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Utah Oversize Load Permits and Escort Rules

Utah Oversize Load Permits and Escort Rules

UDOT Motor Carrier Division permits, port-of-entry rules, Table 3 escorts and night limits, Wasatch Front curfews and pilot certification

Quick answer

Can I buy a Utah oversize permit at a port of entry?

Yes. All eight UDOT ports of entry sell permits, but a load may arrive without one only at St. George on northbound I-15, Echo on westbound I-80 and Wendover on eastbound I-80 (R909-2-8). Every other entry needs the permit first, bought online or by phone from the UDOT Motor Carrier Division at (801) 965-4892. An oversize-only single trip is $30, good for 96 hours.

Updated October 2026 by the HTS Logistics broker team (FMCSA MC# 1178470).

Checked October 2026; the issued permit controls

Utah's legal height is 14 ft, not 13 ft 6 in (Utah Code 72-7-402(3)), and its size limits apply on every highway in the state rather than a designated network (72-7-401). Unlike the daylight-only states in our oversize permits by state guide, Utah lets moderately wide loads run at night: up to 14 ft wide on freeways, with a pilot escort from 12 ft, and up to 12 ft on secondary highways with a pilot (R909-2-14 Table 3).

HTS Logistics, broker MC 1178470, buys the UDOT permit for heavy haul projects in Utah, books the carrier and confirms that each pilot escort holds a certification Utah accepts. Loads over 17 ft 6 in high, 17 ft wide or 300,000 lb are processed only on weekdays and may take up to 14 days, so those orders go in first.

When Utah requires a permit and how to get one

The UDOT Motor Carrier Division issues single-trip permits valid 96 continuous hours, semi-annual permits for 180 days and annual permits for 365 days (Utah Code 72-7-406). Semi-annual and annual non-divisible permits go up to 14 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft 6 in high and 105 ft long, and larger loads are single trip only (R909-2-16(1)(b)). A single-trip start date can be changed only before it begins, and only for mechanical trouble or weather (R909-2-9(3)); all sales are final.

Permit axle limits are 29,500 lb on a single axle and 50,000 lb on a tandem, with tridem and trunnion groups under a non-divisible bridge formula of 1.47 × 500(LN/(N-1) + 12N + 36), up to 125,000 lb gross on any permit type; heavier loads get single-trip permits only (R909-2-22 Table 6). Axles 9 ft wide earn 7.5% more weight and 10 ft wide 15% more, and 8-tire axles add 10%.

Permit office

Issuing office
UDOT Motor Carrier Division, Motor Carrier Customer Service
Address
4503 South 2700 West, Taylorsville, UT 84129
Phone
(801) 965-4892 or (866) 215-5399; superload operations manager (801) 965-4630
Hours
Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM; closed weekends and holidays; ports of entry also sell permits

Fees

UDOT permit fees (Utah Code 72-7-406, effective May 1, 2024)
PermitSingle tripSemi-annualAnnual
Oversize only $30$75$90
Oversize and overweight, non-divisible, up to 84,000 lb $60$180$240
Oversize and overweight, 84,001–112,000 lb $60$320$480
Oversize and overweight, 112,001–125,000 lb $60$420$540
Over 125,000 lb, or over the permit axle weights $0.012 per mile for each 1,000 lb over 80,000 lb; $80 minimum, $540 maximumSingle trip onlySingle trip only
Divisible overweight within the bridge formula, bands to 129,000 lb $60$180, $320 or $420$240, $480 or $540

Over 125,000 lb, miles round up to the next 50-mile step, gross weight to the next 25,000 lb step and the fee to the nearest $10. UDOT's own table prices 150,000 lb for 150 miles, and 300,000 lb for 50 miles, at $130 each.

If UDOT requires a department employee and vehicle to accompany a move, the charge is $40 or the full cost, whichever is greater, and the permittee also pays for police escorts and any utility, signal or roadway-appurtenance moves. Ports of entry take cash, check or card.

