2 Del. Admin. Code § 2405
1.1 Purpose
The intent of the Oversize/Overweight Hauling Permit Program is to promote public safety, minimize impacts to the traveling public, minimize impacts/damage to public facilities, and to assign equitable fees to the movement of oversize/overweight goods. The purpose of this regulation is to state the policy and procedures of the Department of Transportation, Division of Transportation Solutions, regarding the issuance of Hauling Permits, hereinafter called "permit", for oversize or overweight vehicles. The guidelines contained in this regulation should provide guidance for the majority of all oversized and overweight vehicle moves. However, the Department reserves the right to modify the requirements on a case-by-case basis based on engineering judgment and public safety requirements.
1.2 Legal Authorization
1.3 Definitions
The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Axle” means load-bearing wheels in a transverse line across the full width of a vehicle.
“Axle Group” means a group of axles in which every axle is located within 8 feet of another axle.
“Combination” means 2 or more vehicles physically interconnected in tandem.
“Commercial Vehicle” means a vehicle of a type designed, used, or maintained for the transportation of persons or property for hire, compensation, or profit, except taxicabs.
“Crane” means any self-propelled vehicle to which has been permanently mounted or attached any crane, whether or not such vehicle was originally a truck, tractor, or other type of motor vehicle or was designed and built as a complete crane unit. However, the word "crane," as herein defined, shall not be construed to mean any truck or other vehicle equipped with or to which has been affixed any device used for the purpose of providing a means for towing other vehicles.
“Department” means the Department of Transportation of this State (DelDOT) acting directly or through its duly authorized officers and agents.
“Escort” means a single unit non-permitted vehicle, no smaller than a compact car that is used to accompany a permitted vehicle. An escort vehicle can be a vehicle provided by the permittee, the Delaware State Police, or any other entity defined by the Department.
“Farm Tractor” means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement for drawing plows, mowing machines and other implements of husbandry.
“Gross Weight” means the combined weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles and its load and driver.
“Highway” means the entire width between boundary lines of every way or place of whatever nature open to the use of public as a matter of right for purposes of vehicular travel, but does not include a road or driveway upon grounds owned by private persons, colleges, universities or other institutions.
“Implement of Husbandry” means a vehicle designed or adapted and determined by the Department to be used exclusively for agricultural, horticultural or livestock operations and only incidentally operated or moved upon highways.
“Local Authorities” means every county, municipal, and other local board or body having authority to adopt local police regulations under the Constitution and laws of this State.
“Mobile Home” means a trailer designed and used exclusively for living quarters or commercial purposes that exceeds the maximum size limitations prescribed by the act for operation on a highway and is only incidentally operated on a highway.
“Nondivisible Load” means a load that is incapable of being divided into parts or dismembered without substantially damaging its usefulness or value.
“Oversize” means the length, width, or height of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including the load or loads carried thereon, excluding mirrors or sunshades, which exceed the applicable maximum length, width, or height specified in Section 2.0 of this regulation.
“Overweight Vehicle” means any vehicle having a gross weight, including load thereon, in excess of that permitted by law; including, but not limited to, a gross weight in excess of the weight for which a valid registration has been issued.
“Semitrailer” means every vehicle of the trailer type so designed and used in conjunction with a motor vehicle, such that some part of its own weight and that of its own load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle. Piling and pole trailers are to be considered to fall within the meaning of this definition.
“Ship Permit” means a permit that is issued for oversize or overweight vehicles engaged in ship offloading operations conducted at the Port of Wilmington to designated locations on designated state-maintained routes exclusive of Interstate routes within 2 miles from the property limits of the Port of Wilmington.
“Shoulder” means the portion of the highway, contiguous to the roadway, for accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use and for lateral support of the roadway.
“Single Axle” means an axle located over 8 feet from another axle.
“Special Construction Equipment” means every vehicle not designed or used primarily for the transportation of persons or property and only incidentally operated or moved over a highway, including but not limited to: Ditch-digging apparatus, well-boring apparatus, road construction or maintenance machinery such as asphalt spreaders, air compressors and drills, bituminous mixers, bucket loaders, tractors other than truck tractors, leveling graders, finishing machines, road rollers, scarifiers, earth-moving scrapers and carryalls, welders, power shovels and drag lines, self-propelled cranes, earth-moving equipment and construction box storage trailers (except when such trailers are used for transporting merchandise). The term does not apply to dump trucks, truck mounted transit mixers, tow trucks, or shovels or other vehicles designed for the transportation of persons or property to which machinery has been attached.
