Legal size limits without a permit
| Measurement | Delaware legal limit |
|---|---|
| Height | 13'6" |
| Width | 8'6" (plus 3" each side for safety equipment on Interstates) |
| Front Overhang | 3' |
| Rear Overhang | 6' |
Axle and gross weights
How much each axle group and the whole vehicle can carry in Delaware, without a permit and with an overweight permit.
| Axle group | Legal limit | With a permit |
|---|---|---|
| Steer axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Single axle | 22,400 lbs (all roads); 20,000 lbs (Interstate) | UNCONFIRMED - evaluated per load |
| Tandem axle | UNCONFIRMED - not published as a single flat figure | Evaluated per Federal Bridge Formula; no flat published figure |
| Tridem axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Quad axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Loads up to 120,000 lbs handled as standard overweight permits; above that, weight-based fees and superload processing apply |
Superload: 15'+ wide, 15'+ high, 120'+ long, or gross weight over 120,000 lbs
Permit types we file in Delaware
Single-Trip Oversize/Overweight PermitValid 5 days for a single move.
Superload PermitFor loads meeting/exceeding Delaware's superload thresholds; requires a formal route survey.
Multi-Trip / Annual PermitsShip (multi-trip), Pole & Piling, Twin Trailer, and Blanket Crane annual permits.
Maximum dimensions with a permit
| Dimension | Maximum with a permit |
|---|---|
| Length | Up to 120' before superload classification |
| Width | Up to 12' under standard permits; 13'-15' require escorts; 15'+ is superload |
| Height | Up to 14'6" under standard permits; 15'+ is superload |
| Rear Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
Delaware defines a superload as 15'+ wide, 15'+ high, 120'+ long, or over 120,000 lbs GVW, triggering a formal route survey and extended processing time.
Escorts and travel restrictions
Escort & pilot car rules
- Width 13'-14': one escort (rear on multi-lane, front on two-lane); over 14': front and rear escorts, plus State Police over 15'.
- Length 90'+: one rear escort; 100'+: front and rear; 120'+: front, rear, and State Police escort.
- Height 15'+: front and rear escorts; 17'6"+: front, rear, and State Police escort.
- Gross weight over 120,000 lbs requires front and rear escorts.
When you can travel
- Standard oversize/overweight permits are limited to daylight hours (sunrise to sunset), 7 days a week.
- Wide/tall superloads are additionally restricted from traveling 6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m.
- Movement is prohibited on major federal holidays.
- Superloads cannot move between noon Friday and noon Monday from May 15 through October 1 if normal posted speeds cannot be maintained.
Signs, flags and lights
Most states require
- An “OVERSIZE LOAD” banner on the front of the truck and the rear of the load.
- Red or fluorescent orange warning flags at each corner and at the widest points of the load.
- Amber warning lights or clearance lights when moving at night, where night travel is allowed.
Delaware specifics
- Banner size, flag size and light rules for Delaware are listed on your permit.
- We include them in your permit notes so your driver has them before the trip.
Rules change. Limits and requirements are set by DelDOT and can change. We confirm the current rules for your exact load before filing.