State Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

South Carolina

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South Carolina DOT Phone Number: (803) 737-1200

DOT Website

PERMITS: South Carolina oversize permits are valid for seven days. Must have permit prior to entering the state.

OPERATING TIME: One-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset, Monday through Saturday. No Sunday travel. Overweight only not over 130,000 pounds gross may have continuous travel if they can maintain traffic flow speed. Over 130,000 pounds may travel Monday through Friday only.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL: No loads over 12′ wide up to 15′ wide are to be moved over state highways in close proximity to large urban areas between the hours of 7:00 – 9:00 AM and 3:00 – 6:00 PM on school days and 4:30 – 6:00 PM on other days, and loads over 15′ wide up to 16′ wide must be moved between the hours of 9:00 – 3:00 during school days and 9:00 – 4:00 other days. Routes between I-95 and the Myrtle Beach area are prohibited on Friday and Saturday form Memorial Day through Labor Day. No travel on major holidays and holiday weekends.

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LEGAL DIMENSIONS

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS

Length: 53’0 semitrailer and load (not to exceed 41′ from center of kingpin to center of rear tandem).

Overhang:

  • 5′ rear overhang on a 48′ semitrailer
  • None on a 53′

Width: 8’6″ Interstate and designated highways

Height: 13’6

Note: SC will not permit overhang with multiple pieces. They will only permit it with a non-divisible load.

Weight: 80,000 Gross

  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 34,000
  • Tridem – 35,200 depends on spacings

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Length: 125′

Overhang:

  • 3′ front of trailer
  • 10′ rear on 48′ to 53′ semi-trailer

Width: 16′

Height: No set limits – determined by route. Must be at least 6″ less than any overhead structure.

Weight:

  • Gross Weights
  • 5 axles – 90,000
  • 6 axles – 110,000
  • 7 axles – 130,000

  • Axle Weights
  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 40,000
  • Tridem – 60,000
  • Quad – 80,000

Loads exceeding these dimensions are considered as superloads.

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Escorts

Length: Not specified

Overhang: Over 10′ rear – 1 escort

Width:

  • Over 12′ on 2-lane highways – 1 escort
  • Over 14′ (all highway) – 2 escorts
  • Over 16′ – 3 escorts at minimum, and may require police escort

Height: Not specified. Permittee is responsible for vertical clearances.

EXCEPTIONS & MISCELLANEOUS: Implements of husbandry, including farm tractors, forestry equipment and road machinery, are exempt from needing permits when the load is not over 12′ wide, 13’6 high or 90,000 pounds gross. This exemption is for daylight running, and may run seven days a week.

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: “Oversize Load” signs are required at front and rear for all loads exceeding 12′ wide, and flags are required on each corner. A rotating amber beacon or strobe light is required on rear of loads exceeding 12′ wide up to 14′ wide. When width is over 14′ wide up to 16′ wide, a rotating amber beacon or strobe is required on each outer rear corner of the load. For any rear overhang of 4′ or more, a red flag must be displayed at the extreme rear of the load, and a rotating amber beacon light or strobe light must be displayed there when traveling from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, or when windshield wipers must be used or inclement weather or other conditions reduce visibility below 500 feet.

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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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