Michigan permits
Michigan Oversize Permit Rules
Legal limits, escorts, travel hours, holidays, spring weight restrictions and superload rules for oversize and overweight loads in Michigan, each checked against the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Last checked: Oct 1, 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.
- Legal size
- 8'6"W designated, 13'6"H
- Travel
- Daylight, Monday through Friday
- Superload
- Over 16'W, 15'H or 150'L
Hauling through other states? Use our permit map and route planner
Open the route plannerMDOT permits
How Michigan sizes up a heavy load
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Transport Permits Unit issues oversize and overweight permits for Michigan state trunklines. These are the numbers we plan every Michigan 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 Michigan rules and every other state on your route, each with its official source.
Michigan limits
Michigan legal limits and permit thresholds
Over any legal limit, the load needs an MDOT special transport permit for state trunklines.
Michigan legal size, weight and permits
Official sources linked| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Legal width | 8'6"W (102") on designated highways; 8'W (96") on other roads (MDOT T 1, maximum legal truck loadings and dimensions, Michigan Vehicle Code 257.717, width) |
| Legal height | 13'6"H (MDOT T 1, maximum legal truck loadings and dimensions, Michigan Vehicle Code 257.719, height and length) |
| Legal length | 53' semitrailer on designated highways; 50' on other roads (MDOT T 1, maximum legal truck loadings and dimensions, Michigan Vehicle Code 257.719, height and length) |
| Legal weight | Set by axle loadings and axle spacing rather than one gross number, on up to 11 axles (MDOT T 1, maximum legal truck loadings and dimensions, Michigan Vehicle Code 257.722, axle loads) |
| Permit needed | Over any legal width, height, length or weight: an MDOT special transport permit, ordered through MiTRIP in the MDOT Permit Gateway (MDOT T 1, maximum legal truck loadings and dimensions, MDOT oversize/overweight questions) |
| Single trip permit | Up to 16'W, 15'H and 150'L; valid for 5 days and one trip, and it may include a return move inside the 5 days (MDOT T 2, movement of oversize or overweight loads, MDOT oversize/overweight questions) |
| Permit fees | $15 for oversize only, $50 for oversize and overweight (MDOT T 2, movement of oversize or overweight loads, MDOT oversize/overweight questions) |
| County roads and city streets | Not covered by the MDOT permit; those legs need a permit from the county or city (MDOT oversize/overweight questions, MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions) |
| Spring weight restrictions | No overweight permits and no permits over 14'W, except in a public emergency (MDOT T 2, movement of oversize or overweight loads, MDOT oversize/overweight questions) |
Escorts
Michigan escort requirements
How MDOT sets escorts, what an escort vehicle carries and when police come in.
Michigan escorts by load size
Official sources linked| Load | Escorts |
|---|---|
| Escort count | Check with the state. MDOT lists the escorts each move needs as numbered provisions on the permit; it does not publish width or length triggers. (MDOT T 2, movement of oversize or overweight loads, MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions) |
| Escort vehicle | A passenger vehicle with a flashing or rotating amber light on the roof, visible for 500', and a 5' by 12" OVERSIZE LOAD roof sign with 8" black letters on yellow (MDOT T 2, movement of oversize or overweight loads, MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions) |
| Height pole | Check with the state. When the permit calls for a front escort and the load is over 14'6"H, MDOT's provisions call for a fixed measuring device on the escort. (MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions) |
| Police | Only when the permit lists police supervision; MDOT asks for a police escort only in unusual circumstances (MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions, Michigan State Police Official Order 06 23) |
| Mackinac Bridge | Call the Mackinac Bridge Authority at least 24 hours ahead; an authority vehicle escorts the load across, and moves may stop when wind tops 25 mph (MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions) |
Other sources publish Michigan escort counts by width, length and height that MDOT itself does not list. Follow the provisions printed on your permit.
Height and routes
Height, signs and superloads
What Michigan asks of tall, wide and very large loads.
