Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - Virginia

General requirements

Reducible expectations	If a vehicle configuration is reduced to its smallest dimensions possible and still exceeds the limitations identified below, a hauling permit prior to traveling over Virginia's highways is required.
Permit timing	The Department will only accept requests for special permits for loads exceeding general limitations; allow five days for handling. However, utilizing the Virginia DMV offers an Automated Routing Solution (ARS), reduces the permit turnaround time. Self-issuing certain types of hauling permits will result in receiving most hauling permits in one day or less.
Method of application	Permits may be obtained, on-line, in person, or through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266.
Payments accepted	Payments options include check, major credit card, money order, or cash (in person).
Electronic permits	Since the permits are vehicle specific, the original permit or a legible copy of the entire permit is required to be carried in the transport vehicle. This permit shall be presented to Department of Motor Vehicles, law enforcement or Department of Transportation officials when requested.
Route surveys	The Virginia DMV offers an Automated Routing Solution (ARS) for approving and issuing hauling permits.

Insurance requirements

Liability	Intrastate or interstate haulers must have insurance.
Coverage	$75,000/$300,000 public liability and $75,000 property damage. Cargo insurance may also be required.

Available permits and fees

General
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single trip	General	$20
Single trip	ADD mileage fee if overweight or configuration cannot be licensed in Virginia	$0.30 per
Single trip	Mobile homes and manufactured housing (per mile - in lieu of mileage fee)	$1 per
1-year	Multiple moves over a specified period of time	$100
2-year	Multiple moves over a specified period of time	$200
Per-year	ADD annual mileage fee if overweight or configuration cannot be licensed in Virginia (mobile homes included)	$40
Per-year	ADD damage fee if overweight	$360
Annual	Utility vehicle overweight	$130
Superload
Single trip	Permit fee	$30
Single trip	ADD mileage fee if overweight or configuration cannot be licensed in Virginia	$0.30 per
Single trip	ADD per structure or bridge research fee	$4 per

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
Width	14'
Special Width Restrictions
Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (I- 64)	Overwidth loads not exceeding 10' 6" may travel within the vicinity of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel on I-64 (between LaSalle Ave. in Hampton and Fourth View St. in Norfolk) on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Vehicles exceeding 10' 6"must utilize the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel on I-664. • Loads exceeding 10' 6" to 14' in width allowed Tuesday through Thursday only, between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel	• Overwidth loads exceeding 10' 6" but not greater than 12' may travel the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel one-half hour after sunrise until one-half hour prior to sunset Monday through Saturday. Travel is prohibited between 3 and 6 p.m. The driver is required to stop at the station and present the hauling permit. • Overwidth loads exceeding 12' but not greater than 14' may travel through the I-664 Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel from 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Call (757) 247-8048 or 247-2112 at least two hours prior to traveling through the tunnel. The driver is required to stop at the inspection station and present a hauling permit. • Should a driver arrive at any inspection station between the hours of 5:00 and 8:30 a.m. or 3:30 and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the driver will be required to wait for the required escort until after the peak rush hour times listed above.
Elizabeth River Downtown	9'
Elizabeth River Midtown	10' 4"
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel	14' (travel must be cleared with tolls and Security Division Office 24 hours prior to movement)
Big Walker and East River Mountain Tunnels (I-77, Bland Cty.)	14'
James River Bridge (Rt. 17)	14'
Powhite Parkway (Rt. 76, Richmond Metro Auth. Expressway.)	12'
Downtown Richmond Expressway (Rt. 195)	12'
Dulles Toll Road (Rt. 267)	9' wide, 13' 9" high
Greys Point (Rt. 3, Robert D. Norris Bridge)	10' wide, 14' high
Height	Limitations
Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (I-64)	13' 6" (Westbound) 14' 3" (Eastbound)
Elizabeth River Downtown	13' 6"
Elizabeth River Midtown	13' 6"
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel	13' 6"
Big Walker and East River Mountain Tunnels (I-77, Bland Cty.)	15' 4"
James River Bridge (Rt. 17)	15' 6"
Virginia Beach Norfolk Expressway. (Rt. 44)	16' 5"
Powhite Parkway (Rt. 76, Richmond Metro Auth. Expressway.)	14'
Downtown Richmond Expressway (Rt. 195)	14'
Length	150'
Weight	Limitations
GVW	115,000 lbs (with 64' of axle spacing measured from the center of the steering axle to the center of the rear axle on the trailer)
Single axle	24,000 lbs
Tandem	44,000 lbs
Tridem	54,500 lbs (9' of axle spacing)
4-axle grouping	64,500 lbs (14' of axle spacing)
Electric utility	2-axle vehicle • Gross: 48,000 lbs • Axle: 24,000 lbs 3 axle • Gross: 60,000 lbs • Axle: 24,000 lbs • Tandem 40,000 lbs
Configuration	Limitations
Blanket	Required: Downloaded copy of the VDOT Structure Exclusion List or Locality Document referenced in the blanket hauling permit • Height: 14' • Width: 14' • Length: 110' • Weight 115,000 lbs
Forest	Permits are issued for raw logs to market, rough-sawn green lumber, and wood residuals which include wood chips, wood pellets, sawdust, mulch, and tree bark. The forest products must be transported from the place where they are first produced, cut, harvested, or felled to the location where they are first processed. Permit will allow the vehicles to have: • Single axle: 24,000 lbs • Tandem: 40,000 lbs • Tridem: 50,000 lbs • Weight 40,000 lbs (2-axle combination) • Weight 60,000 lbs (3-axle combination) • Weight 70,000 lbs (4-axle combination) • Weight 90,000 lbs (5-axle combination with a minimum of 48' between the first and last axle)
Sealed container cargo	Containerized cargo hauling permits are valid for movement of sealed containerized cargo bound to or from a seaport via marine shipment: • GVW: 115,000 lbs (7 axles, 64' of spacing) • Single axle: 24,000 lbs • Tandem: 44,000 lbs • Tridem: 54,500 lbs (at least 9' of spacing in group)
Milk tank vehicle	A tank vehicle hauling fluid milk: • GVW: 115,000 lbs (7 axles, 64' of spacing) • Single axle: 24,000 lbs • Tandem: 44,000 lbs • Tridem: 54,500 lbs (at least 9' of spacing in group)

