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OverSizeTMS
TMS for heavy haul & oversize carriers (1–50 trucks)

Michigan Oversize / Overweight Permit Requirements

Legal-without-permit dimension limits, escort and pilot car thresholds, height pole rules, daylight-only windows, and holiday restrictions for Michigan oversize moves.

Verified 2026-06-06 · Source: www.michigan.gov
This page summarizes Michigan DOT permit conditions for general reference. Always verify against the state permit office before dispatch — rules change, and individual permit conditions can be more restrictive.

Legal limits without a permit

In Michigan, you can move a load without an OSOW permit up to these dimensions on the Interstate and designated highways. Anything over the limits requires a permit (and may require escorts — see below).

DimensionWithout a permitPermit required when
Width8′6″ (federal limit)Anything wider
Height13′6″Anything taller
Combo length75′0″Anything longer
Gross weight164,000 lbAnything heavier

Escort and pilot car thresholds

When permitted, the following escort or movement-restriction rules apply in Michigan. Thresholds are conservative — your specific permit conditions may impose tighter limits depending on the route.

TriggerDimensionThresholdDetail
Front pilot car Length 100'0" Front + rear pilot cars required for combinations over 100' overall length.
Rear pilot car Length 90'0" Rear pilot car required for combinations 90'–100' overall length.
Height pole Height 15'0" Front + rear pilot cars required above 15'; front escort with height pole required at 14'5"–15'.
Rear pilot car Rear overhang 15'0" rear overhang Rear pilot car required when rear overhang exceeds 15'.
Front pilot car Width 14'0" Front + rear pilot cars required for widths over 14' (R. 247.167). Rear only for 12'–14'.
Rear pilot car Width 12'0" Rear pilot car required when width is 12'–14' (R. 247.167); front added above 14'.
Daylight-only movement Width 12'0" Sunrise-to-sunset travel only on weekdays; no weekend travel when width exceeds 12' or height exceeds 14'.
Weekend / holiday restriction Width 12'0" No travel on New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

Stop tracking these rules by hand.

OverSizeTMS encodes the per-state escort and dimension rules for every state plus DC. Enter the load dimensions and route, and the platform tells you which permits, escorts, and time windows apply automatically.

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Last updated 2026-06-06. Cross-checked against the state admin code.