Search
Close this search box.
Shipping Quote in Sub Header

2024 Alabama Oversize Permits and Regulations

Shipping Quote Minified - Header & Homepage

Alabama Oversize and Overweight Permits

Contact (877) 792-5056 for Oversize Permits in Alabama.
Wondering if you need oversize and overweight permits in Alabama? Learn below when you need and don’t need oversize permits in Alabama. When you need help moving a load a permit, please contact us directly and have one of our 100+ oversize shipping specialists help get the oversize permit you’re looking for. Find information like the maximum width allowed on a highway in Alabama, legal load limits in Alabama, and when Alabama requires pilot cars based on the dimensions of your load below; oversize permits in Alabama

Oversize Load Limits in Alabama

Below are the maximum load sizes in Alabama before you need a permit. 
  • Length: 57 feet
  • Width: 8 feet and 6 inches
  • Height: 13 feet and 6 inches
  • Weight: 80,000 pounds gross (GVW).
  • Overhang: 4 feet off the rear and 5 feet from the front.

When Do You Need Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles in Alabama?

Heavy-haul or oversize loads require to be accompanied by an escort vehicle or pilot car if:
  • The load is over 15 feet, and 6 inches (4.72 meters) in height, 1 front pilot car (escort vehicle) is required, and a height pole adjusted 4-6 inches (10.16 – 12.7 centimeters) higher than the actual shipment.  On some routes, a high pole pilot (escort) may be required for even less heights.
  • The shipment is above 12 feet (3.65 meters) wide, 2 front and 1 rear pilot car (escort vehicle) are required. Rear pilot cars (escort vehicles) can be replaced with two 5-inch (12.7 centimeters) flashing, strobing, or rotating amber lights for mobile home shipments. 
  • The shipment is over 85 feet (25.90 meters) in length,1 rear pilot car (escort) is required.
  • The shipment is over 105 feet (32.0 meters) in length,1 front and 1 rear pilot car (escort vehicle) is required. 
  • The load overhang exceeds 10 feet (3.04 meters) from the front of the trailer or 5 feet (1.52 meters) off of the rear of the trailer, 1 rear pilot car (escort) is required.
There are special escort requirements for bulldozers, scrapers, loaders, and other construction equipment being transported with a blade or bucket intact. However, on some routes that are 2 lane roads may require 1 front pilot car, and on some 4-lane roads 1 rear escort.

What’s the Cost of Trucking Permits In Alabama?

Below are some examples of the costs of single-trip permits the state of Alabama charges straight from their DOT website. Any service provider obtaining permits for you will still have their cost associated with your total. Contact an Alabama oversize permit specialist at (877) 792-5056! Cost of Single Trip Overweight Permit: 
  • 80,001 pounds to 100,000 pounds: $10.00
  • 100,001 pounds to 125,000 pounds: $30.00
  • 125,001 pounds to 150,000 pounds: $60.00
  • 150,001 pounds and over: $100.00
NOTE:  Heavy commodities or equipment. This is for vehicles or combinations of vehicles and loads whose weight exceeds the maximum limit specified by law. Costs of Single Trip Permits for Oversize Loads:
  • Mobile homes, modular homes, sectional houses, portable buildings, and boats: $10.00
  • Up to and including 12 feet wide, 75 feet long: $10.00
  • Boats over 12 feet wide: $20.00
  • Mobile homes, modular homes, sectional houses, and portable buildings over 12 feet wide and/or 75 feet long: $20.00
We Offer Trucking Permits in the Following Cities in Alabama; Birmingham, Alabama; Montgomery, AL; Huntsville, AL; Mobile, AL; Tuscaloosa, AL; Hoover, AL; Dothan, AL; Auburn, AL; Decatur, AL; Madison, AL; Florence, AL; Phenix City, AL; Prattville, AL; Vestavia Hills, AL; Gadsden, AL; Alabaster, AL; Opelika, AL; Daphne, AL; Enterprise, AL; Athens, AL; Pelham, AL; Prichard, AL: Anniston, AL; Trussville, AL; Albertville, AL. Oxford, AL; Mountain Brook, AL; Fairhope, AL; Troy, AL; Selma, AL; We Offer Trucking Permits in the Following Counties in Alabama; Jefferson County; Mobile County; Madison County; Montgomery County; Baldwin County; Tuscaloosa County; Shelby County; Lee County; Morgan County; Calhoun County; Houston County; Etowah County; Limestone County; Marshall County; Lauderdale County; St. Clair County; Elmore County; Cullman County; Talladega County; DeKalb County

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Certifications and Requirements in Alabama

A pilot car vehicle must be classified as an actual passenger vehicle to qualify, i.e., car, truck, van, etc. A pilot car vehicle must be equipped with a strobing, flashing, or rotating amber light. The pilot car must be able to communicate with and be in constant contact with all parties working on the shipment by CB or 2-way radio. Also, see federal requirements for pilot cars and escort vehicles. Signs mounted on pilot car vehicles must moderately fit the vehicle and not be obtrusive.

