Alabama oversize and overweight rules
The short answer
Last checked
Without a permit, a load in Alabama can be up to 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high and 80,000 lb gross on interstates, 40,000 lb gross with 2 axles on interstates, 44,000 lb gross with 2 axles on roads other than interstates, 60,000 lb gross with 3 axles on interstates, 66,000 lb gross with 3 axles on roads other than interstates, 75,000 lb gross with 4 axles on interstates, 82,500 lb gross with 4 axles on roads other than interstates, 88,000 lb gross with 5 axles on roads other than interstates or 92,400 lb gross with 6 axles on roads other than interstates, with the conditions in the legal limits table. The first pilot car is required for loads 12 ft or more wide or 90 ft or more long, and a height pole car for loads over 15 ft 6 in high, with the conditions in the pilot car table. It treats a load as a superload when it is over 16 ft wide, over 16 ft high, over 150 ft long or over 300,000 lb gross; the conditions in the axle and fee tables name other superload triggers.
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Legal limits without a permit
| Limit | Up to | Roads | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 inMirrors and safety devices ALDOT approves are not counted. | All roads | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(4) |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | All roads | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(1) |
| Length, single truck | 40 ftMotor homes may be 45 feet. | All roads | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(2) |
| Length, semitrailer | 57 ftIncludes the load. In a tractor with a semitrailer and a trailer, each trailer is at most 28 feet 6 inches. | All roads | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(2) |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lb | Interstates | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(3)a.3 |
| Gross weight, 2 axles | 40,000 lbThe top figure for two axles, at 10 feet or more from first to last axle; closer axles carry less. No load tolerance applies on the Interstate. | Interstates | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(3)b, Computed Gross Weight Table |
| Gross weight, 2 axles | 44,000 lbThe table’s 40,000 pounds for two axles at 10 feet or more apart, plus the one tenth tolerance; closer axles carry less. | Roads other than interstates | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(3)d |
| Gross weight, 3 axles | 60,000 lbThe top figure for three axles, at 29 feet or more from first to last axle; closer axles carry less. No load tolerance applies on the Interstate. | Interstates | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(3)b, Computed Gross Weight Table |
| Gross weight, 3 axles | 66,000 lbThe table’s 60,000 pounds for three axles at 29 feet or more apart, plus the one tenth tolerance; closer axles carry less. | Roads other than interstates | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(3)d |
| Gross weight, 4 axles | 75,000 lbThe top figure for four axles, at 44 feet or more from first to last axle; closer axles carry less. No load tolerance applies on the Interstate. | Interstates | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(3)b, Computed Gross Weight Table |
| Gross weight, 4 axles | 82,500 lbThe table’s 75,000 pounds for four axles at 44 feet or more apart, plus the one tenth tolerance; closer axles carry less. | Roads other than interstates | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(3)d |
| Gross weight, 5 axles | 88,000 lbThe table’s 80,000 pounds for five axles at 44 feet or more apart, plus the one tenth tolerance; closer axles carry less. | Roads other than interstates | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(3)d |
| Gross weight, 6 axles | 92,400 lbThe table’s 84,000 pounds for six axles at 44 feet or more apart, plus the one tenth tolerance; closer axles carry less. | Roads other than interstates | Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(3)d |
Axle weight limits
| Axle or group | Without a permit | With a permit | Roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any single axle | 20,000 lbNo load tolerance applies on the Interstate. | Not set | Interstates |
| Any single axle | 22,000 lbThe 20,000 pound axle limit plus the one tenth load tolerance allowed off the Interstate. | Not set | Roads other than interstates |
| 2 axles in a group, spread over 3 ft 4 in to 8 ft | 34,000 lb | Not set | Interstates |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lb | Not set | Interstates |
| Gross weight, 2 axles | 40,000 lbThe top figure for two axles, at 10 feet or more from first to last axle; closer axles carry less. No load tolerance applies on the Interstate. | Not set | Interstates |
| Gross weight, 2 axles | 44,000 lbThe table’s 40,000 pounds for two axles at 10 feet or more apart, plus the one tenth tolerance; closer axles carry less. | Not set | Roads other than interstates |
