Published by Chris Townsend
How many permits does it take to drive a thirty-foot truck across Minneapolis—or haul an entire farmhouse from Hutchinson to Duluth without snapping a single power line? In Minnesota, the answer depends on load size, travel route, and—most importantly—whether you have the right paperwork. The Land of 10,000 Lakes keeps its highways safe through a layered system of state, county, and city licenses. Household-goods carriers must carry Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) credentials, oversize haulers need special permits and certified escorts, and anyone relocating a whole building faces a unique “Building Mover” license. Cross the state line and federal USDOT rules kick in; cross the ocean and the Federal Maritime Commission takes charge.
As a moving broker, Three Movers orchestrates every piece of this compliance puzzle. We match you only with carriers that already hold the exact Minnesota permits and insurance required for your shipment—then we schedule any additional oversize or route-specific approvals, coordinate pilot cars, and double-check municipal permissions. The result? An on-time, fully legal move—no sleepless nights, no highway citations.
1- Intrastate Household-Goods Movers
1.1 Licensing Authority
Minnesota regulates intrastate household-goods carriers under MnDOT’s Freight & Commercial Vehicle Operations division. Each carrier must secure a Household Goods Mover Permit (sometimes called a “PUC HHG” number).
1.2 Application Snapshot
| Step | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| File HHG Permit Application | $150 filing fee | Six-week review typical |
| Register vehicles | $75 “cab card” per power unit | Must be renewed annually |
| Submit insurance certificates | Liability + cargo | Continuous coverage required |
| Publish a tariff | Mileage or hourly rates | Must be available to the public |
| Safety fitness check | MnDOT audit | Must maintain satisfactory rating |
Three Movers verifies each carrier’s active permit, cab cards, and tariff before adding them to our brokerage roster—so your intrastate move never pauses for paperwork.
2- Oversize & Overweight Transport Permits
Minnesota’s base legal limits mirror most Midwestern states—8 ft 6 in width, 13 ft 6 in height, 80,000 lb gross weight, and 75 ft overall length. Anything bigger requires a permit issued through MnDOT’s SUPERLOAD/COOPR system.
2.1 Permit Menu
| Permit Type | Validity | Typical Fee* | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-Trip (OS/OW) | 7 days | $15 + weight fee | One heavy crane, one route |
| 60-Day Route | 60 days | $36 | Same load, repeated route |
| Seasonal/Annual | Up to 12 months | $300–$500 | Modular homes, farming equipment |
| Super-Load | Trip-specific | Calculated | Loads >16 ft wide or >200,000 lb |
| *Overweight permits add a “Damage Assessment Fee” based on axle weights. |
2.2 Escort & Pilot-Car Rules
- Divided highways: Rear escort at 15 ft bottom width / 16 ft top; front + rear at 150 ft length.
- Undivided highways: Front + rear escorts above 12 ft width or 110 ft length.
- Escort drivers must carry MnDOT (or reciprocal) certification and maintain two-way radio contact.
2.3 Travel Restrictions
- Daylight only for most oversize loads; dusk/night allowed if width ≤10 ft and proper lighting.
- Curfews around Twin Cities metro on weekday rush hours and state holidays.
- Spring thaw season weight reductions on many secondary roads—permits do not override posted axle limits during thaw.
Three Movers lines up certified pilot cars, confirms “thaw period” limitations, and uploads your route for MnDOT pre-clearance—so the convoy rolls without last-minute denials.
3- Building & Structure Moves
Moving a barn, church, or lakeside cabin? Minnesota treats this as a highly specialized activity governed by Statute 221.81.
3.1 Building Mover License
- $150 license filing fee (renewed biennially).
- Proof of $1 million liability, $100,000 cargo, and workers’ comp insurance.
- Applicants list each power unit; cab cards issued for every tractor.
3.2 Supplemental Oversize Permit
Even licensed building movers must obtain a Single-Trip Building-Move Permit for each structure, detailing height after cribbing, roof pitch, and projected travel time to clear utility lines. Super-load status usually applies once height exceeds 15 ft or GVW exceeds 200,000 lb.
3.3 Route Survey & Utility Coordination
Carriers must coordinate pole-raises with utilities, signal removals with municipalities, and often post a performance bond with counties to cover potential pavement or bridge damage.
Broker advantage: Three Movers bundles structural movers with utility-coordination specialists—so power lines come down (and back up) on schedule.
4- Local & County Permissions
State permits do not automatically grant the right to use city roads. Examples:
- Saint Paul charges $44 per oversize single-trip or $191 for an annual citywide permit.
- Many counties waive fees but still demand route plans and 24-hour notice.
- Road-restriction maps change weekly in thaw season; local gravel roads may impose 5-ton axle caps even when state highways are clear.
Three Movers cross-checks municipal rules and submits any needed forms before a single wheel touches a local road.
5- Interstate Moves (USDOT/FMCSA)
Leaving Minnesota and moving to another state? Your carrier must hold:
- USDOT number (safety rating & inspections).
- MC Operating Authority for household goods.
- Proof of $750,000–$1,000,000 liability and $5,000/$10,000 cargo bond.
- Consumer-protection documents—including the federally mandated booklet “Your Rights & Responsibilities When You Move.”
Our brokerage portal flags any carrier lacking current FMCSA authority, ensuring only compliant movers haul your load across state lines.
6- International Moves
For Canada, carriers need a CARM/ACE manifest and provincial oversize permits (if applicable). For ocean shipments:
- OTI or Freight Forwarder License from the Federal Maritime Commission.
- Marine cargo insurance covering water and trans-shipment risks.
- ISPM-15 compliance on wood packing materials.
Three Movers partners with FMC-licensed forwarders and monitors customs paperwork—so your goods clear international borders such as Vancouver, Halifax, or Rotterdam without delay.
7- Utility, Right-of-Way & Special-Use Permits
- Driveway & access: Loads entering or leaving MnDOT right-of-way at unpaved approaches need a temporary access permit.
- Railroad crossings: Super-loads must obtain clearance letters from rail companies if blocking tracks more than 10 minutes.
- Event restrictions: The State Patrol may suspend oversize moves during the Minnesota State Fair, Twin Cities Marathon, and fishing opener weekend.
8- Insurance & Financial Responsibility
| Scenario | Minimum Coverage |
|---|---|
| HHG intrastate | $500,000 liability + $25,000 cargo |
| Building mover | $1 million liability + $100,000 cargo |
| Standard oversize | Liability equal to GVW × $10 per pound (typical $1M) |
| Super-load >300,000 lb | MnDOT may demand $2–5 million umbrella |
| Interstate HHG | FMCSA minimums ($750k–$1M liability; $5k/$10k cargo bond) |
| International ocean | Marine policy for declared value |
Three Movers obtains certificates directly from insurers before confirming any booking.
9- Compliance, Safety & Recordkeeping
- Permit display: Drivers must carry physical or electronic copies; police may request at any point.
- Daily inspection logs: Required for power units hauling over 10,001 lb interstate or any oversize intrastate load.
- Accident reporting: Any incident causing $2,000+ damage or injury must be reported to MnDOT within 30 days.
- Tariff updates: HHG carriers must re-file if rates change more than 10 percent in a calendar year.
Common Pitfalls & Brokerage Solutions
| Pitfall | Broker Fix |
|---|---|
| Applying for permits after route booked | Three Movers files permits before dispatch, not after. |
| Forgetting spring thaw limits | Our software overlays MnDOT thaw zones on every planned route. |
| Uncertified pilot cars | We maintain a roster of MnDOT-certified escorts statewide. |
| Missing local permits | City fee matrix auto-prompts additional filings in MSP, Duluth, Rochester, and St Cloud. |
| Lapsed insurance | Automated renewal reminders ensure carriers re-file Form E/G on time. |
At-a-Glance Permit Checklist
- HHG Permit (if all travel stays inside Minnesota).
- Cab Cards for each truck/trailer combo.
- Oversize/Overweight Permit (single, seasonal, annual, or super-load).
- Certified Pilot Cars (per MnDOT escort table).
- Building Mover License + trip-specific structure permit (if moving a building).
- Municipal Transport Permit (check every city, especially Saint Paul and Minneapolis).
- USDOT/MC Authority (for interstate).
- FMC OTI License + marine insurance (for overseas).
- Insurance Certificates filed with MnDOT/FMCSA.
- Tariff on File (for HHG carriers).
Why Book Through Three Movers?
- Full-Spectrum Compliance
We pair your shipment with carriers holding all Minnesota, federal, and international credentials. - Permit Concierge
Dedicated specialists submit MnDOT SUPERLOAD applications, pilot-car orders, and city paperwork—no client guesswork. - Real-Time Tracking & Alerts
Our dashboard notifies you when permits are approved, pilot cars assigned, and escorts log into the route. - Insurance Assurance
We collect and verify certificates before dispatch—your goods are never placed on an uninsured truck. - Cost Transparency
Up-front permit fees and pilot-car costs are itemized in your quote—no surprise surcharges at delivery.
Key Sources (2024-2025)
- MnDOT Household Goods Mover Permit requirements and fees (mn.gov)
- MnDOT Escort Requirements for Oversize Loads (dot.state.mn.us)
- Minnesota Building Mover License statutes §221.81 & application guide (dot.state.mn.us)(revisor.mn.gov)
- MnDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit portal & permit-type fee schedule (SUPERLOAD)
- Damage Assessment Fee table for overweight permits
- Saint Paul Municipal Transportation Permit fees
- Minnesota 2025 legislative update on oversize annual-permit fees (HF 1892)
- MnDOT Trucking Handbook—Pilot/Escort Certification guidelines
- MnDOT Household Goods Mover application form (insurance filings)