Oversize Load Sign Requirement in Alabama

Here are the required safety markings, safety flags, and warning lights for heavy haul and oversized loads in Alabama
A sign must be mounted on the front and rear of any overwidth or overlength truck and trailer or combinations. Banners/signs need to be a minimum of 7 feet (2.13 meters) in width, 18 inches (45.7 centimeters) in height, and marked with black letters of no less than 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) in height, with a minimum of a 1-5/8 inch (4.12 centimeters) line thickness on a yellow or orange background. The actual words required are “OVERSIZE LOAD.” Red flags must be at least 18 inches (45.7 centimeters) square and placed at all 4 outermost corners of all over-dimensional shipments.

Legal Travel Times For Oversize and Overweight Loads in Alabama

  • One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
  • Travel is allowed all day Saturday with NO SUNDAY TRAVEL PERMITTED.
  • Shipments 120 feet to 150 feet in length are restricted from moving from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Mondays through Fridays.
Travel is NOT Permitted on The Following Holidays:  The Alabama DOT state permit office is closed on these holidays.
New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Day
Memorial Day Washington’s Birthday
Independence Day Columbus Day
Labor Day Confederate Memorial Day
Thanksgiving Day Jefferson Davis’ Birthday
Christmas Day Veteran’s Day
More information on DOT permit office closure is available here. Travel is NOT restricted these days.

Oversize and Overweight Permit Limits in Alabama

Here’s the maximum weight your load can be, even with a permit in Alabama:
  • Single Axle Weight Permits: 22,000 pounds
  • Tandem axles Weight Permits: 44,000 pounds
  • Tridem axles Weight Permits: 66,000 pounds
  • Quantum axles Weight Permits: 88,000 pounds
  • Five axle Weight Permits: 102,000 pounds
  • Six axle Weight Permits: 124,000 pounds
  • Seven axle Weight Permits: 146,000 pounds
  • Eight axle Weight Permits: 168,000 pounds
Below are the maximum dimensions a load can be even with a permit in the state of Alabama:
  • Max Length With Permit: 150 feet
  • Max Overhang With Permit: 20 feet
  • Maximum Width With Permit: 16 feet
  • Maximum Height With Permit: 16 feet
Please refer to the super load section if your overweight or oversize load exceeds any of these dimensions or 180,000 pounds. Any permitted load with weight is subject to a detailed bridge analysis.

Super Load Shipping Permits in Alabama

Heavy haul loads greater than 150,000 pounds or 16 feet wide or 16 feet tall, or 150 feet long will require special approval. Drawings are required and should include axle weights and spacings. Heavy haul loads exceeding 150,000 pounds are subject to structural analysis. If any bridges are to be crossed moving a heavy haul shipment (with exceptions), you may be able to move at night with police escorts when hauling a super load.

Learn More About Super Load Permits in Alabama 

When is a load considered a superload in Alabama?
  • Superload Weight: over 250,000 pounds of gross weight.
  • Superload Length: over 150 feet long.
  • Superload Width: over 16 feet in width.
  • Superload Height: over 16 feet in height.

Maximum Oversize Load Allowed On The Road in Alabama (even with permits)