Escort and pilot car rules in Utah

One table sets Utah's escorts: R909-2-14 Table 3, split by freeway and secondary highway and by day and night. It applies only to non-divisible loads, the strictest applicable line governs, and Utah certifies pilot drivers, so check our pilot car requirements by state before one crew runs a multi-state move.

Utah pilot and police escorts in daylight (R909-2-14 Table 3)
LoadFreewaySecondary highway
Width Over 14 ft: 1 pilot. Over 16 ft: 2 pilots. Over 20 ft: 2 pilots and at least 2 policeOver 12 ft: 1 pilot. Over 14 ft: 2 pilots. Over 17 ft: 2 pilots and at least 2 police
Length Over 120 ft: 1 pilot. Over 175 ft: 2 pilots and at least 2 policeOver 105 ft: 1 pilot. Over 120 ft: 2 pilots. Over 175 ft: 2 pilots and at least 2 police
Height Over 16 ft: 2 pilots, with a non-conductive height pole. Over 17 ft 6 in: 2 pilots and at least 2 policeSame as freeway
Front or rear overhang over 20 ft 1 pilot, in front for a front overhang and behind for a rear oneSame as freeway

A freeway is an Interstate or other full-access-control divided highway, including SR-201 from I-80 to 7200 West; every other route is a secondary highway (R909-2-3).

Utah night movement (R909-2-14 Table 3)
RoadAllowed at nightNot allowed at night
Freeway Up to 14 ft wide, with 1 pilot when 12 to 14 ft wideOver 14 ft wide, 105 ft long, 14 ft 6 in high or 10 ft of overhang
Secondary highway Up to 12 ft wide, with 1 pilotOver 12 ft wide, 105 ft long, 14 ft 6 in high or 10 ft of overhang

Night lighting adds amber markers front and side and red to the rear at the extreme width, lights every 25 ft on loads over 92 ft long, and a beacon at least 4 ft high on overhangs over 20 ft (R909-2-14(2)).

Utah Highway Patrol escorts are scheduled and paid by the permittee: email a letter of understanding to [email protected] at least 48 hours before the move, and UHP sets the number of officers. The pilot vehicle (R909-2-24) is a car or two-axle truck with at least a 95 in wheelbase and no more than 12,000 lb GVW, carrying no load and towing nothing, with a roof OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 5 ft by 10 in, amber flashers or a beacon, a radio with at least 1/2 mile range and $750,000 combined single limit insurance.

Travel times, curfews and holidays

Utah has no blanket daylight rule: Table 3 lets moderate loads run at night, and where daylight is required it runs from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset (R909-2-3(8)). There is no general weekend ban, and the Wasatch Front curfew applies Monday through Friday only.

  • Wasatch Front curfew: loads more than 12 ft wide, 105 ft long and 14 ft 6 in high (the rule joins the sizes with 'and') may not travel 6–9 AM or 3:30–6 PM, Monday–Friday, on highways south of the Perry Willard interchange (I-15 Exit 357), in Weber, Davis and Salt Lake counties, in Utah County north of I-15 Exit 261, on SR-68 north of milepost 16, on I-80 from Exit 140 to Exit 99, and on I-84 west of milepost 94 (R909-2-12).
  • Snow, ice and visibility: non-divisible loads over 10 ft wide, 105 ft long and 10 ft of overhang may not move with any snow or ice on the road or visibility under 1,000 ft, and this rule overrides other permit terms (R909-2-11).
  • Traction rule: when UDOT activates a designated Class 1 segment, vehicles of 12,000 lb GVWR or more need traction devices on all rear drive tires, one per dual pair, or AWD/4WD with M+S or 3PMSF tires, and commercial vehicles may be barred from Class 3 segments (R920-6, effective Oct 23, 2025).
  • Lanes: permitted non-divisible vehicles use the right-most lane except where it must exit, and vehicles of 18,001 lb GVWR or more stay out of the left-most lane on freeways with three or more lanes each way (Utah Code 41-6a-702).
  • Frost: Utah has no seasonal frost program on state highways; a highway authority may restrict weights after an engineering inspection finds climate damage, effective only while signs are posted (Utah Code 72-7-408).
Utah holiday bans, 2026, for loads over 12 ft wide, 105 ft long and 14 ft 6 in high (R909-2-13)
HolidayNo travel
New Year's Day 2 PM Wed Dec 31, 2025 to sunrise Fri Jan 2
Memorial Day 2 PM to midnight Fri May 22, then 12:01 AM Mon May 25 to sunrise Tue May 26
Independence Day (a Saturday) 2 PM Fri Jul 3 to sunrise Sun Jul 5, as the rule reads; confirm with UDOT
Labor Day 2 PM to midnight Fri Sep 4, then 12:01 AM Mon Sep 7 to sunrise Tue Sep 8
Thanksgiving Day 2 PM Wed Nov 25 to sunrise Fri Nov 27
Christmas Day 2 PM Thu Dec 24 to sunrise Sat Dec 26
New Year's Day 2027 2 PM Thu Dec 31, 2026 to sunrise Sat Jan 2, 2027

The dates apply R909-2-13 to the 2026 calendar; UDOT publishes no dated list. On Monday-holiday weekends, loads may move from sunrise Saturday through midnight Sunday. Pioneer Day (Jul 24) is not on the list, though the permit office closes on state holidays and the division may bar moves on other high-traffic days.

What catches carriers in Utah

Blades and buckets over 16 ft come off

Bulldozer blades, loader buckets and similar attachments wider than 16 ft must be removed for the move, which changes the trailer plan for wide construction equipment transport.

R909-2-16(3)

Dual-lane trailers wait on Structures

A dual-lane trailer over 10 ft wide that fails the online bridge validation needs single-trip clearance from the UDOT Structures Division, at least 14 business days, requested before the permit is bought and repeated for every move.

UDOT Oversize & Overweight Provisions

A planning meeting before the move

Before an escorted move, the drivers, pilot escorts, police, UDOT and utility representatives as required meet to settle who is in charge, hand out the route and permit documents, agree on communications and signals, and measure the load against the permitted dimensions.

R909-2-24(10)

Convoys need approval and spacing

With prior division approval, a convoy is at most 2 permitted vehicles, each no more than 12 ft wide and 150 ft long, 500–700 ft apart with at least 1 mile between convoys, certified pilots front and rear, on freeways and Interstates only.

R909-2-18

Canyon routes, Zion and superload processing

UDOT's Secondary Highways with Additional Restrictions list (updated Sept 22, 2025) sets lower limits on canyon and mountain roads for divisible and non-divisible loads alike, and pilot drivers must check it before moving (R909-2-24(11)).

Wasatch canyons

In Big Cottonwood (SR-190), Little Cottonwood (SR-210) and Emigration canyons, a load over 9 ft wide or 65 ft long needs 1 pilot, over 10 ft or 80 ft needs 2, and over 12 ft wide is prohibited without UDOT's written approval. Provo Canyon (SR-189, RP 7–21) bars loads over 10 ft wide except by UDOT letter, Logan Canyon (US-89, RP 461–498) needs a pilot over 10 ft wide or 80 ft long and bars loads over 12 ft, and SR-39 from Harrison Blvd to Pineview Reservoir bars loads over 10 ft wide or 50 ft long.

Southern and eastern Utah routes

On SR-12 between US-89 and SR-24, a load over 10 ft wide needs 1 pilot and over 12 ft 2 pilots, with 2 police added over 14 ft and 3 over 16 ft. US-89 and US-89A from Arizona to Kanab need 2 pilots and 3 police over 16 ft wide and 75 ft long, the Moki Dugway (SR-261, RP 7–10) bars all oversize and overweight loads, SR-148 through Cedar Breaks is capped at 26,000 lb, and Flaming Gorge Dam (US-191) takes legal axle weights only.

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

Since June 7, 2026, the National Park Service bars vehicles over 35 ft 9 in long, 7 ft 10 in wide, 11 ft 4 in high or 50,000 lb (combinations over 50 ft overall or 26 ft from hitch to rear axle) between Canyon Junction and the East Entrance on SR-9.

Superload processing

Requests over 17 ft wide or 17 ft 6 in high go to the Motor Carrier Division superload team, which runs the route through software loaded with UDOT Structures clearances and construction and secondary-highway restrictions, then sends it to each region's Right of Way permit office; if no workable route exists, the permit is denied. The rule's minimum request time is two business days (R909-2-16(4)), but UDOT says to allow up to 14 days, and the permittee arranges and pays for utility clearances, without which the permit is not valid. Loads over 18 ft high may need a route survey.

UDOT's eight ports

UDOT runs eight ports: Daniels (US-40), Echo (I-80 at the Wyoming line), Kanab (US-89), Monticello (US-491), Peerless (US-6), Perry (I-15), St. George (I-15 at the Arizona line, run jointly with Arizona) and Wendover (I-80 at the Nevada line). Vehicles of 26,001 lb or more stop, and permits may be carried on paper or electronically (R909-2-8(2)).

Crossing into a neighboring state

  • Arizona, on I-15 below St. George: ADOT's Table 4 treats all of I-15 in Arizona (MP 0.00–29.40) more strictly than its other Interstates, with front and rear escorts plus 2 law enforcement escorts for loads over 14 ft wide. Our Arizona oversize regulations and Table 4 page lists the route triggers.
  • Colorado, on I-70 past the Loma port: CDOT accepts Utah pilot escort certification, so a Utah-certified crew can continue, but escort tiers there follow each highway's map color, as our Colorado oversize and overweight permits page explains.

Utah oversize permit questions

What does Utah pilot car certification require?

Utah-domiciled drivers complete a Utah course authorized by the UDOT Motor Carrier Division, pass with at least 80%, and carry the certification card, which lasts 4 years with one more 4-year term by mail-in or online recertification. Drivers must be 18 or older, hold a valid license and give the program a driving record no older than 30 days. The instructor list comes from the division at (801) 965-4892.

Can out-of-state pilot cars work in Utah?

Yes, if the driver's home-state course meets the Pilot Escort Training Manual Best Practices Guidelines endorsed by SC&RA, FHWA and CVSA; Utah may also sign reciprocity agreements, and the current list is available only by calling the division (R909-2-24(2)). The vehicle still needs Utah's equipment, including a roof sign, amber lights, a radio with 1/2 mile range and $750,000 in insurance.

What do Utah oversize permits cost?

An oversize-only single trip costs $30, a semi-annual permit $75 and an annual $90 (Utah Code 72-7-406). Oversize and overweight non-divisible loads up to 125,000 lb pay $60 per single trip. Over 125,000 lb, the fee is $0.012 per mile for each 1,000 lb over 80,000 lb, with an $80 minimum and a $540 maximum. Single-trip permits last 96 hours, and all sales are final.

Which Utah loads may move at night?

Some can. On freeways, loads up to 14 ft wide may run at night, with one pilot escort when 12 to 14 ft wide; on secondary highways, loads up to 12 ft wide may run with one pilot. Nothing over 105 ft long, 14 ft 6 in high or with more than 10 ft of overhang moves at night (R909-2-14 Table 3), and night moves need the added marker and clearance lights.

What is Utah's Wasatch Front curfew?

Monday to Friday, 6 to 9 AM and 3:30 to 6 PM, in Weber, Davis and Salt Lake counties, northern Utah County, on I-80 from Exit 99 to Exit 140 and on I-84 west of milepost 94 (R909-2-12). The rule covers loads more than 12 ft wide, 105 ft long and 14 ft 6 in high, joined by 'and', so confirm with UDOT when only one size is exceeded.

