VT
Vermont oversize permit rules
What Vermont charges for a single-trip OS/OW permit, the limits that trigger one, and the escort thresholds — read from the state’s own publication. This rule has been in effect since 2024-01-01.
Oversize permit
$48
One price for a single-trip permit, whatever the dimensions. A 9-foot-wide load and a 16-foot-wide load pay the same.
Overweight permit
$48
One price for a single-trip overweight permit.
A load that is both oversize and overweight pays this fee only, not both.
+ $20 Permigo service fee per permit, state fees at cost.
Legal limits
Exceed any one of these in Vermont and you need a permit for this state.
| Limit | Interstate | Off-interstate |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8'6" | 8'6" |
| Height | 13'6" | 13'6" |
| Length | 75'0" | 75'0" |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | 80,000 lbs |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs | |
| Trailer length | 53'0" |
What the permit costs
Vermont prices a single-trip permit as flat rate. One price for a single-trip permit, whatever the dimensions. A 9-foot-wide load and a 16-foot-wide load pay the same.
Escort requirements
Thresholds by road class. Where two classes differ, the road you are actually on governs.
Interstate & divided highways
| Width | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 12'0" and over | 1 rear escort12' wide or GREATER (inclusive, 'meet or exceed'): one escort — it PRECEDES the load on undivided highways and FOLLOWS on divided highways (Rule 14-050-019 verbatim). No codified 2-escort width tier; 'two or more escort vehicles' only at the Commissioner's discretion. Weather rule (loads ≥12' wide and/or ≥80' long): NO travel during ice, sleet, freezing rain, slush, or snow sticking to the road, or when visibility drops so the load is not identifiable at ¼ mile; any load that needed an engineering review may not travel in inclement weather at all. Escort equipment (Rule 14-050-019): at least a compact car; two-way radio contact at all times; 360° amber flasher above the highest point; OVERSIZE LOAD signs 5'×12" (10" black letters on yellow) front and rear, covered/removed when not escorting; headlights on low beam. Vermont has NO escort-operator certification program (the rule is silent — nothing to reciprocate). |
| Over 12'0" | Conditions applyOVER 12' wide (strictly greater): no permits issued for movement on state highways on any Saturday, Sunday, or the SEVEN legal holidays (New Year's, Memorial, Independence, Labor, VETERANS, Thanksgiving, Christmas — the current rules page controls; the 07/2022 CVO-110 prints six). Sat holiday → preceding Friday restricted; Sun holiday → following Monday (DMV FAQ). Blanket permits separately bar >12' loads on holidays. |
| 15'0" and over | route survey · superload15' wide OR MORE (inclusive): BOTH elevated tiers hit — the §1402(a) special certificate of insurance ($250k/$500k/$250k, filed naming DMV, 120 State St, Montpelier as holder, BEFORE issuance) AND the Rule engineering inspection ('Fifteen feet (15') or more except on town highways') — ≤10 working days, inspection valid 6 months for the route. |
| Height | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Over 14'0" | route survey · superloadMORE THAN 14' high: engineering inspection required (CVO-110: 'More than fourteen feet (14') except on town highways'; the DMV FAQ prints '14 feet high or higher' — rule text controls, exclusive) |
| 15'0" and over | Conditions apply15' high OR MORE additionally requires the §1402(a) special certificate of insurance ($250k/$500k/$250k) before the permit issues. |
| Length | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 80'0" and over | 1 rear escort80' or LONGER (inclusive): one escort — precedes on undivided, follows on divided highways (Rule 14-050-019). Distinct from the permit trigger: combinations already need a permit over 75' ($48 indivisible / $34 divisible-overlength instrument). Weather rule (loads ≥12' wide and/or ≥80' long): NO travel during ice, sleet, freezing rain, slush, or snow sticking to the road, or when visibility drops so the load is not identifiable at ¼ mile; any load that needed an engineering review may not travel in inclement weather at all. |
| 100'0" and over | route survey · superload100' or more: the §1402(b)(1) special insurance filing ('100 feet or more in length', inclusive) + the engineering inspection (CVO-110: 'More than one hundred feet (100')' — the DMV FAQ says '100 feet long or longer'; boundary conflict carded, inclusive) |
| Front overhang | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 15'0" and over | 1 rear escortOverhang of 15' or greater — ONE trigger, direction-agnostic ('Overhang of fifteen feet (15') or greater', Rule 14-050-019): one escort, preceding on undivided / following on divided highways. Overhang legal is RELATIVE: max ⅓ of the length of the load, either end; no dragging; flags required over 4' (one flag if the overhang is <2' wide, two if ≥2'). The 3' front-overhang figure on |
