Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - Georgia

General requirements

Reducible expectations	No permit will be issued for a vehicle whose weight, width, length or height can be readily separated or dismantled.
Permit timing	The permit fee must be submitted before the issuance of a permit.
Method of application	An application for a single trip permit may be made by telephone, by letter, by email, by fax, in person, electronically, or J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266.
Payments accepted	Payments can be made by credit card, company check, money order, or by a certified or cashier's check. Personal checks are not accepted.
Electronic permits	NS
Route surveys	Permitted vehicles may not operate on any public road in the state other than on roadways allowed or described on the permit.

Insurance requirements

Liability	No person shall drive or operate any vehicle or load on the highway in such a manner that it causes damage to the highway or structures. If damage or personal injury should occur as a result of the oversize or overweight movement, the permittee will be held liable for all costs. The applicant agrees to hold the Department of Transportation harmless from all suits, claims, damages, or proceedings of any kind that may result from the oversize or overweight movement.
Coverage	For commercial motor carriers where the gross vehicle weight is greater than 10,000 pounds: For bodily injury, a minimum of $300,000 for each person and $1 million for multiple person for injury or death as a result of any one occurrence; and for property damage, a minimum of $1 million for damage to property of others in any one occurrence.

Available Permits and Fees

General
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single trip	Valid for no more than 10 days • Width & height limit of 16' • Weight limit of 150,000 lbs	$30
Multi trip	Allows load to return to its original destination on the same permit, if done so within 10 days, with the same vehicle configuration, and following the same route. • Width & height limit of 16' • Length 100' • Weight limit of 150,000 lbs	$100
6-month	For tobacco or unginned cotton loads. • Width cannot exceed 9' Height and length must be legal.	$25
Annual	Standard annual: • Width: 8' 6" vehicle, 10' load • Height: 14' 6" • Length 100' • GVW maximum: 100,000 lbs • Axle limit: 25,000 lbs. • 40' box container: 100,000 lbs on a 5 axle tractor trailer • 20' box container: 80,000 lbs with tandem maximum 44,000 lbs • 20' box container on a 40' center mount or center-mount triaxle trailer: 100,000 lbs on a 5 or more axle tractor/trailer	$150
Annual	Annual Plus - Vehicles and loads that meet the requirements for an annual permit may apply for a special permit to carry wider loads on the National Highway System. • Width: 14' from the base of the load to a point 10' above the pavement and 14' 8" or the upper portion of the load.	$500
Annual	Commercial wrecker emergency tow permit - For vehicles towing disabled, damaged, or wrecked commercial vehicles even though such wrecker or its load exceeds the maximum limits. Permits are limited to: • Single axle weight up to 21,000 lbs • Tandem axle weight up to 40,000 lbs • Length up to 125'	$500

Signs

General sign requirement	Signs must be mounted on both the front of the vehicle and the rear of the vehicle or load when the vehicle or load is over 8' 6" wide, 13' 6" high, or 100' in length.
Escort sign requirement	When escorts are required for over legal width, or height, or length, a sign must be mounted on the front of the escort vehicle (for a front escort) and to the rear of the escort vehicle (for a rear escort).
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	6' x 12"	4" x 8" black lettering	Orange or yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	6' x 12"	4" x 8" black lettering	Orange or yellow

Lights

General light requirements	During the movement of all permitted loads it is required that all warning lights on the truck, transport vehicle, and unit be operating.
Escort light requirements	When actively escorting, escort vehicle head lamps must be burning at all times during movement. Other lights only to be activated while escorting load.
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	A flashing or revolving light at least 8" in diameter, with a minimum candlepower of 35,000 lumens or equivalent. An alternative option is an LED light with a multidirectional type lens that flashes at a rate of at least 60 flashes per minute.	Top-mounted. Amber light visible for at least a quarter mile and the LED visible be clearly visible from a distance of at least 500' from the rear and sides at 180° day or night.
Escort light type and placement	A flashing or revolving light at least 8" in diameter, with a minimum candlepower of 35,000 lumens or equivalent. An alternative option is an LED light with a multidirectional type lens that flashes at a rate of at least 60 flashes per minute.	Top-mounted. Amber light visible for at least a quarter mile and the LED visible be clearly visible from a distance of at least 500' from the rear and sides at 180° day or night.

