Legal size & loaded measurements
General width
8′6″Vehicle reduced to its smallest dimensions; listed exceptions apply.
Loaded height
13′6″Ordinary vehicle-and-load limit; listed exceptions and actual route clearances apply.
Legal size & loaded measurements
Virginia DMV publishes an 8-foot-6-inch maximum-width baseline for the reduced vehicle configuration. Virginia DMV publishes a 13-foot-6-inch maximum-height baseline. Virginia DMV publishes 3-foot front and 4-foot rear overhang baselines. Virginia weight legality requires complete axle, group, spacing, bridge, registration, posting, route and special-program facts.
Loaded width
Virginia DMV publishes an 8-foot-6-inch maximum-width baseline for the reduced vehicle configuration.
Loaded height
Virginia DMV publishes a 13-foot-6-inch maximum-height baseline.
Permits, routes & larger loads
The permit authority
Virginia DMV hauling permits authorize state-highway movement; locality, federal, toll, tribal, private and facility approvals remain separate.
The applicable permit
A vehicle reduced to its smallest dimensions that still exceeds listed limits must obtain the applicable hauling permit before travel.
Permits, routes & larger loads
The single-trip envelope is 15 feet high, 15 feet wide and 150 feet long; the blanket envelope is 14 feet high, 14 feet wide and 100 feet long; each lists 24,000-pound single and 44,000-pound tandem caps. Superload classifications require research/analysis and exact route approval.
State permit fees
Single-trip agency fee example
$20 for this Virginia planning example: a nondivisible load measuring 8′7″ wide, 13′ high and 70′ overall, at 72,000 lb gross on a five-axle rig with a 48′ trailer. The example uses 100 in-state miles. Change the load details in the calculator for your move.
What the agency estimate includes
The calculator applies Virginia's maintained single-trip permit schedule to the loaded vehicle and the supplied fee inputs. It itemizes the supported state charges, including weight or distance charges where applicable. Annual permits, special products, local permissions and payment-method charges need their own applicable schedule.
VA / Permit worksheet
Price your Virginia movement.
Enter the complete loaded vehicle. Get estimated agency fees and escort requirements before sharing your contact details.
The numbers behind your next move.
Your result will show the agency fee breakdown, potential pilot-car requirements, and the rules used to calculate them.
- 01 State agency fee subtotal
- 02 Escort & survey considerations
- 03 Sources & pricing assumptions
Single-state pricing uses the mileage you enter. For a proposed route and intermediate states, use the route calculator.
About the example equipment
The samples use ODPermit’s editable 48 ft flatbed · 5 axles planning profile. Loaded dimensions, gross weight, 100 state miles and Texas registration are example inputs, not a capacity rating or a route approval. Replace them with your actual setup.
Great Dane Freedom trailer specifications — 48 ft platform; the illustrated 40 in drop deck and 20 in drop support a 60 in upper-deck planning height. Combined tare and tractor geometry are editable ODPermit assumptions.
Pilot cars, height poles & surveys
14′6″-wide load example
Example: 14′6″ wide × 13′ high, 75′ overall, 72,000 lb gross, zero overhang or rear projection, ordinary nondivisible freight in daylight. Depending on the road or permit conditions: Passenger-side projection over 3 ft 6 in requires a front escort; over 5 ft requires front and rear escorts. These can share the positions already listed. Check the actual side projection if the load is not centered. Two-lane non-Interstate roads: 2 front and 1 rear pilot cars. Four-or-more-lane non-Interstate roads: 2 front and 1 rear pilot cars. Interstate highways: 1 front and 1 rear pilot cars.
17′6″-high load example
Example: 9′ wide × 17′6″ high, 75′ overall, 72,000 lb gross, zero overhang or rear projection, ordinary nondivisible freight in daylight. Depending on the road or permit conditions: DMV may require a detailed travel plan, local police agreement and affected utility-company accompaniment for this superload, depending on the route and travel time. Depending on the road or permit conditions: Passenger-side projection over 3 ft 6 in requires a front escort; over 5 ft requires front and rear escorts. These can share the positions already listed. Check the actual side projection if the load is not centered. All road types: 1 front (height pole required) pilot car.
Travel hours & road restrictions
Travel hours & road restrictions
Current closures, construction, postings, weather, local restrictions and issued route conditions must be checked immediately before movement.
Signs, flags & safety equipment
Safety equipment
A commercial rear projection over four feet requires 18-inch fluorescent warning flags and, between sunset and sunrise, a red light visible 500 feet. Above 12 feet wide or 75 feet long, use amber lights visible 500 feet unless escort lights substitute.
Cargo securement
Cargo securement and the safety conditions printed on the permit apply alongside projection warnings, amber lighting and escort requirements.
What the driver needs
Prepare the driver packet
Carry the permit and the supporting documents required for the single-trip, blanket or superload product. Confirm the accepted document format before the move.
Special equipment & permit programs
Special-load paperwork
Containerized freight, milk, forest products, coal, construction equipment, cranes, boats and exempt paths require exact eligibility.
BEFORE THE TRUCK ROLLS
Turn the estimate
into a permitted move.
Confirm the loaded measurements, carrier details, travel dates and exact pickup and delivery. We can help coordinate permits, escorts and route surveys around those facts.
THE SOURCE RECORD
Official references.
Read the rule behind each requirement. These are dated references; current restrictions and the issued permit control your move.
- 01
- 02Virginia Size, Weight and Equipment Requirements
Legal Size Limitations and Hauling Permits
Source record: - 03
- 04
- 05
- 06Virginia Size, Weight and Equipment Requirements
Single trip, Superload single trip and Blanket permits · Page 9
Source record: - 07Virginia Code 46.2-652.1 — single-trip overweight and combined fees
Virginia Code 46.2-652.1 — single-trip overweight and combined fees
Source record: - 08
- 09Virginia 24VAC20-82-130 — general escorting guidelines
Virginia 24VAC20-82-130 — general escorting guidelines
Source record: - 10Virginia 24VAC20-82-60 — superload travel plans
Virginia 24VAC20-82-60 — superload travel plans
Source record: - 11Virginia 24VAC20-82-130 — general escorting guidelines
Virginia 24VAC20-82-130 — general escorting guidelines
Source record: - 12Virginia 24VAC20-82-60 — superload travel plans
Virginia 24VAC20-82-60 — superload travel plans
Source record: - 13Virginia Size, Weight and Equipment Requirements
Extended Loads on All Highways · Page 2
Source record: - 14Virginia Size, Weight and Equipment Requirements
Amber Flashing Lights — Overdimensional Loads · Page 18
Source record: - 15Code of Virginia Title 46.2, Chapter 10, Article 18 — Permits for Excessive Size and Weight
Article 18
Source record: