How to read a Utah oversize permit
Utah oversize permits are bought from UDOT's Motor Carrier Division online, at a port of entry or by phone, and UDOT's route planner checks your requested route against restrictions from its Structures Division. UDOT's FAQ says the permit shows only the restrictions for darkness, curfews, pilot escorts and holidays, so every other Utah rule is still on you.
Issued by the Utah Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier Division. Written from UDOT's published rules; we haven't read a real Utah permit yet.
How to read the route
UDOT has not published a sample permit, so the route layout is not known. You apply with your origin, destination and requested route within Utah. UDOT runs that route through its route planner, which checks it against preloaded restrictions from the UDOT Structures Division. Drive the route on your permit. Also check UDOT's list of secondary highways with extra rules, which names each trouble spot by highway and RP number.
Road names on Utah permits
| On the permit | Means |
|---|---|
| Interstate 15 | I-15 |
| US 6 | US Highway 6 |
| State Route 12 | Utah state highway 12 |
| RP 24.8 | A mile point along that highway, as UDOT's restriction list writes it (the list does not spell out RP) |
Where the route starts and ends
UDOT asks for the origin location, destination location and requested route within Utah. How the printed permit shows them is not published.
Conditions to watch for
Holidays
Loads more than 10 ft wide, 105 ft long or 14 ft 6 in high can't move on Christmas, New Year's, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day or Thanksgiving, from 2 pm the day before until sunrise the day after. Source
“Holiday restrictions begin at 2 p.m. the day before the holiday and extend to sunrise the day after the holiday.”
Daylight only for big loads
Loads over 14 ft 6 in high, over 12 ft wide, over 105 ft long, or with more than 10 ft of overhang may move only in daylight, unless the nighttime rule allows it. Source
“Except as provided in Section R909-2-15, loads exceeding the following dimensions are restricted to daylight hours:”
What the permit prints
Your permit shows the restrictions for darkness, curfew, pilot escorts and holidays. Other Utah rules are not printed on it. Source
“No, it will show those restrictions pertaining to hours of darkness, curfew, pilot escorts and holidays.”
Very large loads
Moves over 17 ft wide on secondary highways, 20 ft wide on freeways, 17 ft 6 in high or 175 ft long need regional authorization, so allow up to 14 days. They can also require certified pilot escorts and certified police escorts. Source
“Loads requiring regional authorization are required to allow up to 14 days in advance of the movement.”
Extra escorts on some highways
Some secondary highways have their own rules. On State Route 12 between State Routes 89 and 24, for example, over 10 ft wide needs one certified pilot/escort, over 12 ft needs two, and over 14 ft adds two police escorts. Source
“Vehicles/loads exceeding 10' in width require one certified pilot/escort vehicle.”
Carry the permit
Carry the permit in the truck for law enforcement. Paper or electronic is fine. Source
“The permit may be in paper or electronic format.”
Easy to miss
- The permit does not print every rule. UDOT's FAQ says it is the company's job to know and follow the rest of Utah's oversize rules.
- Monday holidays close two windows: from 2 pm Friday to midnight, then again from 12:01 am Monday to sunrise Tuesday. Saturday sunrise through Sunday midnight is open.
- Secondary highways like State Route 12 near Torrey, State Route 24 and US 6 have their own escort, police escort and height limits, listed by RP on UDOT's secondary highways list.
Questions
Can I haul an oversize load on a holiday in Utah?
Not if it is more than 10 ft wide, 105 ft long or 14 ft 6 in high. Utah's rule stops those loads from 2 pm the day before until sunrise the day after on six holidays.
Does my Utah oversize permit have to be on paper?
No. UDOT says the permit may be in paper or electronic format. It must be carried in the vehicle for law enforcement to inspect.
Will my Utah permit list every restriction on my route?
No. UDOT's FAQ says the permit shows the restrictions for hours of darkness, curfew, pilot escorts and holidays, and it is the company's job to know and follow the other rules.
Sources
- UDOT Size, Weight, & Motor Carrier Permitting
- UDOT Oversize & Overweight Provisions
- UDOT Oversize Non-Divisible Load Provisions
- UDOT Secondary Highways with Additional Restrictions (updated 09/22/2025)
- UDOT Motor Carrier Services FAQ
- UDOT Utah's Size & Weight Rule (links to R909-2)
- Utah Admin. Code R909-2-13, Holiday Travel Restrictions (Cornell LII copy)
- Utah Admin. Code R909-2-14, Travel Provisions (Cornell LII copy)
Your permit is the legal document; follow everything it says. Rules change; check UDOT's site before you move.Last checked October 2026.