OS/OW Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need an Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permit?

• How do I apply for a permit?

• What types of OS/OW vehicle permits are available in Connecticut?

• What is a Superload move?

• What is the procedure for Superload?

• What are the acceptable methods of payments for permits?

• When do I need to submit a Route Survey?

• When is a Front Pole Car required?

• Do I need Pilot/Escort vehicles?

Do I need an Oversize / Overweight Vehicle permit?

Email the CTDOT Oversize / Overweight Permit Office at dot.osowpermits@ct.gov for any questions or concerns.

 How do I apply for a permit?

Applications for Oversize / Overweight permits are processed through the Connecticut Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO) WebPortal managed by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (CTDMV).  Selecting "APPLY FOR A PERMIT" directs you to the CVO WebPortal.

APPLY FOR A PERMIT

What types of OS/OW vehicle permits are available in Connecticut?

Oversize/Overweight Single Trip Permit

Permit issued on a per trip basis: valid over a three-day period for one 1-way or round trip move during daylight hours. 

Divisible Load Permit

Permit issued for hauling approved bulk materials on an annual or monthly basis.

Annual Indivisible Load Permit

Permit issued to Connecticut-based carriers on an annual basis only with an effective period from May 1 through April 30.

Annual Milk Permit

Permit issued to haul bulk milk. 

Radioactive Single Trip Permit

Permit issued for the transport of radioactive material.

Radioactive Pharmaceutical Permit

Permit issued for the shipment of radioactive pharmaceuticals.  This is a period based permit for a six month duration beginning on the effective date. 

Industrial Permit

Permit issued for the operation of industrial vehicles on State highways for transporting goods, property or merchandise to and between buildings of the same industrial plant. 

What is a Superload move?

Generally, CTDOT considers a vehicle, combination of vehicle and trailer or commercial vehicle combination, including each such vehicle’s load to be a Superload move when any of the following parameters are exceeded:

Superload moves are limited to nighttime only and typically require Connecticut State Police (CSP) Escorts.

Please allow for additional coordination and review time when applying for a Superload permit move.  Contact the Permit Office at email: dot.osowpermits@ct.gov for any questions.

What is the procedure for Superload? 

Due to the excessive size and/or weight of these loads, special planning and preparation is required when moving a Superload in Connecticut. The following requirements must be met by the carrier during the Superload application process. These are general requirements, the Department reserves the right to add to or change them based on various factors including complexity of route, route obstructions, overall size or weight of load, weather, etc.

1. A certified Connecticut Route Survey must be conducted by a Connecticut based surveyor within one week prior to move date. Microsoft Word - Route Survey Form.doc (ct.gov)

    

2. The survey must detail all special considerations and obstructions on the proposed route such as tree cover, low lines and signals, sign removal, opposing lane travel, etc., their locations on the route and a plan for addressing them.  

    

3. The carrier must obtain all necessary Encroachment Permits if the route requires manipulation of any state property such as tree trimming, traffic signal repositioning, mast arm lifting or unbolting, sign removal, etc.  Permission to manipulate or use Town-owned or private property must also be obtained, as needed.  The Encroachment Permit and any Town or private permissions, must be attached to the OSOW Permit application. Encroachment Permit (ct.gov)

    

4. The load is subject to initial inspection by enforcement 1-2 days prior to the move as well as a same-day Level 7 inspection. 

     5. The application must be submitted a minimum of five business days in advance of the move.  

What are the acceptable methods of payments for permits?

Online credit and debit card (Visa, MasterCard and Discover) payments are the only accepted methods of payment.

When do I need to submit a Route Survey?

A Route Survey must be completed and attached to all permit applications for loads with an overall height of 14’-1” or greater.  The survey may also be required on a case-by-case basis for other excess dimensions based on various factors including travel through construction zones, congested streets, or detours off the interstate/divided highway. 

A completed and signed CTDOT route survey certifies that an entire requested permit route has been physically surveyed for safe and sufficient clearance of obstacles including all overhead, roadside, in-road, weight postings, and turning movements.  The load information and routing must match the application and the survey must be signed and dated by the surveyor.  Any special considerations, i.e. need for steerable trailer, diversion of traffic signals, detours, police escorts, must be indicated in the Recommended Special Considerations section.  In general, a survey is valid for up to two weeks prior to travel.  However, an updated survey may be required by the CTDOT at any time. The survey must be attached to all permit applications.

Route Survey Form

When is a Front Pole Car required?

A Front Pole Car is required for all loads 14’-6” high or greater. The front pole car can be used as a civilian escort when it meets all escort vehicle requirements below:  

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ESCORT VEHICLES:

Escort vehicles are regulated by Section 14-270-21 of the Regulations for OS/OW vehicles. Escort vehicles are required to abide by the following requirements:

• Minimum width of an escort vehicle is sixty (60) inches;
• Maximum capacity of an escort vehicle is one and one-half (1-1/2) tons;
• Lights - top-mounted flashing/rotating amber light(s) operating at all times.
• Communications - two-way radio between escort vehicle(s) and permit load. 
• Warning sign(s) on an escort vehicle shall be a minimum of 5' long, 12'' high with black lettering measuring 1' wide and 8'' high on a yellow background. The message shall read 'OVERSIZE LOAD'. One warning sign mounted on the top of the escort vehicle, or two warning signs - one mounted on both the front and the rear of the escort vehicle, shall full-fill these regulations, provided the bottom of the warning signs are 48'' above the roadway.

Do I need Pilot/Escort vehicles?

Pilot/escort vehicles are required to ensure the safe movement and travel of the permitted vehicle.  The following escort requirements are based on ideal traffic and roadway condition. The Department reserves the right to require additional escort services (civilian and/or Connecticut State Police) once a route is identified based on adverse roadway or traffic conditions that result from known highway construction restrictions, known geometric constrictions, time-of-day travel, known bottleneck areas, etc…