The birthplace of our nation, Virginia is home to dozens of historic sites, from Jamestown, the first English settlement in the U.S., to the Yorktown battlefield to several homes of our nation’s first presidents. And though our country’s Founding Fathers didn’t need to carry a Virginia oversize permit, you do.
The Permit Company takes the hassle out of obtaining oversize and overweight truck permits, working directly with state and local agencies on your behalf. Below is everything you need to know about moving oversized loads through Virginia and how to obtain a permit.
1. How long are oversize permits valid in Virginia?
Single-trip permits are valid for 13 consecutive days. Loads over 14’ wide are valid for 5 consecutive days. Annual permits are also available.
2. What are the legal dimensions for loads in Virginia?
The legal limits in Virginia are as follows:
- Gross Weight: 80,000 lbs. on all roads (federal bridge formula applies)
- Width: 8’6” on all roads
- Height: 13’6” on all roads
- Length: 40’ for single unit and buses; 48’ for semi-trailers; 28’6” for twins/doubles (on designated highways only, not allowed on other roads); 65’ for autotransporters on designated roads (60’ on all other roads); 75’ for stinger steered on designated roads (65’ on all other roads)
- Overhang: 3’ front, 4’ rear
3. What are the permit limits for loads in Virginia?
The routine-issue permit limits in Virginia are as follows:
- Weight:
- Single: 24,000 lbs.
- Tandem: 44,000 lbs.
- Tridum: 54,500 lbs.
- Quad: 64,500 lbs.
- Gross Weight:
- 5 axles: 102,500 lbs.
- 6 axles: 108,500 lbs.
- 7 axles: 115,000 lbs.
- 8 axles: 115,000 lbs.
- Length: 150’
- Width: 15’
- Height: 15’
4. Is continuous travel allowed for oversize permits in Virginia?
Travel is allowed 24/7 when load does not exceed 8’6” wide, 13’6” high and 85’ long with 10’ or less in rear overhang. Loads that are overweight only may also travel 24/7. At night, a red light visible up to 500’ must be used in place of a flag.
Most other loads are only permitted to travel daylight hours, from sunrise to sunset, Monday through Saturday. If you want to know the continuous travel restrictions of a particular load and/or road, contact us and we’ll let you know.
Travel is prohibited on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Please note that travel is prohibited from 12:00 pm the day before the holiday through the holiday itself.
5. When are escorts needed in Virginia?
- For widths 12’1”-14’, 1 front and 1 rear escort required on non-interstate roads; 1 rear escort required on interstate roads
- For widths 14’1”-16’, 2 front and 1 rear escort required on non-interstate roads; 1 front and 1 rear escort required on interstate roads.
- For widths 16’1”-18’, 2 front and 2 rear escorts required on non-interstate roads; 1 front and 2 rear escorts required on interstate roads
- Escorts for loads exceeding 18’ will be determined on a case-by-case basis
- For heights exceeding 14’5”, 1 front escort with height pole is required on non-interstate and interstate roads
- For lengths 90’1”-120’, 1 rear escort required on non-interstate roads; no escort required on interstate roads
- For lengths 120’1”-150’, 1 rear escort required on non-interstate and interstate roads
- For lengths 150’1”-200’, 1 front and 1 rear escort required on non-interstate and interstate roads
- Escorts for loads exceeding 200’ will be determined on a case-by-case basis
- For overhangs 10’ and over in the front, 1 front escort is required on non-interstate and interstate roads
- For overhangs 15’ and over in the rear, 1 rear escort is required on non-interstate and interstate roads
6. What is a superload in Virginia?
In Virginia, loads that exceed routine-issue dimensions and weights (gross or axle) are considered superloads. There are a number of load-specific parameters for superloads, so feel free to reach out to us via phone or email for more details.
We can help you get an oversize permit in Virginia (or any other state), just give us a call at (800) 359-9407 or send us an email.