| Gross weight, 3 axles | 60,000 lbThe top figure for three axles, at 29 feet or more from first to last axle; closer axles carry less. No load tolerance applies on the Interstate. | Not set | Interstates |
| Gross weight, 3 axles | 66,000 lbThe table’s 60,000 pounds for three axles at 29 feet or more apart, plus the one tenth tolerance; closer axles carry less. | Not set | Roads other than interstates |
| Gross weight, 4 axles | 75,000 lbThe top figure for four axles, at 44 feet or more from first to last axle; closer axles carry less. No load tolerance applies on the Interstate. | Not set | Interstates |
| Gross weight, 4 axles | 82,500 lbThe table’s 75,000 pounds for four axles at 44 feet or more apart, plus the one tenth tolerance; closer axles carry less. | Not set | Roads other than interstates |
| Gross weight, 5 axles | 88,000 lbThe table’s 80,000 pounds for five axles at 44 feet or more apart, plus the one tenth tolerance; closer axles carry less. | Not set | Roads other than interstates |
| Gross weight, 6 axles | 92,400 lbThe table’s 84,000 pounds for six axles at 44 feet or more apart, plus the one tenth tolerance; closer axles carry less. | Not set | Roads other than interstates |
| Gross weight | Not set | Not a hard ceiling: above this, the move is a superload, needing a bridge analysis of every structure on the route, a route survey and at least two trooper or police escorts.300,000 lb | All roads |
The federal bridge formula applies to axle groups on interstates (Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20(a)(3)a.3). “With a permit” lists the state’s permit figures; read each row’s condition, since some are review thresholds rather than limits.
Source: Code of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20, ALDOT Alabama Superload Requirements
Pilot cars and escorts
Each row is one rule. A load can meet several; the permit lists the escorts for your move.
| Load | Roads | Front | Rear | Height pole | Police | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| over 14 ft wideA mobile home’s lighting system can stand in for the rear escort except on multilane roads. ALDOT may require more escorts.450-3-1-.05(3) | All roads | 1 in front, 1 behind | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 15 ft 6 in highALDOT can require an escort at lower heights depending on the route, and may require more escorts.450-3-1-.05(1) | All roads | 1 height pole car | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| from 90 ft up to 125 ft longIncludes exactly 90 feet. A mobile home may use the approved lighting system instead of the rear escort. ALDOT may require more escorts under 150 feet.450-3-1-.05(5)(a) | All roads | 1 behind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 125 ft up to 150 ft longALDOT’s training material places this tier over 125 feet; the rule’s wording overlaps at 125. ALDOT may require more escorts under 150 feet.450-3-1-.05(5)(a) | All roads | 1 in front, 1 behind | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 150 ft longOne law enforcement escort in front and one behind. The rule doesn’t state whether the civilian escorts of the tier below also go along.450-3-1-.05(5)(b) | All roads | 2 police escorts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| over 16 ft wideAt least two State Trooper or police escorts, more under some conditions. ALEA schedules them only after the permit office pre-approves. A lighting plan is needed, and most such moves run at night.Alabama Superload Requirements, item 7 Escort Requirements | All roads | 2 police escorts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| over 16 ft highAt least two State Trooper or police escorts, more under some conditions. ALEA schedules them only after the permit office pre-approves. A lighting plan is needed, and most such moves run at night.Alabama Superload Requirements, item 7 Escort Requirements | All roads | 2 police escorts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| over 300,000 lb grossAt least two State Trooper or police escorts, more under some conditions. ALEA schedules them only after the permit office pre-approves. A lighting plan is needed, and most such moves run at night.Alabama Superload Requirements, item 7 Escort Requirements | All roads | 2 police escorts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| from 12 ft up to 14 ft wideIncludes exactly 12 feet. ALDOT may require more escorts. A mobile home may use a rear lighting system, but its escort still leads on two-lane roads.450-3-1-.05(2)(a) | Two-lane roads | 1 in front | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| from 12 ft up to 14 ft wideIncludes exactly 12 feet. ALDOT may require more escorts. A mobile home may use a rear lighting system, but its escort still follows on multilane roads.450-3-1-.05(2)(b) | Two or more lanes in your direction | 1 behind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
- The lead pilot car is the one that carries the height pole.
