Permits & Restrictions

Home Commercial Permits & Restrictions

We are dedicated to safety for all travelers. To help keep both commercial drivers and the motoring public safe, we require special permits for overweight/over-dimensional vehicles and restrict travel at certain times.

Special Hauling Permits

A permit is required if the vehicle’s dimensions exceed any of the following:

Oversize Load Truck

  • Length: 85 feet
  • Weight: 100,000 lbs. (Any vehicle or load weighing over 100,000 pounds that is divisible will be denied.)*
  • Axle weight: 22,400 lbs. (27,000 lbs. maximum)
  • Height: 13’6” (Exceptions: Maximum height on PA Turnpike 576, 43, 66 and I-376 is 14'.)
  • Width: Over 10'0" to a max of 11’6”. Width includes mirrors and all extending cargo. (Exceptions: Maximum width on I-476 Northeast Extension between (115) Wyoming Valley Ramp and (131) Clarks Summit Ramp is 14'. The maximum width on the PA Turnpike 576, 43, 66 and I-376 is 14'.)**
  • Bumper overhang: A load or part thereof extending 5’ front or 15’ rear     

Apply for a Special Hauling Permit

*Note: Any vehicle or load over 80,000 lbs. may not exit at the Delaware River Bridge. As per N.J.A.C. 19:9-1.9, (b) & (c) of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) Regulations, vehicles exceeding the parameters set forth in the said regulations are restricted from the Toll Points for both the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. As such, you will need to seek an alternate access point from New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

**Note: Vehicles between 8’6” wide and 10’ wide do not require a permit, but must follow time of day travel restrictions.

Divisible and Non-divisible Loads

The PTC will only issue overweight/over-dimensional permits for non-divisible vehicles and loads with a maximum gross vehicle weight of more than 100,000 lbs. Accordingly, customers are advised that a vehicle and load that weighs in excess of 100,000 lbs., and which does not meet the federal definition of non-divisible, cannot legally enter the PA Turnpike.

Definition of Non-divisible Load or Vehicle

Any load or vehicle exceeding applicable length or weight limits which, if separated into smaller loads or vehicles, would:

  • Compromise the intended use of the vehicle, (i.e., make it unable to perform the function for which it was intended);
  • Destroy the value of the load or vehicle, (i.e., make it unusable for its intended purpose); or
  • Require more than eight work hours to dismantle using appropriate equipment. The applicant for a non-divisible load permit has the burden of proof as to the number of work hours required to dismantle the load.

Permit Procedures & Fee for All-Electronic Tolling

Operators of overweight/over-dimensional vehicles must apply for a Special Hauling Permit and pay a $37 flat fee along with an additional 24 cent-per-ton-mile fee on all weight in excess of 80,000 lbs. (A permit is not required until the weight exceeds 100,000 lbs., but if it does, the per-ton-mile fee will be based on all weight in excess of 80,000 lbs.) Appropriate tolls will be assessed at time of travel using All-Electronic Tolling - E-ZPass or PA Turnpike Toll By Plate.

  • All customers meeting the Special Hauling Permit for overweight/over-dimensional vehicles criteria must apply online for a Special Hauling Permit prior to travel on the PA Turnpike. Permit requests can be submitted anytime within two weeks of the anticipated travel day. However, allow at least one business day for permits that require engineering review, and two weeks for review of super loads.
  • Customers must pay a permit fee online using a credit card or ACH at the time the application is submitted and approved. There will be no print function for approved permits until permit fee payment is made. Note: There are no refunds for permit fees paid, even if the permit is not used.
  • All customers must print and carry a hard copy of the approved permit.
  • Tolls will be assessed electronically as customers travel the Turnpike System. There is no need to stop to process permits or pay tolls at interchanges.
  • Tolls will be charged to your E-ZPass account; if you do not have E-ZPass, an invoice will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle through the PA Turnpike Toll By Plate system.
  • Do not stop at Toll Points to process permits, unless you were provided with special instructions during the permit approval process. Please read all information provided in the comments section of the permit for possible instructions or details regarding your travel.
  • If you have any questions or concerns while traveling, pull over safely and dial *11 for assistance.
No Cash Toll Sign

Toll Payment

Toll payment for overweight/over-dimensional vehicles loads can be made by E-ZPass or Toll By Plate.

