North Dakota Oversize & Overweight Permit Rules
What a load can be in North Dakota without a permit, where the permit and escort tiers start on 2-lane roads and multi-lane roads, when it can move, and who to call. Every figure is the JaloPermit Atlas entry for North Dakota, shown as the app shows it.
Rules as of Jul 31, 2026 · Links checked Jul 13, 2026
Read this before you trust a number. Rules change. The issued permit, posted signs and the state permit office always win over this page. JaloPermit is a reading aid, not a permit-filing service. Guests get 3 free decodes a day with no account and no card, logged-in users get 10 a day, and extra decodes are $3.50 each with no subscription.
What moves in North Dakota without a permit
Legal limits are the dimensions and gross weight a vehicle may run at without an oversize or overweight permit. North Dakota publishes its length limit as overall combination, so compare it against that measurement on your permit, not the overall rig.
Where the permit and escort tiers start
| Dimension | Legal without permit | Permit tier starts | First escort on 2-lane roads | First escort on multi-lane roads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 8'6" | 8'7" | 14'7" · Front escort or amber light | 16'1" · Rear escort |
| Height | 14'0" | 14'1" | 18'1" · Front escort | 18'1" · Front escort |
| Length | 75'0"overall combination | 75'1" | 120'1" · Rear escort | 120'1" · Rear escort |
| Weight | 80,000 lbs | 80,001 lbs | No escort tier (permit only) | No escort tier (permit only) |
"Permit tier starts" is the lowest size in the Atlas ladder that needs a permit. "First escort" is the lowest size that adds a private or police escort on that road class; the full ladder with each tier's rule and source is below.
North Dakota escort ladder, tier by tier
Open a tier to read the rule behind it, quoted with its source. Amber tiers add a police escort or a superload review; grey tiers are permit-only with conditions.
On 2-lane roads
Escorts begin at 14'7" wide
Width
Permit required8'7" – 14'6"
Permit required over 8'6" (NDCC 39-12-04(1)); no pilot car at or below 14'6". ND's escort rule splits two-lane vs four-lane divided highways, not Interstate vs non-Interstate — this column carries ND's two-lane requirements, which are the stricter of the two. A four-lane DIVIDED non-Interstate route (parts of US-2, US-52, US-83, US-85, ND-22) is legally governed by the Interstate column here.
Front escort or amber light14'7" – 16'
Two-lane highways: one pilot car leads at 300-700 ft, OR instead the truck (or the vehicle towing or hauling the load) carries a lighted rotating or flashing amber light visible 500 ft from front and rear. No pilot car on four-lane divided highways at this width. Source: N.D. Admin. Code 38-06-02-03(1); NDHP Policy 9-6 (11/21/2025) A.4.a; NDHP Pilot Car Policy 9-15 A.1.a. An amber warning light may replace the front escort. Source: N.D. Admin. Code 38-06-02-03(1).
Front + Rear16'1" – 18'
Two-lane highways: one pilot car precedes and one follows, each at 300-700 ft (N.D.A.C. 38-06-02-03(2); NDHP Policy 9-6 A.4.b.1; Pilot Car Policy 9-15 A.1.b). No amber-light substitute above 16 ft. Overwidth above 16 ft also loses Saturday-afternoon, Sunday and holiday travel (38-06-02-07(2)).
Front + Rear18'1"+
Two pilot cars as above (one precedes, one follows, 300-700 ft), PLUS an NDHP trooper escort in addition to the private pilot cars: over 18 ft wide the movement is subject to Highway Patrol escort if deemed necessary by the regional commander(s) (NDHP Policy 9-6 A.4.c.1). Contact the regional commander(s) for every region the movement will travel through before moving (Policy 9-6 A.4.c.1.a); NDHP escort costs $50/hour plus $0.50/mile per trooper. On loads over 200,000 lbs GVW that official escort is REQUIRED unless the regional commander(s) exempt it (Policy 9-6 Annex E A.7.a). Double trailers are not allowed over 18 ft wide (Policy 9-6 A.5.g).
Height
Permit required14'1" – 18'
Permit required over 14 ft high. No pilot car and no height pole at or below 18 ft high on any North Dakota highway. All vertical clearances are the permittee's responsibility; communication cables may hang as low as 15'6", signal lights 16'0" and flashing signal lights 17'0". Source: N.D. Admin. Code 38-06-02-03(4); NDHP Policy 9-6 (11/21/2025) A.4.a and A.5.b.
Front escort18'1"+
Over 18 ft high: one pilot car leads the load at 300-700 ft, on every highway class (North Dakota draws no two-lane/four-lane line for height). North Dakota names no height pole: its pilot car needs an OVERSIZE LOAD sign with amber lights and radio contact with the truck. The carrier also needs written authority from the utility companies to travel under overhead wires, and no permit issues for a move taller than a structure's clearance. Source: N.D. Admin. Code 38-06-02-03(4); NDHP Policy 9-6 (11/21/2025) A.4.a, A.4.d and A.5.b; NDHP Pilot Car Policy 9-15 A.3.a and C.1.
Length
Permit required75'1" – 120'
Permit required over 75 ft for a two-unit combination (NDCC 39-12-04(3)(b)); no pilot car at or below 120 ft. NDCC 39-12-04(3)(d) separately allows combinations up to 110 ft on four-lane divided and other director-designated highways, so a long combination on a designated route may not need the permit this floor implies — escort-wise it changes nothing. An annual overlength permit covers movements up to 120 ft (NDHP Policy 9-6 Annex H).
Rear escort120'1"+
One pilot car follows at 300-700 ft over 120 ft overall length, on every highway class — ND draws no two-lane/four-lane distinction for length (N.D.A.C. 38-06-02-03(3); Pilot Car Policy 9-15 A.2.a; Policy 9-6 A.4.a). Above 120 ft the annual overlength permit no longer covers the move; a single trip permit is required.
Weight
Permit required80,001 lbs – 200,000 lbs
ND triggers no escort on gross weight alone at any weight. NDDOT's chief engineer, bridge engineer or district engineers, or the Highway Patrol, MAY require one or two pilot cars on overweight movements that exceed the normal permittable weights (N.D.A.C. 38-06-02-03(5); Pilot Car Policy 9-15 A.4.b). Self-propelled earthmoving equipment driven under its own power over legal axle weights must have one pilot car following at 300-700 ft on all highways because of its 20 mph cap (9-15 A.4.a; Policy 9-6 A.9.e, A.9.i). Over 150,000 lbs the move needs district engineer approval unless it stays on pre-approved routes (Policy 9-6 A.7.b). This 80,001 lb floor is deliberately conservative for this column: off the Interstate, NDCC 39-12-05.3(2) allows up to 105,500 lbs gross on state highways (80,000 lbs on other highways unless locally designated), so many loads between 80,001 and 105,500 lbs are legal here without an overweight permit.
Permit required200,001 lbs+
Over 200,000 lbs GVW the move runs under the NDHP Heavy Load Permit Policy (Policy 9-6 Annex E): NDDOT bridge-engineer and district-engineer route approval before issuance, written verification of liability and property damage insurance (N.D.A.C. 38-06-02-05(2); Annex E B.2.h), a ton-mile fee of $.05 per ton per mile on the weight above 200,000 lbs, and pilot cars wherever the engineers require them (9-15 A.4.b). Gross weight alone still triggers no fixed escort count — but a move over 200,000 lbs that is ALSO over 18 ft wide is required to have an official NDHP escort unless the regional commander(s) exempt it (Annex E A.7.a), at $50/hour plus $0.50/mile per trooper. The schema cannot express that width-and-weight compound condition, so it is recorded here and in the over-18-ft width bands.
On multi-lane roads
Escorts begin at 16'1" wide
Width
Permit required8'7" – 16'
Interstates are four-lane divided: on four-lane divided highways there are no pilot car requirements for movements not exceeding 16 feet in width (N.D.A.C. 38-06-02-03(1); NDHP Policy 9-6 A.4.a; Pilot Car Policy 9-15 A.1.a). Permit still required over 8'6".
Rear escort16'1" – 18'
Four-lane divided highways: one pilot car follows at 300-700 ft (N.D.A.C. 38-06-02-03(2); NDHP Policy 9-6 A.4.b.2; Pilot Car Policy 9-15 A.1.b). No lead pilot car is required on this class.
Rear escort18'1"+
One following pilot car at 300-700 ft as above, PLUS an NDHP trooper escort in addition to the private pilot car: over 18 ft wide the movement is subject to Highway Patrol escort if deemed necessary by the regional commander(s) (NDHP Policy 9-6 A.4.c.1). Contact the regional commander(s) for every region the movement will travel through before moving (Policy 9-6 A.4.c.1.a); NDHP escort costs $50/hour plus $0.50/mile per trooper. On loads over 200,000 lbs GVW that official escort is REQUIRED unless the regional commander(s) exempt it (Policy 9-6 Annex E A.7.a). Double trailers are not allowed over 18 ft wide (Policy 9-6 A.5.g).
Height
Permit required14'1" – 18'
Permit required over 14 ft high. No pilot car and no height pole at or below 18 ft high on any North Dakota highway. All vertical clearances are the permittee's responsibility; communication cables may hang as low as 15'6", signal lights 16'0" and flashing signal lights 17'0". Source: N.D. Admin. Code 38-06-02-03(4); NDHP Policy 9-6 (11/21/2025) A.4.a and A.5.b.
Front escort18'1"+
Over 18 ft high: one pilot car leads the load at 300-700 ft, on every highway class (North Dakota draws no two-lane/four-lane line for height). North Dakota names no height pole: its pilot car needs an OVERSIZE LOAD sign with amber lights and radio contact with the truck. The carrier also needs written authority from the utility companies to travel under overhead wires, and no permit issues for a move taller than a structure's clearance. Source: N.D. Admin. Code 38-06-02-03(4); NDHP Policy 9-6 (11/21/2025) A.4.a, A.4.d and A.5.b; NDHP Pilot Car Policy 9-15 A.3.a and C.1.
Length
Permit required75'1" – 120'
Permit required over 75 ft for a two-unit combination (NDCC 39-12-04(3)(b)); no pilot car at or below 120 ft. NDCC 39-12-04(3)(d) separately allows combinations up to 110 ft on four-lane divided and other director-designated highways, so a long combination on a designated route may not need the permit this floor implies — escort-wise it changes nothing. An annual overlength permit covers movements up to 120 ft (NDHP Policy 9-6 Annex H).
Rear escort120'1"+
One pilot car follows at 300-700 ft over 120 ft overall length, on every highway class — ND draws no two-lane/four-lane distinction for length (N.D.A.C. 38-06-02-03(3); Pilot Car Policy 9-15 A.2.a; Policy 9-6 A.4.a). Above 120 ft the annual overlength permit no longer covers the move; a single trip permit is required.
Weight
Permit required80,001 lbs – 200,000 lbs
ND triggers no escort on gross weight alone at any weight. NDDOT's chief engineer, bridge engineer or district engineers, or the Highway Patrol, MAY require one or two pilot cars on overweight movements that exceed the normal permittable weights (N.D.A.C. 38-06-02-03(5); Pilot Car Policy 9-15 A.4.b). Self-propelled earthmoving equipment driven under its own power over legal axle weights must have one pilot car following at 300-700 ft on all highways because of its 20 mph cap (9-15 A.4.a; Policy 9-6 A.9.e, A.9.i). Over 150,000 lbs the move needs district engineer approval unless it stays on pre-approved routes (Policy 9-6 A.7.b). This 80,001 lb floor is exact for the Interstate system: NDCC 39-12-05(2) caps gross weight at 80,000 lbs there.
