Oversize / Overweight Permits in Georgia

Georgia Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Georgia law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversize/overweight load:

Legal Size Limit:

Width: 8′ 6″ (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
Height: 13′ 6″ (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
Length: 75′ with a 48′ or 53′ trailer (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)

Legal Weight Limit:

Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load)
Single axle: 20,340 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
Tridem axle: 30,340 lb. per axle

Georgia Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits

A general single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversize and overweight loads exceeding the legal limit. It is valid for 72 hours and covers one movement from point A to point B during the running times specified in the permit. The cost is $30.

For more details:

http://www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Permits/OversizePermits

Georgia Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

To obtain an annual permit, a load must meet the following requirements:

maximum length for a single empty vehicle or the one hauling a load – 100′
maximum width – 12′ (14′ with annual plus)
maximum height – 14′ 6″
maximum GVW – 100,000 lbs
maximum weight per single axle- 25000,000 lbs

A fee ranges from $150 for annual permits to $500 for annual plus licenses.

Georgia Wide Load Requirements

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

Depending on the extremities of oversized loads it may require red or fluorescent orange square flags.

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

Georgia does not require trailers and vehicles hauling oversized loads to be equipped with “oversize” banners.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

The requirements are the same as for the banners.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Flashing lights (visible from at least 500′) are required to position all the extremities of the oversize load or vehicle.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

12′ to 14′ 8″ wide: 1 front escort and 1 rear escort/amber lights for 2-lane roads; 1 rear escort/amber lights for 4-lane highways; 1 rear escort/amber lights for limited access highways
14′ 8″ to 16′ wide: 1 front escort and 1 rear escort/amber lights for 2-lane roads; 1 rear escort/amber lights for limited access highways
manufactured houses: 1 front police escort and 1 rear police escort
15′ 6″ high and greater: 1 front escort and a height sensor
up to 125′ long loads require 1 rear escort
loads longer than 125′ require both front and rear escort vehicles

One front escort vehicle is required if the load’s width is over 14′ to 16′. Loads wider than 16′ must be hauled with one escort vehicle in the front and another in the rear.

Georgia Wide Load Restrictions

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Georgia wide load permits, there are no specific Georgia oversize holiday restrictions. However, in some cases, manufactured houses and other super loads can be restricted to move on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Oversized loads are allowed to transport from sunrise till sunset. Oversize vehicles and loads are not allowed to move in poor visibility/bad weather conditions.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Georgia does not provide specific bridge restrictions as the Federal Bridge Formula determines them. As for the oversize road restrictions, they come as the following:

driving through work zones that are under construction
neglecting warning signals when driving through work zones
not giving traffic priority to law enforcement, emergency vehicles, etc

Oversize Seasonal Weight Restrictions:

While the Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada, no specific seasonal restrictions are provided by the state of Georgia. However, they may appear in Georgia oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Georgia Wide Load Limits

Georgia sticks to the Federal legal width limit of 8′ 6″. Everything wider requires a permit to be moved on public roads.

Maximum Load Limits Until a Trucking Permit Is Required:

8′ 6″ (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)

Axle Weight Limits:

Legal axle weight limit:

Single axle: 20,340 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
Tridem axle: 30,340 lb. per axle

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

Single axle: 23,000 lb.
Two axles: 46,000 lb.
Three axles: 60,000 lb.
Four axles: 92,000 lb.
Five axles: 100,000 lb.

Oversize Tire Regulations:

Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum tread depth of 2/32″.

Tires must not feature protuberances of any material other than rubber unless their use is required for safety.

“Not for highway use” tires are not allowed to be used.

Failing to comply with the requirements resulting in an accident or blocking traffic can lead to a $1000,00 fine.

Georgia Trip Permits

The state of Georgia issues a 72-hour single-trip permit. It covers one movement from point A to point B during the running times specified in the permit. The cost is $30.

The trip permit must be secured and carried in the cab of the permitted vehicle. No copy is acceptable.

Georgia Fuel Permits

IFTA permits are necessary for all interstate motor carriers driving in or through Georgia. They must pay a $16 tax to obtain a ten-day IFTA license.

Georgia Specialty Permits

The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.

Manufactured Houses and Mobile Home Permits:

Manufactured houses and mobile homes shall not exceed 16′ in width and 80′ in length.

Manufactured houses and mobile homes wider than 12′ must be hauled by an at least 15′ truck equipped with operating brakes on half of all axles (for example, if there are three axles, two of them must feature the brakes).

For more information about specialty permits:

http://www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Permits/OversizePermits

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Georgia

Oversize and overweight fines in Georgia depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight and the number of offenses since the first one within a year. The carrier must pay 5 cents per every unpermitted excessive pound.

Compensation for the additional weight applied to vehicles that are operating without a permit and causing damage shall be calculated at a rate of 125% higher than the fee.

Within a month of receiving the citation, the owner or operator of the violating vehicle must either remit the assessed amount to the Department of Public Safety or seek an administrative evaluation to determine the accuracy and validity of the compensation.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Georgia

The cost of Georgia OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, its nature, and its excessive weight and size. It starts at $30 for a single-trip permit and can reach $500 dollars for an annual permit.

Trucking Permit Service

Express Permits provides a full spectrum of trucking permit services, assisting motor carriers in obtaining the appropriate oversize and overweight permits, coordinating with authorities, and ensuring compliance with state regulations, saving valuable time, effort, and potential penalties. You can rely on us regardless of your load’s type, nature, and destination.