Illinois Form CFT 28 Special Hauling Vehicle Permit – Commercial vehicle operators and fleet managers in Illinois often need special permissions to haul certain loads efficiently and legally. The Illinois Secretary of State Form CFT 28 is the official application for a Special Hauling Vehicle (SHV) Permit. This permit provides important weight exemptions under state law for qualifying vehicles operating on Illinois highways.
This guide explains what the Form CFT 28 is, who qualifies, the benefits, fees, how to complete and submit the application, and where to download the official form. All information is based on official Illinois Secretary of State resources and the Illinois Vehicle Code.
What Is Form CFT 28?
Form CFT 28 is the official “Application for Special Hauling Vehicle Permit” issued by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Commercial and Farm Truck Division. It is used to request designation of a vehicle or combination of vehicles as a Special Hauling Vehicle.
According to the form itself and the Illinois Vehicle Code, Special Hauling Vehicles are defined in 625 ILCS 5/1-190.05. The benefits and applicable weight allowances are outlined in 625 ILCS 5/15-111 and related sections.
The current version of the form (CFT 28.11, April 2023) requires applicants to print or type clearly in black ink. Applications with alterations, changes, or white-out will not be accepted. Applicants must submit the original and one copy.
What Is a Special Hauling Vehicle Permit?
A Special Hauling Vehicle Permit allows certain vehicles to be exempt from the federal bridge formula while operating on Illinois highways. The permit authorizes specific weight allowances based on the vehicle configuration and, in limited cases, permits an overweight ticket for a defined purpose instead of requiring the operator to drop part of the load.
Key benefits include:
- Exemption from the federal bridge formula for qualifying configurations
- Specific axle and gross weight allowances (often up to 72,000 pounds gross for certain 5-axle combinations)
- Limited overweight allowance (commonly up to 4,000 pounds) for vehicles hauling asphalt or concrete in the plastic state without having to reduce the load
Important note: The SHV Permit is not a general overweight or oversize permit. It applies only to the specific configurations and purposes defined in Illinois law.
Who Qualifies for a Special Hauling Vehicle Permit?
According to the Illinois Secretary of State Commercial and Farm Truck Division, the following vehicles typically qualify:
- Tractor-trailer combinations with a short trailer (usually no more than 28 feet in length) measuring 42 feet or less from the center of the steering hub to the center of the rear tandem. A minimum of 18 feet 6 inches is required between sets of tandems.
- Trucks measuring more than 72 inches but less than 96 inches between the wheels on the tandem.
- Concrete mixers (including certain 3-axle and 4-axle configurations) used exclusively for mixing and transporting concrete in the plastic state.
- Trucks carrying asphalt or concrete in its plastic state (not yet solidified, traveling from the plant to a job site).
Additional restrictions and grandfathering provisions apply to certain older vehicles (for example, specific model-year cutoffs for maximum tandem weights). Always verify the current configuration against the Illinois Vehicle Code and official Secretary of State guidance.
How Much Does the Special Hauling Vehicle Permit Cost?
The standard fee for a Special Hauling Vehicle Permit is $125 per registration year. The permit can be transferred at no additional fee.
If the SHV is purchased after the vehicle’s registration has already been paid for the year, the fee is typically $128 ($125 for the permit plus a $3 corrected registration card fee).
For vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP), the SHV can usually be selected at the time of renewal (fees appear on the renewal invoice) or added later through the IRP web supplement process.
How to Complete and Submit Form CFT 28?
The form requires the following information:
- Type of application (Original, Replacement, Transfer, or Correction)
- Plate number
- Owner’s name (first, middle, last)
- Whether the vehicle is used for hire (Yes/No)
- Firm/file number (if applicable)
- Residence or business address, city, ZIP, and state (Illinois)
- Unit number
- Gross weight, year, make, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and body style
- Contact person and daytime telephone number
- Remitter name and number (if applicable)
- Signatures of the required parties
The form notes that expiration follows the vehicle’s registration cycle: June 30 for fiscal-year registrations and March 31 for apportioned (IRP) registrations.
After completing the form, submit the original and one copy along with the required fee to the Commercial and Farm Truck Division. SHV Permits may be obtained at the Commercial and Farm Truck Division office in Springfield and at select Secretary of State facilities. For IRP-plated vehicles, the process is often handled during renewal or via the online web supplement.
Note: The Secretary of State’s office no longer issues physical SHV stickers or decals. Proof of the permit appears on the vehicle’s registration card or IRP cab card.
Download the Official Form CFT 28
You can download the current official Application for Special Hauling Vehicle Permit (Form CFT 28) directly from the Illinois Secretary of State website:
Download Illinois Form CFT 28 (PDF)
Always download the form from the official Illinois Secretary of State website to ensure you have the most current version. Forms should be opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader for best results when filling fillable fields.
Additional Resources and Official Sources
- Illinois Secretary of State – Commercial and Farm Trucks
- Commercial and Farm Truck Publications and Forms
- Illinois Vehicle Code – Definitions and weight provisions (625 ILCS 5/1-190.05 and 625 ILCS 5/15-111)
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, contact the Commercial and Farm Truck Division at 217-785-1800 or visit an authorized Secretary of State facility.
Why the Special Hauling Vehicle Permit Matters for Illinois Operators?
For construction companies, ready-mix concrete suppliers, asphalt haulers, and certain short-trailer combinations, the SHV Permit can improve operational efficiency by allowing higher legal weights under defined conditions and reducing the need to offload material mid-trip. Staying compliant with Illinois size and weight laws helps avoid citations, protects infrastructure, and keeps commercial operations running smoothly.
Always confirm eligibility for your specific vehicle configuration before applying, and keep a copy of the approved registration or cab card that shows the SHV designation available in the vehicle at all times.`