---
title: Washington Oversize & Overweight Permits (OS/OW) | WSDOT Superload | Alpine Truck Service
description: Expedited Washington WSDOT oversize permits, Seattle/Tacoma curfews, Snoqualmie Pass routing, and WSP escorts across I-5 and I-90. Call (918) 607-6547.
image: https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/alpine-third-party-charges.webp
---

# Washington Oversize, Overweight & Superload Permitting Services

Comprehensive commercial trucking permits and heavy haul compliance across Washington.

## Agency & Permitting Authority
- **Agency**: Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
- **Portal**: WSDOT Commercial Vehicle Services e-Permitting Portal
- **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" (14' on 2-lane highways)
- **Legal Height**: 14' 0" | **Max Routine**: 16' 0"
- **Legal Length**: 53' Semi-Trailer / 75' Overall (56' trailer permit available) | **Max Routine**: 125' 0"
- **Legal Gross Weight**: 80,000 lbs (up to 105,500 lbs on state routes with standard axle spacing) | **Max Routine**: 160,000 lbs (up to 200,000 lbs depending on axle spacings)
- **Axle Limits**: Single: 20,000 lbs, Tandem: 34,000 lbs, Tridem: 42,000 lbs

## Permitting Scope & Services in Washington
- **Routine Oversize (OS) Cab-Cards**: Single-trip authorizations for dimensions exceeding 8' 6" width or 14' 0" 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 200,000, 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 200,000 lbs GVW or exceeding standard WSDOT bridge load tables
- **Width Trigger**: Over 16' 0" wide (over 14' on two-lane roads)
- **Height Trigger**: Over 16' 0" high
- **Length Trigger**: Over 125' 0" overall length
- **State & Partner Bridge Review**: Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) 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 11' 0" wide on two-lane highways; over 14' 0" wide on multi-lane highways
- **Rear Escort**: Required over 14' 0" wide on multi-lane highways; length exceeding 105' 0"; rear overhang > 15' 0"
- **Height Pole**: Required for loads exceeding 15' 6" in height (lead vehicle with calibrated pole)
- **Police Escort**: Washington State Patrol (WSP) escort required over 16' 0" wide, 16' 0" high, or for major bridge crawl clearances

## Metro Curfews & Travel Restrictions
- **Curfew Zones**:
  - Seattle-Everett Metro (I-5, I-405, SR-520, I-90): 6:30–8:30 AM & 3:30–6:00 PM M-F (listed on Commuter Curfew sheet)
  - Tacoma / Pierce County (I-5, SR-16) & Olympia: 6:30–8:30 AM & 3:30–6:00 PM M-F
  - Vancouver / Portland border (I-5, I-205) & Kelso during peak commute hours
- **Travel Rules**: Daylight only (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset), 7 days a week. Loads not exceeding 12' wide, 14'6" high, and 105' long may travel at night with certified lighting defined by 49 CFR 393.11.

## Key Freight Corridors
- I-5 (Pacific Coast Freight Spine / Canada to Oregon)
- I-90 (Snoqualmie Pass East-West Arterial)
- I-82 (Yakima Valley)
- US-395 (Tri-Cities to Spokane)
- US-2 (Stevens Pass)
- US-97

## Frequently Asked Questions
### What is Washington's legal height limit?
Washington allows a legal height of 14'0" on state highways and interstates without requiring an oversize permit.

### What are the Seattle-Everett and Tacoma rush hour curfews?
Oversize vehicles cannot travel on major Puget Sound highways (I-5, I-405, I-90) between 6:30–8:30 AM and 3:30–6:00 PM on weekdays as listed on the WSDOT Commuter Curfew sheet.

### What are Washington pilot car escort triggers?
Washington requires 1 escort for loads over 11' wide on 2-lane roads and over 14' wide on multi-lane highways. Loads over 105' long require a rear escort. Height over 15'6" requires a height pole.

### What qualifies as a superload in Washington?
Loads exceeding 200,000 lbs gross vehicle weight, 16' wide (14' on 2-lane), 16' high, or 125' long are classified as superloads, requiring WSDOT bridge analysis.

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