North Carolina Oversize/Overweight Permits

North CarolinaPERMITS

North Carolina oversize permits are valid for ten days. You must have a permit prior to entering the state.

OPERATING TIME

Oversize and overweight haulers may operate from sunrise to sunset, Monday through Saturday. Sunday travel is not permitted. Overweight-only loads that don’t exceed 112,000 lbs. gross (or 94,500 lbs. for sealed ship container) and traveling only on Interstate routes may travel at any time if requested ahead of time with the permit order. 

LEGAL DIMENSIONS

Height: 13’6″
Width:
  • 8’6″ Interstate and designated highways
  • 8’ on other roads
Overhang:
  • Front – 5′
  • Rear – 5′
Length:
  • 53’ trailer* on designated highways
  • 48’ trailer on all other roads
  • No overall designated legal length on all highways for a 48’ trailer (60’ overall length) on non-designated highways
  • For a 53’ trailer, no overall designated length on Interstates or federally designated highways

In NC, only Interstates and a few sections of 4-lane US Highways are considered federally designated highways. On other routes, including most US Highways, the legal overall length is 60’.

*53′ semitrailer must not exceed 41′ center of kingpin to center of rear tandem
Weight: 80,000 lbs. of gross weight

  • Single – 20,000 lbs.
  • Tandem – 38,000 lbs.
  • Tridem – Depends on spacings.

PERMIT LIMITS

Height: No set limit. Height limits are determined by route. Loads over 14’ may take extra processing time.
Weight:
  • Gross Weights
  • 5 axles – 112,000 lbs.
  • 6 axles – 120,000 lbs.
  • 7 axles – 132,000 lbs.
  • Axle Weights
  • Steer Axle – 20,000 lbs.
  • Single – 25,000 lbs.
  • Tandem – 50,000 lbs.
  • Tridem – 60,000 lbs.
  • Quad – 68,000 lbs.
Length:
  • 105’
  • Beams and girders: 120’
Width: 15’

Weight over 132,000 or widths over 15′ are considered superloads.
A letter from the shipper must be included with a superload application.

ESCORTS

Weight: Loads over 149,999 lbs. need 1 escort.
Width:
  • Over 12’ – 1 escort
  • Over 14’ – 2 escorts on 2-lane or 2-way roads
  • Over 15’ wide may require police escorts
Length:
  • Over 110’ – 1 escort
  • Over 150’ – 2 escorts
Height:
  • Over 14’5″ – 1 escort with high pole

Note: For I-40 tunnels near TN line:

  • Eastbound loads over 13’11” – 1 escort with high pole
  • Westbound loads over 14’2″ – 1 escort with high pole
Overhang: Over 15’ front or rear – 1 escort

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS

“Oversize Load” signs are required at the front and rear of all loads exceeding 10’ wide. Flags are required on each corner and at the widest point of the load for all loads over 8’6″ wide, but the flags “shall be so mounted as to not increase the overall width of the load.” A rear overhang in excess of 4’ requires a flag, or at night, a red or amber light visible for at least 200’.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL

Loads over 10’ wide are restricted within a 10 mile radius of the following cities: Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Loads over 14’ high are subject to speed and escort restrictions in the I-40 tunnels near the Tennessee state line (see Escort section, above). There is no travel on major holidays or holiday weekends. Double check with the permit office for holiday restrictions.

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