Alabama Oversize Information

Permits 
Oversize Permits are valid for 5 days in this state. Driver must have a permit prior to entering the state.

Operating Time
Travel is allowed during daylight only, (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset) Monday through Saturday. No Sunday travel. Continuous travel is not allowed even when overweight only.

Restrictions
No travel is allowed on major holidays.

Speed Limit
For overweight speed limit might listed on the permit. For oversize loads maximum posted limits unless otherwise specified on permit.

Legal Dimensions
The vehicle must have the following characteristics:

Width: 8’6″ (8′ on lanes less than 12′ wide)
Height: 13’6”;
Length: 57′ trailers (53’6″ on roads less than 12′ wide) and 85′ overall (unless trailer exceeds 57′);
Overhang: 10′ front; 5′ rear; must be within length limits;
Weight: 80,000 Gross; Single – 20,000; Tandem – 34,000; Tridem – 42,000.
These parameters are established by the local legislation.

Routine Oversize Load Permit Limits
Width: 16′ (over 14′ cannot use Interstate)
Height: 16’
Length: 150′ (maximum overhang 20′)
Overhang: 20′ overhang is the maximum permitted.
Weight: 250,000 Gross weight; Steer – 12,000; Single – 22,000; Tandem – 44,000; Tridem – 66,000; Quad — 88,000; 5 axles – 110,000; 6 axles – 122,000; 7 axles – 142,000; 8 axles – 150,000
Loads exceeding these dimensions, over 150,000 are Superloads.

Escorts
Width: over 12′ – 2 escort pilot cars needed.
Height: over 15’5′ – 1 escort pilot car needed *(may be needed at lower heights on some routes)
Bucket or Blade Rule: If bucket or blade protrudes past sides of the trailer – 1 escort needed. (No escort needed if outriggers are used to prevent bucket or blade from protruding sides of the trailer).
Length: With legal trailer length, over 85 – 1 escort pilot car needed, over 105′ – 2 escorts needed. Trailer length over 57’ – 1 rear escort needed
Overhang: over 5′ rear overhang – 1 rear escort needed, over 10′ front overhang – 1 front escort needed.

Miscellaneous
Bulldozers, front-end loaders and similar equipment shall be loaded with the blade to the rear any time the blade protrudes beyond the transporting vehicle. Overweight dozer and blade must be attached, or else hauled on separate loads if the blade is detached. 60′ Structural steel is exempt from permits and escorts.

Security Measures
“Oversize Load” signs must be clearly visible on the front and the rear of any over-width or over-length vehicle or combination of vehicles and loads. Flags must be placed at the front and the rear corners of any over-dimensional load or vehicle. Over 4′ rear overhang requires lights at night. (Over 5′ needs a permit, and cannot run at night). There are no sign or flag requirements for overweight or overweight only loads.

Request a Permit