Virginia Oversize & Overweight Permits
Virginia's twist: the DMV, not VDOT, issues the hauling permit. Over 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, 80,000 lb, or legal length needs one. Single-trip oversize is $20, superload $30, plus $0.30 a mile overweight and $4 per bridge. Escorts start at 12' wide off the Interstate. The real trap is timing: no city travel 7 to 9 a.m. or 4 to 6 p.m., and that ban follows you onto named Beltway, Richmond, and Tidewater Interstate segments.
When Virginia needs a permit
Virginia's twist: the DMV, not VDOT, issues the hauling permit. Over 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, 80,000 lb, or legal length needs one. Single-trip oversize is $20, superload $30, plus $0.30 a mile overweight and $4 per bridge. Escorts start at 12' wide off the Interstate. The real trap is timing: no city travel 7 to 9 a.m. or 4 to 6 p.m., and that ban follows you onto named Beltway, Richmond, and Tidewater Interstate segments.
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 (semitrailer 48 ft, 53 ft on designated routes; single unit 40 ft). The Virginia DMV, not VDOT, issues the hauling permit.
- Escort / pilot car: Width over 12' takes one front and one rear escort off the Interstate (one rear on the Interstate). Over 14' adds more, and over 16' runs two front and two rear off-Interstate (one front, two rear on the Interstate). Height and long overhang can pull a lead/height car, and the largest widths and superloads may require a law-enforcement escort per the permit. Escort drivers must be certified.
- Superload: Superload single-trip permit for the big stuff, filed with DMV at least 10 working days out; the superload tier starts around 16' wide, 16' high, 150' long, or 250,000 lb. A letter of variance is required above 18' wide, 16' high, 200' long, or 250,000 lb, which brings a route survey and structure review.
- Travel curfew: No travel within city or town limits between 7 and 9 a.m. or 4 and 6 p.m. That same ban follows you onto named Interstate segments: the Capital Beltway area (I-495/I-395/I-95), Richmond (I-64 and I-95), Petersburg (I-85/I-95), Roanoke (I-581/Loop 419), and Tidewater. Overwidth loads are daylight-only, sunrise to sunset Monday through Saturday, with weekend and holiday no-move windows on the permit.
- Permit fee: Single-trip oversize is $20; superload single-trip is $30. Add $0.30 per mile if overweight and $4 per bridge or structure crossed. Annual and blanket permits cost more per issue but pay off on repeat runs.
Virginia Oversize Permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Virginia?
Does Virginia require a pilot car or escort?
Can I move an oversize load at night or on weekends in Virginia?
What does an oversize permit cost in Virginia?
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.dmv.virginia.gov/businesses/hauling. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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