LHTAC worked in cooperation with the Idaho Association of Highway Districts (IAHD), the Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) and the Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) to negotiate with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) to develop a process to assist local jurisdictions in issuing permits for Over-Legal loads. As a result, ITD has adopted an “Opt-in” process that allows Local Highway Jurisdictions (LHJ’s) to enter into an agreement that will allow ITD to issue permits on routes approved by the local jurisdictions.

LHTAC has compiled a valuable collection of information regarding this topic on our website under our Resources tab, https://lhtac.org/resources/over-legal-truck-resources/. There you will find a Draft Resolution and Draft Scope of Work which can aide your jurisdiction in approving Over-Legal routes including those designated for 129,000 pound vehicles. Also on the website you will find “State-Local Over-Legal Permit Agreement” which is the agreement your jurisdiction would sign to “Opt-in” allowing ITD to issue permits valid within your jurisdiction. Per Idaho Code, ITD will charge and keep an administrative fee for the issuance of these permits.

The following steps are intended to allow your jurisdiction to efficiently issue permits for Over-Legal permit requests.

1. Review the “Opt-in” agreement in its entirety so you understand (as a Local Highway Jurisdiction) what you are signing and what the agreement covers.
2. Present the agreement to your Commissioners or Council Members for their approval.
3. Submit the signed agreement to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). It may take 6-18 months to incorporate your jurisdiction into their system.
4. Determine what routes you will allow Over-Legal vehicles to use in your jurisdiction.
   1. Review and approve each route request. You may reference the “Guide to Assist Idaho Local Highway Jurisdictions in Evaluating Route Requests for Trucks up to 129,000 Pounds” which is found on the LHTAC website.
5. Provide a list of approved routes to ITD that your jurisdiction has designated for Over-Legal vehicle use.   ITD will then include these on the route maps available on their website.
6. ITD will issue permits only on APPROVED routes.

This is a great opportunity for LHJ’s to promote good freight shipping in Idaho while better protecting the local roadways of Idaho.

If your jurisdiction chooses to “Opt-in” please be aware you may cancel the agreement at any time. LHTAC can assist you in this process.

If you have any questions on the approval process or the “Opt-in” agreement, please feel free to contact Kevin Kuther, kkuther@lhtac.org, (208) 344-0565.