must carry at least $350,000 coverage.

As a general rule, WVDOH will not issue a permit to a vehicle that is not registered and licensed as West Virginia law requires.

• Out-of-state vehicles passing through need no registration if their home state does not require it
• Equipment that works inside West Virginia needs a license before a permit is issued

Single-trip and superload permits are good for 5 days; single-trip mobile home permits for 10 days.

• No permits for divisible loads
• School bus hours or other curfews may be added to the permit

An issued permit can be amended one time only, for:

• A truck or trailer plate correction (truck or trailer, not both)
• Up to a 3-day extension of the travel window
• A date change, if the permit is not yet active

Blanket permits allow unlimited trips for one year and are tied to one power unit.

• Oversize blanket: $200, legal weights
• Overweight and oversize blanket: $500, up to 110,000 lb on Interstate and divided routes, 90,000 lb on US and selected routes, legal weight elsewhere
• Interstate and divided routes: 14′6″ high, 14′ wide, 95′ long, 15′ overhang
• US and selected routes: 14′ high, 12′ wide, 75′ long, 10′ overhang
• Start date can be up to 30 days ahead

An annual permit for overweight seagoing containerized cargo, allowing travel on most major highways.

• 90,000 lb gross; 28,000 lb single, 45,000 lb tandem, 50,000 lb tridem
• $150 for the first 15 permits, $15 for each additional permit

Mobile homes move sunrise to sunset on their own schedule:

• Permit max: 16′ wide, 15′6″ high, 80′ home, 110′ combination
• Over 14′ wide: Monday–Thursday, and Friday until 3:00 PM
• 14′ wide or less: Monday–Friday, and Saturday until noon
• Tape proof of the permit to the left rear of the home; the master permit stays in the tow truck
• Top speed 50 mph; liability certificate of $100,000/$300,000 plus $50,000 property damage
• Permits are good for 10 days

Mobile home moves use their own escort and marking rules:

• Two-lane highways, up to 12′ wide: 1 front escort
• Expressways and Interstates, over 12′ wide: 1 rear escort
• Multi-lane highways with at least 24′ of pavement, over 14′6″ wide: 1 front and 2 rear
• Other highways, over 12′ wide: front and rear
• OVERSIZE LOAD sign on tow vehicle and rear of home: 18″ high, 6–8′ long, 10″ black letters on yellow
• Six red flags at least 16″ square; 4-way amber flashing light; two-way radios

An annual permit for goods manufactured for interstate commerce, up to 120,000 lb, approved only after an engineering analysis by a consulting firm. Not valid on Interstates.

A special permit lets a six-axle tractor-semitrailer haul logs, chips, lumber and other wood products at up to 94,000 lb with no tolerance. Not issued for Interstate routes.

• Axles front to back: 15,000, 17,000, 17,000, 15,000, 15,000, 15,000 lb
• At least 29′6″ from the last drive axle to the first trailer axle

A bulldozer may be hauled with the blade on if the blade is angled away from oncoming traffic and the load is no more than 14′ wide. Wider, and also overweight: haul the blade on a separate trailer.