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Tennessee Oversize and Overweight Permits

In Tennessee, the maximum load limits before a trucking permit is required are:

  • Length: 53 feet

  • Width: 8'6"

  • Height: 13'6"

  • Weight: 80,000 pounds gross (GVW)

  • 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:

  • 75 to 85 feet: May be permitted with an amber strobe light.

  • 85 feet: Requires 1 pilot car.

  • 120 feet: Requires 2 pilot cars.

Width:

  • 2-lane roads:

    • 10 feet: Requires 1 pilot car unless the pavement width is 24 feet from edge line to edge line.

    • 14 feet: Requires 1 pilot car and 1 escort vehicle.

  • 4-lane roads:

    • 12 feet 6 inches: Requires 1 escort vehicle.

    • 14 feet: Requires 1 pilot car and 1 escort vehicle.

Height:

  • 15 feet: Requires a pilot car with a height pole.

Notes:

  • 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.

  • All oversize machinery must be loaded onto a trailer with extremities facing the rear.

  • 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:

  • Width:

    • Not more than 10 feet: $10

    • Between 10 feet and 12 feet: $15

    • Between 12 feet and 14 feet: $25

    • Between 14 feet and 16 feet: $30

    • Over 16 feet: $30 plus $5 for each additional foot or fraction of a foot

  • Height or Length Permit: $15

  • Overweight Single Trip Permit: $15 plus $0.05 per ton/mile

  • Annual Overweight Permits:

    • Vehicles up to 120,000 pounds: $500

    • Vehicles over 120,000 pounds up to 150,000 pounds: $1,000

  • 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:

  • Single Axle Weight Permit: 20,000 pounds

  • Tandem Axle Weight Permit: 40,000 pounds

  • Tridem Axle Weight Permit: 60,000 pounds

  • Quadem Axle Weight Permit: 80,000 pounds

  • Five Axle Weight Permit: 100,000 pounds

  • Six Axle Weight Permit: 120,000 pounds

  • Seven Axle Weight Permit: 140,000 pounds

  • Eight Axle Weight Permit: 160,000 pounds

Maximum Dimensions:

  • Maximum Length With Permit: 120 feet

  • Maximum Width With Permit: 16 feet

  • 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.

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