Superloads
Alabama treats a load as a superload when it is any one of these:
- over 16 ft wide
- over 16 ft high
- over 150 ft long
- over 300,000 lb gross
Source: Ala. Admin. Code r. 450-3-1-.05, ALDOT Alabama Superload Requirements
When you can travel
Holidays
All permitted vehicles
No permitted travel on the holiday itself, and ALDOT’s 2026 sheet widens the bans. Thanksgiving: sunset Wed Nov 25 until sunrise Mon Nov 30. Christmas: sunset Thu Dec 24 until sunrise Mon Dec 28. New Year 2027: sunset Thu Dec 31 until sunrise Sat Jan 2. Dates are marked subject to change. Other state holidays such as MLK and Veterans Day allow travel with a valid permit.
Ala. Admin. Code r. 450-3-1-.04(2); ALDOT 2026 Holiday Restrictions sheet
Weekends
All permitted vehicles
No travel at any time on Sundays. Saturday travel is allowed in daylight. Sealed containerized cargo overweight permits and construction work-zone equipment permits may move 24 hours, Monday through Sunday, under normal travel conditions.
Night
All permitted vehicles
Daylight hours only, on annual and single-trip permits alike. Sealed containerized cargo overweight permits and construction work-zone equipment permits may run 24 hours. Urban house moves can be allowed in otherwise barred hours with local coordination and a law enforcement escort.
Cities and rush hour
No city curfew found in the state permit rules, the ALDOT permit FAQ or the ALDOT rules presentation.
Every state on one page: holiday, weekend, night and city restrictions by state. For this year’s holiday, see Thanksgiving 2026 restrictions.
Single trip permit fees
Within each kind of fee the largest that fits your load applies, and the kinds add up.
| Fee | When it applies | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | Every single trip permit | $10 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 8 ft 6 in wide | $20 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 57 ft long | $20 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 13 ft 6 in high and over 80,000 lb up to 100,000 lb gross | $20 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 8 ft 6 in wide and over 100,000 lb up to 125,000 lb gross | $40 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 8 ft 6 in wide and over 125,000 lb up to 150,000 lb gross | $70 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 8 ft 6 in wide and over 150,000 lb gross | $110 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 13 ft 6 in high and over 100,000 lb up to 125,000 lb gross | $40 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 13 ft 6 in high and over 125,000 lb up to 150,000 lb gross | $70 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 13 ft 6 in high and over 150,000 lb gross | $110 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 57 ft long and over 100,000 lb up to 125,000 lb gross | $40 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 57 ft long and over 125,000 lb up to 150,000 lb gross | $70 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 57 ft long and over 150,000 lb gross | $110 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 80,000 lb up to 100,000 lb gross | $10 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 100,000 lb up to 125,000 lb gross | $30 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 125,000 lb up to 150,000 lb gross | $60 |
| Permit feeALDOT Permit Fee Schedule, Permit Cost | over 150,000 lb gross | $100 |
Source: ALDOT Permit Office, Permit Fee Schedule, revised March 11, 2025
Where to apply
Alabama issues permits through ALPASS. Apply at alpass.dot.state.al.us.
What the rules don’t say
Where the sources are silent or say two things. Ask the state before you rely on these.
Legal limits
- The statute’s 57 foot clause also names a truck and semitrailer combination; confirm with ALDOT whether a straight truck pulling a semitrailer is held to 57 feet overall.
- Poles, logs, lumber, structural steel and piping loads are exempt from the length limits, and livestock trailers may be up to 65 feet (§ 32-9-25).