Escorts and Approvals

When an escort vehicle is required in addition to the permit:

Truck hauling large pipes
  • Total vehicle length is over 90’
  • Total vehicle width over 11’ on I-76, I-276, I-95 and I-476 South of exit 115 to I-276 mainline
  • Total vehicle width over 11’6” on PA Turnpike 576, 43, I-376, and on I-476 between exits 115 to 131
  • Bumper overhang extending 5’ front or 15’ rear
  • Other reasons at the discretion of the PA Turnpike Commission

When a company escort is required:

  • Width: Over 11' up to 11'6" requires company escort on I-76, I-276, I-95 and I-476 south of exit 115 to I-276 mainline
  • Width: Over 11'6" up to 14' requires company escort on PA Turnpike 576, 43, 66, I-376 and on I-476 between exits 115 to 131
  • Length: Over 90' up to 160' requires company escort
  • Bumper Overhang: Extending over 5' in front and/or over 15' in rear

When a Certified Escort Vehicle (CEV) is required:

  • Width:
    • Over 11'6" up to 16' requires CVE Escorts on I-76, I-276, I-95 and I-476 south of exit 115 to I-276 mainline
    • Over 14' up to 16' requires CEV Escorts on PA Turnpike 576, 43, 66, I-376 and on I-476 between exits 115 to 131
    • Exceptions apply for travel through tunnels and work zones with cattle chutes (see exceptions below for PSP requirements)
  • Length:
    • Over 160' up to 230' requires CEV escort

When a PA State Police (PSP) escort is required:

  • Width: Over 16' requires PSP Escorts (All roadways)
  • Length: Over 230' requires PSP escort

EXCEPTIONS:
Exception for Tunnels or Work Zones with Cattle Chutes: Over 11'6" wide requires PSP Escorts if the trip includes passing through a tunnel or cattle chutes. PSP escort is only required while traveling through the tunnel or cattle chutes, not from entry to exit.


When engineering department approval is required:

  • Total vehicle weight in excess of 100,000 lbs.
  • Axle weight of 25,000 lbs. (27,000 lbs. maximum)

Holiday and Time of Day Travel Restrictions

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, all overweight/over-dimensional movements must travel between dawn and dusk Monday to Thursday, and between dawn and noon on Friday. From Labor Day to Memorial Day, all overweight/over-dimensional movements must travel between dawn and dusk Monday to Friday, and between dawn and noon on Saturday.

2024 Holiday Restrictions (Remaining):

  • Thanksgiving Day 2024
    From 5:00 A.M., local time, Tuesday, November 26 to 11:00 P.M., local time, Sunday, December 1, 2024.
  • Christmas and New Years 2024-25
    From 5:00 A.M., local time, Friday, December 20, 2024, to 11:00 P.M., local time, Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

2025 Holiday Restrictions:

  • Easter 2025
    From 3:00 P.M., local time, Thursday, April 17 to 11:00 P.M., local time, Monday, April 21, 2025.
  • Memorial Day 2025
    From 3:00 P.M., local time, Thursday, May 22 to 11:00 P.M., local time, Monday, May 26, 2025.
  • Independence Day 2025
    From 5:00 A.M., local time, Friday, June 27 to 11:00 P.M., local time, Sunday, July 6, 2025.
  • Labor Day 2025
    From 3:00 P.M., local time, Thursday, August 28 to 11:00 P.M., local time, Sunday, September 1, 2025.
  • Thanksgiving Day 2025
    From 5:00 A.M., local time, Tuesday, November 25 to 11:00 P.M., local time, Sunday, November 30, 2025.
  • Christmas and New Years 2025-26
    From 5:00 A.M., local time, Friday, December 19, 2025, to 11:00 P.M., local time, Thursday, January 1, 2026.

Permit Office Information

General Information

All PA Turnpike permits expire after five authorized travel days have elapsed, in accordance with above mentioned travel restrictions. There are no refunds for permit fees paid, even if the permit is not used.

For overweight/over-dimensional vehicle toll rates, click here (in the vehicle details panel, select Weight Class 9). This will be the toll assessed at time of travel, which is in addition to the permit fee paid during the permit application process.

Toll payments for overweight/over-dimensional vehicle loads can be made using E-ZPass or Toll By Plate.

Still need help with Special Hauling Permits?

  • For PA Turnpike assistance, contact
    The Turnpike Help Center
    1-877-736-6727 (Say "permit" when prompted by the IVR)
    Monday - Friday: 7:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. (EDT)
  • For PennDOT assistance, contact
    The Hauling Permit Central Office
    717-787-4680
    Monday - Friday: 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (EDT)
  • For more information about All-Electronic Tolling, click here

*Note: Allow one business day for permits that require engineering review, and two weeks for review of super loads

The Permit Office is closed for the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin L. King's Birthday
  • Presidents’ Day
  • Good Friday
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Veterans’ Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

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