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) | 65 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs | Heavier |
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Virginia requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 12 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 |
| 16 ft high or 18 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 18 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — Sunrise to sunset (default for oversize).
- Weekends: Weekend travel is allowed.
- 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 review: ~10 days.
- 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, 65 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Virginia?
Virginia requires one escort over 12 ft wide (two over 12 ft), a height pole over 14 ft 5 in high, and a police escort over 18 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Virginia?
Daylight only, Sunrise to sunset (default for oversize). Overweight-only loads on interstates may be authorized 24/7 on permit; oversize generally daylight-only. 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 →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Virginia?
Routine single-trip permits usually issue in about 1 business day; superload review takes about 10 days. A permit is valid for 13 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Virginia?
Weekend travel is allowed. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (Not valid from noon the preceding weekday through the holiday; Monday holiday: noon Friday through Monday); check the permit conditions for exact times.
Does Virginia require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 16 ft high or 18 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 Virginia?
Virginia publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment (for example bridge capacity limits (46.2-1104) still apply. farm tractors/drying units wider than 108 in need a state police-approved safety light visible from the rear (amber flashing light allowed). interstate allowed, but overweight farm machinery on interstates is capped at 20,000 lb single axle, 34,000 lb tandem, bridge-formula gross, and 80,000 lb gross. no seasonal, flag or escort conditions in statute). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Virginia permit cover Maryland?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Maryland, District of Columbia, 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.