Illinois Harvest Permits Available Now

Monday, September 4, 2023

Illinois farmers gearing up for harvest season can now obtain their Illinois Harvest Permits, which will remain valid until December 31. These permits enable trucks hauling agricultural commodities to exceed legal gross, axle, and registered weights by up to 10%.

To secure your permit for state routes, you must apply online through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) website at webapps.dot.illinois.gov/ITAP.

It's important to note that a route authorization must accompany the state permit. The route authorization specifies the approved travel route and ensures that there are no weight limit postings along that designated path.

Farmers can obtain the route authorization on the Illinois Transportation Automated Permit (ITAP) website. It's crucial to update this authorization at least every 14 days to reflect any changes in your route. When transporting overweight loads, the permit, route authorization, and form OPER 993 must be carried in the truck, either in paper form or electronically.

Rodney Knittel, Assistant Director of Transportation and Infrastructure at the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), encourages members to utilize IFB's resources available on myifb.org. These resources provide valuable guidance on navigating the ITAP website and streamlining the permit application process.

It's important to note that the Illinois harvest permit from IDOT exclusively covers travel on state routes and does not extend to interstates or local routes. For travel on local routes, jurisdictions may issue their own harvest season permits but are not obligated to do so. Additionally, local authorities have the discretion to waive the permit requirement in writing, allowing overweight loads on their road systems.

It's crucial to emphasize that none of the overweight permits allow vehicles to travel on bridges or roads with posted weight restrictions exceeding the permitted weight.

For further details and assistance, visit myifb.org and ilfb.org/harvestpermit. Illinois Farm Bureau members can reach out to Rodney Knittel at rknittel@ilfb.org for additional support and information. Ensure a smooth harvest season by obtaining the necessary permits and staying informed about local regulations.