South Carolina

South Carolina Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Do you need oversize load permits in the state of South Carolina? Find out the maximum width and weight allowed on South Carolina highways, the legal operating times, the oversize load signage rules, and when South Carolina requires pilot cars. The following data is for informational purposes only. We are not a permit service, do not arrange permits for carriers, and do not answer permit and escort requirement questions.

Oversize Load Limits

Maximum load sizes before a permit is required:

• Length: 75′
• Width: 8’6″
• Height: 13’6″
• Weight: 80,000 lbs gross

Permits

South Carolina oversize permits are valid for seven days. Permits are required prior to entering the state. For more information, visit the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

Legal Operating Times

• One-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset, Monday through Saturday. No Sunday travel.
• No travel on major holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day) and holiday weekends.
• Continuous 24/7 travel allowed for overweight only loads not exceeding 130,000 lbs if able to maintain traffic flow speed. Over 130,000 pounds allowed travel Monday through Friday only.
• Loads between 12′ and 15′ wide may not travel on state highways in close proximity to large urban areas from 7:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on school days and 4:30 p.m to 6:00 p.m. on other days. Loads between 15′ and 16′ wide must be moved between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on school days and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on other days.
• Routes between I-95 and the Myrtle Beach area are prohibited travel on Friday and Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicles

Escort vehicle or pilot car required for heavy-haul or oversize loads if:

• Length: Unspecified
• Width: From 12′ to 14′  wide requires one front on 2-lane roads. 14′ to 16′ wide requires one front and one rear on all roads. Over 16′ wide, requires one front, one rear police escort.
• Height: Unspecified. One escort with a height pole may be required.
• Weight: Approved weight loads that maintain minimum speed requirements likely do not require escorts.
• Overhang: Over 10′ in rear requires one escort.

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements

Pilot cars and escort vehicles must prominently display an “OVERSIZE LOAD” or “WIDE LOAD” sign on the top of the vehicle (on the front of lead vehicles or the rear of chase vehicles). A flashing or strobe amber light with 360-degree visibility from a distance of at least 500′ must be placed atop the vehicle. All pilot cars and escort vehicles must be equipped with a CB radio or 2-way communication device and be able to communicate with all drivers working on the shipment. Headlights must be turned on while vehicle is working.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements

“OVERSIZE LOAD” signs are required at the front and rear and flags on each corner are required for all loads exceeding 12′ in width. A rotating amber beacon or strobe light is required on the rear of loads between 12′ and 14′ wide. If the load is between 14′ and 16′ wide, a rotating amber beacon or strobe is required on each outer rear corner of the load. For any rear overhang exceeding 4′, a red flag must be displayed at the extreme rear of the load, and a rotating amber beacon or strobe light must be displayed in the same location when traveling from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or when inclement weather necessitates windshield wiper use or other conditions reduce visibility to under 500′.

The data on this page is for informational purposes only, and we do not guarantee its accuracy.