Delaware permits
Delaware Oversize Permit Rules
Legal limits, escorts, State Police escorts, travel hours, night moves, holidays and superloads for oversize and overweight loads in Delaware, each checked against the Delaware permit rules and the DelDOT pages.
Last checked: Oct 19, 2026
This page is general information only, not legal advice and not a permit. Rules change often and each state's permit and official rules are the final word. Always confirm limits, escorts, routes and travel times with the state permit office before moving a load. Reliable Transport LLC is not responsible for decisions made using this information.
- Escorts start
- Over 13'W
- State Police
- Over 15'W
- Superload
- Over 120,000 lbs
Hauling through other states? Use our permit map and route planner
Open the route plannerDelDOT permits
How Delaware sizes up a heavy load
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) issues oversize and overweight hauling permits through its online permit system, under 21 Del. C. ch. 45 and the Delaware permit rules in 2 DE Admin. Code 2405. These are the numbers we plan every Delaware load with. Run your exact load and route through our permit tool to see every state on the trip.
Check your load
Enter your width, height, length and weight in our permit tool to see the rules for every state on your route, each with its official source.
Delaware limits
Delaware legal limits and permit thresholds
Over any legal limit, the load needs a DelDOT hauling permit before it moves.
Delaware legal size, weight and permits
Official sources linked| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Legal width | 8'6"W (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 2.2, DelDOT permit policy manual) |
| Legal height | 13'6"H (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 2.3, DelDOT permit policy manual) |
| Legal gross weight | 80,000 lbs on 5 or more axles; heavier loads need a permit (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 2.4, DelDOT permit policy manual) |
| Legal overhang | Up to 3' in front and 6' behind (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 2.1.4, DelDOT permit policy manual) |
| Superload | 15'W or more, 15'H or more, 120'L or more, or over 120,000 lbs (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 1.0, DelDOT permit policy manual) |
Escorts
Delaware escort requirements
Delaware sets escorts by width, length, height, overhang and weight, and the widest, longest and tallest loads also need a Delaware State Police escort.
Delaware escorts by load size
Official sources linkedEscort rules come from 2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 4.6.1. Delaware State Police escorts are booked through the State Police special duty office at least 48 hours before the move. The permit lists the escorts for each move and overrides the general table. (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 4.6.1, DelDOT State Police escort sheet, 2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 5.2.4)
Height and routes
Route surveys, tall loads and utilities
What Delaware asks of the tallest loads.
Legal height
13'6"H is the legal height on every road. Taller loads need a permit. (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 2.3, DelDOT permit policy manual)
Height escorts
At 15'H or more, one escort runs in front and one behind. At 17'6"H or more, a Delaware State Police escort joins them. (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 4.6.1.6, DelDOT permit policy manual)
Travel times
Travel hours, nights, weekends and holidays
When a permitted load may move in Delaware.
Days and hours
Oversize and overweight loads move Monday through Sunday, from sunrise to sunset. (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 4.2.1, DelDOT permit policy manual)
Night moves
Loads up to 75'L, 12'W, 14'6"H and 120,000 lbs can move from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday through Friday, with prior approval on the permit. (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 4.2.2, DelDOT permit policy manual)
Holidays
No moves on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas. (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 4.2.4, DelDOT permit policy manual)
Superloads
Delaware superloads
DelDOT treats a load as a superload at 15'W or more, 15'H or more, 120'L or more, or over 120,000 lbs. Superloads are reviewed one by one, the Delaware State Police are notified at least 48 hours ahead, and over 120,000 lbs two escorts run with the load. (2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 5.1, 2 DE Admin. Code 2405, s. 5.2.4, DelDOT permit policy manual)
See how we plan the biggest loads on our Superload Transport page.
Our moves
Heavy loads we have moved
207,000 lb dryer drum
A 207,000 lb dryer drum from Louisville, KY to Richmond, VA.
Read the move →110,000 lb switchgear building
A switchgear building of 110,000 lbs, from Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA.
Read the move →150,000 lb transformer
A 150,000 lb transformer from Pocatello, ID to Akron, OH.
Read the move →Moving a load in Delaware?
Send the dimensions and weight. We file the Delaware permit and book the escorts.
Request a quote →See every move on our Moves page.
Sources
Official Delaware sources
Every rule on this page is taken from the official rule text below and confirmed by a second source. Rules we could not confirm twice are left off this page. Rules change, and the permit itself always decides. Last checked: Oct 19, 2026.
Questions
Delaware permit questions
What are the legal size and weight limits in Delaware?
8'6"W and 13'6"H, and 80,000 lbs on 5 or more axles.
When does Delaware require escorts?
Over 13'W, one escort; over 14'W, one in front and one behind. At 90'L or more, one rear escort, and at 100'L or more, one in front and one behind. At 15'H or more, two escorts.
When is a Delaware State Police escort needed?
Over 15'W, at 120'L or more, and at 17'6"H or more. The State Police escort is booked at least 48 hours before the move.
When can oversize loads move in Delaware?
Monday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. Loads up to 75'L, 12'W, 14'6"H and 120,000 lbs can also move from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weeknights with prior approval. No moves on the seven listed holidays.
When is a Delaware load a superload?
At 15'W or more, 15'H or more, 120'L or more, or over 120,000 lbs.
Keep planning
More for your Delaware move
Permit rules in other states
Hauling through other states? Use our permit map and route planner
Open the route plannerReliable Transport LLC | Reliable Heavy Haul
Ready to move it?
We haul oversize and overweight loads across the USA and Canada from our home base at 7660 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45417. Send your load details and we will plan the Delaware permit, route and escorts.
This page is general information only, not legal advice and not a permit. Rules change often and each state's permit and official rules are the final word. Always confirm limits, escorts, routes and travel times with the state permit office before moving a load. Reliable Transport LLC is not responsible for decisions made using this information.