OSOW General Information
Indiana law states that drivers must obtain an oversize and/or overweight (OSOW) vehicle permit before traveling on Indiana roads if their vehicle exceeds:
- 13 feet 6 inches in height
- 8 feet 6 inches in width
- 53 feet (semi-tractor-semi-trailer combination) in length; or
- 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (subject to axle weights)
Two-vehicle combinations totaling 60 feet or more are not eligible for OSOW permits unless the vehicle is registered as a tractor trailer or one of the vehicles is a fifth-wheel travel trailer.
Most Indiana OSOW permits are issued by the Indiana Department of Revenue's (DOR) Motor Carrier Services (MCS), under the guidance and rules set by INDOT and in accordance with Indiana law. The Oversize/Overweight (OSOW) unit at MCS helps drivers make these loads non-divisible and properly marked to ensure the safety of all motorists. Also, MCS issues and collects civil penalties for OSOW violations issued by Indiana State Police (ISP).
In addition to obtaining a permit, drivers must follow signage, escort and other requirements. In some cases, loads are required to have an Indiana State Police escort. Requirements are listed on M-204, General Provisions of an Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permit and M-204S, Special Provisions for Vehicle Permitting. A paper or electronic copy of the M-204 and, if applicable, the M-204S, must be kept with the OSOW permit.
Farm vehicles that meet the dimensions listed above and travel on any interstate in Indiana need an OSOW permit. Farm vehicles are not exempt from escort requirements on secondary roads. For more information on escort requirements, see Form M-204, General Provisions of an Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permit.
Indiana Oversize Overweight Permitting System Overview
Motor carrier customers can apply for OSOW permits using our comprehensive system that features multiple ways to input destinations and the option to choose a pre-approved route or one of the system’s alternate routes to receive your permit immediately.
You can access our OSOW permitting system through motorcarrier.dor.in.gov. If you had an account for the previous system, you do not need to create a new account or login.
Gear up before applying for your next permit by:
- Viewing a demonstration
- Reading our quick start guide and the comprehensive online user guide
- Knowing how to import vehicles into the new system
- Watching these short video tutorials:
You may want to have the quick start guide and user guide available when applying for your first few permits.
For more information on the transition to the Indiana Oversize/Overweight Permitting System, read “Navigating the Change” and watch this informative video from Operations Manager Jay Erickson:
Applying for an Oversize/Overweight Permit
Customers can apply for, pay fees and print OSOW permit(s) and general provisions online, 24/7. The majority of requests are typically approved on the next business day; however, other factors may extend wait times. Permits will be approved automatically if the applicant selects a predetermined route that fits their load's dimensions.
To reduce the chances of a permit being delayed or rejected, applicants are encouraged to plan or check their route on the INDOT Truckers' Info website before applying for a permit. Taking the extra time to ensure all permit data is entered correctly in the permit application portal also avoids rejects and manual reviews.
Depending on the type of permit and route, you may need to provide additional information when applying for a permit. The following resources may assist in providing accurate route information to MCS for faster processing:
- Current Indiana Road Detours and Restrictions
- Indiana Maps Provided by INDOT
- Indiana Toll Road Map
- Federal Bridge Calculator
Some customers prefer to use a third-party service to obtain OSOW permits. DOR does not endorse or regulate these services. A list of permitting service companies is available for your convenience.
Applying for a permit for the first time? Read more about setting up an account.
For the Indiana Oversize/Overweight (OSOW) Permitting System to work properly, users should have only one tab open at one time and use the Google Chrome browser. Other tabs may open during the permitting process to show reference information. You will need to close these tabs when you are finished reviewing the information and return to the original tab. More information on how to apply for OSOW permits is available in the comprehensive user guide.
Oversize/Overweight (OSOW) Civil Penalties
Information below reflects changes in Indiana law as of July 1, 2023.
Under Indiana Code (IC) 9-20-18-14.5(b), a carrier transporting vehicles or loads under a permit and violates Indiana Code 9-20 (including violation of permit guidelines) is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for the first violation and not more than $1,500 for each subsequent violation.
Effective February 14, 2025, under IC 9-20-18-14.5(c) & 45 IAC 22-1-2, a carrier that transports vehicles or loads under Indiana Code 9-20 and fails to obtain the required permit(s) is subject to a civil penalty not more than $2,500 for the first violation, and not more than $5,000 for each subsequent violation described in an Indiana State Police examination report.
Under IC 9-20-18-14.5(d), a carrier that transports vehicles or loads subject to Indiana Code 9-20 and in excess of its legal weight or dimensional limits and for which no permit is available is subject to a civil penalty for each issued Indiana State Police (ISP) vehicle examination report as follows:
- DOR may assess a civil penalty of $500 for a violation when a vehicle or load is in excess of the dimensional limits.
- DOR may assess a civil penalty of:
- $500 for a violation when the total excess weight is at least 1,000 pounds and less than 5,000 pounds
- $1,000 for a violation when the total excess weight is at least 5,000 pounds and less than 10,000 pounds
- $5,000 for a violation when the total excess weight is at least 10,000 pounds.
Civil penalties are:
- Imposed on the person (or company) whose USDOT number is registered on the vehicle transporting the load; and
- In addition to any fines and/or penalties that may have been separately assessed under Indiana law by law enforcement or a court.
Customers who receive a proposed assessment letter for OSOW violations from DOR Motor Carrier Services (MCS) have 60 days from the date of the proposed assessment letter to pay in full or protest the assessment. Details on how to pay or submit a protest are contained in the proposed assessment letter.
Settlement agreements may be available by contacting the DOR’s Legal Division at OSWsettlement@dor.in.gov within 60 days of the date of the proposed assessment letter. Initiating settlement negotiations with DOR does not remove a customer’s right to protest within 60 days of the date of the proposed assessment letter.
See information on the defenses and mitigating factors DOR may consider in determining whether to eliminate or reduce an assessed civil penalty during settlement negotiations or a protest.
For more information about OSOW, refer to the OSOW handbook, MCS Frequently Asked Questions, or call 317-615-7200, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. ET.
More Information
- DOR MCS Forms and Application
- MCS Contact Information
- OSOW Fee Chart
- Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division
- Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
- BMV Commercial Driver License Info
- Indiana Toll Road
- Indiana Oversize/Overweight Permitting System User Guide
- Indiana Oversize/Overweight Permitting System Quick Start Guide
- Indiana Oversize/Overweight Permitting System online webinar (early 2020)
- Importing Vehicles into the OSOW Permitting System (INOSOWPS)
- Video tutorials: