Tennessee Oversize/Overweight Permits

TennesseePermits: Tennessee oversize/overweight permits are valid for six days. You must have a permit when entering the state.

Operating Time: Daylight only (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset), Monday through Saturday. No travel on Sundays. Overweight-only loads may move continuously.

LEGAL DIMENSION

Weight: 80,000 lbs. gross weight

  • Single – 20,000 lbs.
  • Tandem – 34,000 lbs.
  • Tridem – 42,000 lbs. with 8’ of spacing, 42,500 with 9’
Height: 13’6″
Width: 8’6″
Length:
  • Straight truck: 45’
  • Tractor and semi-trailer: 50’ from kingpin to end of trailer
  • A permit is required for utility poles when overall length is 75 feet or more.
Overhang: 5’

 

PERMIT LIMITS

Height: 15’
Width: 16’
Length: 120’
Weight:
  • 5 axles – 100,000 lbs.
  • 6 axles – 120,000 lbs.
  • 7 axles 140,000 lbs.
  • Single – 20,000 lbs.
  • Tandem – 40,000 lbs.
  • Tridem – 60,000 lbs.

Loads exceeding these dimensions are considered superloads. Movements of more than 16’ wide or 15’ high are generally not permitted unless it can be demonstrated that the movement is in the interests of public welfare, safety, or national defense. Movements over 16’ high will not usually be permitted and would require a letter of necessity describing the load and why it needs to go through TN to possibly get a permit.

ESCORTS FOR WIDELOAD AND OVERSIZED SHIPPING

Over 15’ high is generally not issued. “Proof of necessity” and proper safety precautions are necessary to be authorized with special routing.

Moves over 16’ wide will not be permitted without “proof of necessity.”

On 2-Lane Highways:

Width over 10’ up to 14’ 1 escort needed (unless over 24’ pavement width excluding shoulders)
Width over 14’ 2 escorts needed

Where pavement width (excluding shoulders) is less than 24′

Width over 10’ up to 12’6″ 1 flag person

Bridge structures where road width is less than 20′

Width over 12’6″ up to 14’ 1 front escort

On 4-Lane Highways:

Width over 12’6″

Over 14’

 1 escort

2 escorts needed

On All Highways:

Height over 13’6″ up to 15’ No escort
Width over 14’ (if approved) 2 escorts (front and rear)

Special permit needed w/special routing

Length over 85’ 1 escort
Length over 120’ 2 escorts
Length over 75’ up to 85’ long Requires a rotating or strobe type amber light
Height over 15’ (if approved) 2, 1 escort with high pole

Weight GVW over 150,000 lbs.-needs approval by TN TDOT

On 4 or More Lanes:

Width over 14’ up to 16’ 2 escorts (front and rear)
Width over 12’ up to 14’ 1 front escort

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS

On Tennessee roads, all movements that are wider than 10’ and/or longer than 75’ require “Oversize Load” at the front and rear. Loads over 75’ overall length but not exceeding 85’ require a rotating or strobe type amber light at the end of the load. Red flags are required on overwidth loads front and rear, and at the top and bottom of each side where the load is widest (or at the widest point if it is between the top and bottom). Red flags must be placed at the extreme rear end of overlength loads or when there is over 4′ rear overhang. No sign or flag requirements are listed for overheight-only loads. For overweight-only loads, you still need signs, according to a scale officer, but the rules and regulations do not specify this.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL

Loads wider than 12’6″ or longer than 85′ will not be permitted within any statewide city limits or all heavily traveled adjoining commercial or residential areas between the hours of 7:00-9:00 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. No travel on major holidays.

You can also obtain any trip and fuel permits you may need with our sister site!