In Florida, 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 | Florida 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 | 44,000 lbs | Heavier |
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Florida requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 14 ft 6 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 95 ft long | 1 escort · 150 ft → 2 escorts |
| 18 ft high or 22 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — Sunrise to sunset (daytime hours).
- Weekends: Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 10 ft wide or 14.5 ft high or 80 ft long.
- Night travel only at legal width (8 ft 6 in), 14 ft 6 in high or less and 80 ft long or less; rear overhang 10 ft max at night. Any over-width load (even 10 ft or less) moves in daytime only..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~10 days.
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~10 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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?Florida permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Florida?
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 Florida?
Florida requires one escort over 12 ft wide (two over 14 ft), a height pole over 14 ft 6 in high, and a police escort over 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Florida?
Daylight only, Sunrise to sunset (daytime hours). Night travel only at legal width (8 ft 6 in), 14 ft 6 in high or less and 80 ft long or less; rear overhang 10 ft max at night. Any over-width load (even 10 ft or less) moves in daytime only. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
How much does a Florida 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 Florida load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Florida?
Florida does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 10 days. A permit is valid for 10 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Florida?
Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 10 ft wide or 14.5 ft high or 80 ft long. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day (All day; Saturday holiday -> preceding Friday also; Sunday holiday -> following Monday also); check the permit conditions for exact times.
Does Florida require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 18 ft high or 22 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 Florida?
Florida publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, and manufactured homes (for example non-interstate, farm operations). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Florida permit cover Georgia?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Georgia, or Alabama needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.