Ind. Code ch. 9-20-6

in effect

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-1 Application of chapter

Sec. 1. (a) This chapter applies to the issuance of the following permits: (1) A permit for the transportation of oversized or overweight vehicles and loads under section 2 or 2.2 of this chapter. (2) A toll road gate permit under section 3 of this chapter. (3) An emergency permit issued under section 4 of this chapter. (4) A permit for oversized semitrailers or trailers used with semitrailers under section 6 of this chapter. (b) IC 9-20-2-1 applies to the issuance of a permit to operate machinery or equipment for the construction of highways. (c) IC 9-20-9 applies to the issuance of a special towing permit for the operation of a combination of vehicles on a highway. (d) IC 9-20-14 applies to the issuance of the following permits: (1) A general permit for the operation of a tractor-mobile home rig. (2) A special permit for the operation of a tractor-mobile home rig. (e) IC 9-20-15 applies to the issuance of the following permits: (1) A general permit for the operation of a special tractor-mobile home rig. (2) A special permit for the operation of a special tractor-mobile home rig. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: New.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.196-2017, SEC.2; P.L.179-2021, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-2 Transportation of heavy vehicles or loads not conforming to this article; special permit; conditions; limitations

Sec. 2. (a) The Indiana department of transportation or local authority that: (1) has jurisdiction over a highway or street; and (2) is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the highway or street; may, upon proper application in writing and upon good cause shown, grant a permit for transporting heavy vehicles and loads or other objects not conforming to this article, including a vehicle transporting an ocean going container, if the department or authority finds that other traffic will not be seriously affected and the highway or bridge will not be seriously damaged. (b) The permit granted under subsection (a) must authorize the operation of a tractor-semitrailer and load that: (1) exceeds the maximum length limitation under this chapter; and (2) is subject to regulation under this chapter; from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset. (c) A permit may be issued under this section for the following: (1) A single trip. A permit issued under this subdivision is valid for five (5) days from the date it is issued. However, if a tractor-semitrailer and load require a law enforcement escort, a permit issued under this subdivision is valid for ten (10) days from the date it is issued. (2) A definite time not exceeding thirty (30) days. (3) A ninety (90) day period. (4) A one (1) year period. (d) This subsection applies to the transportation of ocean going containers that: (1) have been sealed at the place of origin and have not been opened except by an agent of the federal government that may inspect the contents; and (2) are being transported to or from a distribution facility. The total gross weight, with load of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting an ocean going container may not exceed ninety-five thousand (95,000) pounds. A permit issued under this section must be issued on an annual basis. A permit issued under this subsection may not impose a limit on the number of movements generated by the applicant or operator of a vehicle granted a permit under this subsection. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-16(a); (b).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.119-1995, SEC.3; P.L.36-2006, SEC.1; P.L.134-2007, SEC.3; P.L.3-2008, SEC.77; P.L.182-2009(ss), SEC.290; P.L.147-2026, SEC.16.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-2.1 Transportation of bulk milk and items belonging to an electric cooperative; special permit; conditions; limitations

Sec. 2.1. (a) As used in this section, "electric cooperative" means an entity that is organized under IC 8-1-13. (b) As used in this section, "equivalent single axle load" means the known quantifiable and standardized amount of damage to highway pavement structures equivalent to one (1) pass of a single eighteen thousand (18,000) pound dual tire axle, with all four (4) tires on the axle inflated to one hundred ten (110) pounds per square inch. (c) The Indiana department of transportation or local authority that: (1) has jurisdiction over a highway or street; and (2) is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the highway or street; may, upon proper application in writing and upon good cause shown, grant a permit for transporting bulk milk or material, products, or equipment belonging to an electric cooperative that are necessary for the installation or maintenance of facilities owned or operated by the electric cooperative which allows for transportation of loads of up to one hundred thousand (100,000) pounds. (d) If the department of transportation grants a permit under subsection (c) to an applicant whose total equivalent single axle load calculation is equal to or less than 2.40 equivalent single axle load credit, the department of transportation shall issue the permit annually. (e) If the department of transportation grants a permit under subsection (c) to an applicant whose total equivalent single axle load calculation is greater than 2.40 equivalent single axle load credit, the department of transportation may issue the permit pursuant to section 2 of this chapter. (f) The fee for an annual permit issued under subsection (d) is twenty dollars ($20). As added by P.L.54-2018, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.110-2019, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-2.2 Overweight divisible loads permitted under certain circumstances; procedures; requirements; reports

