Surety Bond Encyclopedia

Excess Weight Bond - Illinois DOT in Illinois

Brief Summary

This bond backs a bonded account with the Illinois Oversize/Overweight Permit Office, so a carrier can run excess weight and excess dimension permits on account instead of paying card or e-check convenience fees on every move. The surety guarantees IDOT gets paid. You pay an annual premium, and the executed bond is filed on IDOT form OPER 1931 Proof of Bond.

The Illinois DOT Excess Weight bond guarantees payment of special permit fees and charges owed to the Illinois Department of Transportation for moving overweight and oversize vehicles and loads on state highways. It supports a bonded account with the Illinois Oversize/Overweight Permit Office. The amount is the account amount set with the Permit Office, and IDOT has holders change it by filing a new OPER 1931 Proof of Bond.

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How to Apply for a Excess Weight Bond:

Create an ITAP logon with the Illinois Oversize/Overweight Permit Office.
Agree the bonded account amount with the Permit Office.
Have the legal business name and address exactly as they appear on the ITAP account.
Complete the bond application and review the quoted premium.
Pay the premium and receive the executed bond on form OPER 1931 Proof of Bond.
Submit the original OPER 1931 to the Illinois Oversize/Overweight Permit Office.

Detailed Information About the Illinois Excess Weight Bond:

What this bond covers

IDOT issues oversize and overweight permits under 625 ILCS 5/15-301, with the operating rules in 92 Ill. Adm. Code Part 554. Permits are ordered through the Illinois Transportation Automated Permit system (ITAP). Section 554.901 requires fees to be paid in advance unless the applicant has an approved account with the Permit Office or has made other satisfactory arrangements for payment. A bonded account is one of those arrangements. The surety bond stands behind the account and guarantees that the permit fees and charges billed to it are paid to the Department.

Setting and changing the amount

There is no single statutory bond figure for this account. The amount is the one agreed with the Permit Office. IDOT tells existing bonded account holders that to modify the amount of the bond they complete form OPER 1931 Proof of Bond and submit the original to the Illinois Oversize/Overweight Permit Office. Plan on filing a new Proof of Bond any time your permit volume outgrows the current amount.

A second form of security can be required

This bond guarantees fees. It does not guarantee road repairs. Under Section 554.905 the Permit Office can ask, before a permit is issued, for an Irrevocable Letter of Credit or other designated form of security in favor of the Department in an amount sufficient to cover damage the move may cause to the highway system, held until damages are determined and repairs completed. The statute gives the same power in 625 ILCS 5/15-301(c). Separately, Section 554.106 makes the permittee responsible for injury or property damage caused by the move and requires it to hold the State of Illinois harmless.

State highways only

IDOT permits cover roads under state jurisdiction only. Local roads and toll roads need their own permission from those authorities, and some of them set their own bond or security terms.

How premium is set

The surety prices the bond on the amount of the account, the credit and financial strength of the carrier and its owners, time in business and any history of unpaid permit charges. Confirm the current OPER 1931 form and filing steps with the Permit Office at 217-785-1477 ext 1 before the bond is issued.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Illinois Excess Weight Bond:

Illinois Department of Transportation named as obligee.
IDOT form OPER 1931 Proof of Bond, submitted as an original.
Bond amount matching the bonded account amount set with the Permit Office.
Principal name matching the ITAP permit account holder.
Owner credit and financial review by the surety.

Illinois Excess Weight Bond FAQs:

What does the Excess Weight bond actually guarantee?

Payment to IDOT of the special permit fees and charges billed to your bonded account for moving overweight or oversize vehicles and loads on Illinois state highways. If the carrier does not pay, IDOT can claim against the bond.

How much bond do I need?

The amount is the bonded account amount set with the Illinois Oversize/Overweight Permit Office. There is no fixed figure in 625 ILCS 5/15-301 or Part 554 for this account. Size it to the permit charges you expect to carry on the account.

How do I raise or lower the bond amount?

IDOT directs existing bonded account holders to complete a new OPER 1931 Proof of Bond for the new amount and submit the original to the Illinois Oversize/Overweight Permit Office.

Does this bond cover damage my load does to a bridge or pavement?

No. Road and structure damage is handled separately. Under 92 Ill. Adm. Code 554.905 the Permit Office can require an Irrevocable Letter of Credit or other designated security sized to the potential damage before it issues a permit, and Section 554.106 makes the permittee responsible for damage caused by the move.

Does an IDOT permit let me run on county, township or city roads?

No. IDOT permits are valid only on highways under state jurisdiction. Local and toll road authorities issue their own permits and may set their own security requirements.