Tennessee Oversize & Overweight Permits
Over 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, or 80,000 lb, get a TDOT permit. Standard oversize runs daylight only, 30 minutes each side of the sun, Monday through Saturday, and never on Sunday. Watch the metro trap: escorted loads are banned 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. on interstates in Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Rutherford County. Over 16' wide, 15'6" high, or 165,000 lb is a superload with police escorts.
When Tennessee needs a permit
Over 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, or 80,000 lb, get a TDOT permit. Standard oversize runs daylight only, 30 minutes each side of the sun, Monday through Saturday, and never on Sunday. Watch the metro trap: escorted loads are banned 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. on interstates in Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Rutherford County. Over 16' wide, 15'6" high, or 165,000 lb is a superload with police escorts.
Thresholds, escorts, and curfews
- Legal max before a permit: Permit needed over 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, 80,000 lb gross, or over legal length (53' trailer inside roughly 65 ft overall).
- Escort / pilot car: Escorts phase in as you get wider, taller, or longer. Expect one pilot car past about 12' wide and front-and-rear on the widest loads. Superloads (over 16' wide, 15'6" high, or 165,000 lb) pull state police plus multiple officers.
- Superload: Superload once you top 16' wide, 15'6" high, or 165,000 lb gross. Those move daylight only and need engineering review plus police escorts. Expect longer lead time than an ordinary single-trip.
- Travel curfew: Daylight only, 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, Monday through Saturday. No Sunday oversize movement of any kind. Loads 85 ft or longer, or over 12'6" wide, sit out metro rush hours 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. On interstates in Davidson, Rutherford, Hamilton, Knox, and Shelby counties, any escorted load is banned in those same windows.
- Permit fee: Single-trip oversize commonly about $20 to $30; overweight starts around $20 plus a per-ton-mile charge. Annual permits available for qualifying repeat moves.
Tennessee Oversize Permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Tennessee?
Does Tennessee require a pilot car or escort?
Can I move an oversize load at night or on weekends in Tennessee?
What does an oversize permit cost in Tennessee?
Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://www.tn.gov/tdot/traffic-operations-division/oversize---overweight-permits/frequently-asked-questions.html. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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