Permit help
Oversize permit requirements by state
Tap a state for its legal limits, escorts, height pole, police, hours and superload rules, each with the official source. Then check your load on your route below.
Last checked: Oct 15, 2026
This tool is general information only, not legal advice and not a permit. Rules change often and each state's permit and official rules are the final word. Always confirm limits, escorts, routes and travel times with the state permit office before moving a load. Reliable Transport LLC is not responsible for decisions made using this information.
Pick a state
Tap a state on the map or pick one from the list. States in navy have rules we checked line by line against the state permit office, the DOT or the state code. For the rest, call us.
Route check
Check your load on your route
Enter where it starts, where it goes and the loaded size and weight. We draw the route, find every state it crosses and show what each state asks for: escorts, height pole, police and hours.
Map routes are car routes, not permitted truck routes.
Enter a From and To and press Draw route. Drag a pin to change the route; click the line to add a stop, click a stop to remove it.
This tool is general information only, not legal advice and not a permit. Rules change often and each state's permit and official rules are the final word. Always confirm limits, escorts, routes and travel times with the state permit office before moving a load. Reliable Transport LLC is not responsible for decisions made using this information.
State guides
State permit guides and heavy haul pages
Full permit guides with legal limits, escorts, height poles, route surveys, travel times and superloads, each with its official sources, plus our heavy haul page for each state. More states are added as each guide is checked.
Questions
Oversize permit questions
What size load needs an oversize permit?
It depends on the state. Tennessee, Ohio, Texas and California all set legal width at 8'6"W and gross weight at 80,000 lbs. Legal height is 13'6"H in Tennessee and Ohio and 14'H in Texas and California. A load over any of these needs a permit from that state.
What is the oversize permit height limit in Tennessee?
Tennessee legal height is 13'6"H. TDOT does not post one fixed maximum: over 15'6"H a route survey is required (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680 07 01 .10 also names 15' or more; TDOT's practice on Luke's permits is over 15'6"H), at 15'1"H and up the front escort runs a height pole, over 15'6"H the load is a superload, and over 18'H Tennessee Highway Patrol escorts are required.
When does Tennessee require a route survey?
Tennessee requires a route survey for a load over 15'6"H or over 16'W, filed on the TDOT Route Survey and Traffic Control Plan form before the permit is issued. Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680 07 01 .10 also names 15' or more; TDOT's practice on Luke's permits is over 15'6"H.
What are the escort requirements in Ohio?
Over 90'L: 1 rear escort. Over 13'W: 1 lead escort, or a rear escort on multi lane highways. Over 14'6"H: 1 lead escort with a height sensing device. Over 14'6"W or over 14'10"H: 1 lead and 1 rear. ODOT may also require police escorts and writes that on the permit.
When does Texas require a route inspection?
A Texas load over 20'W, 18'11"H or 125'L needs a route inspection certification by the applicant on file before TxDMV issues the permit. With a permit, the Interstate maximum is 16'W.
How many pilot cars does California require?
California sets pilot cars by route color. Yellow routes: 1 over 12'W, 2 over 15'W. Green: 1 over 12'W, 2 over 14'W. Blue: 1 over 11'W, 2 over 13'W. Brown: 1 over 10'W, 2 over 12'W. A CHP escort takes over above 16'W on yellow routes and above 15'W on the others.
Can oversize loads travel at night?
It depends on the state. Tennessee permits allow movement 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless the permit limits it. Ohio oversize loads move in daylight only. Texas allows daytime only unless the permit allows night movement. California allows 24/7 travel without a pilot car unless the permit says No Night Travel.
Are oversize loads restricted on holidays?
Yes, in each of these states. Ohio holds permitted loads from noon the day before until one half hour before sunrise the day after 6 holidays. Texas holds loads over 14'W, 16'H or 110'L on 6 holidays. California holds loads that need a pilot car on 7 holidays. Tennessee holds escorted loads on the dates TDOT posts each year.
What is a superload?
Each state draws the line differently. Tennessee: over 165,000 lbs, over 16'W or over 15'6"H. Texas calls it Superheavy: over 254,300 lbs gross, or 200,001 to 254,300 lbs with less than 95' of axle spacing. California uses a variance permit over 15'W, 17'H or 135'L.
Where do the rules in the permit tool come from?
From each state's DOT permit pages, current permit manuals and rule text, cross checked against other published sources. Rules change, and the permit itself always decides. Last checked: Oct 15, 2026.
Does Reliable handle the permits for my load?
Yes. Reliable Transport LLC | Reliable Heavy Haul has an in house permitting team that pulls permits in every state on the route, and we handle routing, escorts and utility coordination for loads across the USA and Canada.