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Red warning flags	18" square	Displayed at the corners of both sides of such overwidth vehicle or load, at both the front and rear.
Escort Flags	NS	NS	NS

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
NS	NS	NS

Escort/Flagperson requirements

Escort car requirements

Escorts are required as follows:

Load Information	Escort Requirements
Width exceeding 12 ft up to and including 14 ft 8 in.	Front escort and rear escort/amber lights is required for travel on a two-lane roadway. Rear escort only required on four-lane highway.
Width exceeding 14 ft 8 in. up to and including 16 ft	Front escort and a rear escort is required for travel on a two-lane roadway. Rear escort is required for movement on a limited access highway.
Height 15 ft 6 in. or greater	Front escort with height sensor.
Length exceeding 75 ft up to and including 100 ft	Rear escort/amber lights.
Length exceeding 100 ft up to and including 125 ft	Rear escort.
Length exceeding 125 ft	Front and rear escorts.

Escort vehicles are also required as follows:

Boats and heavy equipment over 75 feet long - Rear escort vehicle required, or in lieu thereof, a revolving amber light or four-inch amber strobe light located on the rear most point of the load.
Boats and heavy equipment any length and over 12 feet wide - Front and rear escort vehicles required. While traveling on the Interstate, only a rear escort vehicle is normally required. If on a four-lane non-Interstate highway with a load less than 14 feet 9 inches wide only a rear escort is required.
Houses - Front and rear escort vehicles required, with the front escort vehicle being a police vehicle with blue lights.
Manufactured Homes, Modular Homes, Portable Buildings and Sectional Houses:
- Units up to and including 12 feet wide and not to exceed a maximum length of 100 feet - a rear escort vehicle is required, or in lieu thereof, a revolving amber light or four-inch amber strobe light on both rear corners of the load.
- Units in excess of 12 feet wide not to exceed 14 feet 8 inches wide and 100 feet overall length - a front and rear escort vehicle with an amber light is required on a two-lane road, and a rear escort vehicle only when on a four lane or more road including the Interstate system. On a two-lane road as well as on the interstate / amber revolving or four-inch amber strobe lights may be used in lieu of the rear escort vehicle.

Flagpersons

During the movement of an over-dimensional load/vehicle, a pilot/escort driver, in the performance of the flagging duties, may control and direct traffic to stop, slow, or proceed in any situation(s) where it is deemed necessary to protect the motoring public from the hazards associated with the movement of the over-dimensional load/vehicle. The pilot/escort driver, acting as a flagger, may aid the over-dimensional load/vehicle in the safe movement along the highway and must:

Assume the proper flagging position outside the pilot/escort vehicle, and as a minimum standard, have in use the necessary safety equipment as defined in the Oversize/Overweight Load Escort Vehicle Operator Certification Program student handbook;
Use “Stop/Slow” paddles or a 24-inch red square flag to indicate emergency situations, and other equipment as defined in the Oversize/Overweight Load Escort Vehicle Operator Certification Program student handbook; and
Comply with the flagging procedures and requirements as set forth in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the Oversize/Overweight Load Escort Vehicle Operator Certification Program student handbook.

Escort car/company requirements

Escort vehicles must be a:

Truck of at least one-quarter-ton-rated capacity but not more than 17,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating; or
Passenger vehicle of not less than 2,000 pounds gross weight.

Equipment must not reduce visibility or mobility of pilot car/escort vehicle while in operation.

Escort vehicle must be equipped with outside rear-view mirrors, located on each side of the vehicle.

Escort vehicles are not permitted to pull a trailer of any kind nor carry a load.

No passengers or pets are allowed in pilot/escort vehicle during movement of oversize loads, except for a certified individual in training status.

Pilot/escort vehicles must be equipped with a two-way radio capable of transmitting and receiving voice messages over a minimum distance of one-half mile. Radio communications must be compatible with accompanying pilot/escort vehicles, permitted vehicle operator, and police escort, when necessary. When operating with a police escort, a CB radio is required.

