Oregon Oversize Permits

Operating Time Oregon:

From Labor Day to Memorial Day, vehicles can operate seven days a week, from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, weekend travel is allowed only until noon on Saturdays, and no travel is permitted on Sundays, except for 14 feet wide loads. Travel is only permitted on interstate highways west of the Cascade Mountains during daylight hours. For east of the Cascade Mountains, travel is allowed on authorized highways. “Green” routes permit travel up to 10 feet wide and 12 feet wide on Interstates during nighttime hours.

Restricted Travel Oregon:

In urban areas such as Portland, Salem, Eugene, Grants Pass, and Medford, as well as non-interstate highways, travel of loads exceeding 12.90 meters or 70 feet in width is prohibited. In Portland, travel on I-5 between the WA line and the OR217 junction, and in Medford on I-5 between exits 24 and 33, is restricted. Additional curfews for loads wider than 14 feet may apply between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM—please refer to the provision sheet for specific curfew zones.

Road and Bridge Restrictions

Oregon adheres to the Federal Bridge Formula, which sets specific weight limits for bridges. Large road restrictions include, but are not limited to:

• Passing through active construction zones.
• Ignoring warning signals in construction areas.
• Not yielding to law enforcement and emergency vehicles.

Note: All vehicles, including towed and operated ones, must comply with posted bridge weight limits.

Seasonal Weight Restrictions

The Frost Law applies in many Canadian provinces and U.S. states. Specific restrictions on oversized load permits may be listed depending on the load’s type and nature in Oregon.

Movement Restrictions for Vehicles Over 8′ 6″ in Width:
The movement of oversized vehicles is prohibited when:

• Road surfaces are hazardous due to snow, ice, or cold conditions.
• Visibility is reduced to less than 500 feet due to fog, smoke, rain, snow, or dust.
• Wind conditions cause excessive swaying or instability.
• The Department of Transportation identifies travel as unsafe.

Note: Chain-up areas are not intended for staging oversized vehicles. Parking in these areas is strictly prohibited.

Large Size Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in good operational condition, properly inflated, and have a minimum tread depth of 2/32 inches.

• The maximum allowable weight per tire should not exceed 600lbs per inch of tire width.
• Chains may be used for adverse weather conditions such as snow or ice when designated “SNOW ZONE” signs are posted.

Amber Light Permits

Vehicles carrying oversized loads must be equipped with amber warning lights mounted on the vehicle’s roof.

Oregon Escort Requirement

On Interstate and Multi-lane Highways:

• Length:
  Over 120 feet requires 1 escort
  Over 140 feet required escorts as specified on the permit
• Width:
  Over 14 feet requires 1 escort
  Over 16 feet required escorts as specified on the permit
• Height:
  Over 14 feet 6 inches requires 1 escort
  On Two-lane “Green” Routes:
• Length:
  Over 105 feet requires 1 escort
  Over 120 feet requires 2 escorts
  Over 140 feet required escorts as specified on the permit
• Width:
  Over 12 feet requires 1 escort
  Over 14 feet requires 2 escorts
  Over 16 feet required escorts as specified on the permit
• Height:
  Over 14 feet 6 inches requires 1 escort
  On Other Two-lane Routes:
• Length:
  Over 95 feet requires 1 escort
  Over 120 feet requires 2 escorts
  Over 140 feet required escorts as specified on the permit
  Some secondary routes have additional restrictions and may require pilot cars.
• Width:
  Over 9 feet requires 1 escort
• Height:
  Over 14 feet 6 inches requires 1 escort

Oregon Banners, Lighting & Flage Requirement

Annual permits for extended length and weight allow 48 feet trailers on certain restricted highways, including U.S. 395 between Pendleton and John Day, and Oregon Route 25. These permits also authorize divisible loads exceeding 80,000 pounds. They can be purchased in person at DMV offices for $8.00 or arranged through the Permit Office, which can order the permit to be picked up by the driver at a specific DMV location or Port of Entry (POE). If a dozer blade needs to be detached and carried on the same trailer with the dozer, it is permitted as long as the load is still overdimensional with or without the blade. The permit must specify “Dozer blade removed and reloaded.”

Additional Information

All wide loads and vehicles exceeding 80 feet in overall length must display “Oversize Load” signs at the front of the tractor and the rear of the load or trailer. If traveling at night, the signs must be reflective. Flags are required at the outermost edges of all wide loads. During nighttime travel, the extremities of the load must be illuminated with lamps or marker lights—amber lights facing forward and, on the sides, and red lights facing the rear. Any rear overhang of 4 feet or more must be marked with a flag during daylight hours or with red lights during darkness or when visibility is less than 500 feet. When traveling on a two-lane highway with a width over 10 feet, or on a multilane highway with a width over 12 feet, amber warning lights are required on the cab unless the vehicle is accompanied by at least two pilot cars. For complete specifications, refer to Oregon Provision Sheet 82A