“STAA” means the Surface Transportation Assistance Act.
“Structure” means a bridge or culvert including supports, which spans or provides passage over or under a waterway, a railroad or other obstruction, or any other physical device designed to carry traffic control devices, including, but not limited to, overhead signs, light fixtures and traffic signals.
“Sunrise” means the time designated by the National Weather Service at which the sun can first be seen on the horizon.
“Sunset” means the time designated by the National Weather Service at which the sun can last be seen on the horizon.
“Superload” means any vehicle or load is considered a SUPERLOAD when any 1 of the following conditions exist: 15 feet or more in width; 15 feet or more in height; 120 feet or more in length; has a gross weight in excess of 120,000 pounds.
“Supporting Documentation” means documents that are required to be submitted as part of the permit application process.
“Trailer” means a mobile home, park trailer, travel trailer, house trailer, office trailer, camping trailer or any vehicle without motive power designed to carry property or passengers wholly on its own structure and to be drawn by a motor vehicle.
“Truck Tractor” means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily for drawing other vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and load so drawn.
“Vehicle” means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks except electric trackless trolley coaches, electric personal assistive mobility devices and excepting Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs).
“Zero Emission Bus” means any self-propelled vehicle meant to transport persons as part of a governmentally owned/publicly operated transit system that is zero-emissions and is powered exclusively by a battery-electric drivetrain.
2.1 Length. If the overall length of any vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeds the legal length limits contained herein, a permit shall be required.
2.1.2 On Interstate and U. S. Routes not otherwise posted:
2.1.3 On all other highways:
2.1.3.1 Single motor vehicles, including any load thereon, shall not exceed 40 feet in length, and no combination of vehicle, including the load thereon, shall exceed 60 feet in length, except as otherwise provided in this section
2.2 Width
2.4 Weight. A permit is required if the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) exceeds the limits imposed by statute as shown in Table 2.1. Vehicles that do not exceed GVW but do exceed individual axle weights shown in Table 2.1 will require a permit. DelDOT Bridge Management Section and Materials and Research Section will automatically review permits with an individual axle weight at or greater than 25,000 lbs. Analysis may occur at a lower weight on a case-by-case basis. The permittee is responsible to effectively distribute a load or reduce the overall weight below this axle limit, as necessary, to lessen the higher live load forces overstressing state structures.
2.5 Penalties
2.5.1 Based on the Authority provided under Delaware State Code Chapter 45, Section 4508, of Title 21, relating to Penalties, any person who violates any requirements of Section 2.0 relating to the size or weight of a vehicle or a combination of vehicles or restrictions regarding parking in residence districts shall be punished as follows:
2.5.2 Any person who violates any requirement of Section 2.0, specifically relating to the weight of a vehicle or a combination of vehicles, such that said vehicle shall be classified as an "overweight vehicle," shall in addition to whatever other penalties may be allowed by law be punished as follows:
3.1 Who Must Apply for Permits
3.1.5 A permit is not required for federally defined Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) vehicles on the defined STAA routes.
3.1.5.1 The Federal Register, Volume 55, Number 83, dated Monday, April 30, 1990, page 17952, lists the following roads, as well as the Interstates 95, 495 and 295, as the designated STAA routes in Delaware:
3.2 Types of Permits
3.2.1 Permits by Load Codes & Associated Fees
3.2.1.1 Load Code 1 Oversize
3.2.1.2 Load Code 2 Overweight
3.2.1.3 Load Code 3 SUPERLOAD
3.2.1.4 Load Code 4 Manufactured Housing
3.2.1.5 Load Code 5 Sealed Container
3.2.1.6 Load Code 6 Ship
3.2.1.6.1 The following provisions apply:
3.2.1.7 Load Code 7 Pole & Piling
3.2.1.9 Load Code 9 Single-trip Interstate
3.2.1.10 Load Code 10 Multi-trip Interstate
3.2.1.11 Load Code 11 Blanket Crane
3.2.1.11.2 The following provisions apply:
3.2.1.11.2.2 Movement will be in compliance with Section 4.0 with the following exceptions:
3.2.1.11.3 Size of crane must not exceed:
Length - 70 feet
Width - 12 feet
Height -13 feet 6 inches
Weight -
2 axles - 56,000 lbs.
3 axles - 84,000 lbs.
4 axles - 112,000 lbs.
5 axles or more - 120,000 lbs.
Maximum single axle weight should be 28,000 lbs. in any axle configuration.
3.2.1.11.4 The following fee structure shall apply:
3.2.1.11.4.1 The base cost of a one-year Blanket Permit is:
$1,500 for Self-Propelled Cranes up to and including 24,000 lbs.
$2,500 for Self-Propelled Cranes over 24,000 lbs.
3.2.1.11.4.2 There is also a weight fee, which is calculated as follows:
3.2.1.11.5 To qualify for an annual blanket permit:
3.2.1.11.6 The following documentation must be forwarded to the Hauling Permit Office prior to the submission of the online hauling permit application:
3.2.1.11.10 RESTRICTIONS:
3.2.1.12 Load Code 12 Twin Trailer
3.2.1.13 Load Code 13 Zero Emission Bus
3.2.1.13.3 Fee
3.2.1.14 Load Code 14 Refrigerated Meat Products
3.2.1.14.5 Movement from origin to the destination is permitted only on the following route:
3.2.1.14.8 The following fee structure shall apply:
3.2.1.14.8.2 There is also a weight fee, which is calculated as follows:
3.2.1.14.11 To qualify for an annual blanket permit:
3.2.1.14.11.4 The following documentation must be scanned and submitted to the Hauling Permit office athaulpermit@delaware.gov concurrent with the submission of the online hauling permit application:
3.2.2 Government No Charge Permits
The Department may issue no charge hauling permits to government agencies (Federal, State, County & Local) for the movement of their over-dimensional or overweight equipment.
Note: Additional information concerning the formulation of such an agreement can be obtained by contacting the Hauling Permit Office at (302) 744-2700.
3.2.3 Extreme Emergency Permits
An extreme emergency hauling permit is defined as authorization to move OSOW equipment in response to a calamity, existing or imminent, man-made or natural causes, or other situations which requires immediate remedial action to protect life or property. An example of an emergency move would be movement of equipment in response to a train derailment, flood, explosion, etc. See Section 6.0 for detailed processing instructions.
3.3 How to Apply. OSOW hauling permits can be applied for electronically as described in subsection 3.3.1 below or via a Third Party as described in subsection 3.3.2. Applications for permits will not be accepted via phone, in-person or facsimile.
3.3.1 Electronically. OSOW hauling permit application can be entered directly on the DelDOT OSOW Permit System athttps://www.deldot.gov/osow/application/login
3.4 Rules of Issuance
3.5 Amending a Validated Permit. Only a DelDOT Permit Agent can amend a Validated permit. The Customer must telephonically notify the Hauling Permit office on or before the expiration date to request an amendment of a Validated permit.
3.5.1 Only the following data fields may be amended on a Validated (Purchased) permit due to a breakdown of the piece of equipment:
Power Unit License Number
Trailer License Number
Note: Both Power Unit and Trailer License Numbers cannot be amended on the same permit unless it is prior to effective date of permit.
4.2 Times of Travel
4.2.1 Permitted vehicles may move during the permit Effective and Expiration Dates as indicated below unless otherwise authorized or prohibited by other requirements in this section. DelDOT also reserves the right to restrict moves within this time period on a case-by-case basis in order to minimize impacts to the traveling public and to ensure public safety.
4.4 Speed Limits
4.5 Routing
4.5.4 DelDOT publishes a list of permanently and temporarily restricted routes in which vehicles possessing a valid oversize/overweight vehicle permit are not authorized to travel upon.
4.5.4.2 The lists of permanently and temporarily restricted routes can be found on DelDOT's website at the following locations:
4.6 Safety Requirements. The Delaware Department of Transportation has adopted the supplemental safety requirements as outlined below in addition to any other requirements that are set forth in this regulation and the Delaware Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The requirements that are presented below shall be adhered to for all oversized/overweight moves, including standard (non-superload) moves and superload moves.
4.6.1 Escort vehicles shall be provided for oversize/overweight moves in order to enhance the safety of the traveling public, enhance the safety of the people involved in the movement of the over dimensional load and to prevent damage to the State's highway system. Individual escort vehicle requirements are outlined in the following subsections and are summarized in Table 4.2:
4.6.1.12 Escort vehicles shall have visual contact with the permitted vehicle and have 2-way radio communication with the driver of the permitted vehicle.
| Table 4.1 State of Delaware Escort Vehicle Requirements | ||||
| Oversize Dimension | Escort Required | Escort Location | ||
| Length | over 90 feet | Rear | ||
| at 100 feet | Rear | Front | ||
| at 120 feet | Rear | Front | DSP | |
| Width | over 13 feet | Rear (on multi-lane highway) | ||
| Front (on 2-lane highway) | ||||
| over 14 feet | Rear | Front | ||
| over 15 feet | Rear | Front | DSP | |
| Height | at 15 feet | Rear | Front | |
| at 17 ft. - 6 in. | Rear | Front | DSP | |
| Weight | over 120,000 lbs | Rear | Front | |
| Overhang | at 15 feet | Rear unless permit specifies otherwise |
Note: See subsections 4.6.1.8 through 4.6.1.12 for additional escort vehicle requirements
4.6.2 Warning Flags
4.6.2.2 Warning flags are required on vehicles and loads, which exceed legal width. These vehicles and loads are required to bear flags at the extremities of the vehicle or load as shown in Figure 4.1.
Figure 4.1: Warning Flags on Overwidth Loads
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
4.6.2.3 Flags are also required on vehicles and loads which exceed legal length or which have a rear overhang in excess of 4 feet. There shall be a single flag at the extreme rear if the over length or projecting portion is 2 feet wide or less. Two flags are required if the over length or projecting portion is wider than 2 feet and shall be located to indicate maximum width. (See Figure 4.2)
Figure 4.2:Warning Flags on Overlength Loads or Loads With a Rear-End Overhang
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
4.6.3 Warning Lights. General Lighting Requirements
4.6.4 Load Warning Lights
4.6.4.1 Warning lights shall be used for authorized night operations as shown in Figures 4.3 and 4.4. The lights must be visible from a minimum of 500 feet in all directions. The lights shall be steady burning. The color of the lights shall be as follows:
4.6.4.5 If the load is nonuniform in width with the overwidth portion to the front, place amber lights on the side at the load extremities as shown in Figure 4.3
.
Figure 4.3: Warning Lights on Overwidth Loads
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
4.6.4.6 For loads of legal width that are over length with a rear overhang exceeding 4 feet, place 4 red lights on the rear and sides of the overhanging portion of the load as shown in Figure A.4. Amber lights are required at least every 6 feet on both sides of the overhang as shown below.
Figure 4.4:Warning Lights on Overlength Load or Loads With a Rear-End Overhang
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
4.6.5 Warning Signs
4.6.5.2 Vehicles and loads exceeding legal width shall display 2 signs with the wording "OVERSIZE LOAD". One sign shall be on the front of the vehicle. The other shall be on the rear of the load; however, if the sign cannot be attached to, or is not legible on the load, then the sign shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle itself. Refer to Figure 4.5.
Figure 4.5:Warning Signs on Oversize Loads
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
4.6.5.3 Vehicle and loads exceeding legal length or legal rear overhang shall be required to display 2 signs with the wording "OVERSIZE LOAD". One sign shall be on the rear of the over length or overhanging part of the load; however, if the sign cannot be attached or is not legible here, then the sign shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle itself. The other sign shall be attached to the front of the vehicle. Refer to Figure 4.6.
Figure 4.6:Warning Signs on Overlength Loads or Loads With a Rear-End Overhang
Source: AASHTO Guide for Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
5.1 Definition
5.1.1 A superload is defined as a vehicle or load having any 1 of the following physical characteristics:
Length - 120 feet or greater;
Width - 15 feet or greater;
Height - 15 feet or greater;
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - 120,000 lbs. or greater.
5.1.2 A superload is further defined by type of physical characteristics.
Type 1 - Length only
Type 2 - Width only
Type 3 - Height only
Type 4 - GVW only
Type 5 - Combination of 2 or more physical characteristics
5.2 General
5.2.4 When Planning for Move
5.3 Superload Permit Application Review Lead Time, Supporting Documentation and Special Provisions
5.3.1 Type 1 - Length only
5.3.1.2 Supporting Documentation
5.3.1.3 Times of Travel - Type 1 superload moves will be authorized to move from sunrise to sunset Monday - Sunday during the period between the permit Effective and Expiration Dates.
