Oversize / Overweight Permits in Virginia

Virginia Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Virginia 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 of a semi-trailer: 48′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
Length of a truck-trailer combo: 53′ (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); depends on the axle spacing and number of axles
Single axle: 20,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
Tridem axle: 54,000 lb.

Virginia Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits

A general single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversize and overweight loads exceeding the legal limits. It covers one movement from point A to point B during the running times specified in the permit. The duration and cost of a single-trip permit vary depending on the load’s nature and type. The average price starts at $20.

Note: If the vehicle is overweight or its configuration cannot be licensed in Virginia, there will be an additional charge of 30 cents per mile. However, mobile homes and manufactured housing will have a flat fee of $1.00 instead of 30 cents per mile.

For more details:

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/commercial/#mcs/programs/overload/index.asp

Virginia Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

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

maximum overall length – 150′
maximum width – 15′
maximum height – 15′

An annual vehicle-specific envelope cost is $100.

Note: If the vehicle is overweight, there will be an additional charge of $40 per year for mileage and $360 per year for damages. However, only the $40 mileage fee per year will be charged if the vehicle configuration cannot be licensed in Virginia.

Virginia Wide Load Requirements

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All extremities of oversized vehicles and loads (including front, sides, and rear as well as rear overhang over 4′) must be marked with red or fluorescent orange square flags.

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

Virginia requires trailers and vehicles hauling oversized loads to be equipped with “oversize load” banners.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

Typically black letters on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

All vehicles wider than 12′ and longer than 75′ must be equipped with roof-top-mounted amber flashing lights, visible from at least 500 ft. Two red lights on the rear are also required.

Note: No lights are required if accompanied by escort vehicles.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

1 front and 1 rear escorts on non-interstate routes when the width is over 12′
2 front and 1 rear escorts on non-interstate routes when the width is over 14′
1 front and 1 rear escorts on interstate routes when the width is over 14′
2 front and 2 rear escorts on non-interstate routes when the width is over 16′
1 front and 2 rear escorts on interstate routes when the width is over 16′
1 front escort for off-centered load exceeding 3′ 6” on the passenger side
1 front and 1 rear escorts for off-centered load exceeding 5′ on the passenger side
1 front escort with a height pole when the height is over 14′
1 rear escort on non-interstate routes when the length is over 85′
1 rear escort on interstate routes when the length is over 120′
1 front and 1 rear escorts on all routes when the length is over 150′
1 front escort on all routes when the front overhang is over 10′ (measured from the front bumper)
1 rear escort on all routes when the rear overhang is over 15′ (measured from the rear bumper)

Note: All loads wider than 18 and longer than 200 will be evaluated and considered individually.

Virginia Wide Load Restrictions

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

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Virginia wide load permits, oversize loads are not allowed to be moved on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Some other restrictions in other areas may be applied.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Unless otherwise permitted, oversized loads are allowed to transport from sunrise till sunset Monday through Saturday. Vehicle hauling loads under legal limits can run at night but on the interstate system only.

Traveling within the boundaries of cities or towns is prohibited from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Virginia adheres to the Federal Bridge Formula that provides specific bridge restrictions. As for the oversize road restrictions, they include but are not limited to 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 Virginia. However, they may appear in Virginia oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Virginia Wide Load Limits

Virginia 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 – 20,000 lbs
tandem axle (40″-96″ between axles) – 34,000 lbs
single unit (2 axles) – 40,000 lbs
single unit (3 axles) – 50,000 lbs
tractor-semitrailer (3 axles) – 60,000 lbs
tractor-semitrailer (4 axles) – 74,000 lbs
tractor-semitrailer (5 axles) – 80,000 lbs
other combinations of 5 or more axles – 80,000 lbs
per inch of tire width in contact with road surface – 650,00 lbs

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

single axle – 24,000 lbs (average)
tandem axle – 45,000 lbs (average)
triple axle – 60,000 lbs (average)
quadrum axle – 70,000 lbs (average)

Note: The maximum permissible weight varies depending on the type of the load.

For more information: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/pdf/dmv109.pdf

Oversize Tire Regulations:

Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum tread depth of 2/32″ (4/32″ for font tires).

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

Virginia Trip Permits

The state of Virginia issues 10-day IRP permits for the cost of $15. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Virginia Fuel Permits

IFTA permits are necessary for all interstate motor carriers driving in or through Virginia. The state of Virginia issues 10-day IFTApermits for the cost of $20. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Virginia Specialty Permits

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

Superload Permits:

Virginia issues superload permits for loads exceeding:

16′ in height
16′ in width
150′ in length
250,000 lbs. of GVW

The cost is $30 per vehicle.

Note: Every vehicle configuration requires special research and analysis. If the vehicle is overweight or its configuration cannot be licensed in Virginia, there will be an additional charge of 30 cents per mile for mileage. Additionally, there will be a $4.00 research fee per structure or bridge.

For more information about specialty permits:

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/commercial/#mcs/programs/overload/index.asp

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Virginia

The size of oversize and overweight fines in Virginia depends on the unpermitted weight (from 1 cent to 35 cents per pound) exceeding the maximum legal weight or dimensions.

The person responsible for the overweight violation, whether it’s the owner, operator, or another party, will face several charges. These include a $25 civil penalty, a $20 processing fee, a $2 weighing fee, and an additional $20 in liquidated damages.

Note: The penalties will be doubled if the vehicle’s gross weight exceeds the legal weight limit by 25% to 50% and tripled if over 50%.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Virginia

The cost of Virginia OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, its nature, and its excessive weight and size. It starts at $15 for a single-trip permit and can exceed several hundred dollars for an annual permit.

You may also be charged an application fee for handling and processing your permit request.

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.