In response to Gov. Mike Parson’s declaration of a drought alert in more than half of Missouri’s counties, the Missouri Department of Transportation is offering a special overwidth hauling permit at no charge to help farmers and ranchers move hay as needed. Loads must be of legal height, length, and weight.
Permits can be requested using the MoDOT Carrier Express online service, located at www.modot.org/mce. To ensure the fee is waived, hay haulers should place a comment in the application about the fee waiver. The blanket permit fee of $96 and a single trip fee of $15 are waived for hay haulers through Dec. 1, 2023.
Before hauling, drivers must apply for the special overwidth hauling permit for loads that exceed 8 feet and 6 inches in width, and map their route to avoid work zones, bridges, and other areas that have weight, narrow-lane, or height restrictions. This information, as well as a special bridge and height restriction view, is available on the MoDOT Traveler Information Map.
MoDOT’s waiver and special overwidth permit allow drivers in Missouri to:
- Obtain the permit at no cost.
- Haul hay loads of up to 12 feet and 6 inches in width using a blanket permit.
- Haul hay loads up to 14 feet in width using single-trip permits.
- Move hay during holiday periods and at night. At night, or when visibility is less than 500 feet, drivers must use a reflective, oversized load sign and clearance lights instead of the normal flags required at the edges of the load.
Drivers must adhere to all permit requirements, such as using proper signage and lighting and stopping at weigh stations. Drivers should also be advised that most of the southeastern United States is currently under a quarantine zone for imported fire ants, which can be easily spread through the movement of hay. Farmers and ranchers who believe they have received fire ants in a shipment of hay should call their local University of Missouri Extension agent as soon as possible.
Those visiting the MoDOT Carrier Express system for the first time will find a link to obtain a customer ID and password needed to access the service. Required information includes:
- The make, license plate number, and vehicle identification number (VIN) of the power unit, and
- The farm business name and address.
MoDOT permits cover movement within Missouri only and are required for each truck. Questions may be directed to MoDOT’s Motor Carrier Services office at 1-800-877-8499.
