Georgia Oversize and Heavy Haul Regulations
Important: We are not a permit service. We do not arrange permits for carriers. The following is for informational purposes only. We also do not answer permit and escort requirements. Always read your permits and provisions sheets carefully. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.
Georgia DOT Ph#: 844-837-5500
This guide outlines the key regulations for oversize heavy haul and oversize load management in Georgia.
1. Permits
Oversize Permits: Valid for ten (10) days.
2. Operating Time
- General: One-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset, 7 days a week.
- Continuous Travel (Limited): Loads up to 125,000lbs. with legal dimensions may have continuous travel if requested when ordering the permit to save the load on logistics when transporting oversize loads.
3. Restricted Travel
- Sundays: No movement allowed statewide.
- Atlanta (I-285 Perimeter): No permitted movement between 7:00 am – 9:00 am and 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
- Major Holidays: No travel allowed on major holidays, impacting oversize load delivery schedules.
4. Legal Dimensions for Heavy Haul Trucks
- Length:
- 75 feet overall (including overhang) with a 48 to 53-foot trailer.
- 60 feet overall on some non-designated routes.
- Width: 8 feet 6 inches (8 feet on some non-designated roads).
- Height: 13 feet 6 inches.
- Weight:
- 80,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).
- Single Axle: 20,340 pounds.
- Tandem Axle: 34,000 pounds.
- Tridem Axle: Depends on spacings, not more than 20,340 pounds.
5. Routine Permit Limits
- Length: No set maximum.
- Width: 15 feet 6 inches.
- Height: 16 feet.
- Weight (Gross Weights):
- 5 axles: 100,000 pounds.
- 6 axles: 125,000 pounds.
- 7 axles: 148,000 pounds.
- 8 axles: 150,000 pounds.
- Axle Weights:
- Single: 23,000 pounds.
- Tandem: 46,000 pounds.
- Tridem: 60,000 pounds.
- Quad: 92,000 pounds.
Loads exceeding these weight limits or dimensions are classified as Super Loads.
6. Escort Requirements
- Length:
- Over 75 feet: One oversize load escort service OR an 8-inch flashing amber light at each corner of the rear of the load (requires GA light decal).
- Over 100 feet: One escort.
- Over 125 feet: Two escorts.
- Width:
- Over 12 feet up to and including 14 feet 8 inches: One rear escort OR amber light on the Interstate or limited access highway. Two escorts OR one escort and rear amber light on two-lane roads.
- Over 14 feet 8 inches up to and including 16 feet: Two escorts on two-lane roads. One escort on Limited Access/Interstate.
- Over 16 feet: Determined on a case-by-case basis, a critical aspect of escorts needed for transporting large machinery.
- Height: Over 15 feet 6 inches: One escort with a height pole, ensuring safety regulations for transporting oversized loads.
- Length:
Note: A current Georgia Light Sticker (decal) is required to use flashing amber lights for escort purposes.
7. Miscellaneous Regulations
- Poles, structural steel, pipes, etc., up to (not over) 75 feet in length are legally permitted.
- Blades over 12 feet wide must be angled during transport.
- Blades up to 14 feet wide belonging to the equipment being hauled can remain on the same vehicle.
8. Signs, Flags & Lights (Marking and Signage Requirements for Oversize Loads)
- “Oversize Load” Signs: Required on all permitted loads.
- Flags: Required on all four corners and extremities of oversized load transportation.
- Georgia Light Sticker (Decal): Required for using flashing amber beacon lights.