Permit required200,001 lbs+
Over 200,000 lbs GVW the move runs under the NDHP Heavy Load Permit Policy (Policy 9-6 Annex E): NDDOT bridge-engineer and district-engineer route approval before issuance, written verification of liability and property damage insurance (N.D.A.C. 38-06-02-05(2); Annex E B.2.h), a ton-mile fee of $.05 per ton per mile on the weight above 200,000 lbs, and pilot cars wherever the engineers require them (9-15 A.4.b). Gross weight alone still triggers no fixed escort count — but a move over 200,000 lbs that is ALSO over 18 ft wide is required to have an official NDHP escort unless the regional commander(s) exempt it (Annex E A.7.a), at $50/hour plus $0.50/mile per trooper. The schema cannot express that width-and-weight compound condition, so it is recorded here and in the over-18-ft width bands.
When a permitted load can move
- Standard hours
Overdimensional movements run 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Loads 12'0" or less wide and 120'0" or less long may also move at night with proper lighting. No movement in inclement weather, on slippery roads, or when visibility is 1/2 mile or less.
- Night travel
Permitted 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise for loads 12'0" or less wide and 120'0" or less long. Wider or longer loads need superintendent approval. Night movements require clearance lights and amber lights above the cab visible 500 feet.
- Weekend travel
Overwidth movements exceeding 16'0" wide may not travel Saturday after 12 noon or any time Sunday. Loads 16'0" wide or less have no weekend curfew. There is no length-based weekend restriction.
- Holiday restrictions
Overwidth movements exceeding 16'0" wide may not travel from 12 noon the day before until sunrise the day after New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
- Urban restrictions
No statewide urban curfew. The permit designates the route to be traveled, and cities, counties and townships issue their own permits for oversize movement on roads under their jurisdiction.
Signage North Dakota expects
- Oversize load sign
Required over 8'6" wide or over 75'0" long: a 12" x 60" OVERSIZE LOAD sign front and rear, black on yellow, letters at least 8" high with a 1" brush stroke. Overlength-only loads may use a LONG LOAD sign of the same size. Cover or remove when not oversize.
- Flags
All overdimensional loads carry red or bright orange flags at least 18" x 18" on the traffic side, front and rear. Rear overhang of 4 feet or more is marked at the extreme end with a 12" x 12" red flag by day and a red clearance light at night.
- Beacons
Night movements require one rotating or two flashing amber lights above the cab visible 500 feet, plus clearance lights marking anything beyond 8'6". Loads over 14'6" but not over 16'0" wide may use amber lights visible front and rear 500 feet in lieu of a pilot car.
North Dakota permit office
The permit office is the authority on every number on this page. Call it, or open the official site, before you rely on a threshold for a load that is close to a line.
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What are the legal limits in North Dakota without an oversize or overweight permit?
In North Dakota, the legal limits without an oversize or overweight permit are 8'6" wide, 14'0" high, 75'0" long (overall combination) and 80,000 lbs gross. Legal overhang is 3'0" front and 4'0" rear. Anything over those figures needs a permit from the North Dakota permit office before it moves.
When does an oversize load need an escort or pilot car in North Dakota?
On 2-lane roads in North Dakota, escorts begin at 14'7" wide. On multi-lane roads, escorts begin at 16'1" wide. The first escort tier is "Front escort or amber light" at 14'7" – 16' wide. Every tier on this page quotes its rule and source.
Can oversize loads travel at night, on weekends or on holidays in North Dakota?
Night travel: Permitted 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise for loads 12'0" or less wide and 120'0" or less long. Wider or longer loads need superintendent approval. Night movements require clearance lights and amber lights above the cab visible 500 feet. Weekend travel: Overwidth movements exceeding 16'0" wide may not travel Saturday after 12 noon or any time Sunday. Loads 16'0" wide or less have no weekend curfew. There is no length-based weekend restriction. Holidays: Overwidth movements exceeding 16'0" wide may not travel from 12 noon the day before until sunrise the day after New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.