VirginiaOversize & overweight permits.

Loads bigger or heavier than a regular single-trip permit allows move on a superload permit, which needs research and analysis.

• Regular single-trip limits: 15′ high, 15′ wide, 150′ long; 24,000 lb single axle and 44,000 lb tandem
• Superload single trip: $30, plus 30¢ per mile if overweight or not licensable in Virginia
• Superload multi-trip: $220 for 3 months, route specific, issued case by case
• No refunds or credits for unused or expired permits

Submit superload requests to DMV at least 10 working days before the move; they are issued case by case only after review or VDOT engineering analysis.

• The review can make the load ineligible to move
• The permit is for one vehicle and cannot be transferred
• Carry the permit in the truck and show it to DMV, police or VDOT on request
• Laying over on private property needs the owner's written permission, carried in the truck

Superloads over any of these limits may need a detailed travel plan, depending on when and where they travel. The plan includes:

• Load description, overall dimensions and weight, and why it can't be reduced or moved by air, rail or water
• Virginia origin and destination, mileage and preferred routes, plus a company contact
• How emergency vehicles get through, pull-off spots (hold traffic no more than 10 minutes if possible) and layover spots
• Written agreement from local police to escort through their jurisdiction
• Written agreement from affected utility, cable and phone companies to lift overhead wires
• Written VDOT authorization for removing or adjusting highway structures

Very heavy loads get extra VDOT analysis before DMV issues the permit:

• Over 400,000 lb: submit a vehicle loading schematic with the application
• Over 750,000 lb: hire a Virginia-licensed engineer to analyze every structure on the route (possible from 500,000 lb)
• The engineer signs a CII/SSI nondisclosure form before VDOT releases bridge plans
• VDOT may require pre- and post-trip structure inspections and a surety bond
• VDOT must approve the analysis; its decision is final

On a superload, the hauling company researches the route for clearances and sends DMV a recommended routing plan, plus a written route survey or traffic control plan when required.

• Superloads over 16′ high may need a route survey
• Over 150,000 lb: DMV asks VDOT Structure and Bridge for structural analysis of the route

A third party is not required; the person who ran the route must sign and verify the route survey.

Other than containerized-freight/milk permits and permits for irreducible loads, no Virginia overweight permit is valid on an Interstate above these weights:

• 20,000 lb on a single axle
• 34,000 lb on a tandem axle
• 80,000 lb gross, or less by axle spacing

All permits must be accompanied by form MP 227, which lists city, town and county rules. Locality permits may be available when applied for together with a state blanket permit.

• DMV issues single-trip locality permits only for Norfolk, for port travel
• Escort rules for those localities are printed on the locality permit

In several cities the state permit covers only the listed Interstates or routes; contact the city for other streets:

• Richmond: only I-64, I-195 and I-95
• Norfolk: only I-64, I-264, I-464 and I-564
• Virginia Beach: only I-64 and I-264; Hampton: only I-64 and I-664; Newport News: only I-64 and I-664
• Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Alexandria: listed routes only
• Fairfax City: state permit not valid in city limits
• Many towns require a call to police 1–48 hours before entering (see MP 227)

Virginia's general escort guidelines (the permit lists the final requirements):

• Over 12′ wide: non-Interstate 1 front + 1 rear; Interstate 1 rear
• Over 14′ wide: non-Interstate 2 front + 1 rear; Interstate 1 front + 1 rear
• Over 16′ wide: non-Interstate 2 front + 2 rear; Interstate 1 front + 2 rear
• Over 90′ long: 1 rear off Interstate; over 120′: 1 rear on Interstates too; over 150′: 1 front + 1 rear
• Front overhang over 10′: 1 front; rear overhang over 15′: 1 rear
• Over 18′ wide or 200′ long: case by case
• DMV may change escorts based on weight, size, location or route

When an off-centered load hangs out on the passenger side:

• Over 3′6″ on the passenger side: 1 front pilot car
• Over 5′ on the passenger side: 1 front and 1 rear pilot car

When the permit requires a height pole, the front (lead) pilot car carries it, extended at least 3″ above the load's specified height while escorting.

Virginia's escort vehicle rules:

• A truck from ¼-ton rated capacity up to 17,000 lb GVWR, or a car of at least 2,000 lb; no trailer, and it can't look like a police vehicle
• Two-way communication with the truck driver and all escorts; headlights on at all times
• At least one rotating or flashing roof light visible 500′ in all directions
• "Wide Load", "Oversize Load" or "Overweight Load" sign: black 8″ letters (1¼″ stroke) on a yellow banner, on front and rear bumpers
• A 5 lb or larger BC or ABC fire extinguisher, and reflective triangles or flares
• Stop/slow paddles at least 18″×18″ with 6″ letters; flaggers wear a hard hat and ANSI Class II or III vest

Every escort driver on a permit that requires escorts needs a valid driver's license and an escort certificate from Virginia or a state Virginia has reciprocity with.

• Virginia certificate: age 18+, valid license, 8-hour approved course, knowledge test at 80% or higher
• Valid five years; renewing requires passing the knowledge test again
• Carry the certificate, driver's license and proof of insurance while escorting
• Escort companies keep at least $750,000 liability insurance

Virginia DMV lists reciprocity agreements with these states:

• Florida
• Georgia
• Minnesota
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Utah
• Washington

Law enforcement escorts may be required case by case; all escort requirements are listed on your hauling or locality permit.

Loads over 12′ and up to 14′ wide need a police escort to stop traffic before crossing these bridges; notify police 24 hours ahead:

• Route 17 bridge over the York River (York/Gloucester)
• Route 15/58 Business bridge over Buggs Island Lake at Clarksville
• Route 360 bridge over the Dan River at South Boston
• Route 360 bridge over the Rappahannock at Tappahannock (over 12′ up to 16′ wide, with police escorts)

On a commercial vehicle, a load sticking out more than 4″ past the sides or 4′ past the rear needs:

• Red or orange fluorescent flags at least 18″×18″ marking the extremities
• 1 rear flag if the projection is 2′ wide or less; 2 if wider
• Sunset to sunrise: a red light at the end of the load visible 500′ to the sides and rear

Over 12′ wide or 75′ long, run high-intensity amber flashing lights visible 500′ on top of the towing vehicle and on the upper rear of the load.

• Not needed if escort vehicles with roof-mounted amber flashing lights accompany the load

Every oversize or overweight permit must be in the vehicle it covers and can be inspected by any officer or size and weight compliance agent.

• Violating permit terms is a Class 1 misdemeanor
• The permitted weight no longer counts if you're off the permit route, have fewer axles or shorter axle spacing than the permit requires, or haul multiple items the permit doesn't allow

Enforcement may accept a digital copy of the permit, but DMV recommends a printed copy in the truck.

• Upload your insurance document to EZ Haul; certificate holder: Virginia Dept. of Motor Vehicles, 2300 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23269
• Each company needs its own EZ Haul account; one username can't hold multiple USDOT accounts

Check the permit for errors before travel, follow every permit condition, and tell DMV within three business days if the permitted vehicle is in any accident.

• Using the permit means agreeing to pay for damage caused by the move

An annual multi-trip (general blanket) permit covers repeated moves within these limits:

• Up to 14′ high, 14′ wide and 100′ long
• 24,000 lb single axle and 44,000 lb tandem; tri, quad and gross by axle spacing
• $100 for one year or $200 for two years; $40 mileage and $360 per year damage fee added if overweight

Mobile homes and manufactured housing on a single-trip permit pay a flat $1.00 fee instead of the 30¢-per-mile charge.

• Blanket permits: the $40 per-year mileage fee applies to mobile and manufactured homes

An overload permit adds 5% to the 20,000 lb single, 34,000 lb tandem and spacing-based gross limits.

• Never more than 84,000 lb gross
• Valid only on Virginia state roads, not Interstates
• For vehicles over 7,500 lb, Virginia or out-of-state registered; expires with the registration

DMV issues exempt permits for specific commodities or services; cost varies by commodity or service.

• Exempt blanket permits for boat trailers can be applied for online
• Exempt permit holders must review or download the VDOT Structure Exclusion List or Locality Document

Farm machinery temporarily moved on the highway by a farmer, farm machinery dealer or distributor, or fertilizer distributor in the ordinary course of business needs no oversize or overweight permit.

• Commercial carriers still need permits
• Overweight machinery may not use the federal Interstate system