Below, are some of the most popular questions and their answers. Please look here first. If you do not see your question here, please submit via email. We will answer you and, if your question is one that we feel others may want to know, we will also reprint it here along with the answer.
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I applied for and received a permit not long ago to move a load. I am now applying for a permit to move the same load over the same route. Is there some way I can just get the first permit renewed, or must I go through the same approval process again?
If everything about your application will be the same as before – same routes, same direction, same gross vehicle weight and dimensions (height, width, length, and overhang), and the same axle weights and spacings – AND your previous permit was issued within the last 30 days, then we may issue the new permit without going through the normal analysis and approval process. You must, however, submit a new application give us (either on the application, by FAX, or by telephone) the previous permit number so we can verify that everything is the same and that the previous permit was issued within the last 30 days.
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How much weight (or width, height, etc.) can I get on US-119 (or any other route) on five axles (or six, seven, or any other number of axles)?
We occasionally get questions like this and we cannot give you a quick answer. It simply does not work like that in West Virginia; we don’t have lists of allowable weights or dimensions on various routes. All of our bridge weight and clearance information is stored on a computer analysis program, through which we run each and every single trip application. We may be able to give you an educated guess on a question such as this, if the route is one that we frequently permit, but the only way to give you a truly accurate answer is for you to submit an application and let us run the computer analysis on it.
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Does West Virginia allow weekend travel?
If you request weekend travel on the application, we will evaluate your request and either grant it or state on the permit that weekend travel is denied.
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Does West Virginia allow travel after dark?
Generally, no, but if there is some reason you need to travel at night, you may request continuous travel and explain why you are requesting it and we will evaluate your request. Also, we do normally allow radioactive and hazardous waste loads continuous travel.
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How long does it take to get a permit?
Normally, we will issue an Oversize/Overweight Single Trip Permit within 24 hours of receiving the application. Superload Permits may take 48 hours or more. There are simply too many variables to set definite limits on this. We may have higher-than-normal numbers of applications. Your load may fail on bridge weight or for clearance reasons, on our automated analysis program, requiring us to submit your application to District bridge personnel for further evaluation. We may have to arrange for permit monitoring. On the other hand, if there are no problems, you may get your permit within a few hours of applying or almost immediately. It is always best to apply well in advance. Please rest assured that we will issue your permit as soon as we possibly can.
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How do I apply for fuel tax stickers?
Please contact the West Virginia State Tax Department at (304)558-3629.
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How do I get an encroachment (driveway) permit?
Contact your local Division of Highways District or County office
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What permit service and/or escort (pilot car) service should I use? How much do they cost?
We cannot recommend any certain private company to you; to do so would be unethical. We can FAX you a list of permit services that have accounts with West Virginia. For escorts, we recommend that you do a search on the internet or consult a local phone book. You should request prices from the companies you contact – we cannot say what they will charge you.
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May I apply for a hauling permit by telephone and pay with a credit card?
No – we do not accept applications over the phone and we do not accept credit cards. Your options are listed below.
- You may apply through GotPermits.com. This is a self-issue site owned and operated by The Bentley Corporation. Bentley charges a nominal fee for using the site, but they will accept major credit cards or you can establish an escrow account with them for payment. On GotPermits, it is possible to select your routes and analyze the trip yourself – if it passes the analysis, you may print-out your permit almost immediately on your own printer. Go to www.GotPermits.com for details.
- You may apply on the site you are on right now by going back to the Hauling Permits main page and clicking on the Permits Online link if you have a West Virginia account. If you do not have a West Virginia account, you may apply for one by clicking on the Business Information Sheet link on the Hauling Permits main page. Print out the Business Information Sheet, complete it, and FAX it to our Finance Division (the number is on the Sheet). Once an account has been established, you may call our office to get a user name and password. Then you may apply through Permits Online. Your application will go into a pending queue here in our office and someone will process it as soon as possible. You will be billed each month for any permits purchased during the previous billing cycle. There is no fee for opening a state account and there is no additional fee (other than the cost of the permit) for applying online through www.wvdot.com.
- You may apply by U.S. Mail, FedEx, etc., if your load is over-dimensional only (not overweight). Send a check or money order made out to WVDOT for $20. This option is generally suitable for a private individual (rather than a hauling company) who occasionally needs to move a storage building or a boat, or some other load where weight is not a factor.
- If you are in, or are planning to be in, the Charleston area, you may apply at our office in person. Our office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). You may pay by check or money order, but we do not accept cash, credit cards, or debit cards.