Arkansas State Regulations
Transportation Restrictions
Permit is not valid for movement during periods of significantly reduced vision and/or inclement weather or when visibility is less than 500’.
No over dimensional vehicle or load shall follow another over dimensional vehicle or load closer than 1,000’.
Movement of vehicles under permit may be restricted during strong winds or wind gust exceeding 23 mph.
The following holidays are observed:
New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
If the holiday falls on Monday or Friday, no weekend movement is allowed.
No oversized movement through the Greater Little Rock Areas from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM or 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Interstate 30 (mile marker 137-143); Interstate 40 (mile marker 151-155) and all of Interstate 630.
Permits for emergency movement of any kind will be issued only upon the applicant’s statement of the nature of the emergency. The permit shall be issued or withheld at the sole discretion of the issuing agent based on the seriousness of the emergency and the roadway and bridge factors which would affect the movement.
Operating Time
Weekend Travel
Permits may be issued for the movement of overweight and/or over dimensional vehicles on Arkansas highways on Saturday, Sundays, excluding holiday weekends. These overweight permits must be obtained in advance.
Transportation Requirements
Superloads
Anything over Routine Issue dimensions requires special approval by the DOT.
Oversize Load Signs
“Oversize Load” signs required for any oversize load. The required sign must be constructed of a durable material with a yellow background and black letters of a two-inch (2”) stroke and minimum height of ten inches (10”)
Flags/Lights
18” red or florescent orange flags are required on all four corners of any oversize load. All permitted vehicles must be equipped with tail lamps and signal lamps that conform to applicable state and federal standards.
Divisible Load Exceptions
No permit will be issued for a vehicle or load which can be reduced in weight or size in an eight (8) hour period without damaging the load.
Legal Limits
| Component | Restriction |
|---|---|
| Steer/Front Axle | 12,000-20,000 lbs. (Axle must be rated by the manufacturer for weight) |
| Tandem Steer/Front Axle | 24,000 lbs. |
| Single Axle | 20,000 lbs. |
| Tandem Group | 34,000 lbs. |
| Tridem Group | 50,000 lbs. |
| Gross Weight | 80,000 lbs. (5 Axles or more, must follow Federal Bridge Fomula) |
| Width | 8’6″ (8′ for manufactured homes) |
| Height | 14′ |
| Single Unit, Buses | 45′ |
| Length – Semi-Trailer | 53’6″ |
| Length | 60′ (When semi-trailer exceeds 53’6″) |
| Overhang | 3′ Front | 4′ rear |
Routine Issues
| Component | Restriction |
|---|---|
| Steer/Single Axle | 20,000 lbs. (Axle must be rated by the manufacturer for weight) |
| Tandem Group | 46,000 lbs. (23,000 per axle) |
| Tridem Group | 60,000 lbs. (20,000 per axle) |
| Quad Group | 68,000 lbs. (17,000 per axle) |
| Width | 20′ (24′ under emergency conditions) |
| Height | 17′ |
| Length | No Limit |
| Front Overhang | 20′ |
Exemptions: Forestry machinery, farm machinery and equipment from farm to farm within a radius of 50 miles.
No overlength permit is required for vehicles operating in the daytime when transporting poles or pipes
Escort Requirements
| Dimension | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width 12’1″-14′ | 1 Front (Controlled access and divided highways with 4 lanes or more excluded) |
| Width 12′-14’6″ (Manufactured Homes) | 1 Front (Controlled access and divided highways with 4 lanes or more excluded) |
| Width Over 14′ | 1 Rear 4-Lanes, 2 (Front & Rear) 2-Lanes |
| Width Over 14’6″ (Manufactured Homes) | 1 Rear (Controlled access and divided highways with 4 lanes or more) |
| Height Over 15′ | 1 Front with High Pole (Over 16′ must obtain special approval) |
| Height Over 17′ | 1 Front & Public Utilities Escort |
| Length Over 100′ | 1 Front on 2-Lanes, 1 Rear on 4-Lanes |
| Length Over 130′ | 2 (Front & Rear) |
| Combination: Over 12′ Wide and 13’6″ High | 2 (Front w/ High Pole & Rear) on 2-Lanes |
| Combination: Over 12′ Wide and 15′ High | 2 (Front w/ High Pole & Rear) on 4-Lanes |
Additional Information
Exceptions are farming equipment such as plows, tractors, bulldozers, combines, etc. if transported within 50 miles of point of origin. Cutter blades and other equipment of a hazardous nature in excess of 14’ will be cradled to such an angle as is necessary to reduce the maximum overall width to 14’.