Tennessee oversize and overweight rules
The short answer
Last checked
Without a permit, a load in Tennessee can be up to 8 ft 6 in wide on designated truck routes or 8 ft wide on roads off the designated routes, 13 ft 6 in high on state and U.S. highways and turnpikes and 80,000 lb gross, with the conditions in the legal limits table. The first pilot car is required for loads over 10 ft wide on two-lane roads, or over 90 ft long, and a height pole car for loads over 15 ft high, with the conditions in the pilot car table. It treats a load as a superload when it is over 16 ft wide, over 15 ft 6 in high or over 165,000 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 inOn the Interstate and federal-aid highways the commissioner designates, plus the shortest reasonable route to terminals and to food, fuel, repairs and rest. Small appurtenances up to 6 inches and approved safety devices are not counted. | Designated truck routes | T.C.A. § 55-7-202(c) |
| Width | 8 ftFarm tractors and farm machinery moving briefly on a highway are exempt. | Roads off the designated routes | T.C.A. § 55-7-202(a)(1) |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | State and U.S. highways and turnpikes | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.01(2)(a)5 |
| Length, single truck | 45 ft | State and U.S. highways and turnpikes | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.01(2)(a)6(i) |
| Length, whole combination | 65 ftA straight truck with a trailer attached, not a truck tractor and semitrailer. | State and U.S. highways and turnpikes | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.01(2)(a)6(ii) |
| Length, semitrailer | 52 ftMeasured from the kingpin to the rear of the trailer or load. Over 48 feet, the kingpin may be at most 41 feet from the rear tandem midpoint, unless the load is livestock, motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts. Without a tandem, the kingpin may be at most 44 feet from the rearmost axle. | State and U.S. highways and turnpikes | T.C.A. § 55-7-201(c) |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbOn the Interstate, the axles must also stay within the federal bridge formula. | All roads | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.01(2)(a)1 |
Source: T.C.A. § 55-7-202, Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.01 and .09, T.C.A. § 55-7-201
Axle weight limits
| Axle or group | Without a permit | With a permit | Roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any single axle | 20,000 lb | 23,000 lbOnly for a non-divisible load on a truck and trailer no wider than 10 feet; the load itself may be wider if permitted. Other loads are held to 20,000 pounds. | All roads |
| 2 or more axles in a group, spread over 3 ft 4 in to 8 ft | 34,000 lb | Not set | All roads |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbOn the Interstate, the axles must also stay within the federal bridge formula. | Not a hard ceiling: above this, a super heavy move needs TDOT Structures Division approval before a permit issues. Some lighter moves need that approval too, by axle spacing.165,000 lb | All roads |
| 2 axles in a group | Not set | 46,000 lbOnly for a non-divisible load on a truck and trailer no wider than 10 feet; the load itself may be wider if permitted. Other loads are held to 40,000 pounds. | All roads |
| 3 axles in a group | Not set | 60,000 lbOnly for a non-divisible load on a truck and trailer no wider than 10 feet; the load itself may be wider if permitted. | All roads |
The federal bridge formula applies to axle groups on interstates (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.01(2)(a)1). “With a permit” lists the state’s permit figures; read each row’s condition, since some are review thresholds rather than limits.
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 13 ft 6 in wideThe load and escorts must stay in radio contact. A flagperson is also needed at bridges with a roadway under 20 feet wide.1680-07-01-.06(4)(a) | All roads | 1 in front, 1 behind | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 16 ft wideAllowed only where the highway can handle it, and a route survey is required before the permit issues. TDOT may also require a law enforcement escort.1680-07-01-.06(5)(b)1. | All roads | 1 in front, 1 behind | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 18 ft wideAt least two officers, on top of the other escorts. The 18 foot line comes from TDOT’s FAQ; the rule says TDOT may require law enforcement.FAQ, When are Tennessee Highway Patrol Escorts required? | All roads | 2 police escorts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| over 15 ft highA route survey of overpass clearances is required from 15 feet. Over 15 feet 6 inches, the move also needs TDOT’s special approval.1680-07-01-.10(1)(d); also .10(2)(b)4. | All roads | 1 height pole car | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| over 18 ft highAt least two officers, on top of the height pole escort. The 18 foot line comes from TDOT’s FAQ; the rule says TDOT may require law enforcement.FAQ, When are Tennessee Highway Patrol Escorts required? | All roads | 2 police escorts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| over 90 ft longUp to 120 feet. Over 75 feet, loads also need oversize signs and a rear amber light.1680-07-01-.11(2)(a) | All roads | 1 behind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 120 ft long1680-07-01-.11(3)(a) | All roads | 1 in front, 1 behind | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 10 ft wideOnly where the pavement is narrower than 24 feet, shoulders not counted. Up to 12 feet 6 inches wide, Interstates, four-lane highways and wider two-lane roads need no escort.1680-07-01-.06(2)(a)-(b) | Two-lane roads | 1 in front | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| over 12 ft 6 in wide1680-07-01-.06(3)(b) | Two-lane roads | 1 in front | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| over 12 ft 6 in wide1680-07-01-.06(3)(a) | 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
Tennessee treats a load as a superload when it is any one of these:
- over 165,000 lb gross
- 250,000 lb or more gross
- 500,000 lb or more gross
- over 16 ft wide
- over 15 ft 6 in high
Source: Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.06, .10, .11, .12, TDOT OS/OW Permit Office FAQ page, escort tables and THP escort answer
When you can travel
Holidays
Escorted loads (loads needing no escort may travel continuously; site-built houses and houseboats barred on the holiday)
No escorted travel in holiday windows. 2026: Good Friday after 6 p.m. Thu Apr 2 through Easter Sun Apr 5; Memorial after noon Fri May 22 through May 25; Independence after noon Jul 2 through Jul 4; Labor after noon Fri Sep 4 through Sep 7; Thanksgiving after noon Wed Nov 25 through Sun Nov 29 (the sheet prints Sunday November 30, so confirm with TDOT before an escorted move on Mon Nov 30); Christmas Dec 24 and Dec 25; New Year Dec 31, 2026 and Jan 1, 2027.
TDOT 2026 OS/OW Holiday Travel Restrictions sheet; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.04
Weekends
No general weekend restriction found. The rule default is continuous movement 24/7; escorted loads face the holiday windows on the TDOT sheet, and mobile homes move only Mon to Sat.
Tennessee oversize permit rule .04Read in part
Night
All permitted loads (default)
Default is continuous movement, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Super-heavy and extra-overdimensional loads may be time-limited case by case. Mobile homes move sunrise to sunset Mon to Sat.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.04Read in part
Cities and rush hour
counties over 250,000 people (Davidson, Rutherford, Hamilton, Knox, Shelby per FAQ)
Interstate loads over 12 ft 6 in wide, 15 ft high or 90 ft long in counties over 250,000 people (Davidson, Rutherford, Hamilton, Knox, Shelby)
No Interstate movement Mon to Fri 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Otherwise the default is continuous movement, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; mobile homes move sunrise to sunset Mon to Sat and not on legal holidays.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.04Read in part
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Width feePermit Prices page, Excess Width | over 8 ft 6 in up to 14 ft wide | $20 |
| Width feePermit Prices page, Excess Width | over 14 ft up to 16 ft wide | $30 |
| Width feePermit Prices page, Excess Width | over 16 ft wide | $30 |
| Extra width feePermit Prices page, Excess Width | over 16 ft wide | Not computed here, see the source |
| Height or length feePermit Prices page, Excess Height | over 13 ft 6 in high | $20 |
| Height or length feePermit Prices page, Excess Length | over 50 ft long | $20 |
| Weight feePermit Prices page, Excess Weight | over 80,000 lb gross | $20 |
| Ton mile feePermit Prices page, Excess Weight | over 80,000 lb gross | Not computed here, see the source |
| Bridge reviewPermit Prices page, Bridge Fee | from 165,000 lb up to 250,000 lb gross | $100 |
| Bridge reviewPermit Prices page, Bridge Fee | over 250,000 lb up to 500,000 lb gross | $300 |
| Bridge reviewPermit Prices page, Bridge Fee | over 500,000 lb gross | Not computed here, see the source |
Where to apply
Tennessee issues permits through TNTRIPS. Start from the agency’s permit page, which leads to it.
