Medium

The seasonal permit authorizes commercial movement of any one of the following over-width vehicles or loads:

  • hay,
  • grain cleaner,
  • hay grinder,
  • forage harvester,
  • fertilizer spreader,
  • agricultural chemical applicator being transported by another vehicle and for the movement of over-width and overweight self-propelled fertilizer spreaders and self-propelled chemical applicators.

A seasonal permit is valid for 365 days and may be purchased in lieu of a single trip permit. The fee for the seasonal permit is $50.

When obtaining a seasonal permit, a carrier must provide proof of insurance coverage in an amount not less than $300,000 bodily injury liability for each person; $300,000 bodily liability for each accident; and at least $300,000 for property damage liability. Carriers must also provide the insurance company name, policy number, and expiration date.

Vehicles hauling hay are restricted to the following maximum size and weight limits:

  • Truck-mounted Stackmover
  • Width – Exempt
  • Height – 17’6
  • Length – 56’

All axle weights and gross vehicle weight (GVW) must be legal. The GVW is also determined by the federal weight formula. Refer to the Weight Limitation Chart for further information.

Truck-tractor semi-trailer and/or trailer combinations

  • Width – 12’
  • Height – 15’
  • Length - Legal

The length of a trailer or semi-trailer shall not exceed 53 feet. A vehicle combination of 2, 3, or 4 units including the load, that exceed 75 feet in overall length shall not exceed 95 feet or 110 feet in overall length when traveling on 4-lane divided highways, the interstate system, and designated state highways.

All axle weights and GVW must be legal. The GVW is also determined by the federal weight formula.
When traveling on the interstate system, with a GVW in excess of 80,000 pounds, a carrier must also obtain a single trip interstate permit prior to traveling on the interstate system. The GVW cannot exceed 105,500 pounds.

Vehicle towing bale handler

  • Width – 12’10 (includes loading arm)
  • Height – 15’
  • Length – Legal

The length of the bale handler shall not exceed 60 feet. All axle weights and GVW must be legal. The GVW is also determined by the federal weight formula.

A North Dakota farmer or rancher moving their own hay (bales or haystacks) is not required to have a seasonal permit or single trip permit, regardless of the type of equipment used. A farm truck with mounted haystack moving equipment is considered an implement of husbandry and exempt from registration.

The following vehicles are restricted to the size and weight limits shown below: grain cleaner, hay grinder, forage harvester, fertilizer spreader or chemical applicator transported by another vehicle:

  • Width – to be completed by carrier
  • Height – legal
  • Length – legal

All axle weights and GVW must be legal. The GVW is also determined by the federal weight formula.

A self-propelled fertilizer spreader or a self-propelled chemical applicator is restricted to the following size and weight limits:

  • Width – to be completed by carrier
  • Height – legal
  • Length – legal

Weight - No single axle can exceed 22,000 pounds. No axle can exceed 550 pounds per inch width of tire. Travel is not allowed on the interstate system when a single axle exceeds the legal axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
All movements shall be restricted to travel from Sunrise to Sunset, except self-propelled fertilizer spreaders and self-propelled agricultural chemical applicators.

Self-propelled fertilizer spreaders and self-propelled chemical applicators operating under their own power may travel between sunset and sunrise provided they have proper lighting. NO travel is allowed on the interstate system between sunset and sunrise. (See lighting requirements below)

Movement is not authorized during inclement weather; highways are slippery; or when visibility is poor.

The seasonal permit does not authorize travel on the interstate system when using a truck-mounted stackmover to haul hay, or when the single axle on a laden self-propelled fertilizer spreader or a laden self-propelled chemical applicator exceeds 20,000 pounds.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Towing vehicles must have two mirrors to reflect a rearview of 200 feet to the driver.

All commercial oversize vehicles must be equipped in accordance with the requirements and specifications of Parts 393 and 396 of 49 CFR.

Flagging
Carriers must comply with the following flagging requirements when the vehicle and/or load do not exceed 14’6” in overall width:

  1. Red or bright orange flags (12”x12”) are to be mounted on the most practical outside dimension on the traffic side of the vehicle of load, front and rear. If one flag is visible from both front and rear, only one flag is required; or
  2. The over-width movement may be followed by a pilot car equipped with a lighted rotating or flashing amber light(s) that is visible from the rear for a minimum distance of 500 feet; or
  3. The over-width vehicle or vehicle towing or hauling an over-width load, may be equipped with a lighted rotating or flashing amber light(s) that is visible from the rear for a minimum distance of 500 feet.

Flagging requirements for haystack moving equipment or any other vehicle or load that exceeds 14’6” in overall width:

  1. A red or bright orange 12”x12” flag shall be mounted on a pole showing the extreme outside width and height on the traffic side of load. If one flag is not clearly visible from the front and rear, then flags must be mounted on both the front and rear of the vehicle; or
  2. The over-width movement shall be preceded and followed by pilot cars equipped with a lighted rotating or flashing amber light(s) mounted on top of the highest part of the vehicle that is visible for a minimum distance of 500 feet; or
  3. The vehicle or vehicle towing or hauling the load is equipped with a lighted rotating or flashing amber light(s) that is visible from the front and rear for a minimum distance of 500 feet.

Signage
When the overall length of a vehicle combination exceeds 75 feet (22.86 m) in length, there must be a minimum 12” x 60” (304.8 mm x 1524 mm) OVERSIZE LOAD sign on the rear. The lettering must be black on yellow background. Letters must be at least 8 inches (203.2 mm) high with 1-inch (25.4 mm) brush stroke (trailer or semi-trailer and load length cannot exceed 53 feet).

Lighting
Self-propelled fertilizer spreaders and self-propelled agricultural chemical applicators traveling between sunrise and sunset must comply with the following lighting requirements:

Vehicular hazard signal lamps are to be used to display warning to the front; and must be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practical. The lamps must display simultaneous flashing white or amber lights, or any shade of color between amber and white.

Vehicular hazard signal lamps used to display warning to the rear must be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practical. The lamps must display simultaneous flashing amber or red lights, or any shade of color between amber and red.

These warning lights must be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet in normal sunlight.

*Please review the Seasonal Permit Policy, Length Limitations Map and Weight Limitations Map before utilizing any Seasonal Permit.

*View the Vertical Clearance Listing.

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