An overweight permit is a special permit issued by a state or local government that allows a vehicle to exceed the maximum weight limit typically imposed on commercial vehicles. To request an overweight permit, you will typically need to provide the following information: the vehicle’s registration and weight information, details about the cargo being transported, and the vehicle’s route. Additionally, you may be required to provide proof of insurance, pay a fee, and comply with any other regulations or guidelines established by the issuing agency. This article explains the essential things that you need to request overweight permits.
Federal ID number
The most important thing to know about the Federal ID number is that it’s a unique identifier for every vehicle in the country. The number usually consists of 17 digits, but some states may have different numbering systems. It can be found on your vehicle’s registration and driver’s license if you have one or even on the plates themselves.
Vehicle info (year, make and model)
The vehicle information section of your request will require the following:
- Year, make and model of your vehicle.
- Make and model any trailer you plan to haul with your overweight permit. If you have multiple trailers, please list them in one line so they can be easily sorted by a number if necessary. This is especially important if multiple units (tractors) are involved in the operation; each unit should be listed separately here.
License plate number and state
You must include that information when requesting the permit if a vehicle is registered in another state or country. If it’s not registered at all, you can also enter this information. The license plate number must be provided along with the state or country where the vehicle is registered.
Number of axles
When requesting an overweight permit, you’ll need to provide the following:
- The number of axles.
- The number of tires on each axle.
- Whether there are brakes on all the axles, if they’re air brakes only or both air and manual (hand-operated), and if so, how many there are.
Trailer length
The length of any trailer is measured from the kingpin to the rear axle. This measurement is important because it determines how much weight you can carry.
To determine your maximum load on a particular trailer, measure from the front of that trailer’s hitch to its rear opening and add 5 inches (for example, if your trailer has an 18-foot long body with an 8-foot high floor, then all together, there are 16 feet).
Unit Number
The unit number is the number on the side of your trailer. This can be found by looking at it from the road and/or from a distance of at least 200 feet away. The unit number must be visible from both sides of your vehicle and cannot be obscured by anything else.
Type (Flatbed, lowboy, drop deck)
You’ll need to request a permit for a trailer over the maximum weight, length and width. The type of trailer you’re requesting is important because it determines what kind of permit will be needed.
A flatbed trailer has an open bed, which means it can carry cargo on both sides of the vehicle. A lowboy trailer has an enclosed platform or floor between the wheels and cargo area, making loading and unloading larger items such as cars or trucks easier. A drop deck is similar to a lowboy with its enclosed platform but has no side walls; this makes it easier for you to load large cargo onto your truck without having excess space in front of the tires.
Conclusion
If you are planning to have an overweight vehicle on public streets, you must get overweight permits from the city. The same applies if you want to use the road for commercial purposes or to transport goods.
To apply for an overweight permit, you must submit an application form with all supporting documents and pay the required fee, which varies depending on your proposed road use.