How to read a Wisconsin oversize permit
WisDOT issues single trip permits online through its OS/OW Permit Automated Issuance System; each one is good for 5 days and one trip. The permit is valid only on the route it specifies, and a state permit covers only State, U.S. and Interstate highways, so county and town roads need their own permission.
Issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Oversize/Overweight Permit Unit through WisDOT OS/OW Permit Automated Issuance System (wi.gotpermits.com). Written from WisDOT's published rules; we haven't read a real Wisconsin permit yet.
How to read the route
WisDOT has not published a sample permit, so the route layout is not known. The paper application (MV2604) asks for the trip as From city, village or township, To city, village or township, and Via Highways. Online, WisDOT's tutorials show the trip being generated from via points or an address. The permit is valid only on the route it specifies, and a return trip is valid only if the permit says so.
Road names on Wisconsin permits
| On the permit | Means |
|---|---|
| Interstate Highway 94 | I-94 |
| US-12 | US Highway 12 (with US-18, the Madison Beltline) |
| WI-100 | Wisconsin state highway 100 (Mayfair Road/108th Street in Milwaukee County) |
| state trunk highways | WisDOT's name for state highways; single trip permits cover interstate and state trunk highways only |
| Milwaukee County Expressway | Milwaukee's freeway system, with extra size and rush-hour limits |
Where the route starts and ends
The paper application lists the trip From and To a city, village or township, plus the highways in between. How the online permit prints the start and end is not published.
Conditions to watch for
Hours for bigger loads
Over 12 ft wide, 13 ft 6 in high or 150 ft long: no travel in darkness, from noon Saturday to sunrise Sunday, 4 to 8 pm Sunday, or from noon the day before a restricted-travel holiday to sunrise the day after. Source
“During the period beginning at 12:00 noon on Saturday and continuing until sunrise on Sunday;”
Five-county rule for smaller loads
Oversize loads within 12 ft wide, 13 ft 6 in high and 150 ft long have no hours limits in most counties, but in Columbia, Dane, Milwaukee, Rock and Waukesha counties they can't run 4 to 8 pm on Sundays, summer Fridays, holidays and the day before. Overweight-only loads may run 24 hours. Source
“between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on any of the following days:”
Holidays and deer season
WisDOT's 2026 list includes Easter weekend and the gun deer season opening and closing weekends along with the usual holidays. For bigger loads, travel stops from noon the day before. Source
“Operation not valid from noon on Friday Nov 20th through sunrise on Monday Nov 23rd”
Escorts
Permit conditions say which escorts you need, from WisDOT's escort chart by width and length. Loads over 16 ft high need a pole vehicle, and loads over 350,000 lbs need one law enforcement escort. Source
“Loads greater than 350,000 lbs shall have one Law Enforcement escort.”
Signs
Over 10 ft wide or overlength: two OVERSIZE LOAD signs, black on yellow, at least 7 ft by 18 in, one on the front of the truck and one on the rear of the trailer or load. Don't show them when not under the permit. Source
“When a vehicle, load, or vehicle and load, is more than 10 feet wide or is overlength, two warning signs must be displayed.”
Flags
Overwidth loads get a flag at each front and rear corner; overlength loads get one or two flags at the rear. Flags are solid red or orange, at least 18 inches square. Source
“Each flag must be solid red or orange in color, and not less than 18 inches square.”
Easy to miss
- County and town roads are not on a state permit. WisDOT's permit is valid only on State, U.S. and Interstate highways; get permission from the local road authority for the rest.
- Rush hours on two freeways: the Milwaukee County Expressway (6-9 am and 3-6 pm Monday to Thursday, 6-9 am Friday, and 3-8 pm Friday and Sunday) and the Madison Beltline on US-12/US-18 (6-9 am and 3-6 pm weekdays).
- Weather voids it. The permit is not valid when fog, smoke, heavy rain, snow, ice or wind make the move unsafe, and WisDOT posts suspensions on its website.
Questions
Can I run an oversize load on Saturday in Wisconsin?
Loads over 12 ft wide, 13 ft 6 in high or 150 ft long can't run from noon Saturday to sunrise Sunday or 4 to 8 pm Sunday. Smaller oversize loads have no hours limits outside five counties unless the permit says otherwise.
Is a Wisconsin state oversize permit good on county roads?
No. A WisDOT permit is valid only on State, U.S. and Interstate highways. You must get permission from the county, town or city for their roads if they require it.
How long is a Wisconsin single trip permit valid?
Five days, for one trip. You may ask WisDOT for an extension up to the third day after it expires, and up to two extensions are allowed.
Sources
- WisDOT OS/OW Permit Automated Issuance System
- WisDOT Single trip permit information
- WisDOT Hours of operation for permitted vehicles
- WisDOT Escort, lighting, flagging and signage requirements
- MV2605 Single Trip Permit General Conditions (7/2024)
- MV2604 Single Trip Application (6/2021)
- WisDOT Holiday Hours and Days of Operation for Oversize Vehicles 2026
- WisDOT Escort Grid (Minimum Standards for Escort Vehicles)
Your permit is the legal document; follow everything it says. Rules change; check WisDOT's site before you move.Last checked October 2026.