Escorts must be equipped with the following safety items:

Height pole indicators are required for front escort vehicles for overheight moves in excess of 15 feet 6 inches. The height pole must be non-conductive and nondestructive to overhead clearances. The height pole must be extended between three and six inches above the maximum height of the oversize load, to compensate for the affect of wind and motion. When not in the act of escorting an oversize load move, or pre-running a route to determine height acceptance, the height pole must be removed, tied down, or otherwise reduced to legal height;
Two-way radio contact with driver of oversize/overweight load and other driver(s);
Stop/Slow Paddles at least 18 inches by 18 inches with six-inch high letters, octagonal, and mounted on a rigid handle. For portability, a one-foot handle may be used, but if mounted on a long staff, a seven-foot mounting height is recommended. For more visibility, a 24-inch by 24-inch sized sign or high-intensity flashing stop/slow paddle may be used. For nighttime travel moves, signs must be reflective in accordance with MUTCD standards;
Escort operators must wear an approved safety helmet/hardhat when performing duties outside of the vehicle;
Escort operators must wear an approved safety vest or shirt or coat while flagging. Approved colors are orange, yellow, yellow green, or fluorescent versions of these colors;
At least nine bi-directional retroreflective triangles, with minimum 17-inch arm length and minimum arm width of two inches;
Eight red-burning flares, glow sticks, or equivalent illumination devices;
Three orange, 18-inch high cones;
A minimum five pound type “BC” or “ABC” fire extinguisher;
A traffic wand flashlight in good working order, with a safety nose cone, and additional batteries;
A clearly marked first aid kit;
One serviceable spare tire;
A sign showing name, city, and state of company/owner of escort vehicle displayed on each side of the vehicle. The sign must be a minimum of eight inches by 12 inches and readily legible during daylight hours from a distance of 50 feet; and
A minimum of two red or orange flags mounted to the top of the vehicle at approximately 45 degree angles and not extending more than six inches on either side of the vehicle.

An escort vehicle must not have unauthorized equipment on the vehicle such as those generally reserved for law enforcement personnel.

A pilot/escort driver must meet the requirements of 49 CFR 391.11 if using a vehicle for escort operations in excess of 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating.

Certification requirements

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has established rules for driver training and a certification program for drivers of vehicles escorting oversize/overweight loads. Any driver operating a vehicle escorting an oversize/overweight load must meet the training requirements and obtain certification under the rules issued by the GDOT. The requirement to obtain certification is effective January 1, 2011, but in order to give escort vehicle drivers time to obtain the certification, full enforcement will not begin until July 1, 2011.

Operators authorized to escort a permitted oversize/overweight load in Georgia must make application to GDOT and meet the following requirements:

Meet one of the following:
- Be at least 21 years of age; or
- Be at least 18 years of age with a Class A commercial driver's license; or
- Be at least 18 years of age, employed as an escort driver for at least one year and sponsored by his/her employer for entry into the certification program (the person must also have completed all certification requirements prior to July 1, 2011;
Possess a valid driver's license without restrictions other than for use of corrective lenses and has demonstrated evidence of operating a motor vehicle safely which includes not operating in a reckless manner or driving while impaired in the previous 12 months; and
Possess documentation of completion of a defensive driving course approved by the National Safety Council or an equivalent course.

Each qualified applicant is required to complete eight classroom hours of GDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit Unit's Escort Vehicle Operator Certification Program offered by the Georgia Technical College System with an examination score of at least 80% to obtain the official certification. The course will cost $79. Upon completion, the GDOT will issue a certificate to each individual comprised of a wallet card to be maintained in the vehicle during operation.

The certification is effective for four years from the issue date.

The GDOT will recognize escort vehicle operator certifications from other states for operators that currently have a valid out-of-state driver's license and certification. Operators with an out-of-state driver's license without a valid certification, and all operators with a Georgia driver's license, will be required to obtain a certification from Georgia. All escort vehicle operator certifications and a valid driver's license is required to be available in the escort vehicle for inspection whenever the operator is performing the role of an escort.

