State Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Virginia

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Virginia DOT Phone Number: (800) 367-7623

DOT Website

PERMITS: Virginia oversize permits are valid for thirteen consecutive days. Must have permit prior to entering the state.

OPERATING TIME: Sunrise to sunset, Monday through Saturday. Over length only, if length is not over 85’ and rear overhang does not exceed 10’ are allowed continuous travel. Overweight only can have continuous travel.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL: Except when travel is on the Interstate system, no travel is permitted within the corporate limits of cities/towns between the hours of 7:00 to 9:00 AM or 4:00 to 6:00 PM. In addition, these curfew hours apply to Interstate routes in the Capital Beltway area (I-495, I-395, I95), in the Richmond area (I-64 between I-95 and I-295 east and west, on I-95 from Route 73 North of Richmond to I-295 South of Richmond), within the city limits of Petersburg (South of Richmond) on I-85 and I-95, on I-581 and Loop 419 in the Roanoke area, and in the Tidewater Area (Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth on I-64 south of US17, and on I-264, I-464, I-564, and I-664). No travel on major holidays and holiday weekends.

Newport News-Portsmouth-Norfolk area note: Permits are required on all but the main Interstate Highways in this area. Fines are very high for unauthorized travel. Permit turnaround time is 24 – 72 hours, so planning ahead is recommended.

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LEGAL DIMENSIONS

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS

Length:

  • 48′ semitrailer/53′ semi-trailer, with 41′ kingpin to center of rear tandem
  • 65′ on non-designated highways

Overhang:

  • 3′ front
  • 4′ rear

Width: 8’6″

Height: 13’6″

Weight: 80,000 Gross

  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 34,000
  • Tridem – 42,500 (designated highways, 9′ axle spacing)

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Length: 150′

Overhang: Rear overhang not to exceed 1/3 length of load, 2/3 of which must rest upon truck or trailer bed.

Width: 15′

Height: 15′

Weight:

  • Single – 24,000
  • Tandem – 44,000
  • Tridem – 60,000 Interstate; 54,500 off Interstate
  • Quad – 63,000-65,000 depending on spacings

Note: Only tridems have a different limit for Interstate-only travel).

Loads exceeding these dimensions are treated as super loads. Allow 5 to 10 days for processing.

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Escorts

On Interstate Highways:

Length:

  • Over 120′ – 1 escort
  • Over 150′ – 2 escorts

Overhang: Over 10′ front or 15′ rear – 1 escort.

Width:

  • Over 12′ – 1 escort
  • Over 14′ – 2 escorts
  • Over 16′ – 3 escorts
  • Over 18′ on case-by-case basis

Height: Over 14’5″ – 1 escort (pole).

On 2-lane highways:

Length:

  • Over 85’ – 1 escort
  • Over 150 – 2 escorts

Overhang: Over 10′ front or 15′ rear – 1 escort.

Width:

  • Over 12′ – 2 escorts
  • Over 14′ – 3 escorts
  • Over 16′ – 4 escorts
  • Over 18′ on case-by-case basis

Height: Over 14’5″ – 1 escort (pole).

MISCELLANEOUS: Blade, bucket or scoop attachments that are 12 feet wide or less may remain attached to the equipment.  The attachment shall be pointed to the rear.

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: “Oversize Load” signs are required on front and rear of the vehicle/load for all overdimensional permit loads. Flags must be displayed on all four corners of all oversize loads, and at the widest extremities of the vehicle or load on wide loads and at the extreme rear of overlength loads. Flags must also be used on rear overhangs exceeding 4 feet, and a red light visible for at least 500 feet must be displayed if traveling at night. When vehicle/load exceeds 12′ wide or 75′ long, flashing amber lights, visible for 500′, must be displayed on the tractor and at the upper rear end of the load or vehicle.  However, amber lights are not needed if the load is accompanied by escort vehicles with amber flashing lights on each escort vehicle. Signs are not required for movements that are overweight only.

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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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