General Information

  1. Introduction

Arkansas Code Annotated 27-35-210 provides....”The State Highway Commission, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, may, in their discretion  and as provided in this section, upon receipt of application made in person or by telephone, telegraph, or in writing and upon good cause being shown therefor, issue a special permit in writing to applicants desiring to transport cargoes of such nature that the cargo cannot readily be taken apart,  separated, dismembered, or otherwise reduced in size or weight.

The permit shall authorize the applicant to operate or move a vehicle, or combination of vehicles, of a size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in this subchapter, or otherwise not in conformity with the provision of this subchapter, upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the agency granting such permit and for the maintenance of which the agency is responsible.

No vehicle, or combination of vehicles, with a multi-unit or otherwise reducible overload may be issued a special permit as provided in this section...”

The Arkansas State Highway Commission authorizes the Director to provide for the issuance of Multi-State Envelope Permits under the Multi-State Permit Agreement for Oversize and Overweight Vehicles. 

The rules and regulations as described herein are designed to permit, under special conditions, and to ensure the safe movement of vehicles and/or equipment which exceed any one or more of the following legal limits for dimension and/or weight:

Dimensions and/or Weight Limits over which a Permit is required
Width

8 feet, 6 inches
Height

13 feet, 6 inches
Length

Determined by trailer length as required by law.
Weight

80,000 pounds gross weight of vehicle/s and cargo on 5 or more axles.
Must meet the federal bridge formula for 80,000 pounds.
Secondary highways are restricted to 40 MPH, and may be posted for a lesser weight.
Axle Weight

20,000 pounds on single axle
34,000 pounds on tandem axle
12,000 pounds on front axle, except vehicles of special design.
Note

Exceptions may be granted under extraordinary circumstances.

  1. Application Information

    1. Applications for permits for the movement over the State Highway System for vehicles exceeding the statutory maximum weights or dimensions shall be submitted in writing, in person, or by telephone to the Permit Section of the Department.  The Permit Office is staffed  from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.  However, public access to the office is from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is closed Sundays and on major holidays.

    2. Unless otherwise specified, all permits are issued for a single continuous (one way) movement.  Adequate time will be allowed for each one way movement.  However, an extension of time may be granted where the request is received by the issuing agency prior to expiration of the permit, if inclement weather, vehicle breakdown or other such circumstances beyond the control of the applicant has prevented the trip during the specified dates.

    3. Applications for permits to move extraordinary loads of any sort will be submitted with a detailed sketch of vehicles including all tire sizes, distance between axles, and overall dimensions of the vehicle.

    4. The Permit Section will route vehicles by considering the traffic volume, the width of the highway and the width and structural integrity of the bridges between the point of origination and destination.  The routes selected will also be based on safety of the traveling public, regardless of increased distance, route, or times of movement.  Any variance from the permitted route will be a violation of the permit which may result in the permit being voided.

    5. At the discretion of the Director, exceptions to rules and regulations may be made if extenuating circumstances justify consideration.

     

  2. Bond/Fee Information

    1. An applicant may obtain and pay for a permit at the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation’s Permit Office located at 10324 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Arkansas, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Permits may be obtained by telephone 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.  Public access to the office is from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is closed on Sundays and major holidays,

    2. Arrangements may be made with the Department to set up a monthly charge account for the issuing of permits by posting a Surety Bond.  This Surety Bond requires a minimum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).

    3. To establish a permit account with the State Highway and Transportation Department, it is necessary that the bonding insurance agency execute a Surety Bond in the minimum amount of $1,000.00 on bond forms furnished by the Department. The insurance agency is to forward one completed copy of the bond form, a power of attorney, and a certificate of insurance coverage (For an Example:  See Appendix 5) for the files of the Department’s Permit Office.

    4. Should the person fail to pay any sum owing to the Department within thirty (30) days after due, the Department may execute upon the bond.

    5. If any account becomes delinquent or if the amount due exceeds the limits of the Surety Bond, no further permits will be issued until the delinquency is liquidated.

    6. Account applicants are invoiced each month and must liquidate the full amount of each invoice upon receipt.

    7. No fee shall be charged for any permit issued to any government agency when the vehicle and load involved is governmental property and the proposed movement entails official business.

     

  3. Movement

    1. Any vehicle or piece of equipment which exceeds the dimensions and/or weight prescribed by state law  may not be moved over the highways of the State of Arkansas without first obtaining a permit for such movement from the Department.

