In South Carolina, 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 | South Carolina 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 | 35,200 lbs | Heavier |
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | South Carolina requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 125 ft long | 1 escort · 150 ft → 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — sunrise to sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions.
- Not generally allowed for permitted loads; continuous travel allowed up to 130,000 lbs GVW upon request if other dimensions legal..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in South Carolina
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Gross weight | 130,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 5 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~5 days.
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~7 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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?South Carolina permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in South Carolina?
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 South Carolina?
South Carolina requires one escort over 12 ft wide (two over 14 ft), a height pole over 16 ft high, and a police escort over 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in South Carolina?
Daylight only, sunrise to sunset. Not generally allowed for permitted loads; continuous travel allowed up to 130,000 lbs GVW upon request if other dimensions legal. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in South Carolina?
Over 130,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 5 days of lead time.
How much does a South Carolina 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 South Carolina load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in South Carolina?
South Carolina does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 5 days. A permit is valid for 7 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in South Carolina?
Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (Day of holiday; Permit Director may restrict noon day before to noon day after); check the permit conditions for exact times.
Does South Carolina require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 16 ft high. 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 South Carolina?
South Carolina publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, and manufactured homes (for example max 12 ft wide (farm implements max 16 ft); clear weather and daylight only; must not damage highways or unduly interfere with traffic. vehicles hauling exempt products of husbandry or soil-improvement products need an annual permit (57-3-130). does not apply to 56-5-4230; subject to 56-5-4140(2)). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a South Carolina permit cover North Carolina?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into North Carolina, 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.