5.3.1.3.2 To request movement during hours other than those noted above, the permittee must provide the following 3 specific items in the Comments section of the permit application:
5.3.1.4 Special Provisions
5.3.2 Type 2 - Width only
5.3.2.2 Supporting Documentation
5.3.2.3 Times of Travel - Type 2 superload moves will be authorized to move from sunrise to sunset Monday - Sunday during the period between the permit Effective and Expiration Dates. Movement should be avoided from 6:00 a.m. through 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. through 7:00 p.m.
5.3.2.3.2 To request movement during hours other than those noted above, the permittee must provide the following 3 specific items in the Comments section of the permit application:
5.3.2.4 Special Provisions
5.3.3 Type 3 - Height only
5.3.3.2 Supporting Documentation
5.3.3.3 Times of Travel - Type 3 superload moves will be authorized to move from sunrise to sunset Monday - Sunday during the period between the permit Effective and Expiration Dates. Movement should be avoided from 6:00 a.m. through 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. through 7:00 p.m.
5.3.3.3.2 To request movement during hours other than those noted above, the permittee must provide the following 3 specific items in the Comments section of the permit application:
5.3.3.4 Special Provisions
5.3.4 Type 4 - GVW only
5.3.4.2 Supporting Documentation
5.3.4.3 Times of Travel - Type 4 superload moves will be authorized to move from sunrise to sunset Monday - Sunday during the period between the permit Effective and Expiration Dates as long as they can maintain a continuous travel speed greater than or equal to 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. If the continuous travel speed is less than 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit, superload moves should avoid moving from 6:00 AM through 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM through 7:00 PM Monday – Friday.
5.3.4.3.2 To request movement during hours other than those noted above, the permittee must provide the following 3 specific items in the Comments section of the permit application:
5.3.4.4 Special Provisions
5.3.5 Type 5 - Combination of 2 or more physical characteristics
5.3.5.3 Supporting Documentation
5.3.5.4 Times of Travel - Type 5 superload moves will be authorized to move from sunrise to sunset Monday - Sunday during the period between the permit Effective and Expiration Dates but shall adhere to all additional requirements set forth in this section. Movement should be avoided from 6:00 AM through 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM through 7:00 PM Monday - Friday.
5.3.5.4.5 To request movement during hours other than those noted above, the permittee must provide the following 3 specific items in the Comments section of the permit application:
5.3.5.5 Special Provisions
5.4 Route Survey Requirements
5.4.1 When a Route Survey is required
5.5 Detour/Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) Requirements
5.6 Additional Requirements During Move (One or more items below may apply)
5.6.1 Any oversize or overweight vehicles that cannot move at normal posted highway speeds (within 10 mph) are restricted from moves in the State of Delaware between 12 Noon on Friday and 12 Noon on Monday during the timeframe from May 15 through October 1. This restriction applies to the following roads which can be modified by the Department on a case-by-case basis:
New Castle County: I-95, I-295, I-495, US 13, and SR 1
Kent / Sussex Counties: US 9, US 13, US 113, SR 1, SR 18, SR 24, SR 26, SR 54, and SR 404.
5.6.2 Superload haulers are required to give notice of a Superload move to the local 911 office (using their non-emergency phone number) and the Department's Traffic Management Center (TMC) in Smyrna, Delaware. These offices can be reached at the following numbers:
New Castle County 911 Office Non Emergency: (302) 573-2800
Kent County 911 Office Non Emergency: (302) 739-4525
Sussex County 911 Office Non Emergency: (302) 855-2980
Traffic Management Center (TMC): (302) 659-4600
6.1 Introduction
6.2 General Requirements
6.3 Procedure
6.3.1 During business hours (7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.):
6.3.1.3 The DelDOT Permit Agent will:
6.3.1.3.1 When permit is received on the OSOW Permit System process as an Emergency Move with After Hour movement authorized if applicable, Example of a Special Provision (enter type of emergency hauler is responding):
EMERGENCY MOVE RESPONDING TO A TRAIN DERAILMENT. CONTINUOUS OR AFTER HOUR MOVEMENT IS AUTHORIZED. NIGHT MOVES OF VEHICLES OR LOADS 9 FEET OR GREATER IN WIDTH OR THOSE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN POSTED SPEED LIMITS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A REAR ESCORT ON DIVIDED HIGHWAYS AND BOTH FRONT AND REAR ON UNDIVIDED HIGHWAYS.
6.3.2 Nonbusiness hours: