The following information about Tennessee Oversize Permits is provided solely for reference. Please carefully review your permits and provisions sheets, as we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information. For questions or assistance, contact the number provided.

Tennessee DOT #:615.741.2848

Tennessee Oversize Permits Duration

Tennessee oversize permits are valid for six days and must be obtained prior to entering the state.

Operating Time

Travel is restricted to daylight hours, specifically from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, Monday through Saturday. No travel is allowed on Sundays. Overweight vehicles are permitted to have continuous movement.

Restricted Travel

Movements exceeding 12’6″ in width or 85′ in length are prohibited within statewide city limits and heavily traveled adjoining commercial or residential areas from 7:00-9:00 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Additionally, no travel is allowed on major holidays.

Legal Dimensions

Length:

  • Not to exceed 50′ from kingpin to end of trailer or load is legal length
  • A permit is required for utility poles when overall length is 75feet or more

Overhang: 

See Length, above.

Width: 

8’6″

Height:

 13′ 6″

Weight:

 80,000 Gross

  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 34,000
  • Tridem – 42,000 w/ 8′ of spacing, 42,500 w/ 9′
Get Permit Now

Call (832) 454-5883 For Permit Consultation

Routine Permit Limits

Length:

 120′

Width:

 16′

Height:

 15′

Weight:

  • 5 axles – 100,000
  • 6 axles – 120,000
  • 7 axles 140,000
  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 40,000
  • Tridem – 60,00

Super Loads In Tennessee Oversize Permits:

Loads surpassing these dimensions are classified as Super Loads. Typically, movements exceeding 16′ in width or 15′ in height will be denied unless it can be demonstrated that the transport serves the interests of public welfare, safety, or national defense. Movements exceeding 16′ in height are generally not allowed, and obtaining a permit may necessitate a letter of necessity detailing the load and justifying the need for it to pass through Tennessee.

Tennessee Oversize Permits image


Escort Conditions for Tennessee Oversize Permits

Length:

  • Over 85′ – 1 escort
  • Over 120′ – 2 escorts
  • Over 75′ to 85′ long requires rotating or strobe type amber light

Width:

  • On Interstate and 4-lane highways:
    • Over 12’6″ – 1 escort
    • Over 14′ – 2 escorts
  • On 2-lane highways:
    • Over 10′ – 1 escort (unless over 24′ pavement width excluding shoulders)
    • Over 14′ – 2 escorts

Height: 

Over 15′ (if approved) – 1 escort with height pole

MISCELLANEOUS

Bulldozer blades or loads containing protruding sharp objects must be loaded with the blade or sharp object positioned to the rear of the hauling equipment if the blade exceeds 10’6” in width. Permits will not be issued for blades or protruding sharp objects causing a width in excess of 13’6″. Combination loads that involve two different overdimensions on separate pieces, such as an overwidth dozer and an overheight backhoe on the same load, cannot be permitted.

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS

Movements exceeding 10′ in width and/or 75′ in length must display “Oversize Load” signs at the front and rear. Loads over 75’ in overall length, but not exceeding 85’, require a rotating or strobe-type amber light at the end of the load. Red flags are mandatory on overwidth loads at the front, rear, top, and bottom on each side where the load is widest (or at the widest point if it is between the top and bottom). Red flags must be placed at the extreme rear end of overlength loads or when there is over 4′ rear overhang. No sign or flag requirements are specified for overheight-only loads. While Oversize Load signs are recommended for overweight-only loads by scale officers, the rules and regulations do not explicitly mandate them.