In Virginia, 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 | Virginia 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 4 ft and front overhang to 3 ft before it counts toward length, and any overhang must be flagged.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| When the load reaches… | Virginia requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 14 ft 5 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 90 ft long | 1 escort · 150 ft → 2 escorts |
| 14 ft 6 in high or 14 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 18 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — Sunrise to sunset (default for oversize).
- Weekend travel allowed within dimensional limits.
- Overweight-only loads on interstates may be authorized 24/7 on permit; oversize generally daylight-only.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Virginia
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 18 ft |
| Height | 16 ft |
| Length | 200 ft |
| Gross weight | 250,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 10 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~1 business day to issue.
- Superload: ~10 days (route survey + review).
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~13 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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?Virginia permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Virginia?
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 Virginia?
Virginia requires one escort at 12 ft wide (two at 14 ft), a height pole at 14 ft 5 in high, and a police escort at 18 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Virginia?
No — oversize loads move daylight-only, Sunrise to sunset (default for oversize). Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Virginia?
Over 18 ft wide, 16 ft high, 200 ft long, or 250,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 10 days of lead time.
How much does a Virginia 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 Virginia load with FreightDeck →.