State Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Alabama

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Alabama DOT Phone Number: (256) 234-4265

DOT Website

PERMITS: Alabama oversize permits are valid for five consecutive days. Must have permit prior to entering state.

OPERATING TIME: Daylight only (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset) Monday through Saturday. No travel on Sundays.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL: No travel on major holidays and Holiday weekends.

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LEGAL DIMENSIONS

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS

Length: 57′ trailers

  • 53’6″ on roads less than 12′ wide
  • 85′ overall (unless trailer exceeds 57′)

Overhang: 10′ front, 5′ rear

Note: 60′ Structural steel is exempt from permits and escorts

Width: 8’6″ (8′ on lanes less than 12′ wide)

Height: 13’6″

Weight: 80,000 Gross

  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 34,000
  • Tridem – 42,000

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Length: 150′ (maximum overhang 20′)

Overhang: 20′ rear overhang is the maximum permitted.

Width: 16′ (over 16′ cannot use Interstate)

Height: 16′

Weight:

  • 5 axles – 102,000
  • 6 axles – 124,000
  • 7 axles – 146,000
  • 8 axles – 168,000

Maximum without special permission

  • Steer – 14,000
  • Single – 22,000
  • Tandem – 44,000
  • Tridem – 66,000
  • Quad – 88,000

Loads exceeding these dimensions, over 180,000 are Super Loads.

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Escorts

Length: With legal trailer length

  • over 90′ – 1 escort
  • over 105′ – 2 escorts
  • Trailer length over 57′ – 1 rear escort

Overhang: over 5′ rear overhang – 1 escort.

Width: over 12′ – 1 escort.

Height: over 16’* – 1 escort *(may be needed at lower heights on some routes)

Bucket or Blade Rule: If bucket or blade protrudes past sides of trailer at 12′ wide – 1 escort. (No escort needed if outriggers are used to prevent bucket or blade from protruding sides of trailer).

Miscellaneous: Bulldozers, front end loaders and similar equipment shall be loaded with the blade to the rear any time the blade protrudes beyond the transporting vehicle.  Overweight dozer and blade must be attached, or else hauled on separate loads if blade is detached.
60′ Structural steel is exempt from permits and escorts.

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS:  “Oversize Load” signs front and rear of any overwidth or overlength vehicle. Flags must be placed at front and rear corners of any overdimensional load or vehicle. Over 4′ rear overhang requires lights at night. (Over 5′ needs permit, and can’t run at night). There are no sign or flag requirements for overheight only or overweight only loads.

Alabama Blade and Bucket Rule: 2 pilot cars are required at 12′ in Alabama any time a blade or bucket protrudes past the edges of the trailer. This applies to dozers, excavators and any other equipment with a blade or bucket.   Also, the blade or bucket must be loaded to the rear.

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Important Notice:
The following is provided for informational purposes only. We do not procure or arrange permits on behalf of carriers or discuss permit and escort requirements for particular shipments. The following links provide general guidelines for oversize permits and escorts for heavy haul shipping by state/province. State regulations are subject to change; If you find inaccurate information, please let us know, and we will update the page accordingly.
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State Permits & Escorts

Ready to get a permit? You’ll find all of the information you need on these pages. We cannot guarantee that this is 100% accurate, but we will do our best to verify and update any changes when reported!

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