Section 554.204  Permits for Limited Continuous Operation

Permits for limited continuous operation are available for a period of three months or one year, except as otherwise indicated on the permit.  Movement on limited continuous operation permits is valid on the system of State highways under the jurisdiction of the Department.  The permittee shall move only on State routes approved for loads that do not exceed practical maximum weights (see Section 554.604).  Prior to each move, the permittee must research construction zones, posted structures, approved overweight routes, etc., from the following resources: http://www.dot.il.gov/tpublic.html#truckers, that lists information such as legal weights, ton structures and restrictions; www.gettingaroundillinois.com, that is an online designated truck route and overweight truck route interactive map; and the "Illinois Overweight and Overheight Permit Routes" map that is a hard copy map mailed to the permittee upon request. Information and maps available on the above-mentioned websites take precedence over the hard copy map mailed to the permittee with the permit.  All movements must be made in strict compliance with this Part and Form OPER 993.  The permit must be carried in the vehicle and must be available for inspection by police or Department officials.  The permit may not be transferred, extended or altered.  The permitted vehicle may not exceed the posted weight limit on any bridge.  Following is a list of available limited continuous operation permits:

a)         Limited continuous operation permits may be issued for the movement of oversize legal weight construction equipment or vehicles, provided:

1)         The movement will consist of a specific vehicle, a  piece of construction equipment, or a "like" load.  The vehicle or load may be moved on a specific vehicle, under its own power, or on a tractor/semitrailer vehicle combination.  A "like" load must be the same as the load described in the permit.  In order to minimize trips and conserve fuel, a permittee may haul, along with the designated object or "like" load, an additional legal size object, provided it is loaded within the legal width, height, and length dimensions and the axle and gross weights are legal;

2)         The vehicle or combination of vehicles is properly licensed if plates are required;

3)         The overall dimensions do not exceed 12 feet in width, 14 feet 6 inches in height, and 115 feet in length; and

4)         A permit may be obtained to move an oversize empty vehicle that is normally used to haul oversize and/or overweight permit loads.  Such permits are needed when returning empty after having delivered an oversize or overweight piece of equipment.  In order to minimize trips and conserve fuel, the permittee may, instead of returning empty, haul a legal size object with this permit, provided the axle and gross weights are legal and the object is loaded to conform to the legal width, height, and length limits.

b)         Limited continuous operation permits for the movement of manufactured homes or modular sections or oversize storage buildings may be issued, provided:

1)         The overall dimensions do not exceed 16 feet in width, 15 feet in height, and 115 feet in length (NOTE: One civilian escort is required for loads that exceed 14 feet 6 inches in width or 14 feet 6 inches in height or 110 feet in length.); and

2)         The permittee is a dealer licensed by the Secretary of State of Illinois or by another state to do business as a manufactured home dealer; a hauler having an Illinois Commerce Commission permit; a hauler having an Interstate Commerce Commission permit; a manufactured home manufacturer; or a federal, State, or local governmental agency.

c)         Limited continuous operation permits may be issued for the movement of stackable manufactured home frames provided:

1)         The overall dimensions do not exceed 16 feet in width, 13 feet 6 inches in height, and 115 feet in length (NOTE: One civilian escort is required for loads that exceed 14 feet 6 inches in width or 110 feet in length.);

2)         The permittee is a dealer licensed by the Illinois Secretary of State, or  another state, to do business as a manufactured home dealer; a hauler having an Illinois Commerce Commission permit; a hauler having an Interstate Commerce Commission permit; a manufactured home manufacturer; or a federal, State, or local government agency; and

3)         The bottom frame is equipped with operational brakes and lights.

d)         Limited continuous operation permits may be issued for highway construction, transportation, utility, and maintenance equipment owned and operated by a local governmental authority for a period of one year.

e)         Limited continuous operation permits may be issued for trusses, provided the overall dimensions do not exceed 14 feet in width, 13 feet 6 inches in height, and 115 feet in length.  (NOTE: One civilian escort is required for loads that exceed 110 feet in length.)

f)         Limited continuous operation permits may be issued for homogenous oversize items of any nature provided the overall dimensions do not exceed 12 feet in width, 14 feet 6 inches in height, and (nonstackable loads) 15 feet in length. (NOTE: One civilian escort is required for loads that exceed 110 feet in length.)

g)         Limited continuous operation permits may be issued for overweight loads, provided: 

1)         Weights are within the practical maximums (see Section 554.604); and

2)         The overall dimensions do not exceed 12 feet in width, 13 feet 6 inches in height, and 115 feet in length. (NOTE: One civilian escort is required for loads that exceed 110 feet in length.)

h)         Limited continuous operation permits may be issued for the movement of oversize/overweight vehicles and combinations from disablement sites, provided:

1)         No single axle within a tandem exceeds 26,000 pounds;

2)         No 2-axle tandem exceeds 50,000 pounds;

3)         No 3-axle tandem exceeds 60,000 pounds;

4)         The overall dimensions do not exceed 10 feet in width, 13 feet 6 inches in height, and 115 feet in length (NOTE: One civilian escort is required for loads that exceed 110 feet in length.); and 

5)         The movement is from the site of disablement to a point where the repairs  actually occur.

i)          Limited continuous operation permits may be issued for the movement of oversize/overweight vehicles and combinations to derailment sites, provided:

1)         Weights are within the practical maximums (see Section 554.604); and

2)         The overall dimensions do not exceed 12 feet in width, 13 feet 6 inches in height, and 110 feet in length.

j)          Limited continuous operation permits may be issued for the movement of raw milk transporters, provided:

1)         The gross weight does not exceed 80,000 pounds and single axles do not exceed 20,000 pounds;

2)        Weight on tires does not exceed manufacturer's rating; and

3)         The permittee does not travel on Interstate Highways.

(Source:  Amended at 36 Ill. Reg. 13254, effective August 1, 2012)