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.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS
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
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS
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.
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 the 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 the 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.