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
- Tennessee’s statute allows 8 feet 6 inches only on the Interstate and designated highways and 8 feet elsewhere, while TDOT’s rule lists 8 feet 6 inches without naming roads. Confirm your route with TDOT.
- TDOT’s 2018 rule and FAQ say 50 feet for a semitrailer; a 2020 law (SB 1608, effective November 1, 2020) raised it to 52 feet.
Axle weights
- On the Interstate, every group of two or more axles must also meet the federal bridge formula, with 34,000 pounds each for two tandems 36 feet or more apart.
- Wheels within 40 inches count as one axle, and any axles more than 40 and up to 96 inches apart count as a tandem, so three axles within 96 inches are held to 34,000 pounds.
- Divisible loads, and loads on a vehicle wider than 10 feet, are held under permit to 20,000 pounds an axle and 40,000 a tandem, with no tridem figure.
- Farm trucks get a 10 percent margin.
- TDOT’s rule pages don’t state a steering axle limit or a pounds per inch tire limit.
- Super heavy and extra-overdimensional moves, fixed load vehicles and heavy towing vehicles have their own rules and limits.
- A superload is over 165,000 pounds, 16 feet wide or 15 feet 6 inches high.
Pilot cars and superloads
- Houses, mobile and manufactured homes, houseboats, roof trusses and heavy towing vehicles have their own escort rules.
- The Highway Patrol escort over 18 feet comes from TDOT’s FAQ; the rule says only that TDOT may require law enforcement for super heavy or extra-overdimensional loads. TDOT says a patrol escort uses at least two officers.
- Loads over 165,000 pounds need TDOT Structures Division approval and may be given a law enforcement escort; the rule doesn’t state a weight escort line.
- TDOT’s permit office may add escorts for complex or very large loads, and the permit controls.
- The rules speak of two-lane roads, highways of four or more lanes and the Interstate; three-lane roads are not addressed.
- The rule doesn’t state whether escort lengths are measured overall or kingpin to rear, as TDOT measures for permits. Plan on overall length.
- Loads over 10 feet wide need a flagperson at bridges under 20 feet wide. Escorted loads may not use Interstates in Davidson, Rutherford, Hamilton, Knox and Shelby counties on weekdays 7 to 9 am and 4 to 6 pm.
- Before a move, confirm the escort rules with TDOT: the rule edition linked by the Secretary of State dates from 2018.
- A super heavy load is over 165,000 pounds, and an extra-overdimensional load is over 16 feet wide or 15 feet 6 inches high. TDOT may restrict their travel times.
Permit fees
- TDOT’s price page was last changed in 2021 and its rule in 2018; confirm current fees before quoting.
- The 6 cents per ton mile runs on the weight over 80,000 pounds, and depends on the miles in Tennessee.
- Width, height or length, and weight are separate fees.
- Each foot of width over 16 feet adds $5. Houseboats over 17 feet pay $2,500 plus $100 an inch, and mobile, manufactured and modular homes have their own fees.
- The $20 length fee starts at 50 feet for a truck tractor and semitrailer under TDOT’s FAQ sheet, so a legal 53 foot trailer may pay it.
- Bridge evaluation fees ($100 and $300) are charged as TDOT deems necessary and for each new route; over 500,000 pounds the cost is actual.
- Highway Patrol escorts cost $65 an hour plus 13 cents a mile, two officers. Card surcharges, annual permits and towing vehicle ton mile rates are extra.
Where to apply
- Start from TDOT’s oversize and overweight permit page and confirm which online system currently takes applications.
Questions about Tennessee
- When do I need an oversize permit in Tennessee?