| Rear overhang | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 15'0" and over | 1 rear escortOverhang of 15' or greater — ONE trigger, direction-agnostic ('Overhang of fifteen feet (15') or greater', Rule 14-050-019): one escort, preceding on undivided / following on divided highways. Overhang legal is RELATIVE: max ⅓ of the length of the load, either end; no dragging; flags required over 4' (one flag if the overhang is <2' wide, two if ≥2'). The 3' front-overhang figure on |
| Weight | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Over 108,000 lbs | Conditions applyOVER 108,000 lb: no permits issued for movement on state highways Saturdays, Sundays, or the seven legal holidays (Rule 14-050-019; same tier as >12' wide / >100' long). 108,000 is also the blanket-permit weight ceiling (6+ axles; 92,000 at 5 axles). |
| 150,000 lbs and over | route survey · superload150,000 lb OR MORE (inclusive): special certificate of insurance ($250k/$500k/$250k) + MANDATORY VTrans engineering inspection BEFORE issuance — $2,000 (150k–200k), $5,000 (>200k–250k), $10,000 (>250k), on top of the $48 permit; ≤10 working days; valid 6 months for the approved route at same-or-lesser dims/weights. Below 150k the in-house formula governs (20,000 lb/dual-wheel axle, 12,000 lb/single-wheel axle); inspections under 150k when ordered: $800 ≤8 hr + $60/hr after (manufactured home +$300). |
Undivided highways
| Width | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 12'0" and over | 1 front escort12' wide or GREATER (inclusive, 'meet or exceed'): one escort — it PRECEDES the load on undivided highways and FOLLOWS on divided highways (Rule 14-050-019 verbatim). No codified 2-escort width tier; 'two or more escort vehicles' only at the Commissioner's discretion. Weather rule (loads ≥12' wide and/or ≥80' long): NO travel during ice, sleet, freezing rain, slush, or snow sticking to the road, or when visibility drops so the load is not identifiable at ¼ mile; any load that needed an engineering review may not travel in inclement weather at all. Escort equipment (Rule 14-050-019): at least a compact car; two-way radio contact at all times; 360° amber flasher above the highest point; OVERSIZE LOAD signs 5'×12" (10" black letters on yellow) front and rear, covered/removed when not escorting; headlights on low beam. Vermont has NO escort-operator certification program (the rule is silent — nothing to reciprocate). |
| Over 12'0" | Conditions applyOVER 12' wide (strictly greater): no permits issued for movement on state highways on any Saturday, Sunday, or the SEVEN legal holidays (New Year's, Memorial, Independence, Labor, VETERANS, Thanksgiving, Christmas — the current rules page controls; the 07/2022 CVO-110 prints six). Sat holiday → preceding Friday restricted; Sun holiday → following Monday (DMV FAQ). Blanket permits separately bar >12' loads on holidays. |
| 15'0" and over | route survey · superload15' wide OR MORE (inclusive): BOTH elevated tiers hit — the §1402(a) special certificate of insurance ($250k/$500k/$250k, filed naming DMV, 120 State St, Montpelier as holder, BEFORE issuance) AND the Rule engineering inspection ('Fifteen feet (15') or more except on town highways') — ≤10 working days, inspection valid 6 months for the route. |
| Height | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Over 14'0" | route survey · superloadMORE THAN 14' high: engineering inspection required (CVO-110: 'More than fourteen feet (14') except on town highways'; the DMV FAQ prints '14 feet high or higher' — rule text controls, exclusive) |
| 15'0" and over | Conditions apply15' high OR MORE additionally requires the §1402(a) special certificate of insurance ($250k/$500k/$250k) before the permit issues. |
| Length | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 80'0" and over | 1 front escort80' or LONGER (inclusive): one escort — precedes on undivided, follows on divided highways (Rule 14-050-019). Distinct from the permit trigger: combinations already need a permit over 75' ($48 indivisible / $34 divisible-overlength instrument). Weather rule (loads ≥12' wide and/or ≥80' long): NO travel during ice, sleet, freezing rain, slush, or snow sticking to the road, or when visibility drops so the load is not identifiable at ¼ mile; any load that needed an engineering review may not travel in inclement weather at all. |
| 100'0" and over | route survey · superload100' or more: the §1402(b)(1) special insurance filing ('100 feet or more in length', inclusive) + the engineering inspection (CVO-110: 'More than one hundred feet (100')' — the DMV FAQ says '100 feet long or longer'; boundary conflict carded, inclusive) |
| Front overhang | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 15'0" and over | 1 front escortOverhang of 15' or greater — ONE trigger, direction-agnostic ('Overhang of fifteen feet (15') or greater', Rule 14-050-019): one escort, preceding on undivided / following on divided highways. Overhang legal is RELATIVE: max ⅓ of the length of the load, either end; no dragging; flags required over 4' (one flag if the overhang is <2' wide, two if ≥2'). The 3' front-overhang figure on |
