SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 191
Columbia, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 253-6250 or 1-877-349-7190
Permit Center Fax: (803) 343-0700
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Permits issued from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

South Carolina is part of the “SASHTO” Agreement. See “SASHTO” Agreement for details.

TRUCK OVERDIMENSIONAL PERMIT LIMITATIONS

Weight: Single - 20,000 Lbs; Tandem - 40,000 Lbs; Tridum - 60,000 Lbs; Quad - 80,000 Lbs. Gross Weight: 5 Axles - 90,000 Lbs; 6 Axles- 110,000 Lbs; 7 Axles - 130,000 Lbs; 8 Axles - 120,000 Lbs.

Length: 125' loads on pole trailers, 100' mobile homes, 10' rear overhang on 48' & 53' w/Escort; 15' rear over- hang w/Escort on trailers less than 48', 40' on 2 axle trucks, 45' on 3 axle trucks

Width: 16'

Height: Must be at least 6" less than any overhead structure on route.

If load exceeds any of these dimensions or weights, refer to the State on Super Loads. For special permit restrictions and provisions, they will be listed on your permit when issued.

SUPER LOADS

Super Loads are considered to be all loads over 130,000 Lbs on 7 axles, 125' long, 14' wide. Height restrictions will depend on routes to be taken. In excess of 130,000 Lbs the application goes to the Bridge Department for approval.

TRUCK SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS

Signs should displaying "Wide Load" with letters 12" high and at least 1 1/2" wide. Signs are to be displayed on the front and rear of the load on overwidth vehicles. Red flags shall be placed at all four corners. A rear rotating amber Light is required on vehicles greater than 12' wide. A maximum of 3' front overhang is allowed on trailer. Provide a rear Escort or amber rotating or strobe light on all loads of more than 6' rear overhang.

ESCORT REQUIREMENTS

Front Escort is required for loads over 12' and up to 14' wide on 2-lane highways. One front and one rear Escort on all highways on loads over 14' wide up to and including 16'. Over 16' 3 Escorts-1 front and 1 rear. For overheight loads of 13'6" or over, state determines if Escort is needed. (With height pole.) Loads with overhang of 6' or 5' on a 48' trailer or less require Escort. Over 16' wide requires 1 front & 1 rear civilian & police escort. 16' high & higher requires a front height pole Escort.

ESCORT VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS

Escorts are required to have a "Wide Load" sign or "Oversize Load" sign on the front of the lead escort vehicle and on the rear of the following escort vehicle, a rotating amber beacon or light displayed on top of the vehicle and radio contact between the Escort and towing vehicle at all times. Headlights shall be on during movement.

TRAVEL TIME

 Travel is permitted one half hour after Sunrise to one half hour before Sunset, Monday through Saturday. No Sunday travel unless otherwise noted under special provisions on your permit. Travel is restricted on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Memorial Day. The State Permit Office will be closed on the above-mentioned holidays as well as President's Day and the day after Thanksgiving, but travel will not be restricted on these two days. Movement prohibited from noon before each holiday until noon following each holiday. 14' wide loads or mobile homes are not to be moved over state highways near urban areas between the hours of 7:00-9:00 a.m. and 3:00-6:00 p.m. on school days and 4:30-6:00 p.m. on other days. CURFEW: Loads 16' may travel 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. This will also be noted on your permit for hours of movement or whatever the state of South Carolina deems it necessary for safety reasons.