Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 730 - Department of Transportation
Chapter 50 - Size and Weight Permits
Subchapter 5 - Size and Weight Permit Load
Section 730:50-5-3 - General conditions and restrictions on permits

Universal Citation: OK Admin Code 730:50-5-3

Current through Vol. 42, No. 1, September 16, 2024

Unless otherwise specifically required by law, the following provisions shall apply to the eligibility for permits issued by the Executive Director of the Department of Transportation for the operation of oversize and/or overweight vehicles:

(1) Vehicles bearing an out-of-state license are ineligible for a permit of any type for a movement between an origin and destination, both of which are located within Oklahoma (intrastate movement), unless said vehicle is covered under an agreement between the licensing state and the State of Oklahoma which prorates the licensing and/or registration fees for such vehicles, or unless such vehicle has been temporarily licensed for operation in this state. Evidence of compliance with the provisions of this subparagraph must be provided with the application for any such permit.

(2) Only single trip permits may be requested by the vehicle owner or operator for non-divisible overweight vehicles and/or loads.

(A) A non-divisible load means any load or vehicle exceeding applicable length or weight limits which, if separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would meet any one of the following criteria:
(i) Compromise the intended use of the vehicle, i.e., make it unable to perform the function for which it was intended;

(ii) Destroy the value of the load or vehicle, i.e., make it unusable for its intended purpose; or

(iii) Require more than eight (8) work hours to dismantle using appropriate equipment. The applicant for a non-divisible load permit has the burden of proof as to the number of work hours required to dismantle the load.

(B) Emergency response vehicles and casks designed and used for the transport of spent nuclear materials, and military vehicles transporting marked military equipment and material shall be considered for permits as non-divisible vehicles or loads.

(C) Non-divisible loads not operating on the interstate Highway System mean loads which, in the opinion of the Executive Director of the Department of Transportation, cannot be reasonably and efficiently dismantled and which may safely operate on the permitted route.

(D) Permits may be issued only after proper consideration of:
(i) allowable weights on, and dimensions of, bridges;

(ii) potential damage to roadways;

(iii) highways under construction;

(iv) construction or other detours;

(v) traffic volumes;

(vi) interference with the normal flow of traffic; and

(vii) existing or reasonably anticipated weather conditions such as excessive winds, rain, fog, snow or ice, or any other condition which, in the opinion of the issuing agency, or any law enforcement officer, may adversely affect the safe operation of permitted vehicles or the public safety.

(3) Single trip permits for non-divisible overweight vehicles and/or loads may be requested only for vehicles which have been lawfully registered to carry the requested weight and only for the time reasonably necessary to accommodate the movement of said vehicle and/or load from its point of origin to its point of destination via the shortest practicable routing. Any return trip of said identical vehicle and/or load shall require an additional permit.

(4) All permit applications and issued permits must clearly and specifically identify the name and address of the vehicle owner, the vehicle involved including make, model, license number and state of issuance, the number of trailers, their license numbers and state of issuance, a brief description of the load to be transported and, if overweight, the gross permitted vehicle weight, the number of axles, axle configurations, spacings and weights and, if oversize, all oversize dimensions, the lengths of any front or rear load overhang and, for the movement of unlicensed equipment or mobile homes, a serial or other identification number unique to said load.

(5) No permit tolerances shall apply to any permitted vehicle and/or load.

(6) Permitted vehicles shall neither access nor move upon any part of the National System of Interstates and Defense Highways or four-lane divided Federal Aid Primary System Highways, state highway or bridge unless the properly signed original permit or true and correct facsimile or copy thereof, specifically authorizing such movement, is in the driver's possession.

(7) All vehicles and/or loads moving under provisions of a permit shall travel to the right of the center of the roadway and shall yield the right of way to other traffic. An exception occurs on bridges when the permit specifies traveling on the centerline of the roadway.

(8) Permitted vehicles and/or loads, the movement of which requires an escort, shall not travel in convoy.

(9) Failure of the vehicle owner or driver to comply with any applicable law, rule, regulation, ordinance, posted speed limit or any permit term, condition, limitation or requirement including, but not limited to routes of travel may, in addition to all other legal remedies, immediately invalidate the permit.

(10) Every effort shall be made to remove appendages that are attached to vehicles carrying loads of other vehicles or equipment if removal is both reasonable and will avoid the need for an oversize permit.

(11) Vehicles and/or loads which are both overweight and oversize shall require the issuance of a permit covering both the overweight and oversize movement; however, the permit fees shall apply as though both permits had been issued separately.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Oklahoma 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.
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