Sec. 2.2. (a) This section applies to overweight divisible loads (as defined in IC 9-13-2-120.7). (b) As used in this section, "equivalent single axle load" means the known quantifiable and standardized amount of damage to highway pavement structures equivalent to one (1) pass of a single eighteen thousand (18,000) pound dual tire axle, with all four (4) tires on the axle inflated to one hundred ten (110) pounds per square inch. (c) A permit issued under this section does not apply to a highway under a local authority's jurisdiction. (d) Subject to subsection (e), the Indiana department of transportation may, upon proper application in writing, grant a permit for transporting overweight vehicles and overweight divisible loads carrying resources on a highway in the state highway system, including state maintained routes through cities and towns. (e) A permit granted under this section may be used only on designated highways within the state highway system, avoiding highways under a local authority's jurisdiction. (f) A permit issued under this section may designate the route to be traversed and may contain any other restrictions or conditions required for the safe movement of the vehicle. If the department designates a route, a deviation from that route constitutes a violation subject to a civil penalty under IC 9-20-18-14.5. (g) A permit issued under this section is limited to a gross vehicle weight of more than eighty thousand (80,000) pounds, but not more than one hundred twenty thousand (120,000) pounds. (h) Not later than October 1, 2021, the Indiana department of transportation shall recalculate and apply permit fees for annual and trip permits granted under this section based on the Joint Transportation Research Program publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2014/14. The Indiana department of transportation shall consider the impact of overweight divisible loads on roads and highways in recalculating permit fees under this subsection. (i) Except as provided in subsection (k), the Indiana department of transportation may not issue more than eight thousand five hundred (8,500) single trip permits annually for applicants with a total equivalent single axle load calculation of more than 2.40 equivalent single axle load credit. (j) A trip permit limit set under subsection (i) and a permit weight limit set under subsection (g) do not include overweight divisible load permits obtained by shippers and carriers that obtained permits before January 1, 2021. (k) The Indiana department of transportation may temporarily increase the number of permits issued under subsection (i) by order of the commissioner in response to an emergency or changes in market conditions as defined by rules adopted under subsection (m). (l) The Indiana department of transportation may limit the number of permits issued under subsection (i) to an individual applicant. (m) The Indiana department of transportation shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 for the issuance, administration, fee structure, calculation of equivalent single axle load values, and enforcement of a permit under this section due to lack of transportation options for certain resources, supply chain interruptions, or supply dock backlogs. (n) The Indiana department of transportation may suspend overweight divisible load permitting if the department observes an unusual increase in: (1) infrastructure damage on a permitted route; or (2) the number of accidents associated with overweight divisible loads. (o) Not later than July 1, 2023, the Indiana department of transportation shall submit a report to the legislative council and to the interim study committee on roads and transportation established by IC 2-5-1.3-4 in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 regarding: (1) the fee structure and recommended changes to the fee structure for permits issued under this section; and (2) the impact of overweight divisible loads on roads and highways. (p) Beginning July 1, 2022, the Indiana department of transportation shall, before July 1 of each year, submit a report to the legislative council and to the interim study committee on roads and transportation established by IC 2-5-1.3-4 in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 regarding the market fluctuation in the number of overweight divisible load permits issued during the previous year. (q) Beginning July 1, 2022, the Indiana state police department shall, before July 1 of each year, submit a report to the legislative council and to the interim study committee on roads and transportation established by IC 2-5-1.3-4 in an electronic format under IC 5-14-6 regarding the number of accidents involving applicants permitted for overweight divisible loads. The report must include at least the following: (1) The number of accidents that resulted in property damage. (2) The number of accidents that resulted in personal injury. As added by P.L.179-2021, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.93-2024, SEC.94.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-2.5 Local authority to grant permits for transporting overweight divisible loads

