In North Dakota, 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 | North Dakota 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 |
North Dakota sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | North Dakota requires |
|---|---|
| 14 ft 6 in wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 16 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 18 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 120 ft long | 1 escort |
| 18 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 16 ft wide.
- Night movement (1/2 hr after sunset to 1/2 hr before sunrise) allowed only if <=12' wide AND <=120' long (no height criterion), or with superintendent approval (Policy 9-6 A.2.a).
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in North Dakota
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Gross weight | 200,000 lbs |
5Permit timing
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~5 days.
Get the full cost of your load
FreightDeck estimates every cost on an oversize move — permits, escorts, police, route survey, engineering, and the truck rate — for your exact load and route, across all 48 states and Canada, up to superload size.
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?North Dakota permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in North Dakota?
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 North Dakota?
North Dakota requires one escort over 14 ft 6 in wide (two over 16 ft), a height pole over 18 ft high, and a police escort over 18 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in North Dakota?
Daylight only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Night movement (1/2 hr after sunset to 1/2 hr before sunrise) allowed only if up to 12' wide AND up to 120' long (no height criterion), or with superintendent approval (Policy 9-6 A.2.a). Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in North Dakota?
Over 200,000 lbs gross.
How much does a North Dakota 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 North Dakota load with FreightDeck →.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in North Dakota?
Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 16 ft wide. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (Only overwidth >16 ft: invalid from 12 noon the day before until sunrise the day after); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in North Dakota?
North Dakota sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in North Dakota?
North Dakota publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, hay in stack/bale (non-commercial) at right edge, daylight, and contractor equipment <=10 ft (for example sunrise to sunset on any highway; at night only on state, county or township highways other than interstates. height up to 15 ft 6 in only for resident farmer/rancher/dealer/manufacturer trips of 60 miles or less, daylight, no interstate (39-12-04(2))). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a North Dakota permit cover Minnesota?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Minnesota, South Dakota, or Montana needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.