---
title: Kentucky Oversize & Overweight Permits (OS/OW) | KYTC Superload | Alpine Truck Service
description: Expedited Kentucky KYTC oversize permits, Louisville/NKY curfew routing, Ohio River bridge clearances, and KSP escorts across I-65 and I-75. Call (918) 607-6547.
image: https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/alpine-third-party-charges.webp
---

# Kentucky Oversize, Overweight & Superload Permitting Services

Comprehensive commercial trucking permits and heavy haul compliance across Kentucky.

## Agency & Permitting Authority
- **Agency**: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)
- **Portal**: KYTC Motor Carrier Division 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" (8' 0" on non-designated secondary routes) | **Max Routine**: 16' 0"
- **Legal Height**: 13' 6" | **Max Routine**: 15' 0"
- **Legal Length**: 53' Semi-Trailer / 65' Overall | **Max Routine**: 120' 0"
- **Legal Gross Weight**: 80,000 lbs | **Max Routine**: 120,000 lbs
- **Axle Limits**: Single: 20,000 lbs, Tandem: 34,000 lbs, Tridem: 48,000 lbs

## Permitting Scope & Services in Kentucky
- **Routine Oversize (OS) Cab-Cards**: Single-trip authorizations for dimensions exceeding 8' 6" (8' 0" on non-designated secondary routes) 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 120,000, 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 120,000 lbs GVW or exceeding KYTC bridge load rating charts
- **Width Trigger**: Over 16' 0" wide
- **Height Trigger**: Over 15' 0" high
- **Length Trigger**: Over 120' 0" overall length
- **State & Partner Bridge Review**: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) 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' 0" wide on multi-lane highways
- **Rear Escort**: Required over 14' 0" wide on multi-lane highways; length exceeding 85' 0" (2-lane) or 100' 0" (4-lane)
- **Height Pole**: Required for loads exceeding 15' 0" in height (lead vehicle with calibrated pole)
- **Police Escort**: Kentucky State Police (KSP) escort required over 16' 0" wide, 16' 0" high, or gross weight over 120,000 lbs

## Metro Curfews & Travel Restrictions
- **Curfew Zones**:
  - Louisville Metro / Jefferson County (I-64, I-65, I-71, I-264, I-265): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
  - Northern Kentucky / Cincinnati Suburbs (Boone, Kenton, Campbell Counties; I-71/75, I-275): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:30 PM M-F
- **Travel Rules**: Daylight only (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset) Monday through Friday. Saturday travel allowed until 12:00 noon for loads under 12' wide. No Sunday travel. Overweight-only continuous travel allowed with lighting.

## Key Freight Corridors
- I-65 (Midwest to Gulf Automotive Arterial)
- I-75 (Great Lakes to Southeast Spine)
- I-64 (East-West Industrial)
- I-71 (Louisville to Cincinnati)
- Western Kentucky Parkway
- Bluegrass Parkway
- Mountain Parkway

## Frequently Asked Questions
### How fast does KYTC process a Kentucky oversize permit?
KYTC processes routine single-trip permits in 2–4 business hours through their electronic system. Superloads requiring bridge structural reviews take 3–5 business days.

### What are Kentucky pilot car rules for oversize loads?
Kentucky requires 1 escort for loads over 12' wide on 2-lane roads and over 14' wide on multi-lane highways. Loads over 85' long on 2-lane roads require an escort. Height over 15' requires a height pole.

### What are the Louisville and Northern Kentucky curfew hours?
Oversize loads cannot move in Jefferson County (Louisville) or Northern Kentucky (Boone, Kenton, Campbell counties) between 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:00 PM on weekdays.

### What is Kentucky's superload weight threshold?
Loads over 120,000 lbs gross weight or 16' wide are classified as superloads, requiring KYTC structural bridge analysis and State Police escorts.

## 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/kentucky](https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/permits/kentucky)