| Rear overhang | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 15'0" and over | 1 front escortOverhang of 15' or greater — ONE trigger, direction-agnostic ('Overhang of fifteen feet (15') or greater', Rule 14-050-019): one escort, preceding on undivided / following on divided highways. Overhang legal is RELATIVE: max ⅓ of the length of the load, either end; no dragging; flags required over 4' (one flag if the overhang is <2' wide, two if ≥2'). The 3' front-overhang figure on |
| Weight | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Over 108,000 lbs | Conditions applyOVER 108,000 lb: no permits issued for movement on state highways Saturdays, Sundays, or the seven legal holidays (Rule 14-050-019; same tier as >12' wide / >100' long). 108,000 is also the blanket-permit weight ceiling (6+ axles; 92,000 at 5 axles). |
| 150,000 lbs and over | route survey · superload150,000 lb OR MORE (inclusive): special certificate of insurance ($250k/$500k/$250k) + MANDATORY VTrans engineering inspection BEFORE issuance — $2,000 (150k–200k), $5,000 (>200k–250k), $10,000 (>250k), on top of the $48 permit; ≤10 working days; valid 6 months for the approved route at same-or-lesser dims/weights. Below 150k the in-house formula governs (20,000 lb/dual-wheel axle, 12,000 lb/single-wheel axle); inspections under 150k when ordered: $800 ≤8 hr + $60/hr after (manufactured home +$300). |
Movement restrictions
| Restriction | In Vermont |
|---|---|
| Night travel | Daylight hours only |
| Weekends | No blanket restriction |
| Holidays | No blanket restriction |
Movement hours
| Situation | Window |
|---|---|
| Baseline (over-W/L/H) | Daylight only: 30 min BEFORE sunrise → 30 min AFTER sunset (the wide window) |
| Overweight-only | NOT restricted to daylight — night OK if 'capable of traveling with the traffic flow' |
| Weekend/holiday ban tier | >108,000 lb, >12' wide, or >100' long: NO movement on state highways Sat, Sun, or the 7 holidays (New Year's, Memorial, Independence, Labor, VETERANS, Thanksgiving, Christmas — current rules page; the 2022 CVO-110 prints 6). Sat holiday → Friday; Sun holiday → Monday |
| Summer Fridays (conflicted) | FAQ: no movement Friday afternoons July 1–Labor Day (>108k / >10'6" / >100'); rule text says 12' and omits Friday — rides permits as the CVO-127 'No movement on Friday afternoon' condition |
| Town curfews (standing CVO-127 conditions) | Rutland: weekdays 7–9 AM + 3–6 PM · Chester: weekdays 6:30–8:30 AM + 2:15–4:30 PM, and Fridays after 2:15 PM Nov 1–Apr 15 · VT 100/107 school days: before 8:30, 11:30–1:00, 2:30–5:00 · police notification: Bennington, Brattleboro, Chester, Ludlow, Wilmington |
| Speed | 45 mph state highways when >90,000 lb / >10' W / >13'6" H / >75' L; 60 mph max on Interstates |
| Weather | ≥12' W and/or ≥80' L: no travel in ice/sleet/freezing rain/slush/sticking snow or <¼-mile load visibility; engineering-review loads barred in ANY inclement weather |
| Spring postings | Permits DO NOT supersede postings; VTrans posts state highways in thaws; town postings void unless DMV-filed in 3 working days (§1400b) — live DB secure.vermont.gov/DMV/restrictions/filing/, annual list by April 1 |
Route & structure restrictions
| Facility | Rule |
|---|---|
| Smugglers' Notch (VT-108) | Single-frame >40' and tractor-trailer >45' PROHIBITED; $10,000 civil / $20,000 if impeding, doubled on repeat within 3 yrs (Act 153, eff. 7/1/2026); winter closures |
| US 4, NH line → VT 100S | Combination permit threshold 68'–72' on this segment (CVO-110) |
| National Network | I-89 / I-91 / I-93 / I-189; US 4 NY line→Rutland east; US 7 Wallingford→US 4; VT 9 I-91 Exit 3→NH line — no overall length cap for tractor-semis (53' semi / 28' doubles) |
| Covered bridges | Municipal weight/height/width restrictions after VTrans consultation; posted ~100' out with alternate-route signage (§1397a) |
| Posted town roads/bridges | Null and void unless filed with DMV within 3 working days (§1400b); state-limit postings let permit weight through (§1400c); wood-floor bridges 16k/20k (§1392(1)); class 2–4 town highways 24k (§1392(2)) |
| Interstates | Permits issued for NONDIVISIBLE loads (blankets cover 'State/Interstate highways'); divisible special-excess-weight annuals (§1392(13)–(17)) barred unless federally authorized; axles 20k/34k no tolerance |
Where these permits come from
If you file yourself, this is the office you are dealing with. Check the linked page — some states issue OS/OW permits through their highway patrol or revenue department rather than the DOT.
| Vermont permit office | |
|---|---|
| Permit office | (802) 828-2064 |
| [email protected] |
23 V.S.A. §§1391/1392/1400–1403/1415/1431/1432 + §1006b as amended by 2026 Act 153 (eff. 7/1/2026) + 19 V.S.A. §1110… · legislature.vermont.gov · in effect since 2024-01-01. Fees and rules change; the linked document is always the authority.