- ALDOT’s older rule still sets 8 feet wide on roads with lanes under 12 feet, while the statute now says 102 inches. Confirm before using narrow roads.
Axle weights
- Off the Interstate, weights up to the limit plus one tenth are deemed legal. That tolerance does not apply on the Interstate, including state and U.S. routes running with it.
- The gross depends on axle count and the distance from first to last axle, from 36,000 pounds on two axles at 8 feet or less up to 84,000 on six at 44 feet. The table doesn’t state a figure for seven or more axles.
- The 34,000 pound tandem limit is stated for the Interstate only; off it, the gross table governs.
- Alabama’s statute and rule chapter don’t state a steering axle limit or a pounds per inch tire limit.
- Annual permits are capped at 150,000 pounds and 22,000 on a single axle, and above 100,000 pounds need a routing authorization.
- ALDOT sets each single trip permit’s axle and group weights for its route; its rules don’t state a routine maximum, so ask the permit office.
- Other rules apply to uneven axles in a group, dump, mixer and fuel trucks, farm vehicles, idle reduction equipment (400 pounds), natural gas vehicles (82,000 pounds), county limits, posted roads and bridges, and sealed ocean containers.
- The statute was last amended by Act 2025-272; confirm its current figures with ALDOT.
- A superload starts over 300,000 pounds gross, a figure from undated ALDOT guidance.
Pilot cars and superloads
- A superload is over 16 feet wide, 16 feet high, 150 feet long or 300,000 pounds. It needs at least two trooper or police escorts, drawings, a route survey, a bridge analysis, and a bucket truck over 16 feet 5 inches high.
- The rule’s wording leaves 12 feet wide and 125 feet long unclear. Plan on escorts from 12 feet wide and 90 feet long, and on a front and rear pair only over 125 feet.
- Overhang adds escorts: a rear escort for more than 5 feet past the rear, a front escort for 10 feet or more past the front.
- Mobile homes may use a lighting system in place of a rear escort, with the escort in front on two-lane roads and behind on multilane roads.
- The rule doesn’t state law enforcement escorts by width or height; ALDOT may require them for the route, and the permit controls.
- The rule doesn’t address three-lane roads; Interstates follow the multilane counts.
- The escort rule doesn’t set escorts by weight. Annual permits over 100,000 pounds need a routing authorization.
Permit fees
- The statute lists $10 for loads over length, height or width, but ALDOT’s rule and 2025 schedule charge $20 for over width or length and $10 for over height only. Confirm the fee before quoting.
- Fees count from legal limits of 8 feet 6 inches wide, 13 feet 6 inches high, 57 feet long and 80,000 pounds. A narrow road or a single unit truck can reach a fee at a smaller size.
- Overweight fees are $10, $30, $60 or $100 by weight, plus $10 when the load is also oversize. The $10 alone applies only to a load within legal size.
- Mobile and modular homes, sectional houses, portable buildings and boats pay $10 up to 12 feet wide and 75 feet long, $20 over; houses $20; off the road equipment $10.
- Superload trooper escorts are billed by the hour by ALEA, and route surveys and card transaction charges are extra.
- The schedule is dated March 11, 2025. Annual permits cost $100.
Where to apply
- Start from ALDOT’s permit page and confirm which online system currently takes applications.
Questions about Alabama
- When do I need an oversize permit in Alabama?
- Without a permit, a load in Alabama can be up to 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high and 80,000 lb gross on interstates, 40,000 lb gross with 2 axles on interstates, 44,000 lb gross with 2 axles on roads other than interstates, 60,000 lb gross with 3 axles on interstates, 66,000 lb gross with 3 axles on roads other than interstates, 75,000 lb gross with 4 axles on interstates, 82,500 lb gross with 4 axles on roads other than interstates, 88,000 lb gross with 5 axles on roads other than interstates or 92,400 lb gross with 6 axles on roads other than interstates, with the conditions in the legal limits table. Loads past these figures generally need a permit from the state; see the legal limits table for the exceptions and for length, which depends on the vehicle.