- Without a permit, a load in Tennessee can be up to 8 ft 6 in wide on designated truck routes or 8 ft wide on roads off the designated routes, 13 ft 6 in high on state and U.S. highways and turnpikes and 80,000 lb gross, 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 a Tennessee oversize permit cost?
- It depends on the load: the fee table shows which fees on the schedule we checked apply to which loads. Some charges are not computed here; the fee table names them. The estimator on this page adds up the fees for your load.
- When do you need a pilot car in Tennessee?
- The first pilot car is required for loads over 10 ft wide on two-lane roads, or over 90 ft long, and a height pole car for loads over 15 ft 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 Tennessee?
- Tennessee treats a load as a superload when it is over 16 ft wide, over 15 ft 6 in high or over 165,000 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 Tennessee?
- At night: Default is continuous movement, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Super-heavy and extra-overdimensional loads may be time-limited case by case. Mobile homes move sunrise to sunset Mon to Sat. This applies to all permitted loads (default). On weekends: No general weekend restriction found. The rule default is continuous movement 24/7; escorted loads face the holiday windows on the TDOT sheet, and mobile homes move only Mon to Sat. Rush hour and city curfews also apply; they are listed on this page.
- Can oversize loads move on holidays in Tennessee?
- No escorted travel in holiday windows. 2026: Good Friday after 6 p.m. Thu Apr 2 through Easter Sun Apr 5; Memorial after noon Fri May 22 through May 25; Independence after noon Jul 2 through Jul 4; Labor after noon Fri Sep 4 through Sep 7; Thanksgiving after noon Wed Nov 25 through Sun Nov 29 (the sheet prints Sunday November 30, so confirm with TDOT before an escorted move on Mon Nov 30); Christmas Dec 24 and Dec 25; New Year Dec 31, 2026 and Jan 1, 2027. This applies to escorted loads (loads needing no escort may travel continuously; site-built houses and houseboats barred on the holiday).
Sources
- Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.24, Fees (Overweight and Overdimensional Movements)Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1680-07-01-.24(1) to (3)Tennessee Department of Transportation (filed with the Secretary of State). Read .
- Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-7-201: Maximum length of vehicles (2025 Tennessee Code, as reproduced by Justia)T.C.A. § 55-7-201Tennessee General Assembly (text as reproduced by Justia; the official code is published by LexisNexis and was not read). Read .
- Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-7-202: Maximum width and height (2025 Tennessee Code, as reproduced by Justia)T.C.A. § 55-7-202Tennessee General Assembly (text as reproduced by Justia; the official code is published by LexisNexis and was not read). Read .
- TDOT Oversize & Overweight Permits, OS/OW Permit FAQs (When do I need an escort? / When are Tennessee Highway Patrol Escorts required?)TDOT OS/OW Permit Office FAQ page, escort tables and THP escort answerTennessee Department of Transportation, Traffic Operations Division, OS/OW Permit Office. Read .
- TDOT Oversize and Overweight Permit Prices, Single Trip and Annual PermitsTDOT Permit Prices page, Single Trip Cost columnTennessee Department of Transportation, Oversize and Overweight Permit Office. Read .
- TDOT Weight Price SheetTDOT Weight Price Sheet (price per mile by gross weight, from 80,500 lb)Tennessee Department of Transportation, Oversize and Overweight Permit Office. Read .
- TDOT Oversize and Overweight permit office frequently asked questionsTDOT OS/OW FAQ sheet, How do I know if my vehicle needs a permitTennessee Department of Transportation, Oversize and Overweight Permit Office. Read .
- Tennessee Department of Transportation page naming the permit systemTennessee Department of Transportation, permit system pageTennessee 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 Tennessee before you travel.
Bordering states
- Crossing into Alabama? See Alabama rules
- Crossing into Arkansas? See Arkansas rules
- Crossing into Georgia? See Georgia rules
- Kentucky, coming soon
- Crossing into Missouri? See Missouri rules
- Mississippi, coming soon
- Crossing into North Carolina? See North Carolina rules
- Virginia, coming soon
More guides: all states and the rules library.
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