  • Max Length Allowed With Permits: 150 feet
  • Max Width Allowed With Permits: 16 feet
  • Max Height Allowed With Permits: 16 feet
  • Maximum Weight Allowed With Permits: On a single axle; 22,000 pounds, tandem axles: 44,000 pounds, tridem axles: 66,000 pounds, quadem axles: 88,000 pounds 5 axles: 102,000 pounds, 6 axles: 124,000 pounds, 7 axles: 146,000 pounds, 8 axles: 168,000 pounds.
  • Overhang: 20 feet maximum.Notes: Alabama state permitting department no longer uses the metric system. On shipments over any of the above dimensions or 180,000 pounds. Proceed to the super load section below for more information. Loads with weight restrictions are subject to a bridge analysis.
Anything of this nature will require special ALDOT approval. Detailed drawings will be required and need to include shop drawings of the item being shipped, the truck, and trailer axle weights and spacings for both truck tractor and trailer. A letter from the manufacturer is required to certify the shipment is reduced to the lowest possible size and weight configuration and explain why it can not be shipped by other means, such as by barge or port. Loads exceeding 150,000 pounds (68038.8 kilograms)are subject to a full-scale structural bridge analysis if bridges are along the route. In addition, a special weight authorization (SWA) is required from the permit office to initiate the necessary bridge rating section investigation. Night travel (9 PM – 6 AM) may be required with a state trooper or police escort (minimum of 2 when traveling). A route survey will probably be required. The Alabama State Troopers Association handles all police/trooper escorts scheduling after issuing your super load permit. A lighting system configured from strobe warning lights must be placed on each extremity of the shipment in addition to basic requirements such as flags and oversize load signs. All railroad crossings have to be identified, and the railroad notified of the date and time you intend to cross. ALDOT will more than likely verify this with the railroad and not issue a super load permit until verified. It’s the carrier’s responsibility to notify the railroad of each intended crossing. You will find a small plaque with a phone number and a “crossing number” that identifies each crossing for submitting cross requests at each rail crossing. A bucket truck is required to accompany loads that exceed 16 feet and 5 inches (5.0 meters) in height, and it’s the carrier’s responsibility to show proof of “utility notification” for shipments above 16 feet and 6 inches (5.02 meters) in height. City or county approval is required for Alabama super loads as well. 

Recent Load Hauled in Alabama

  • Freight: 40 FOOT BARGE
  • Origin: NORTH FORT MYERS, FL
  • Destination: FAIRBANKS, AK
  • Specs: 40L x 10W x 10H
  • Weight: 40,000LBS

Call Us For a Free Shipping Estimate

(877) 792-5056
Oversize permit company in Alabama MORE USEFUL RESOURCES  Alabama Road Closures Alabama Super Load Requirements Alabama Permit Manual

11 Responses

    1. The state requires your load to be accompanied by escort vehicles when it’s above certain dimensions to guarantee its safety and that of other motorists. Escort vehicles are the eyes of truck drives when shipping oversize loads exceeding the legal dimensions.

  1. So you’re saying if I bought a center console boat that was over 8’6” but less then 12’ wide I wouldn’t be able to tow it to the beach on Friday and come home Sunday night? Most center console boats that are 23’ or over are already 9’ beam and to leave them at a wet slip dock is like over $500 a month. That’s crazy. Boats with a beam of no more than 12’ should get an exemption like RVs do.

    1. Anything over 8’6″ in width requires a permit. You are only permitted to move during the specified hours on this (Florida) page. Always refer to your permit before moving as travel times may be modified.

      1. Could you please further explain your question please? At the moment we have not heard about any laws that involve measuring “wind” speeds and have assumed this up to the discretion of the driver. We’ll be happy to further research it for you but want to make certain we clearly understand the question. Thank you for your time.

  2. What are the calculations for oversized loads on steep mountain grade roads for rate of speed and time to stop at a red light placed at bottom of steep grade? What should the length of a yellow light? What type of safety notifications for changing lights are required?

    1. Well, firstly pardon the delay as you got caught in a huge amount of posting spam. However once cleared out, there you were Dr. Richards. So, to be direct as possible this is a pretty isolated incident however does occur. So, “oversize” wouldn’t have a huge effect on the capabilities of the vehicle to stop. However, weight would. And this is yet another reason besides creating stress cracks in roads that extra axels are required in most of the world in order to be eligible to ship heavy haul items (in NA over 80,000 lbs GVW). With the extra axels you get that many more brake pads and shoes as well. Any experienced driver which is usually what it takes to set behind the wheel of something so drastically expensive (some over 1 mil overall) would know what speed to take the approach with which would probably be very slow. The brakes combined with the axles are designed to accommodate the maximum weight allowed on the trailer so failure would be an extreme. In certain circumstances either the state would require or the carrier may request a traffic control officer at the light. In the event one was not requested or required the driver would simply call a yellow (and probably even a green) light a red one and come to a complete stop before continuing. Yet another reason newbies drive $100,000 rigs and heavy haul drivers are well seasoned with most over 20-30 years in the industry. It’s a pecking order that is determined by either how much money you have saved (which takes a lot of years) or how much verifiable experience you have as word of mouth probably couldn’t get you in the passenger seat let alone behind the wheel. I hope this helps you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *