An oversize/overweight permit is required when you travel in a state and your loaded dimensions exceed the legal width, height, length, or weight limits for that specific state. The most common state legal limits are 8’6″ wide, 13’6″ high, 65′ long, or 80,000 lbs distributed evenly on at least 5 axles (12,000 lbs on the steer axle & 17,000 lbs on each of the next 4 axles). However, specific state rules vary and can be more restrictive than the common limits. The actual permit will list the dimensions allowed for your specific load, the routes, travel regulations & restrictions, and the time period allowed to make the move.
Generally a trip permit/temporary IRP permit/temporary registration permit is required when you travel in a state in which your apportionable vehicle is not registered under the IRP/UCR. “Apportionable Vehicle” means any power unit that is used or intended for use in two or more member jurisdictions and that is used for the transportation of persons for hire or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property, and: (i) has two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 10,000 pounds (6,000 lbs in some states), or (ii) has three or more axles, regardless of weight, or (iii) is used in combination, when the gross vehicle weight of such combination exceeds 10,000 pounds (6,000 lbs in some states).
Generally a temporary fuel permit/temporary IFTA permit/fuel tax permit is required when you travel in a state in which your “qualified” vehicle does not hold an IFTA (International Fuel Tax Association) Decal or license. All states in the continental United States and all Canadian provinces except Alaska, Yukon, and Northwest Territories, and the District of Columbia, participate in IFTA. If you are based in a jurisdiction that is a member of IFTA and operate a qualified motor vehicle in two or more jurisdictions, you must comply with the IFTA laws. A “qualified” vehicle for the purposes of IFTA & temporary fuel permits is the same qualifications listed above for trip permits: any power unit that is used or intended for use in two or more member jurisdictions and that is used for the transportation of persons for hire or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property, and: (i) has two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds (6000 or 10,000 lbs in some states), or (ii) has three or more axles, regardless of weight, or (iii) is used in combination, when the gross vehicle weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds (6000 or 10,000 lbs in some states).
