Do I need a bond for oversize permits?
Some states require carriers to post a bond before issuing oversize or superload permits. The bond protects the state from infrastructure damage if the load damages bridges, roadway, or overhead structures during the move. Bond amounts typically run $5,000-$50,000 for standard oversize moves and higher for superloads. Not every state requires bonding; the state DOT permit office specifies the requirement at application.
State DOT bond requirements for oversize permits vary widely. Some states require bonding for any oversize move; some require it only for superloads or for specific load configurations (very heavy axle loads, high-clearance loads); some states do not require bonding at all and rely on standard motor-carrier insurance to cover infrastructure damage. The state DOT specifies the bond requirement at permit application.
Bond amounts typically run $5,000-$50,000 for standard oversize moves. The amount is set based on the state's assessment of potential infrastructure exposure — heavier loads, taller loads, and loads on routes with vulnerable bridges or overhead structures get higher bond requirements. Superload moves can require bond amounts of $100,000+ in states with strict bonding regimes.
The bond is typically a surety bond purchased from an insurance company specifically for the move. Surety bond cost is approximately 1-3% of the bond face amount as the annual premium; for a $25,000 bond covering a single-trip oversize move, the surety bond cost is typically $250-$750. Some carriers maintain blanket bonding arrangements with their surety providers for repeat oversize work; one-off oversize movers buy the bond per-move.
For carriers running regular oversize work, surety providers offer multi-state blanket bonds that satisfy bond requirements across multiple states under a single instrument. Blanket bonds are economically efficient for carriers running 10+ oversize moves per year; one-off carriers stay on the per-move surety path. The bond is in addition to the state DOT permit fee, not a substitute for it.