In Alabama, any load that exceeds the legal size or weight limits requires an oversize/overweight permit before it moves. Below are the legal limits and the requirements that apply at each threshold.
1When you need a permit
A load is oversize or overweight once it passes any of these:
| Dimension | Alabama legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 75 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs | Heavier |
Rear overhang is limited to 5 ft without an over-length permit.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Alabama requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 15 ft 6 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 90 ft long | 1 escort · 125 ft → 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high or 16 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — sunrise to sunset.
- Weekends: No travel on Sundays.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Alabama
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft |
| Height | 16 ft |
| Length | 150 ft |
| Gross weight | 300,000 lbs |
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~1 business day to issue.
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~5 days.
Get the full cost of your load
FreightDeck estimates every cost on an oversize move — permits, escorts, police, route survey, engineering, and the truck rate — for your exact load and route, across all 48 states and Canada, up to superload size.
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?Alabama permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Alabama?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 75 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Alabama?
Alabama requires one escort over 12 ft wide (two over 14 ft), a height pole over 15 ft 6 in high, and a police escort over 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Alabama?
No — oversize loads move daylight-only, sunrise to sunset. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Alabama?
Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 150 ft long, or 300,000 lbs gross.
How much does a Alabama oversize permit cost?
The state permit fee depends on the load's size and weight. The full cost of a move also includes escorts, police, route surveys, engineering, and the truck rate, which vary by route. FreightDeck estimates all of it for your exact load — price your Alabama load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Alabama?
Routine single-trip permits usually issue in about 1 business day. A permit is valid for 5 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Alabama?
No travel on Sundays. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day; check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Alabama?
Rear overhang is limited to 5 ft without an over-length permit.
Does Alabama require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 16 ft high or 16 ft wide. The survey checks every bridge, sign, signal and wire on the route and is filed with the permit; it usually takes longer than the permit itself, so start it first. What a route survey involves →
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in Alabama?
Alabama publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, forest products, manufactured homes, and cotton trucks (<=50 bales) (for example must be an implement of husbandry temporarily propelled or moved on the highway. the statute sets no road-type, distance, daylight or flag conditions). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Alabama permit cover Mississippi?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Mississippi, Tennessee, or Georgia needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.