How to read a West Virginia oversize permit
West Virginia permits are self-issued on wv.gotpermits.com: you enter your truck, select your routes and run an analysis, and if it passes you can print the permit and go; if not, it goes to the Central Permit Office. Single trip permits are vehicle and route specific and good for five days, and the permit itself states your escort requirements and any low-impact bridges with their required speeds.
Issued by the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, Hauling Permits through GotPermits (wv.gotpermits.com). Written from WVDOH's published rules; we haven't read a real West Virginia permit yet.
How to read the route
West Virginia has not published a sample permit, so the route layout is not known. On the GotPermits sites you select your routes yourself and run a size and weight analysis; if any route you want is not available to select, the application goes to the Permit Office for review. Single trip and superload permits are route specific. If your route crosses low-impact bridges, the permit lists them with their locations, the required speed and a number to schedule monitors.
Road names on West Virginia permits
| On the permit | Means |
|---|---|
| I64 | Interstate 64 (WVDOH's restriction list writes it with no dash) |
| US219 | US Highway 219 |
| WV Routes | West Virginia state routes |
| Local Service Routes | Lower-class roads with lower legal limits (65,000 lbs gross) |
| West Virginia Turnpike | The toll road (I-77/I-64), which has its own oversize travel schedule |
Where the route starts and ends
Not published. The single trip application asks for origin and destination; how they print on the permit is not shown.
Conditions to watch for
No holidays, no nights for oversize
No travel on holidays. Oversize loads move sunrise to sunset only. Source
“No travel is permitted on holidays.”
Days of travel
Loads 14 ft wide or less may move sunrise to sunset seven days a week on all routes except the WV Turnpike. Wider loads move sunrise to sunset Monday to Friday. Weekend travel must be requested on your application. Source
“Haulers should note on their application if they desire weekend travel.”
Night travel
Only overweight loads that are not oversize can get night travel, and only on designated multi-lane highways. Night travel on two-lane roads is reviewed case by case. Source
“This authorization applies strictly to designated multi-lane highways.”
Escorts for width
10 ft 6 in to 12 ft: front escort on two-lane roads. 12 ft 1 in to 14 ft: front and rear on two-lane, rear on four-lane. 14 ft 1 in to 15 ft: front and rear, Monday to Friday. 15 ft 1 in to 16 ft: three escorts, or two rear on interstates. Over 16 ft: as the permit says, Sunday morning only. Source
“Escort requirements must be stated within the permit.”
Escorts for length, overhang and height
75 to 95 ft long: rear escort on two-lane roads. 95 to 100 ft: front and rear on two-lane, rear on four-lane. Over 100 ft: front and rear escorts. Front or rear overhang over 10 ft: an escort on that end. Over 15 ft high: a front pole car on top of any other escorts. Source
“No escort required until overhang exceeds 10' front or rear.”
Permit life
Single trip and superload permits are good for five days. A school bus hour or other curfew may be added. Source
“Single Trip and Superload permits are good for (5) five days.”
Easy to miss
- Low-impact bridges: if your permit lists them, it gives the required speed and a number to schedule monitors. WVDOH says monitoring is a condition of the permit.
- The WV Turnpike runs its own clock: 14 ft 1 in to 18 ft wide, sunrise to sunset Monday to Thursday; 18 ft 1 in to 24 ft 6 in, Sundays before noon only.
- Event and area bans: WVDOH's 2024 list barred oversize travel near WVU home football games, on US219 during the State Fair, on US 19 on Bridge Day, and limited escorted loads around Charleston and on two-lane roads during school bus hours.
Questions
Can I move an oversize load on the weekend in West Virginia?
Loads 14 ft wide or less may move sunrise to sunset seven days a week except on the WV Turnpike, but you must ask for weekend travel on your application. Wider loads are generally limited to Monday through Friday.
How long is a West Virginia single trip permit good for?
Five days. Single trip mobile home permits are good for ten days.
Can I print my West Virginia oversize permit myself?
Yes, if it passes. On wv.gotpermits.com you select your routes and run an analysis; if it passes you may print your permit and travel, and if not it goes to the Central Permit Office.
Sources
Your permit is the legal document; follow everything it says. Rules change; check WVDOH's site before you move.Last checked October 2026.