Safety First: Equipment Requirements for Oversize Loads
Signage Requirements
- Oversized load signs must be visible to the rear throughout the whole day and night
- If towed units are being operated faster than 35 mph, the signage must be hidden from view or wholly removed
Flag Protocol
- Flags required on each front corner of the towing unit
- Flags needed on each back corner of the actual load
- Additional flags required anywhere else with extremities protruding from the load
- On Iowa roads, flags are always required when the rear overhang exceeds 4 feet on the oversized vehicle
Lighting Guidelines
- A rotating amber light with 84 inches in height and 84 inches in diameter is required for oversized vehicles traveling in Iowa
- If a light cannot be mounted on the rear of an over-dimensional towing unit, a pilot car can be used as a replacement
Securing Your Iowa Oversize Permit
Iowa offers a variety of permit options to accommodate different transport needs:Single Trip or Round Trip Permits
Valid for five days, these include:- Standard Single or Round Trip
- Single or Round for Self-Propelled Cranes
- Single or Round Trip for Private Carriers Moving Own Equipment (Not for Hire)
- Single Trip for Fire Trucks or Military Vehicles
- Single Trip for Long Combination Vehicle
- Single Trip with Weight Increase (House moves only)
- Single or Round for Self-Propelled Construction Equipment (Only needed when axles exceed 20,000 pounds)
Multi-Trip Permits
- Valid for 60 days maximum
- Allows unlimited traveling between two points on a single route
- Maximum gross vehicle weight: 156,000 pounds
Annual Trip Permits
Iowa’s Oversize Annual Trip Permits include:- Oversize/Overweight Permit
- Small and Large Annual Oversize
- Raw Forest Products
- Raw Milk
- Compacted Rubbish Vehicles