Virginia

Virginia Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Do you need oversize load permits in the state of Virginia? Find out the maximum width and weight allowed on Virginia highways, the legal operating times, the oversize load signage rules, and when Virginia 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: 48′
• Width: 8’6″
• Height: 13’6″
• Weight: 80,000 lbs gross
• Overhang: 3′ in the front; 4′ off the rear

Permits

Virginia oversize permits are valid for thirteen consecutive days. Permits are required prior to entering the state. For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Legal Operating Times

• Sunrise to 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).
• Continuous 24/7 travel allowed for over-length only loads less than 85’ long and rear overhang not exceed 10’.
• Continuous 24/7 travel allowed for overweight only loads.
• No travel permitted, except on Interstate highways, within the corporate limits of cities and towns from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. These curfew hours also apply to Interstate highway routes in the Capital Beltway area (I-495, I-395, I95), the Richmond area (I-64 between I-95 and I-295 east and west, and I-95 from Route 73 north of Richmond to I-295 South of Richmond), the city limits of Petersburg (south of Richmond) on I-85 and I-95, I-581 and Loop 419 in the Roanoke area, the Tidewater Area (Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth on I-64 south of US-17, I-264, I-464, I-564, and I-664).

Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicles

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

• Length: Over 105′ long requires one rear on two-lane roads. Over 125′ long requires one rear on multi-lane roads.
• Width: Over 11′ wide requires one front and one rear on two-lane highways. Over 14′ wide requires one front and one rear on multi-lane highways.
• Height: Over 14′6″ high requires one front with a height pole. Manufactured homes over 15′ require one front with a height pole.
• Weight: None typically required.
• Overhang: Exceeding one-third of the trailer length requires one on two-lane highways. Exceeding 20′ of a single-unit vehicle requires one rear on two-lane highways.

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements

Pilot cars and escort vehicles must display a bumper or roof-mounted “OVERSIZE LOAD,” “WIDE LOAD,” or “LONG LOAD” sign visible from both the front and rear of the vehicle. The sign must be at least 5′ long and 12″ high with a yellow background and black letters at least 10″ tall and 1.5″ in width. One flashing or strobe amber light at least 4″ tall must be horizontally mounted atop the vehicle and have 360-degree visibility from at least 500′. All pilot cars and escort vehicles must be equipped with a CB radio or 2-way communication device, a hand-held “STOP”/“SLOW” sign at least 18″ in diameter with letters at least 6″ tall to be used in controlling traffic, and a safety-colored (red, orange, yellow, or lime-green) vest, jacket, or shirt to be worn while directing traffic. Drivers must be certified by the state of Virginia.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements

“OVERSIZE LOAD” signs are required on the front and rear of all over-dimensional loads. Flags must be displayed on all four corners at the load’s widest extremities and at the extreme rear of over-length loads. Flags must also be displayed on rear overhangs exceeding 4′; a red light with at least 500′ of visibility must be displayed when traveling at night. Flashing amber lights, visible for 500′, must be displayed on the cab and at the upper rear end of the load when it is over 12′ wide or 75′ long. Amber lights, however, are not required if the load is accompanied by escort vehicles with amber flashing lights. Signs are not required for overweight only loads.

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