- How much does an Alabama oversize permit cost?
- On the fee schedule we checked, a single trip permit starts at $10. Larger or heavier loads pay more; the largest single fee on the schedule is $110. The estimator on this page adds up the fees for your load.
- When do you need a pilot car in Alabama?
- The first pilot car is required for loads 12 ft or more wide or 90 ft or more long, and a height pole car for loads over 15 ft 6 in high, with the conditions in the pilot car table. How many cars, and whether they lead or follow, depends on the road; the pilot car table lists each rule.
- What is a superload in Alabama?
- Alabama treats a load as a superload when it is over 16 ft wide, over 16 ft high, over 150 ft long or over 300,000 lb gross. The conditions in the axle and fee tables name other superload triggers. The superloads list on this page gives each threshold with its source.
- When can oversize loads travel in Alabama?
- At night: Daylight hours only, on annual and single-trip permits alike. Sealed containerized cargo overweight permits and construction work-zone equipment permits may run 24 hours. Urban house moves can be allowed in otherwise barred hours with local coordination and a law enforcement escort. On weekends: No travel at any time on Sundays. Saturday travel is allowed in daylight. Sealed containerized cargo overweight permits and construction work-zone equipment permits may move 24 hours, Monday through Sunday, under normal travel conditions.
- Can oversize loads move on holidays in Alabama?
- No permitted travel on the holiday itself, and ALDOT’s 2026 sheet widens the bans. Thanksgiving: sunset Wed Nov 25 until sunrise Mon Nov 30. Christmas: sunset Thu Dec 24 until sunrise Mon Dec 28. New Year 2027: sunset Thu Dec 31 until sunrise Sat Jan 2. Dates are marked subject to change. Other state holidays such as MLK and Veterans Day allow travel with a valid permit.
Sources
- Code of Alabama 1975, § 32-9-20: Schedule of RestrictionsCode of Ala. 1975, § 32-9-20Alabama Legislature, Legislative Services Agency. Read .
- Alabama Administrative Code 450-3-1, Rules for Oversize and Overweight Permits, Single Trip Permit Procedure and FeesAla. Admin. Code 450-3-1-.10(6)Alabama Department of Transportation (published by the Legislative Services Agency). Read .
- ALDOT Alabama Superload RequirementsALDOT Alabama Superload RequirementsAlabama Department of Transportation, Oversize/Overweight Permit Office. Read .
- Alabama Administrative Code, Rule 450-3-1-.05, Escort Requirements (ALDOT Operations Division, Chapter 450-3-1 Maintenance)Ala. Admin. Code r. 450-3-1-.05Alabama Department of Transportation, Operations Division (rule); published by the Alabama Legislative Services Agency, Alabama Administrative Code. Read .
- ALDOT Oversize Load Training, Rules and Regulations Presentation (escort requirements after June 1, 2017)ALDOT Oversize Load Training presentation, Escort Requirements for EquipmentAlabama Department of Transportation, Oversize/Overweight Permit Office. Read .
- Alabama Department of Transportation Permit Fee ScheduleALDOT Permit Office, Permit Fee Schedule, revised March 11, 2025Alabama Department of Transportation. Read .
- Code of Alabama, 32-9-29, Permits for Movement of Oversized Vehicles or LoadsCode of Ala. 1975, 32-9-29(c)(2)Alabama Legislature (text as reproduced by Justia, 2025 edition). Read .
- Alabama Department of Transportation page naming the permit systemAlabama Department of Transportation, permit system pageAlabama Department of Transportation. Read .
Found something wrong or out of date? Report an error to hello@thirteensix.com.
This page is a dated summary in our own words, not legal advice. The permit the state issues governs your move, and states change their rules; check with Alabama before you travel.
Bordering states
- Crossing into Florida? See Florida rules
- Crossing into Georgia? See Georgia rules
- Mississippi, coming soon
- Crossing into Tennessee? See Tennessee rules
More guides: all states and the rules library.
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