SUBPART A: GENERAL REGULATION

The Department of Transportation is authorized by the Illinois Size and Weight Law [625 ILCS5/Ch. 15] to issue special permits. These special permits allow the operation of vehicles or loads that exceed the legal maximum dimensions and weights. The permits are valid only for those
highways under Department jurisdiction. Part 554 shall supersede all policies previously established and published by the Department of Transportation pertaining to oversize and overweight permit movements.

The provisions of this Part are severable, and if any of the provisions shall be held unlawful by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of such court shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions.

        a) All applications for permits are given full consideration. Permits for proposed moves may be issued
            1) when the highways and bridges will not be unduly damaged; and
            2) when the safety of the traveling public will be adequately protected.
        b) A permit may also be issued when substantial benefits will be realized by a large segment of the public and potential damage and safety
            problems can be resolved.
        c) This Part is the official detailed policy written to provide a uniform system for issuing oversize and overweight permits. This Part is
            authorized by the Illinois Vehicle Code and, in addition to the statutes, governs the issuance of special permits. All of the terms,
            conditions, and informational requirements contained in this Part constitute the Department's official policies for this permit program.
        d) Questions regarding permits or permit policies should be directed to the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bureau of Operations
            Permit Office, 2300 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, Illinois 62764 (217-782-6271) or by email at: permitoffice@dot.il.gov.

A permit is required when a vehicle or load that exceeds legal sizes and weights is to be moved upon or across a highway for which the State is responsible. Form BT 753 (see Appendix A) illustrates legal size and weight maximums. For exemptions, see Sections 554.503 and 554.603.

Special permits are issued only in the names of those persons, firms, or corporations that own and operate the transporting vehicle or that operate the vehicle under a bona fide lease agreement.

Penalties for violating a permit are listed in Sections 15-112, 15-113, 15-113.1, 15-113.2, 15-113.3, and 15-301 of the Illinois Size and Weight Law and Chapter 16 of the Illinois Vehicle Code [625 ILCS 5/Ch. 16].

1. Proof of financial responsibility does not need to be on file with the Permit Office as a prerequisite to obtain a routine permit.
   a) Owners and/or operators of escort vehicles or vehicles with oversize loads exceeding 10 feet in width, 13 feet 6 inches in height, 110 feet in length, or overweight must have in effect or be self-insured in the minimum amount of $500,000 per occurrence combined bodily injury and property damage. Additional coverage may be required consistent with regulations of the United States Department of Transportation Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety and the Illinois Commerce Commission. For instance, a move made "for hire" will have
   to meet the insurance requirements established by the Illinois Commerce Commission.
   b) Owners and/or operators of vehicles with exceptionally large or heavy loads that require closing a highway, traveling at a slow speed on structures, or other maneuvers unexpected by the other motorists, may be required to have higher insurance limits, based upon an estimate of potential damages. The potential damages will be calculated by preparing an engineer's estimate of the repaving of the highway or repairing, replacing or strengthening structures, utilizing current Department contract costs. When such insurance is required, proof of coverage must be on file with the Permit Office.
   c) In the event Department facilities are damaged directly or indirectly due to the transportation of vehicles or objects authorized under the permit, the Department shall be reimbursed based upon the repair cost rather than depreciated value.
   d) The limits of insurance coverage herein stated do not relieve the grantee of the requirements of Section 554.106.

Information concerning for-hire moves under the Illinois Commercial Transportation Law [625 ILCS 5/Ch. 18c] may be obtained from the Motor Carrier Division of the Illinois Commerce Commission, Springfield, Illinois 62706.

1. Information concerning licensing of vehicles, financial responsibility requirements, and drivers' licenses may be obtained from the Office of the Secretary of State, Centennial Building, Springfield, Illinois 62756.
2. Information concerning motor fuel tax permits may be obtained from the Department of Revenue, Excise Tax Section, Springfield, Illinois 62708.
   Section 554.111 General IDT Information
   The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDT, the Department) registration and classification
   system authorized by Section 15-319 of the Illinois Size and Weight Law is a voluntary
   registration designed
   a) to identify vehicles making overweight moves,
   b) to provide flexibility by the use of similar vehicles when making these moves, and
   c) to facilitate highway and structure analyses, which in turn expedite the issuance of
   permits.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDT, the Department) registration and classification system authorized by Section 15-319 of the Illinois Size and Weight Law is a voluntary registration designed.

1. to identify vehicles making overweight moves,
2. to provide flexibility by the use of similar vehicles when making these moves, and
3. to facilitate highway and structure analyses, which in turn expedite the issuance of
   permits.

1. Applicants for special permits may apply for IDT registration and for a decal (label) that will identify a specific vehicle and its classification. Forms are available from the Permit Office.
2. IDT classifications are as follows:
   1) Class A Truck Tractor.
   A 3-axle vehicle with a 2-axle drive tandem capable of drawing a gross weight of up to 120,000 pounds.
   2) Class A Semitrailer.
   A 3-axle tandem semitrailer that, together with a truck tractor, will support and move a gross weight of 120,000 pounds.
   3) Class B Semitrailer.
   A 2-axle tandem semitrailer that, together with a truck tractor, will support and move a gross weight of 100,000 pounds.
   4) Class M Mobile Crane or Well Drilling Vehicles.
   A 4-axle vehicle; 76,000 pounds gross weight; maximums of 34,000 pounds on one tandem and 44,000 pounds on the other; wheelbase 23 feet or more; not more than 12 feet wide; not over 60 feet long.
   5) Class N Mobile Crane or Well Drilling Vehicles.
   3-axle vehicle; 68,000 pounds gross weight; 20,000 pounds on steering axle and 48,000 pounds on tandem; wheelbase 18 feet or more; no more than 12 feet wide; not over 60 feet long.
3. Conditions under which classification and registration may be obtained and used:
   1) IDT decals are valid for up to two years and cost $5.00 each. Checks
   should be made payable to "Treasurer, State of Illinois."
   2) To be valid, the proper decal must be affixed to the left side of the vehicle
   in a conspicuous place.
   3) When vehicles are classified and decals issued, vehicles may be identified
   both in applications for permits and in permits by classification only,
   provided the proposed move does not exceed the classification limits of
   the vehicle or of any vehicle within the combination.
   4) Vehicles identified only by classification may be used in combinations
   other than truck tractor semitrailers, providing axle spacings are furnished.