In Utah, 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 | Utah legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 14 ft | Taller |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs | Heavier |
Rear overhang is limited to 6 ft without an over-length permit.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Utah requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 105 ft long | 1 escort · 120 ft → 2 escorts |
| 19 ft high | Route survey required |
| 17 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is allowed.
- Night travel up to 14 ft wide on freeways (12-14 ft needs 1 pilot) and 12 ft wide on secondary highways; 14 ft 6 in high, 105 ft long, overhang 10 ft or less..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Utah
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 17 ft |
| Height | 17 ft 6 in |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 14 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~14 days.
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~4 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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?Utah permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Utah?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft high, or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Utah?
Utah requires one escort over 12 ft wide (two over 14 ft), a height pole over 16 ft high, and a police escort over 17 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Utah?
Daylight only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Night travel up to 14 ft wide on freeways (12-14 ft needs 1 pilot) and 12 ft wide on secondary highways; 14 ft 6 in high, 105 ft long, overhang 10 ft or less. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Utah?
Over 17 ft wide, or 17 ft 6 in high. It requires individual review and about 14 days of lead time.
How much does a Utah 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 Utah load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Utah?
Utah does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 14 days. A permit is valid for 4 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Utah?
Weekend travel is allowed. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (Loads over 12 ft wide, 105 ft long or 14 ft 6 in high (rule text says 'and'): 2 p.m. the day before to sunrise the day after; Monday holidays: 2 p.m.-midnight Friday, then 12:01 a.m. Monday to sunrise Tuesday); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Utah?
Rear overhang is limited to 6 ft without an over-length permit.
Does Utah require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 19 ft high. 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 Utah?
Utah publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for ioh moved by farmer/rancher/employees in ag operation (for example no oversize permit; escorts if special hazards; lights at night; others (dealers/haulers) need permit (annual ioh permit)). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Utah permit cover Idaho?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Idaho, Wyoming, or Colorado needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.