---
title: Iowa Oversize & Overweight Permits (OS/OW) | Iowa DOT Superload | Alpine Truck Service
description: Expedited Iowa DOT oversize permits, Des Moines curfews, wind energy routing, and pilot cars across I-80 and I-35. 24/7 commercial dispatch desk. Call (918) 607-6547.
image: https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/alpine-third-party-charges.webp
---

# Iowa Oversize, Overweight & Superload Permitting Services

Comprehensive commercial trucking permits and heavy haul compliance across Iowa.

## Agency & Permitting Authority
- **Agency**: Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT)
- **Portal**: Iowa DOT Motor Carrier Permitting System
- **Regulatory Advisory**: State DOT regulations and permit processing queues are determined by individual state transportation authorities and vary by agency workload. Carriers should verify active route advisories and state requirements prior to movement.

## Legal vs. Routine Permitted Dimensions
- **Legal Width**: 8' 6" | **Max Routine**: 16' 0"
- **Legal Height**: 13' 6" | **Max Routine**: 15' 6"
- **Legal Length**: 53' Semi-Trailer / 65' Overall | **Max Routine**: 120' 0"
- **Legal Gross Weight**: 80,000 lbs | **Max Routine**: 156,000 lbs
- **Axle Limits**: Single: 20,000 lbs, Tandem: 34,000 lbs, Tridem: 42,000 lbs

## Permitting Scope & Services in Iowa
- **Routine Oversize (OS) Cab-Cards**: Single-trip authorizations for dimensions exceeding 8' 6" width or 13' 6" height.
- **Overweight (OW) Axle Permits**: Overload cab-cards for heavy machinery and configurations exceeding 80,000 lbs GVW.
- **Multi-Axle Superload Permits**: Specialized filings exceeding Over 156,000, including State DOT and certified partner bridge reviews, route surveys, and police escorts.
- **Annual & Blanket Fleet Permits**: Continuous-operation annual highway authorizations for construction fleets.
- **Temporary Trip & Fuel Permits**: 72-hour IRP vehicle registration and IFTA fuel tax credentials.
- **County, City & Toll Road Clearances**: Municipal authorizations and turnpike clearances.

## Superload Permitting & State Review Protocol
- **Weight Trigger**: Over 156,000 lbs GVW or exceeding Iowa bridge capacity formulas
- **Width Trigger**: Over 16' 0" wide
- **Height Trigger**: Over 15' 6" high
- **Length Trigger**: Over 120' 0" overall length
- **State & Partner Bridge Review**: Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) electronic systems and certified structural engineering partners evaluate axle load distribution across bridge structures upon submission.
- **Route Surveys & Clearances**: Required for extreme heights/widths to verify overhead physical clearances.
- **Utility & Escorts**: Coordinated wire lifts with power utilities and State Police / Highway Patrol escorts.

## Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicle Requirements
- **Front Escort**: Required over 12' 0" wide on two-lane roads; over 14' 6" wide on four-lane divided highways
- **Rear Escort**: Required over 14' 6" wide on four-lane divided highways; length exceeding 100' 0"; rear overhang > 10' 0"
- **Height Pole**: Required for loads exceeding 14' 6" in height (lead vehicle with calibrated pole)
- **Police Escort**: Iowa State Patrol escort required over 16' 0" wide, 16' 0" high, or over 156,000 lbs

## Metro Curfews & Travel Restrictions
- **Curfew Zones**:
  - Des Moines Metro (I-235, I-35, I-80): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
  - Cedar Rapids / Iowa City (I-380, I-80) during peak commute hours
- **Travel Rules**: Daylight only (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset), 7 days a week for loads up to 14'6" wide. Loads up to 12' wide may travel continuous hours on Interstate highways with proper lighting.

## Key Freight Corridors
- I-80 (Transcontinental East-West Arterial)
- I-35 (Mid-America NAFTA Spine)
- I-29 (Missouri River Freight Corridor)
- I-380 (Cedar Rapids-Waterloo)
- US-20
- US-30

## Frequently Asked Questions
### How long does Iowa DOT take to issue an oversize permit?
Routine single-trip permits are typically processed in 2–4 business hours. Superloads requiring structural bridge analysis take 3–5 business days. Alpine prepares filings immediately upon intake.

### What are Iowa's pilot car escort triggers?
Iowa mandates 1 escort for loads over 12' wide on 2-lane roads and over 14'6" on 4-lane highways. Loads over 100' long require a rear escort. Height over 14'6" requires a lead escort with a height pole.

### Can oversize loads travel on weekends in Iowa?
Yes, loads up to 14'6" wide and 15'6" high may travel on Saturdays and Sundays during daylight hours.

### What qualifies as a superload in Iowa?
Shipments exceeding 156,000 lbs gross weight, 16' wide, 15'6" high, or 120' long are classified as superloads in Iowa.

## Contact & Direct Dispatch
- **Direct Phone**: (918) 607-6547 (CALL: [918-607-6547](tel:9186076547))
- **Email**: [permits@alpinetruck.com](mailto:permits@alpinetruck.com)
- **Online Intake**: [alpinetruckservice.com/permits/iowa](https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/permits/iowa)