The certification application can be found at https://roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/documents/15260/OSP_EscortVehicleProgram-Application.pdf.

Insurance

Georgia no longer requires escort vehicle operators to carry additional insurance coverage. Previously, $1 million combined single limit coverage for bodily injury and/or property damage was required.

Pre-Trip/Post-Trip planning and coordination

A coordination and planning meeting must be held prior to and immediately following load movement. The driver(s) carrying or pulling the oversize load(s), the pilot/escort vehicle driver(s), law enforcement officers (if assigned), Department personnel (if involved), and public utility companies (as appropriate) must attend. Escort operators should pre-run the route, if necessary, to verify acceptable clearances.

The meeting must include discussion and coordination on the conduct of the move, including at least the following topics:

The person designated as being in charge (law enforcement officers if present);
Authorized routing and permit conditions. Ensure that all documentation is distributed to all appropriate individuals involved in the move. Review special permit conditions with the operator of the oversize load;
Communication and signals coordination. Ensure clear communications and predetermine the channel to be used;
A check of mandatory equipment. Each operator is responsible for his/her vehicle. Check two-way mirrors, mount signs, and turn on lights;
Verification/measurement of load dimensions. Set the height pole, pull next to the load and verify, and compare with permitted dimensions. If the load measurements are not the same as the permit, obtain a corrected permit with a redefined route appropriate for the actual measurements. Copies of permit and routing documents must be provided to all parties involved with the permitted load movement; and
Prior to the load movement, the appropriate parties (operator of oversized load, pilot/escort vehicle driver, law enforcement) must complete the “Pre-Trip Overdimensional Load Checklist.”

Following the load movement, a debriefing meeting shall be held and the appropriate parties (operator of oversize load, pilot/escort vehicle driver, law enforcement) must complete the “After Action Report.”

Escort car signs, flags, and lights

Sign requirements on pilot/escort vehicles are as follows:

On all loads over legal width, or height, or length, a sign containing the wording “OVERSIZED LOAD” shall be mounted on the front of the escort vehicle (for a front escort) and to the rear of the escort vehicle (for a rear escort). The letters shall be black on an orange or yellow backboard and shall be at least 8 inches high and 4 inches wide. The backboard shall be at least 1 foot high and 6 feet wide;
The sign for the front/pilot car escort vehicle must be displayed so as to be clearly legible and readable by oncoming traffic at all times; and
The rear pilot/escort vehicle must display its sign so as to be readable by traffic overtaking from the rear and clearly legible at all times.

Lighting is required as follows:

Flashing Amber Light(s): At least two rotating or strobe lights must be positioned on top of the escort vehicle. The light must have a minimum five-inch diameter base and a minimum four-inch lens height, and must be visible for at least 500 feet in all directions by approaching traffic. The light must have a minimum of 60 flashes per minute with warning lights illuminated at all times during operations; or
A flashing beacon/light bar mounted on top of the pilot/escort vehicle. The beacon/light bar must be unobstructed and visible for 360 degrees with warning lights illuminated at all times during operation.

The pilot/escort vehicle operator must obtain a permit for the amber light from the appropriate state agency for the use of the light.

Incandescent, strobe, or diode (LED) lights may be used provided they meet above criteria.

Lights must only be activated while escorting an oversize load, or when used as traffic warning devices while stopped at the side of the road taking height measurements during the pre-running of a planned route. A route survey may not be conducted during the piloting of an oversize load.

When actively escorting, escort vehicle head lamps must be burning at all times during movement.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	Unless otherwise indicated on the permit or further limited, the movement of a permitted vehicle or load will take place only from 30 minutes after sunrise to 30-minutes before sunset.
Weekend	Loads may operate Monday through Saturday unless otherwise shown on the permit.
Holidays	Movements are prohibited on the following holidays: • New Year's Day • Memorial Day • July 4th • Labor Day • Thanksgiving Day • Christmas
Visibility	No movement will be made during foggy weather, snow, or icy conditions.

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

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Oversize and overweight movements - Georgia