In Tennessee, 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 | Tennessee 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 |
Tennessee sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Tennessee requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft 6 in wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 13 ft 6 in wide | 2 escorts |
| 15 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 90 ft long | 1 escort · 120 ft → 2 escorts |
| 15 ft high or 16 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 18 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Night travel permitted in defined conditions — Rule 1680-07-01-.04: permits allow continuous movement 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week, except (1) no interstate movement 7-9am and 4-6pm Mon-Fri in counties >250,000 pop. for loads >12'6" W, >15' H, or >90' L; (2) holiday-period restrictions; (3) discretionary time limits for super heavy / extra-overdimensional loads..
- Weekends: Weekend travel is allowed.
- Holiday blackouts: Easter (6 pm Thursday before Good Friday through Easter Sunday), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas/New Year (Dec 24-Jan 1 per rule).
4Superloads in Tennessee
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft |
| Height | 15 ft 6 in |
| Gross weight | 165,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 30 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~3 business days to issue.
- Superload review: ~30 days.
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~10 days.
Get the full cost of your load
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?Tennessee permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Tennessee?
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 Tennessee?
Tennessee requires one escort over 12 ft 6 in wide (two over 13 ft 6 in), a height pole over 15 ft high, and a police escort over 18 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Tennessee?
Tennessee allows night movement in defined conditions (Rule 1680-07-01-.04: permits allow continuous movement 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week, except (1) no interstate movement 7-9am and 4-6pm Mon-Fri in counties over 250,000 pop. for loads over 12'6″ W, over 15' H, or over 90' L; (2) holiday-period restrictions; (3) discretionary time limits for super heavy / extra-overdimensional loads). Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Tennessee?
Over 16 ft wide, 15 ft 6 in high, or 165,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 30 days of lead time.
How much does a Tennessee 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 Tennessee load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Tennessee?
Routine single-trip permits usually issue in about 3 business days; superload review takes about 30 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 Tennessee?
Weekend travel is allowed. Movement stops on Easter (6 pm Thursday before Good Friday through Easter Sunday), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas/New Year (Dec 24-Jan 1 per rule) (Escorted loads only (non-escorted continuous): Memorial/Labor: noon preceding Friday through holiday; July 3-4; Thanksgiving noon Wed through Sunday; Christmas/New Year per rule Dec 24-Jan 1 (annual TDOT sheet narrower)); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Tennessee?
Tennessee sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
Does Tennessee require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 15 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment (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 Tennessee permit cover Kentucky?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Kentucky, Virginia, or North Carolina needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.
Sources
- law.cornell.edu — Tenn Comp R Regs 1680 07 01 .24
- tn.gov — oversize overweight permits
- tn.gov — Ch%201680 07 01%20 %20Overweight%20over dimensional%20movements%20 %20Final%20Rules%202017.pdf
- codes.findlaw.com — tn code sect 55 7 205
- tn.gov — oversize overweight permits
- tn.gov — traffic operations division