Wyoming Administrative Code
Agency 045 - Transportation, Dept. of
Sub-Agency 0004 - Motor Carrier
Chapter 5 - SIZE AND WEIGHT LIMITATIONS OF VEHICLES
Section 5-8 - Safety Measures and Moves
Current through September 21, 2024
All oversize and/or overweight movements shall observe the following stipulations during the movement:
(a) Movements designed for operation at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less shall display a slow moving vehicle emblem on the rear of the vehicle. Equipment or vehicles being hauled at speeds over 25 miles per hour shall have the slow moving vehicle emblem covered or removed.
(b) Oversize movements are confined to daylight hours when travel conditions are favorable, except as provided in Section 7, Permitted Hours and Dates of Movement; Weather Conditions. Warning flags are required on all overwidth vehicles and/or loads and when the rear overhang exceeds the end of the vehicle by 4 feet or more. The minimum size of flags is 12 inches square, and flags shall be red or fluorescent orange. Flags on overwidth vehicles and/or loads, shall be placed at the four corners and extremities of the vehicle and/or load as follows:
(c) Over length loads authorized to travel after daylight hours shall require a red lamp and red reflector on each corner of the load. The lamp and the reflector shall be visible from the rear and from each side so as to indicate maximum overhang. These lights shall be clearly visible at least 1,000 feet from the front and rear of the vehicle.
(d) Overwidth vehicles or loads authorized to travel after daylight hours shall require an amber clearance light on each front corner and a red clearance light on each rear corner of the load or vehicle, whichever is wider, as well as any extremity or projection. Such loads shall also display a revolving amber light, amber strobe light, or 2 two-way flashing amber lights at least 4 inches in diameter on the vehicle. LED assemblies meeting the visibility requirements shall be allowed. These lights shall be clearly visible at least 1,000 feet from the front and rear of the vehicle.
(e) Oversize movements shall display warning signs that read OVERSIZE LOAD and that are fully visible from the front and rear. The signs shall have a yellow background and be at least 60 inches wide by 10 inches high, with black letters at least 8 inches high and 1 inch wide printed on a single line. The signs shall be kept clean, shall be fully visible, and shall not cover lights, reflectors, or license plates on the vehicle.
(f) Motor vehicles constructed or loaded to obstruct the driver's view to the rear from the driver's position shall be equipped with outside mirrors on both sides, located to reflect to the driver a view of the roadway to the rear of the vehicle. If the vehicle is required to have a rear escort, the rear view mirrors do not have to be positioned outside the dimensions of the vehicle or load to reflect a view of the roadway to the rear of the vehicle. This paragraph in no way supersedes requirements in W.S. 31-5-954 or 49 CFR 393.80, both of which require a vehicle to be equipped with mirrors.
(g) Escorts for width - Two escorts (one front and one rear) shall be required on two lane primary and secondary routes when any portion of the vehicle or load extends to the left of the highway centerline or the movement is 14 feet wide or greater. One escort (rear) shall be required on interstate and divided highways and four lane roadways with a left turn center lane when the movement is 15 feet wide or greater. The Wyoming Highway Patrol may require additional escorts depending on load width. Escort(s) shall maintain a distance of approximately 1,000 feet from the oversize load, unless a shorter distance is necessary to provide control over the move.
(h) Escorts for length - On two lane primary and secondary routes escorts shall be required for movements at a minimum of 110 feet in overall length or for moves that extend to the left of the centerline at any time during the move. On interstate and divided highways escorts for length shall be required for movements 150 feet or longer in overall length or at the discretion of the Overweight Loads Office. A chart showing escort requirements for combined width and length is available through the Wyoming Highway Patrol website at http://www.whp.dot.state.wy.us/ Escort(s) shall maintain a distance of approximately 1,000 feet from the oversize load, unless a shorter distance is necessary to provide control over the move.
(i) Escort for rear overhang - One escort to the rear shall be required on all highways for rear overhangs of 25 feet or more. Escort(s) shall maintain a distance of approximately 1,000 feet from the oversize load, unless a shorter distance is necessary to provide control over the move. If the equipment has a permanent bumper on it, measurements begin at the rear of the bumper. If the equipment does not have a permanent bumper on it, measurements begin at the rear of the last tire at the back of the equipment.
(j) Escort for height - On all highways, any move exceeding 17 feet shall require an escort to the front with a height-measuring device. An escort for heights 17 feet or less shall be at the discretion of the permit-issuing authorities. An escort for height shall maintain a minimum distance of 1,000 feet from the load, unless a shorter distance is necessary to provide control over the move.
(k) Escorts for overweight - Any overweight move with special restrictions imposed by the Department's Bridge Program shall require a rear escort on all highways. Additional escorts may be required by the Overweight Loads Office depending on the load restrictions. Escort(s) shall maintain a distance of approximately 1,000 feet from the load, unless a shorter distance is necessary to provide control over the move.
(l) All oversize vehicles shall have headlights and taillights illuminated and visible during movement.
(m) The permit holder shall be responsible for determining if the dimensions of the vehicle or load can traverse the proposed route safely without damaging the highway, appurtenances, overhead wires, or structures. Should lifting overhead wires be necessary, the permit holder shall notify the utility in charge of such wires. The permit holder shall bear all costs incurred unless the wires are lower than regulations require. If the wires are lower than required, the utility shall pay for costs.
(n) The permit holder shall be responsible for contacting city and/or county officials for approval for transportation on their roads.
(o) The permit is in no way a guarantee by the State of Wyoming or its agents that the load shall clear any structure or bridge. The applicant operating under this permit assumes full responsibility for any and all damage to the highways, bridges, and appurtenances as a result of transporting the load described in the permit. The permit holder is also responsible for checking weather conditions before and during the movement.