Sec. 2.5. (a) A local authority that: (1) has jurisdiction over a state highway, an interstate highway, or a local street; and (2) is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the state highway, interstate highway, or local street; may, upon proper application in writing and upon good cause shown, grant a permit for transporting overweight divisible loads on or over roads or streets under the control of a local authority. (b) If a local authority grants a permit under subsection (a), the local authority may designate a route for the permit. A deviation from that route constitutes a violation subject to a civil penalty under IC 9-20-18-14.5. As added by P.L.135-2013, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.179-2021, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-3 Annual toll road gate permit; issuance; limitations; fee

Sec. 3. (a) An annual toll road gate permit also may be issued by the Indiana department of transportation to a commercial motor vehicle for the pulling of a combination unit that meets the size and weight standards for Indiana toll roads, prescribed by the Indiana department of transportation. The annual permit may not be issued for a distance greater than fifteen (15) total miles to or from a gate of the toll road and is valid only when used in conjunction with toll road travel. (b) The fee for an annual toll road gate permit issued under subsection (a) in conjunction with travel on the Indiana toll road is twenty dollars ($20). [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-16(c); Pre-2016 Revision Citation: subsection (b) formerly 9-29-6-4.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.198-2016, SEC.342.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-4 Maximum vehicle weight; emergency permit; issuance; conditions; regulation of movement

Sec. 4. (a) Notwithstanding IC 9-20-4 and subject to subsection (b), the maximum vehicle weight for an authorized emergency vehicle operated on a highway shall not be less than: (1) twenty-four thousand (24,000) pounds on a single steering axle; (2) thirty-three thousand five hundred (33,500) pounds on a single drive axle; (3) sixty-two thousand (62,000) pounds on a tandem axle; or (4) fifty-two thousand (52,000) pounds on a tandem rear drive steer axle. (b) The maximum gross vehicle weight of an authorized emergency vehicle operated on a highway is eighty-six thousand (86,000) pounds. (c) The Indiana department of transportation or an agency or a political subdivision authorized by this article to grant permits to operate tractor-mobile home rigs or permits for transporting heavy or oversize vehicles, loads, or other objects not conforming to this article may issue emergency permits to operate in or through Indiana without regard to IC 9-20-14-2 to a person during the period that the following conditions exist: (1) A state of disaster emergency has been declared by the governor under IC 10-14-3-12. (2) A state of emergency has been declared by the federal government for an area outside Indiana. (3) The granting of emergency permits reasonably can be expected to provide relief of the conditions causing the declaration of the state of emergency. (d) The Indiana department of transportation, an agency, or a political subdivision shall regulate movements by emergency permits to avoid undue hazards. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-20.2.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.2-2003, SEC.39; P.L.196-2017, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-5 Public utility facilities; transportation of materials reasonably necessary to restore facility; reporting requirements; fees

Sec. 5. (a) If a breakdown or threatened breakdown of electric, gas, water, or telephone public utility facilities occurs in Indiana, the public utility whose services to the public are or may be affected may in the emergency, without securing a permit, transport over highways or streets heavy vehicles and loads or other objects not conforming to this article if it is reasonably necessary to do so to restore utility service at the earliest practicable time or to prevent the interruption of utility service. The public utility shall, not later than the second succeeding day that is not a Sunday or holiday, report the fact of the transportation to the public authority from whom a permit would otherwise have been required. (b) The public utility shall pay to the public authority an amount equal to the fee that would have been due for a permit under this article. The making of the report and payment of the fee satisfies all requirements of this chapter concerning the securing of a permit for the trip required by the emergency. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-16(d) part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.198-2016, SEC.343.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-6 Oversized semitrailers, trailers, and recreational vehicles; transportation from manufacturer to buyer; route designation; issuance; term; limitations; fee

Sec. 6. (a) The Indiana department of transportation or local unit authorized to issue permits under this chapter may issue permits for transporting: (1) semitrailers or trailers designed to be used with semitrailers that exceed the width and length limitations imposed under this article; and (2) recreational vehicles that exceed the maximum width limitation set forth in IC 9-20-3-2; from the manufacturing facility to the person taking title to the vehicle, including any other destination in the marketing cycle. (b) A permit issued under this section may designate the route to be traversed and may contain any other restrictions or conditions required for the safe movement of the vehicle. (c) A permit issued to the manufacturer under this section must be applied for and reissued annually after the permit's initial issuance. (d) A limit is not imposed on the number of movements generated by a manufacturer that is issued an annual permit under this section. (e) The fee for an annual permit issued under this section is two hundred dollars ($200). The fee may be paid in quarterly installments. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-25; Pre-2016 Revision Citation: subsection (e) formerly 9-29-6-5.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.79-2000, SEC.4; P.L.198-2016, SEC.344.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-7 Repealed

[Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-19.8 part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Repealed by P.L.100-1991, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-8 Permit; route designation; safety restrictions

Sec. 8. A permit issued under this article may designate the route to be traversed and contain any other restrictions or conditions necessary for the proper protection of the traffic, highway, or bridge. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-16(d) part.] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-9 Violation of permit regulations; permit not construed as defense to holder

Sec. 9. A permit issued under this article may not be construed as protection to or as a defense by a holder of a permit if the restrictions and rules to which the permit is subject are violated. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-16(e).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-10 Damages to highway; proof of ability to satisfy; bond or security

Sec. 10. Before a permit is issued under this article, an applicant must satisfy the officer or body issuing the permit of the applicant's responsibility to respond in damages for damage to the highway or bridge or furnish satisfactory bond or other security to the satisfaction of the issuing officer or body. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-16(f).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-11 Inspection of permits; violations of terms and conditions; liability for damages to highway; additional registration and licensing

Sec. 11. (a) A permit issued under this chapter shall: (1) be carried in or on the vehicle or other object to which the permit refers; and (2) be open to inspection by a police officer. (b) A person may not violate the terms or conditions of a special permit. (c) The issuance of a special permit under this chapter: (1) does not relieve the responsibility for damages to a highway imposed by this article; and (2) does not, for: (A) the use of a vehicle already registered and licensed; (B) the use of a vehicle not subject to registration and licensing under IC 9-18 (before its expiration), IC 9-18.1, or IC 9-18.5; or (C) the moving of objects other than vehicles under the special permit; require further registration and licensing to authorize the issuance of the special permit. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-8-1-16(l).] As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.257-2017, SEC.32.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-12 Conditions under which permits may not be issued

Sec. 12. The Indiana department of transportation may not issue a permit under this chapter for the operation of a vehicle if any of the following conditions apply: (1) The owner or operator of the vehicle has not complied with IC 8-2.1-24. (2) The owner or operator of the vehicle has not provided the Indiana department of transportation with the owner's or operator's Social Security number or federal identification number. (3) The owner or operator of the vehicle has not registered the vehicle with the bureau, if the vehicle is required to be registered under IC 9-18 (before its expiration) or IC 9-18.1. As added by P.L.122-1993, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.110-1995, SEC.31; P.L.257-2017, SEC.33.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-13 Fee for special permit

Sec. 13. (a) The fees for a special permit issued under this chapter to exceed the legal length, width, or height limit for vehicles, loaded or unloaded, are as follows: (1) A permit not subject to subdivision (2) or (3), twenty dollars ($20). (2) A permit issued to exceed ninety-five (95) feet overall length, one hundred forty-eight (148) inches overall width, or the height limit, thirty dollars ($30). (3) The ninety (90) day permit issued under this chapter, one hundred dollars ($100). (4) The one (1) year permit issued under this chapter, four hundred five dollars ($405). (b) Whenever a permit is issued by the Indiana department of transportation under this chapter, the Indiana department of transportation shall fix the fee to be paid. Upon payment of the fee, the Indiana department of transportation shall validate the permit. The revenue from the fee shall be credited to the state highway fund. [Pre-2016 Revision Citations: 9-29-6-2; subsection (b) formerly 9-29-6-10(a).] As added by P.L.198-2016, SEC.345.

Ind. Code § 9-20-6-14 Local commercial motor vehicle ordinances

Sec. 14. Except as authorized by this chapter or otherwise expressly authorized by statute, a local authority may not adopt or enforce an ordinance that requires an operator of a commercial motor vehicle to obtain a permit from the local authority to operate the commercial motor vehicle within the jurisdiction of the local authority. As added by P.L.196-2017, SEC.4.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/9Fetched: 10/17/2026