Tennessee Oversize and Overweight Permits
In Tennessee, the maximum load limits before a trucking permit is required are:
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Length: 53 feet
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Width: 8'6"
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Height: 13'6"
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Weight: 80,000 pounds gross (GVW)
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Overhang: 4 feet front, 4 feet rear
When Are Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Required in Tennessee?
Heavy-haul or oversize loads may require an escort vehicle or pilot car if:
Length:
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75 to 85 feet: May be permitted with an amber strobe light.
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85 feet: Requires 1 pilot car.
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120 feet: Requires 2 pilot cars.
Width:
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2-lane roads:
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10 feet: Requires 1 pilot car unless the pavement width is 24 feet from edge line to edge line.
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14 feet: Requires 1 pilot car and 1 escort vehicle.
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4-lane roads:
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12 feet 6 inches: Requires 1 escort vehicle.
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14 feet: Requires 1 pilot car and 1 escort vehicle.
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Height:
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15 feet: Requires a pilot car with a height pole.
Notes:
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Combination loads with two oversize dimensions, such as a bulldozer with a wide blade and another piece of tall machinery, are not permitted on one single trailer. Blades or buckets exceeding 13 feet 6 inches must be removed.
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All oversize machinery must be loaded onto a trailer with extremities facing the rear.
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Mobile Homes: Mobile homes up to 16 feet wide require 1 front and 1 rear pilot car. They are allowed to travel every day except Sundays, with travel times from 9 AM to 4 PM, and all-day travel permitted on Saturdays.
How Much Do Trucking Permits Cost in Tennessee?
Here are the permit fees for various load sizes and conditions:
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Width:
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Not more than 10 feet: $10
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Between 10 feet and 12 feet: $15
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Between 12 feet and 14 feet: $25
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Between 14 feet and 16 feet: $30
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Over 16 feet: $30 plus $5 for each additional foot or fraction of a foot
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Height or Length Permit: $15
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Overweight Single Trip Permit: $15 plus $0.05 per ton/mile
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Annual Overweight Permits:
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Vehicles up to 120,000 pounds: $500
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Vehicles over 120,000 pounds up to 150,000 pounds: $1,000
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Gross Vehicle Weight Evaluation for Bridges/Structures: $100 or more, depending on the weight.
Tennessee Oversize and Overweight Permit Limits
Here are the maximum weight and dimension limits for loads in Tennessee, even with a permit:
Maximum Weight Limits:
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Single Axle Weight Permit: 20,000 pounds
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Tandem Axle Weight Permit: 40,000 pounds
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Tridem Axle Weight Permit: 60,000 pounds
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Quadem Axle Weight Permit: 80,000 pounds
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Five Axle Weight Permit: 100,000 pounds
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Six Axle Weight Permit: 120,000 pounds
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Seven Axle Weight Permit: 140,000 pounds
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Eight Axle Weight Permit: 160,000 pounds
Maximum Dimensions:
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Maximum Length With Permit: 120 feet
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Maximum Width With Permit: 16 feet
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Maximum Height With Permit: 15 feet
Learn More About Super Load Permits in Tennessee
Superloads are shipments that exceed the standard weight or dimension limits for regular oversize and heavy-haul trucking permits. Any load exceeding 15 feet in height or 16 feet in width will not be permitted under routine permits if it poses a public safety risk or potential property damage. Shipments exceeding 16 feet in height are particularly scrutinized in Tennessee and will require additional approval for permitting.