Delaware Administrative Code
Title 2 - Transportation
2000 - Department of Transportation
2400 - Division of Transportation Solutions
2405 - Oversize/Overweight Hauling Permit Policy and Procedures Manual
Section 2405-4.0 - Provisional Permit Requirements (Common Safety Standards)
Universal Citation: 2 DE Admin Code 2405-4.0
Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
4.1 Introduction. The Delaware Department of Transportation has adopted the following general permit requirements set forth in this section for use by permittees when in transit within Delaware. These requirements have been adopted in part from the Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions prepared by the Subcommittee on Highway Transport and officially adopted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (Revised April 2001). These requirements are set forth, in order to promote public safety, minimize impacts to the traveling public, and minimize impacts/damage to public facilities.
4.2 Times of Travel
4.2.1 Permitted vehicles may move during the
permit Effective and Expiration Dates as indicated below unless otherwise
authorized or prohibited by other requirements in this section. DelDOT also
reserves the right to restrict moves within this time period on a case-by-case
basis in order to minimize impacts to the traveling public and to ensure public
safety.
4.2.1.1 Load Code 1 Oversized - Monday
through Sunday sunrise to sunset
4.2.1.2 Load Code 2 Overweight - Monday
through Sunday sunrise to sunset.
4.2.1.3 Load Code 3 Superload - Refer to
Section 5.0, specifically
subsection 5.3.
4.2.1.4 Load Code 4
Manufactured Housing - Monday through Sunday sunrise to sunset.
4.2.1.5 Load Code 5 Sealed Container - Monday
through Sunday 24 hour continuous movement.
4.2.1.6 Load Code 6 Ship - Monday through
Sunday 24 hour continuous movement.
4.2.1.7 Load Code 7 Pole & Piling -
Monday through Sunday 24 hour continuous movement.
4.2.1.8 Load Code 9 Single Trip Interstate -
Monday through Sunday 24 hour continuous movement. Movement is exempt from
holiday restriction periods.
4.2.1.9 Load Code 10 Multi Trip Interstate -
Monday through Sunday 24 hour continuous movement. Movement is exempt from
holiday restriction periods.
4.2.1.10 Load Code 11 Annual Crane - Monday
through Sunday 24 hour continuous movement. Movement during holiday restriction
periods must follow emergency procedures in Section
6.0 of this regulation.
4.2.1.11 Load Code 12 Twin Trailer - Monday
through Sunday 24 hour continuous movement.
4.2.1.12 Load Code 13 Zero Emission Bus -
Monday through Sunday 24 hour continuous movement.
4.2.1.13 Load Code 14 Refrigerated Meat
Products - Monday through Sunday 24 hour continuous movement, except during
restricted Holiday periods and designated weather related travel
restrictions.
4.2.2
Permitted loads not exceeding 75 feet in Length, 12 feet in Width, 14 feet 6
inches in Height, and 120,000 lbs. will be allowed to move from 9pm to 5am
Monday through Friday with prior approval. DelDOT also reserves the right to
restrict moves within this time period on a case-by-case basis in order to
minimize impacts to the traveling public and to ensure public safety. Haulers
requesting night movement must set the After Hour Move box on the permit
application and enter "Request night movement of envelope vehicle/load" in the
Comments section of the online permit application.
4.2.3 If the Department authorized permitted
vehicles, other than those designated in subsection 4.2.2 above, to move during
designated times between sunset and sunrise special lighting requirements as
identified in this section of the regulation must be incorporated with move. If
a night move is authorized, the Department may also require additional lights,
company escort vehicles, Delaware State Police escort vehicles, or a
combination thereof on a case-by-case basis as identified in the Special
Provisions portion of the hauling permit.
4.2.4 Due to the amount of highway traffic on
holidays, vehicles and loads requiring oversize or overweight permits shall be
prohibited from traveling on those days. Prohibited holidays include New Year's
Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after
Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Movement of such vehicles and loads may also be
prohibited on any other days or hours when such movements may substantially
affect the safety of the motoring public. For specific movement days and times
refer to the Holiday Restrictions link on the DelDOT OSOW Permit System
www.osow.deldot.gov
4.3 Inclement Weather. When road conditions, visibility or unfavorable weather conditions make traveling hazardous to the operator or the traveling public, permitted vehicles are not authorized to operate, unless responding to an emergency. Vehicles, which are underway when inclement weather occurs, shall exit the road at the first available safe location and park in a safe place until the weather clears or until road conditions improve to allow safe travel conditions. Law enforcement judgment shall prevail in all circumstances.
4.4 Speed Limits
4.4.1 Vehicles and loads requiring permits
may travel at the posted maximum speed limits unless specifically prohibited by
the permit. Oversized/overweight moves that must operate at speeds lower than
the posted speed limit shall be subject to additional time restrictions as
determined by DelDOT Traffic.
4.4.2
If load cannot be moved at posted speed the permittee shall note the travel
speed of the load along the intended route on the permit application and may be
subject to additional requirements based on the information provided by the
permittee at time of permit application.
4.5 Routing
4.5.1 To the greatest extent possible,
permittees and users shall limit travel to the shortest practical route using
Interstate and State routes to reduce travel on secondary and local highways.
The most direct route shall be used for all oversize/overweight moves.
Deviation from the route specified on the permit is not permitted and is cause
for revocation of the permit. Intermediate stopping points and round trips are
not permitted under a single trip hauling permit.
4.5.2 The permit shall authorize movement
only on the pavement portion of those highways specified in the permit. The
permit does not authorize movement upon shoulders unless so noted.
4.5.3 The permit is only for route
designated. The permit is only issued for movement on state maintained
roadways.
4.5.4 DelDOT publishes a
list of permanently and temporarily restricted routes in which vehicles
possessing a valid oversize/overweight vehicle permit are not authorized to
travel upon.
4.5.4.1 During the application
process, it will be the permittee's responsibility to make sure that the route
they will be traveling does not include any permanently or temporarily
restricted routes.
4.5.4.2 The
lists of permanently and temporarily restricted routes can be found on DelDOT's
website at the following locations:
4.5.4.2.1
Permanently Restricted Routes:
https://www.deldot.gov/osow/application/permrestrictions
4.5.4.2.2 Temporarily Restricted Routes:
https://www.deldot.gov/osow/application/temprestrictions
4.5.4.3 The Department reserves the right to
route vehicles to a permanently or temporarily restricted route on a
case-by-case basis.
4.5.4.4 The
Department also reserves the right to change the list of permanently or
temporarily restricted routes at any time without notice to the
permittee.
4.6 Safety Requirements. The Delaware Department of Transportation has adopted the supplemental safety requirements as outlined below in addition to any other requirements that are set forth in this regulation and the Delaware Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The requirements that are presented below shall be adhered to for all oversized/overweight moves, including standard (non-superload) moves and superload moves.
4.6.1 Escort vehicles shall be provided for
oversize/overweight moves in order to enhance the safety of the traveling
public, enhance the safety of the people involved in the movement of the over
dimensional load and to prevent damage to the State's highway system.
Individual escort vehicle requirements are outlined in the following
subsections and are summarized in Table 4.2:
4.6.1.1 Escort vehicles shall be a single
unit non-permitted vehicle, no smaller than a compact car. The escort vehicle
shall not be attached to any other vehicle.
4.6.1.2 Escort vehicles shall escort only one
oversize vehicle or load. More restrictive conditions may be required on high
volume highways or when the lane width is less than 12 feet.
4.6.1.3 One escort vehicle is required for
vehicles and loads more than 13 feet in width but not exceeding 14 feet. The
escort vehicle shall be behind an over width vehicle or load on a multilane
highway, and in front of an over width vehicle or load on a two-lane
highway.
4.6.1.4 Two escort
vehicles are required for vehicles and loads more than 14 feet in width. One
escort vehicle shall be in front of the over width vehicle or load and 1
behind. A separate state police escort (third escort) is required for vehicles
and loads more than 15 feet in width.
4.6.1.5 Vehicles and loads 90 feet or more in
overall length are required to have 1 rear escort vehicle. Vehicles and loads
100 feet or more in overall length are required to have 2 escorts, 1 in front,
and 1 in the rear. Vehicles and loads 120 feet or more in length are required
to have a separate state police escort (third escort).
4.6.1.6 Two escort vehicles are required for
vehicles and loads 15 feet or more in height. One escort vehicle shall be in
front of the over height vehicle or load and 1 behind. A separate state police
escort (third escort) is required for vehicles and loads 17 feet - 6 inches or
more in height.
4.6.1.7 Vehicles
and loads with a rear overhang of 15 feet or more shall have 1 rear escort
unless the permit specifies otherwise.
4.6.1.8 Two escort vehicles, 1 in front and 1
behind the oversize vehicle, are required when previous paragraphs separately
require 1 escort in the front and 1 behind for multiple conditions.
4.6.1.9 Two escort vehicles are required for
vehicles and loads over 120,000 lbs. weight. One escort vehicle shall be in
front of the overweight vehicle or load and 1 behind.
4.6.1.10 A single Delaware State Police
escort can escort 2 or more loads in a single move if the loads are moved at
the same time, other required escorts are available as stated above, and
communication is present between the loads.
4.6.1.11 Vehicles and loads that are only
overweight or are 12 feet or less in width and that cannot move freely with the
flow of traffic may be subject to escort requirements.
4.6.1.12 Escort vehicles shall have visual
contact with the permitted vehicle and have two-way radio communication with
the driver of the permitted vehicle.
|
Table 4.1 State of Delaware Escort Vehicle Requirements |
||||
| Oversize Dimension | Escort Required | Escort Location | ||
| Length | over 90 feet | Rear | ||
| at 100 feet | Rear | Front | ||
| at 120 feet | Rear | Front | DSP | |
| Width | over 13 feet | Rear (on multi-lane highway) | ||
| Front (on two-lane highway) | ||||
| over 14 feet | Rear | Front | ||
| over 15 feet | Rear | Front | DSP | |
| Height | at 15 feet | Rear | Front | |
| at 17 ft. - 6 in. | Rear | Front | DSP | |
| Weight | over 120,000 lbs | Rear | Front | |
| Overhang | at 15 feet | Rear unless permit specifies otherwise | ||
Note: See subsections 4.6.1.8 through 4.6.1.12 for additional escort vehicle requirements
4.6.2 Warning Flags
4.6.2.1 Required warning flags shall be in
evidence during daylight hours. Red or orange fluorescent warning flags are
required and shall be at least 18 inches square. Flags shall be securely
fastened to the vehicle or load by at least one corner of the flag or securely
mounted on a staff.
4.6.2.2 Warning
flags are required on vehicles and loads, which exceed legal width. These
vehicles and loads are required to bear flags at the extremities of the vehicle
or load as shown in Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1: Warning Flags on Overwidth Loads
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
4.6.2.3
Flags are also required on vehicles and loads which exceed legal length or
which have a rear overhang in excess of 4 feet. There shall be a single flag at
the extreme rear if the over length or projecting portion is 2 feet wide or
less. Two flags are required if the over length or projecting portion is wider
than 2 feet and shall be located to indicate maximum width. (See Figure 4.2)
Figure 4.2: Warning Flags on Overlength Loads or Loads With a Rear-End Overhang
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
4.6.3 Warning Lights. General Lighting
Requirements
4.6.3.1 Load hauling vehicles and
escort vehicles shall travel with low beam headlights on at all
times.
4.6.3.2 While not required
in Delaware, load-hauling vehicles may display a flashing 360-degree yellow
(amber) light at an elevation above the highest point of the vehicle. A second
flashing 360-degree light may be at the rear of the load if the load obstructs
the visibility of the 360-degree light on the load-hauling vehicle. The
360-degree light shall be visible in all directions from a distance of 1,000
feet during daylight hours with a flash rate of 60 to 90 flashes per minute
(FPM). The 360-degree light lens shall be at least 4 inches high whose minimum
width or diameter at that height is 4 3/4 inches.
4.6.3.3 While not required in Delaware,
warning lights for escort vehicles shall be located on the roof of the vehicle
perpendicular to the length of the escort vehicle. The warning light bar shall
be a minimum of 43 inches and a maximum of 52 inches long, a minimum of 10
inches and a maximum of 13 inches wide, and a minimum of 4 inches and a maximum
of 8 inches high, consisting of flashing or strobe lights. Each warning light
bar shall consist of a minimum of four lights. If flashing lights are used,
they shall consist of at least two 95 and two 150 minimum FPM rotators; mirrors
shall be placed diagonally between lights (mirrors to be reflective on both
sides). All lights shall be visible on a 360-degree basis from the vehicle for
a distance of 1,000 feet and arranged with at least two lights in each end of
the bar light. The dome cover color shall be amber. The warning lights may be
displayed while escorting the load in Delaware.
