Commercial vehicle permits
Vehicles over legal dimensions and/or weight need a permit before entering the state or moving within the state. Learn how to get a permit to move oversized and overweight loads on state highway systems.
Determine if you need a permit
You need a permit if you exceed legal dimensions or weight. Permits are only issued to transport loads that cannot be divided. If the load or any part of the load can be reasonably reduced, it must be reduced, and you will not be granted a permit.
Legal dimensions are:
- 8’6” wide, 14’ tall, 53’ length (tractor/trailer)
- 40’ single unit
- 75’ overall with a truck and trailer
- 3’ of front overhang and 15’ of rear overhang.
If you have a heavy load, use the legal weight chart to determine if you need a permit for weight. A set of three overlapping criteria determines the Gross vehicle weight (GVW) for a vehicle or vehicle combination: tire size, axle weight, and the weight table. Calculate your overweight permit fees with our calculator.
Visit the Department of Licensing website for vehicle licensing information including dealer license plates, farm plates, trip permits, border zones, and transporter plates.
There are three ways to get a permit:
Most routine permits may be self-issued online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, using the Permit program.
You cannot self-issue the following permits
- Superloads with dimensions more than 16 feet wide, 16 feet high, 125 feet load length, or exceeding 200,000 pounds. See all superload requirements.
- Nighttime travel requests that exceed at least one of the following dimensions: 12 feet wide, 14 feet 6 inches high, or 105 feet in overall length.
- 8-tire axle weight permits
- Farm implement permits
- Manufactured housing permits that exceed allowances on the manufactured home transport routes.
For all other types of permits, you can contact permit agents or the WSDOT office. Permits are not available at the Ports of Entry.
Check your route for restrictions and overhead clearances
You are responsible for providing your route. You must verify any restrictions and overhead clearance problems for your route.
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In 2023, speeding continued to be a top reason for work zone crashes.
Even one life lost is too many.
Fatal work zone crashes doubled in 2023 - Washington had 10 fatal work zone crashes on state roads.
It's in EVERYONE’S best interest.
95% of people hurt in work zones are drivers, their passengers or passing pedestrians, not just our road crews.