Signs

General sign requirement	Securely mounted at least 18" above the roadway surface at the front and the rear of the permitted vehicle, and kept clean, legible, and visible from straight ahead or behind and 45° to either side. A WIDE LOAD sign must be displayed whenever the overall width exceeds 102".
Escort sign requirement	A warning banner must be mounted on the front and rear bumper of the escort vehicle, OR if displayed on the roof of the escort vehicle other drivers need to be able to read the signs when approaching or following the escort vehicle.
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	WIDE LOAD, LONG LOAD, or OVERSIZE LOAD	NS	Black, 8" with 1.25" brushstroke	Yellow
Escort signs	WIDE LOAD or OVERSIZE LOAD or OVERWEIGHT LOAD	NS	Black, 8" with 1.25" brushstroke	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	Vehicles/loads that are more than 12' wide or 75' long must have warning lights. An overdimensional vehicle does not need amber lights if it is accompanied by escort vehicles with proper warning lights. During night time movement a rear overhang of 4' or more must be marked with a red light visible for at least 500'.
Escort light requirements	Escort vehicles are required to display warning lights and headlamps must be on at all times while escorting overdimensional/overweight movements.
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	High intensity amber flashing lights	Mounted on the top of the towing vehicle and on the upper rear end of the overdimensional load or vehicle visible for at least 500'
Escort light type and placement	Rotating or strobe amber light	Mounted on the top of each escort visible for a distance of at least 500' in all directions by approaching vehicles.

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Red or fluorescent orange	18" square	Any commercial motor vehicle transporting a load that extends beyond the sides of the vehicle by more than 4″ or more than 4´ beyond the rear of the vehicle must have the extremities of the load marked. If the projecting load is 2´ wide or less, there must be at least one flag at the extreme rear. If the projecting load is wider than 2’ there must be at least 2 warning flags at the extreme rear.
Escort Flags	Red or any highly fluorescent color	18" square	Placed at the extremities of a vehicle load to identify overwidth or secured at the end of the load to identify overhang.

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
NS	NS	NS

Escort/flagperson requirements

Escort vehicles must maintain adequate distance in front of or behind the unit (about 600 feet) to warn approaching motorists. Escort drivers and the driver of the permitted load must communicate by two-way radio. A WIDE LOAD or OVERSIZE LOAD sign must also be displayed on each escort and be visible to approaching traffic. A flashing amber light must also be placed on top of each escort.

Any load exceeding 14 feet high must have a front and rear escort thru tunnels and must travel down the centerline.

Use a front escort must be used when moving a vehicle/load that exceeds 12 feet in width across the following bridges:

Route 360 bridge over the Rappahannock River at Tappahannock.
Route 17 bridge over the York River at Yorktown.
Route 58 bridge over Buggs Island Lake at Clarksville.
Route 33 bridge over Pamunkey River and Mattaponi River at West Point.
Route 360 bridge over Dan River at South Boston.

A front escort is required on all two-lane and three-lane highways when vehicle/load exceeds 10 feet in width. Some permits may specify a rear escort; otherwise it is the permittee's responsibility to use rear escorts when conditions warrant, as when roadways do not provide adequate vision for motorists approaching from the rear.

The Department requires a front escort on all two-lane and three-lane highways when the vehicle/load exceeds 85 feet in length. Some permits may specify a rear escort; otherwise it is the permittee's responsibility to use rear escorts when conditions warrant, as when roadways do not provide adequate vision for motorists approaching from the rear.

Flagperson requirements

When necessary, flagpersons must be present to warn and direct approaching traffic. On highways too narrow for two-way travel at all points, the front escort and flagperson must advance to a point where two-way traffic can continue and stop traffic there. When the permitted vehicle reaches that location, it must halt and allow traffic to clear from both directions, with the flagperson directing traffic.