4.6.3.4 Whenever the rear running lights,
stop lights, turn signals, or hazard-warning lights are obstructed by the load
on a vehicle, lighting equipment shall be displayed on the rear of the load
equivalent to the obstructed lights or signals.
4.6.4 Load Warning Lights
4.6.4.1 Warning lights shall be used for
authorized night operations as shown in Figures 4.3 and 4.4. The lights must be
visible from a minimum of 500 feet in all directions. The lights shall be
steady burning. The color of the lights shall be as follows:
4.6.4.1.1 Amber: Lights on extremities
visible from the front of the vehicle or load and lights on extremities in the
middle or near the front of the vehicle or load.
4.6.4.1.2 Red: Lights on extremities visible
at the rear or near the rear of the vehicle or load.
4.6.4.2 For overwidth loads uniform in width,
place amber lights on the forward corners of the load and red lights on the
rear corners of the load as shown in Figure 4.3.
4.6.4.3 If the load is overwidth for its
entire length with a wider portion near the middle of the load, place red and
amber lights at the rear and front corners of the load, respectively, with
amber lights on the sides at the extreme limits of the load as shown in Figure
4.3.
4.6.4.4 If the load is
nonuniform in width with the overwidth portion at the rear extremity of the
load, place red lights on the side of the load at its extreme width as shown in
Figure 4.3.
4.6.4.5 If the load is
nonuniform in width with the overwidth portion to the front, place amber lights
on the side at the load extremities as shown in Figure 4.3.
Figure 4.3: Warning Lights on Overwidth Loads
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
4.6.4.6
For loads of legal width that are over length with a rear overhang exceeding 4
feet, place four red lights on the rear and sides of the overhanging portion of
the load as shown in Figure A.4. Amber lights are required at least every 6
feet on both sides of the overhang as shown below.
Figure 4.4: Warning Lights on Overlength Load or Loads With a Rear-End Overhang
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
4.6.5 Warning Signs
4.6.5.1 Warning signs shall be displayed
during all oversize movements. Load hauling vehicle warning signs shall be at
least 7 feet long and 18 inches high. The sign's background shall be yellow
with black lettering, and for night moves, constructed of a high-intensity
reflective material. Letters shall be at least 10 inches high with a 1.41-inch
brush stroke. Note: If Series E Modified text is used, the brush stroke shall
be 2 inches.
4.6.5.2 Vehicles and
loads exceeding legal width shall display 2 signs with the wording "OVERSIZE
LOAD". One sign shall be on the front of the vehicle. The other shall be on the
rear of the load; however, if the sign cannot be attached to, or is not legible
on the load, then the sign shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle itself.
Refer to Figure 4.5.
Figure 4.5: Warning Signs on Oversize Loads
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
4.6.5.3
Vehicle and loads exceeding legal length or legal rear overhang shall be
required to display 2 signs with the wording "OVERSIZE LOAD". One sign shall be
on the rear of the over length or overhanging part of the load; however, if the
sign cannot be attached or is not legible here, then the sign shall be attached
to the rear of the vehicle itself. The other sign shall be attached to the
front of the vehicle. Refer to Figure 4.6.
Figure 4.6: Warning Signs on Overlength Loads or Loads With a Rear-End Overhang
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
4.6.5.4
Escort vehicles shall display a sign on the roof or front and rear of the
escort vehicle that is at least 5 feet long and 12 inches high with 8 inch high
letters. For roof-mounted signs, the sign shall be legible on both sides with
the wording "OVERSIZE LOAD". The sign shall be mounted on the roof
perpendicular to the length of the escort vehicle. For front and rear mounted
signs the legend shall read "OVERSIZE LOAD".
4.6.5.5 Warning signs shall not obstruct
lights and other safety devices on the vehicle with load or on the escort
vehicle.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Delaware may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
