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 the 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:
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)
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS
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.
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 a 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 a 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 the front and rear of the vehicle/load for all overdimensional permit loads. Flags must be displayed on all four corners of oversize loads and at the widest extremities of the vehicle or load on wide 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 the 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.