Each flagperson must wear a red or fluorescent colored jacket or vest and be equipped with a red or fluorescent orange flag and/or paddle reading STOP in white letters on a red background. Flagpersons must be at least 18 years old and capable of carrying out flagging responsibilities.

Flagpersons are not normally required for vehicles and loads that are overheight only.

Escort car/company requirements

Drivers escorting oversize loads must be certified by Virginia, regardless of where they live, unless Virginia has a reciprocity agreement for escort certification with the driver's home state.

Escort drivers need not be certified if they are police officials or if escorting military convoys or other federal or state government vehicles.

Escort certification

No person may escort any vehicle that is being moved by authority of a valid highway hauling permit requiring a certified escort vehicle driver unless such person holds a valid driver's license and a valid escort vehicle driver certificate issued by Virginia (or another state that has a reciprocal agreement with Virginia recognizing escort vehicle driver certificates issued by that state). If the driver's license or privilege to drive is expired or is suspended, revoked, or canceled in any state, or the restoration of the license or privilege is contingent upon the furnishing of proof of financial responsibility, the person is ineligible for a Virginia escort vehicle driver certificate.

Each person or company providing certified escort vehicle services must keep in force at all times valid liability insurance coverage in the amount of at least $750,000 that has been issued by an insurance carrier authorized to do business in Virginia.

A Virginia escort vehicle driver certificate will be issued only to a person who intends to provide certified vehicle escort services for a permitted vehicle and who holds a valid Virginia driver's license and who is domiciled in Virginia (or who is a non-resident meeting the non-resident requirements below).

Every applicant for a Virginia escort vehicle driver certificate must successfully complete an eight-hour training course presented by a business, organization, governmental entity, or individual that has been approved by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and that offers a course approved by the DMV. Applicants are required to pass an escort vehicle driver knowledge test. Prior to taking the knowledge test, the applicant must present evidence that he/she has completed a state-approved escort vehicle driver certification training course. Any person who fails the knowledge test three times is not eligible for retesting for at least 30 days. Re-examination fees apply.

Persons applying for an escort vehicle driver certificate must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 18 years of age;
Hold a valid Virginia driver's license or a valid driver's license for another state;
Authorize the Department to review his/her driving record;
Present satisfactory proof of successful completion of an eight-hour escort vehicle driver certification training course;
Pass the escort vehicle driver certification knowledge test with a score of 80 percent or higher; and
Pay the appropriate fee for certificate issuance.

Certificates are valid for five years and expire on the last day of the month of issuance. Persons who wish to renew an escort vehicle driver certificate must successfully pass the escort vehicle driver certification knowledge test prior to re-certification.

Each certified escort vehicle driver must possess his/her escort vehicle driver certificate and proof of insurance while escorting a permitted vehicle. The driver's certificate, driver's license, and proof of insurance must be presented when requested.

Virginia Escort Driver's Manual (containing safety requirements and practice test/study questions) can be found at www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/pdf/hp405.pdf.

Non-residents

A non-resident age 18 years or older who has in his/her immediate possession a valid driver's license and a valid escort vehicle driver certificate issued to him/her by the home state, where such state's escort vehicle driver certification program has been determined to be substantially similar to Virginia's and to which Virginia has extended reciprocity, is permitted to escort permitted vehicles in Virginia. The non-resident is exempt from the escort vehicle driver certification eligibility, training, and testing requirements, but may choose to obtain certification.

A non-resident without an escort vehicle driver certificate but who has in his/her immediate possession a valid driver's license may be certified through Virginia's Escort Vehicle Driver Certification Program. The non-resident must meet all escort vehicle driver certification eligibility, training, and testing requirements.

A non-resident who has in his/her immediate possession a valid driver's license and valid escort vehicle driver certificate issued to him by his/her home state, but the state does not have reciprocity with Virginia, may be certified through Virginia's Escort Vehicle Driver Certification Program. The non-resident must meet all escort vehicle driver certification eligibility, training, and testing requirements.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	For vehicles/loads less than 14' in width, and up to 14' in height, 100' in length, or 115,000 lbs GVW, may travel from one-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset, Monday through Saturday. No permitted travel is allowed within the corporate limits of cities/towns between the hours of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. except for configurations that are overweight or overheight only.
Weekend	No travel on Sundays. When weight exceeds legal limits and all other dimensions of the load are legal, the Department will allow travel 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
Holidays	Permits will not be valid from noon the preceding weekday through the holiday. If the observed holiday falls on a Monday the permit will not be valid from noon on the preceding Friday through Monday. No travel is allowed on the state observed holidays of: • New Year’s • Thanksgiving • Labor Day • Independence Day • Memorial Day • Christmas
Visibility	No travel on any highway when visibility is poor, normally when reduced to 500' or less. Travel may be permitted during light rain, but not when rain, snow, sleet, ice, fog, flood, or wind make travel hazardous. Law enforcement officer’s judgment will prevail without exception.

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

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Oversize and overweight movements - Virginia