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 |
Rear overhang is limited to 4 ft and front overhang to 3 ft before it counts toward length, and any overhang must be flagged.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| When the load reaches… | 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 · 130 ft → 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high or 16 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 18 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Night travel permitted in defined conditions — Night movement allowed within escort dimensions: <=14.5' wide, <=18' high, <=120' long.
- Weekend travel allowed within dimensional limits.
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft |
| Height | 16 ft |
| Length | 150 ft |
| Gross weight | 150,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 5 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~2 business days to issue.
- Superload: ~5 days (route survey + review).
- 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 at 14 ft 6 in wide (two at 16 ft), a height pole at 18 ft high, and a police escort at 18 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in North Dakota?
North Dakota allows night movement in defined conditions (Night movement allowed within escort dimensions: <=14.5' wide, <=18' high, <=120' long). Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in North Dakota?
Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 150 ft long, or 150,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 5 days of lead time.
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 →.