Over 13'6"H
The carrier must verify the route has been traveled to make sure of vertical clearance. (MDOT T 2, movement of oversize or overweight loads, MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions)
Superloads
Over 16'W, 15'H or 150'L: a written explanation on company letterhead, a MiTRIP application and a Route Survey Certification (Form 2465), at least 10 working days before the move. (MDOT T 2, movement of oversize or overweight loads)
OVERSIZE LOAD signs
Two signs, one on the front of the truck and one on the rear of the load. (MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions)
Flags
Red or orange flags at least 18" square at the four corners, plus one at the widest point on each side if the load sticks out past them. A rear overhang of 4' or more needs a red flag by day and a red light at night. (MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions, MDOT T 1, maximum legal truck loadings and dimensions)
Travel times
Travel hours, nights, weekends and holidays
When a permitted load may move in Michigan.
Daylight, weekdays
One half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset, Monday through Friday. (MDOT T 2, movement of oversize or overweight loads, MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions)
Weekends
Loads up to 10'W, 14'H and 90'L may ask for weekend movement: all day Saturday and until 3 p.m. Sunday. Mobile and modular homes are not eligible. (MDOT oversize/overweight questions)
Holidays
No movement from noon the day before until daylight the day after New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. When the holiday falls on a Friday or Monday, the whole 3 day weekend is out. (MDOT T 2, movement of oversize or overweight loads)
Rush hours
When the permit lists it, no movement 7 to 9 a.m. or 3 to 6 p.m. in Genesee, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Macomb, Muskegon, Oakland, Saginaw, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. (MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions)
Wind
Check with the state. Some MDOT permits are not valid when wind is over 25 mph. (MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions)
Superloads
Michigan superload
In Michigan a load over 16'W, 15'H or 150'L is a superload. MDOT asks for a written explanation on company letterhead, a MiTRIP application and a Route Survey Certification (Form 2465) at least 10 working days before the move. (MDOT T 2, movement of oversize or overweight loads)
See how we plan the biggest loads on our Superload Transport page.
Our moves
Heavy loads we have moved
150,000 lb transformer
A 150,000 lb transformer from Pocatello, ID to Akron, OH.
Read the move →207,000 lb dryer drum
A 207,000 lb dryer drum from Louisville, KY to Richmond, VA.
Read the move →Moving a load in Michigan?
Send the dimensions and weight. We file the Michigan permit and plan the escorts.
Request a quote →See every move on our Moves page.
Sources
Official Michigan sources
Every rule on this page is taken from the MDOT pages and rule text below and confirmed by a second source. Where we could not confirm a rule twice, the page says to check with the state. Rules change, and the permit itself always decides. Last checked: Oct 1, 2026.
- MDOT T 1, maximum legal truck loadings and dimensions
- MDOT T 2, movement of oversize or overweight loads
- MDOT permit provisions, conditions and restrictions
- MDOT oversize/overweight questions
- MDOT oversize/overweight permits
- Michigan State Police Official Order 06 23
- Michigan Vehicle Code 257.717, width
- Michigan Vehicle Code 257.719, height and length
- Michigan Vehicle Code 257.722, axle loads
Questions
Michigan permit questions
What are the legal size limits in Michigan?
8'6"W (102") on designated highways and 8'W (96") on other roads, 13'6"H, and a 53' semitrailer on designated highways (50' elsewhere). Legal weight is set by axle loadings and spacing.
How big a load can a Michigan single trip permit cover?
Up to 16'W, 15'H and 150'L. Past any of these the load is a superload, which needs extra paperwork at least 10 working days before the move.
When does Michigan require escorts?
MDOT lists the escorts each move needs on the permit itself. It does not publish width or length triggers, so check the permit provisions for every move.
Can oversize loads move at night in Michigan?
No. Permits are for daylight only, from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
Can oversize loads move on weekends in Michigan?
Only smaller loads. Loads up to 10'W, 14'H and 90'L may ask for weekend movement, all day Saturday and until 3 p.m. Sunday.
What are the Michigan holiday restrictions?
No movement from noon the day before until daylight the day after New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, and the whole weekend when the holiday falls on a Friday or Monday.
What happens during spring weight restrictions?
MDOT issues no overweight permits and no permits over 14'W, except in a public emergency.
How long is a Michigan single trip permit valid?
5 days, for one trip. It may include a return move inside the same 5 days.
Keep planning
More for your Michigan 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 Michigan 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.