Where are Utah permits ordered online?

Utah permits are ordered in UDOT's Online Permits & Information Maintenance System at app.udot.utah.gov. Motor Carrier Customer Service in Taylorsville is reachable at (801) 965-4892 or (866) 215-5399, Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and every port of entry sells single-trip, semi-annual and annual permits for cash, check or card.

How long does a Utah superload permit take?

Loads over 17 ft 6 in high, 17 ft wide or 300,000 lb are processed only Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Mountain, and UDOT says they may take up to 14 days: the superload team runs the route through its software, then each region's Right of Way office reviews it. Dual-lane trailers that fail bridge validation need at least 14 business days of Structures clearance for every move.

Sources

Facts on this page were checked in October 2026 against the sources below. Rules and rates change; we confirm current requirements on every move.

  1. eCFR 23 CFR Part 658: Truck Size and Weight (federal baseline)
  2. Utah Admin. Code R909-2 Utah Size and Weight Rule (eff. 3/16/2026),
  3. Utah Admin. Code R909-2 (eff. 3/16/2026), HTML
  4. Utah Admin. Code R920-6 Adverse Weather Traction Requirements (eff. 10/23/2025)
  5. Utah Code 72-7-401 application of limits
  6. Utah Code 72-7-402 width, height, length
  7. Utah Code 72-7-403 towing / drawbar
  8. Utah Code 72-7-404 weight / bridge formula
  9. Utah Code 72-7-406 permits and fees (eff. 5/1/2024)
  10. Utah Code 72-7-407 implements of husbandry
  11. Utah Code 72-7-408 highway use restrictions
  12. Utah Code 63G-1-301 legal holidays
  13. UDOT Size, Weight & Motor Carrier Permitting
  14. UDOT Oversize & Overweight Provisions
  15. UDOT Oversize Non-Divisible Load Provisions
  16. UDOT Oversize Non-Divisible Permit Fee Schedule
  17. UDOT fee table, oversize/overweight up to 125,000 lb
  18. UDOT fee table, non-divisible loads over 125,000 lb
  19. UDOT Overweight Non-Divisible Load Provisions
  20. UDOT Oversize Divisible Load Provisions
  21. UDOT Pilot/Escort Requirements, Training and Certifications
  22. UDOT Highway Restrictions
  23. UDOT Secondary Highways with Additional Restrictions (updated 09/22/2025)
  24. UDOT Legal Height, Width & Length
  25. UDOT Motor Carrier Maps
  26. UDOT Approved High Load Routes map (3/4/2010)
  27. UDOT LCV designated routes map (March 2012)
  28. UDOT Motor Carrier Customer Service
  29. UDOT Motor Carrier Division Administration
  30. UDOT Motor Carrier Ports of Entry
  31. UDOT Port of Entry Bypass Options
  32. UDOT Online Permits & Information Maintenance System
  33. UDOT Truck Smart: Permits
  34. UDOT Truck Smart: Ports of Entry
  35. UDOT Snow Tire & Chain Requirements
  36. NPS Zion National Park large vehicles (updated Sept 2, 2026)
  37. NPS Zion large-vehicle restrictions release (Jan 5, 2026)

Need a Utah permit and certified pilots?

Night limits, the Wasatch Front curfew and canyon restrictions shape the route, and every pilot needs a card Utah accepts. Tell us the load, the entry port and the delivery site, and we will buy the UDOT permit and book pilots whose cards Utah honors.

  • FMCSA-licensed property broker, MC# 1178470
  • Permits, escorts and route surveys arranged for each move
  • Carriers checked for authority, insurance and safety record
  • Commercial shippers, dealers, contractors and auction buyers

Prefer to talk? Call (631) 683-8275.

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