    2. Permits will not be issued for the movement of any vehicle or piece of equipment which, in the opinion of the Department, can reasonably be reduced and/or dismantled in size and/or weight to come within the legal limits as set forth herein.

    3. Each such permit shall be carried in the vehicle to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by any law enforcement officer or authorized agent of the issuing authority granting such permit.

    4. Permits will not be issued for any unlicensed vehicle to tow another vehicle or any equipment which exceeds the legal size or legal weight limitations as prescribed by law.

    5. Movement under permit will be allowed on the following holidays:

      • Martin Luther King’s Birthday

      • Robert E. Lee’s Birthday

      • George Washington’s Birthday

      • Veterans’ Day

    6. Permits may be issued for the movement of overweight vehicles on Arkansas Highways on holidays and nighttime, provided that all dimensions are as provided by law.  These overweight permits must be obtained in advance of any movement.

     

  4. Movement Restrictions

    1. No oversized movement through the Greater Little Rock Areas from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. or 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Interstate 30 (mile marker 137-143); Interstate 40 (mile marker 151-155) and all of Interstate 630.

    2. Permits will normally be issued for movement during daylight hours only as established by the U. S. Weather Bureau.

    3. Permit is not valid for movement during periods of significantly reduced vision and/or inclement weather.

    4. Movement of vehicles under permit may be restricted during strong winds or wind gust exceeding twenty (20) knots (23mph),

    5. Permits for emergency movement of any nature will be issued only upon the applicant’s statement of the nature of the emergency.  The permit shall be issued or withheld at the sole discretion of the issuing agent based on the seriousness of the emergency and the roadway and bridge factors with would affect the movement.

    6. No permits will be issued, and no movement will be allowed on the days that the following holidays are observed:

  • New Year’s Day

  • Memorial Day

  • Independence Day

  • Labor Day

  • Thanksgiving Day

  • Christmas Day

  • If the holiday falls on Monday or Friday, no weekend movement is allowed.

  1. County Permits

    1. Six Day Permits:

      A permit may be issued for two (2) or more consecutive movements or operations by one vehicle, all of which shall be executed or performed within  six (6) consecutive days and which must be limited to two (2) contiguous counties within the state, which counties must be specified at the time of application.  The application shall include the serial or identification number of the equipment being transported or moved.  The permit shall specifically describe the vehicle to be moved, the origination and each destination of such vehicle load, the dates within which the operation or movement is to be executed and completed, and the number of each highway to be traveled.  No extension of time shall be granted for this type of permit.

       

    2. Thirty Day Permits:

      The State Highway Commission or its designee or agent may issue permits for one (1) or more consecutive movements or operations on primary and secondary roads only by petroleum or natural gas field related equipment vehicle for a thirty (30) consecutive day period, including weekends and holidays, which movements or operations may be executed or performed in one (1) or more counties of the State upon the payment of twelve dollars ($12.00) and in addition thereto, for each ton or major fraction thereof exceeding the maximum axle weight or maximum overall weight allowed by law, multiplied by five (5).

      No extension of time shall be granted for this type of permit.

       

  2. Violation of Permit

    1. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of a permit, and/or the regulations in this Permit Manual, and/or State Code, and/or State Regulation(s) may result in the permit being voided.

    2. If false information is provided to obtain a permit, the permit may be voided.

    3. If a permit is voided, the permit fee is forfeited and will not be refunded.

    4. Any violation of the permit provisions and/or regulations may result in arrest of the operator.

     

  3. Traffic Control

    Arkansas Code Annotated provides in addition to the provisions of Arkansas Code Annotated 27-35-210, "a person issued an overweight or oversize permit under this subchapter shall be authorized to temporarily stop or halt traffic and safely direct, control, and regulate traffic around the overweight or oversize payload while maneuvering their overweight or oversize payloads on or off the public streets or highways.  Provided, however, that no overweight or oversize permitted payload shall ever halt or stop traffic on a public street or highway while maneuvering on or off the street or highway for more than three (3) minutes in time or stop of halt traffic within five hundred (500) feet from the crest of a hill.”

     

  4. Minimum Speed Limit on Interstate Highways

    All permitted vehicles routed on Interstate Highways are required to maintain the minimum posted speed limit.  If no minimum speed limit is posted, the vehicle is required to maintain a minimum speed of 40 MPH.

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