Do You Need an Illinois Trucking Permit?
DOT Office
2300 S. Dirksen ParkwaySpringfield, IL 62764
Permit Office
Monday - Friday
7:00 AM - 4:30 PM Central Time
217-782-3572
Permit Types
Permit Validity
5 Travel Days
Transportation Restrictions
Movements are prohibited on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Movements will not be allowed later than noon on the day preceding a holiday or a holiday weekend.
Movement not allowed when route is covered with snow or ice or when visibility is impaired by rain, snow, fog, smog, or at anytime travel conditions are considered to be unsafe by the DOT or State Police. Movements of house trailers over 12’ wide are prohibited when wind gusts exceed 25 miles per hour.
Weekend Travel
Overweight loads with legal dimensions are authorized to move 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Oversize and/or Overweight permit loads with dimensions ≤12’ wide, 13’6”’ high, 200’ long are
authorized to move 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with one additional civilian escort when
traveling during the hours of darkness.
Oversize and/or Overweight permit loads with dimensions ≤ 14’6” wide, 15’ high, 200’ long are
authorized to move from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset, 7 days a week.
Oversize and/or Overweight permit loads with dimensions ≤ 16’ wide, 17’ high are authorized to
move from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset Monday through Friday, and from ½
hour before sunrise until noon, Saturday.
Oversize and/or Overweight permit loads with dimensions > 200’ long are authorized to move
from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset Monday through Friday.
Oversize and/or Overweight permit loads with dimensions greater than 16’ wide, 17’ high, are
authorized to move from 9:00am CST to 3:00pm CST Monday through Friday.
Movements are further restricted on specific holidays and holiday weekends.
Transportation Requirements
Provision Regulations
Superloads
Anything over Routine Issue dimensions requires special review from the DOT.
Oversize Load Signs
“Oversize Load” signs required for any vehicle or load over 10’ wide, 14’6” high, or 75’ long.
Flags/Lights
An 18” red flag required at the extremities and four corners of any overwidth load and at the extreme ends of all protrusions, projections, or overhangs.
Blades
Blades, buckets, counterweights, etc. may be attached.
Legal Limits
| Component | Restriction |
|---|---|
| Single Axle | 20,000 lbs. |
| Tandem Group | 34,000 lbs. |
| Tridem Group | 42,500 lbs. |
| Gross Weight | 80,000 lbs. |
| Width | 8'6" |
| Height | 13'6" |
| Length - Semi-Trailer | 53' |
| Length | 65' |
| Overhang | 3' Front | 4' Rear |
Routine Issues
| Component | Restriction |
|---|---|
| Single Axle | 25,000 lbs. |
| Tandem Group | 48,000 lbs. on a Tractor |
| Tandem Group | 60,000 lbs. on a Trailer |
| Tridem Group | 68,000 lbs. |
| Quad Group | 76,000 lbs. |
| Gross Weight - 5 Axles | 100,000 lbs. |
| Gross Weight | 120,000 lbs. |
| Width | 14'6" |
| Height | 15' |
| Length | 145' |
Routine issue dimensions and weights reflect maximum dimensions for Class A truck and trailers.
Escort Requirements
| Dimension | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width Over 14'6" - 16' | 1 Front on Undivided Highways, 1 Rear on Divided Highways |
| Width Over 16' - 18' | 3 (2 Front & 1 Rear) |
| Width Over 18' | 3 (2 Front & 1 Rear) + Police |
| Height Over 14'6" - 18' | 1 Front with High Pole |
| Height Over 18' | 2 (Front with High Pole & Rear) + Police |
| Length Over 110' - 145' | 1 Front on Undivided Highways, 1 Rear on Divided Highways |
| Length Over 145' - 200' | 3 (2 Front & 1 Rear) |
| Length Over 200' | 3 (2 Front & 1 Rear) + police |
| Weight Over 230,000 lbs. | Police |
Additional Information
All wheeled farm equipment (ex tractors) if wide only are exempt from requiring a permit.
