In Idaho, any load that exceeds the legal size or weight limits requires an oversize/overweight permit before it moves. Below are the legal limits and the requirements that apply at each threshold.
1When you need a permit
A load is oversize or overweight once it passes any of these:
| Dimension | Idaho legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 14 ft | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 75 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs | Heavier |
Rear overhang is limited to 10 ft without an over-length permit.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Idaho requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 110 ft long | 1 escort · 120 ft → 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high or 18 ft wide | Route survey required |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions.
- Black-coded routes and Interstates: 24 hours, 7 days within 12 ft wide, 15 ft high and 120 ft long. Red-coded routes: daylight only..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~10 days.
Get the full cost of your load
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?Idaho permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Idaho?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft high, 75 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Idaho?
Idaho requires one escort over 12 ft wide (two over 14 ft), and a height pole over 16 ft high.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Idaho?
Daylight only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Black-coded routes and Interstates: 24 hours, 7 days within 12 ft wide, 15 ft high and 120 ft long. Red-coded routes: daylight only. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
How much does a Idaho oversize permit cost?
The state permit fee depends on the load's size and weight. The full cost of a move also includes escorts, police, route surveys, engineering, and the truck rate, which vary by route. FreightDeck estimates all of it for your exact load — price your Idaho load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Idaho?
Idaho does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 10 days.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Idaho?
Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (Red-coded: travel until 2 p.m. day before, resume sunrise day after. Black-coded loads over 12/120/15: before 4:00 p.m. day preceding, resume sunrise day after); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Idaho?
Rear overhang is limited to 10 ft without an over-length permit.
Does Idaho require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 16 ft high or 18 ft wide. The survey checks every bridge, sign, signal and wire on the route and is filed with the permit; it usually takes longer than the permit itself, so start it first. What a route survey involves →
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in Idaho?
Idaho publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, and logging trucks (for example non-interstate, farm operations). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Idaho permit cover Washington?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Washington, Oregon, or Nevada needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.