The latest articles on DEV Community by Steve Lawerance (@steve318). https://dev.to/steve318 https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3928405%2F41b48acf-c326-450a-a775-cc5c26ec0aa0.png https://dev.to/steve318 en Steve Lawerance Wed, 13 May 2026 04:51:03 +0000 https://dev.to/steve318/i-built-an-os-permits-calculator-to-simplify-oversize-load-planning-25e7 https://dev.to/steve318/i-built-an-os-permits-calculator-to-simplify-oversize-load-planning-25e7 <p>Transporting oversized loads is complicated.<br> Between axle limits, permit requirements, state regulations, and route planning, carriers often waste hours calculating legal dimensions and checking compliance manually.</p> <p>That’s why I built <a href="https://ospermits.com/permit-calculator/" rel="noopener noreferrer">OS Permits Calculator</a> — a tool designed to simplify oversize load calculations for trucking companies, dispatchers, and permit services.</p> <h2> What the Tool Does </h2> <p><strong>The calculator helps users quickly estimate:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Oversize permit requirements</li> <li>Axle spacing calculations</li> <li>Gross vehicle weight compliance</li> <li>State-specific limitations</li> <li>Route planning considerations</li> </ol> <p>Instead of manually checking multiple charts and spreadsheets, users can calculate everything in one place.</p> <p><strong>Why I Built It</strong></p> <p>I noticed many trucking professionals still rely on:</p> <ol> <li>PDFs</li> <li>Excel sheets</li> <li>Manual calculations</li> <li>Phone calls to permit offices</li> </ol> <p>The process is slow and error-prone.</p> <p><strong>I wanted to create something:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Faster</li> <li>Easier to use</li> <li>Mobile friendly</li> <li>Accessible for small trucking businesses</li> <li>Tech Stack</li> </ol> <p><strong>The project was built using:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Next.js</li> <li>React</li> <li>Tailwind CSS</li> <li>Node.js</li> <li>PHP</li> </ol> <p><strong>I focused heavily on:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Fast page loads</li> <li>Clean UI/UX</li> <li>SEO optimization</li> <li>Mobile responsiveness</li> <li>Biggest Challenges</li> </ol> <p><strong>One of the hardest parts was handling:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Different state permit rules</li> <li>Dynamic calculation logic</li> <li>User-friendly form validation</li> </ol> <p>Another challenge was simplifying technical trucking data into an interface that feels intuitive.</p> <p><strong>Lessons Learned</strong></p> <p>Building this project taught me:</p> <ol> <li>Real-world tools solve better problems than demo apps</li> <li>UX matters more than complexity</li> <li>SEO can drive highly targeted traffic</li> <li>Niche tools have strong growth potential</li> <li>Future Plans</li> </ol> <p><strong>Next features I’m planning:</strong></p> <ol> <li>Permit cost estimation</li> <li>Route restriction alerts</li> <li>Multi-state planning</li> <li>PDF export</li> <li>User accounts and saved calculations</li> </ol> <h2> Final Thoughts </h2> <p>Building niche SaaS tools for real industries is incredibly rewarding.</p> <p>There are still many industries using outdated workflows, and simple software can make a huge difference.</p> <p>If you’ve built tools for logistics, trucking, or transportation tech, I’d love to hear about your experience.</p> opensource wordpress php