OVERVIEW
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.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS
Length:
- 53’6″ on roads less than 12′ wide
- 85′ overall (unless trailer exceeds 57′)
Overhang: 10′ front, 5′ rear
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
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS
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 axle group weight 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.
ESCORTS
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). 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.
Signs, Flags, And 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.