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Oversize/
Overweight
Permit Manual
Georgia
Foreword
The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association is pleased to publish this Oversize/ Overweight Permit Manual.
Each state analysis includes information in a standardized format: contact, legal limits, special permit limits,
general restrictions, types of permits available, fees, escort needs, fines, and restricted travel areas. Telephone
numbers, locations, and hours of operation are listed for ports of entry and permit branches. However, readers
are always advised to check with the state offices on current laws and procedures. This project could not have
been completed without the advice and consultation of many state officials. We thank all of those who provided
permit manuals, maps, laws, regulations, and various other forms of documentation.
Legal Notice
This SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual is intended only to provide concise, easily read information,
useful in planning movements of overdimensional and overweight loads. This Permit Manual is not intended to be
an accurate summary of all the applicable laws and regulations. Users of the Permit Manual should confirm the
information contained herein before dispatching vehicles and loads. The SC&RA cautions Permit Manual users
that state laws and regulations are subject to change without notice, and that some time elapses between the
effective date of such changes and the amendment of the Permit Manual to reflect those changes. The SC&RA
assumes no responsibility for accident, injury, loss or claim, penalties or any other damage resulting from
reliance on the contents of this Permit Manual.
Specialized Carriers &
Rigging Association
5870 Trinity Parkway, Suite 200
Centreville, VA 20120
PHONE: (703) 698-0291
Fax: (571) 722-1698
Website: www.scranet.org
Email: [email protected]
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Copyright 1987-2014 by the Specialized Carriers & Rigging
Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may
be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, scanning, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the publisher, Joel M. Dandrea, Executive Vice
President, Specialized Carrier & Rigging Association. Requests to
the publisher for permission should be addressed to Joel M.
Dandrea, Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association, 5870 Trinity
Parkway, Suite 200, Centreville, VA 20120.
SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual
GEORGIA
CONTACT
Department of Transportation
Oversize Permit Unit
935 E. Confederate Avenue
Building 24, Suite 400
Atlanta, GA 30316
Main Office (404) 635-8176
Fax Telephone Numbers: (404)635-8501, (404)635-8509
Annual Permits
8:00am - 4:00pm
Phone: (888) 774-1460
Fax: (404) 635-8164
Permit Line
7:00am - 4:45pm
Phone Single Trip: (800)
570-5428
Fax: (404) 635-8503
Customer Service
7:00am - 4:45pm
Phone: (888) 262-8306
Fax: (404) 635-8501
Phone Oversize: (404)
835 8176
LEGAL LIMITS
Interstate Non-Interstate
GVW
o (steer)
o
oo
ooo
80,000
12,000
20,000
34,000
42,500
TOLERANCE:
80,000
20,340
20,340
40,680
(9' spacing)
HEIGHT
WIDTH
LENGTH
13'6"
8'6"
100'
None
60'overall length (non designated
53'
28'6”
single unit
(Non-Interstate & NHS)
semitrailer**
doubles
highways)
Federal Bridge Formula applies
overhang)
65'
automobile and boat
transporter (3' front, 4' rear
97’Saddlemount and saddlemount
combinations
with fullmount
NOTE: No lift axle may be used in computing maximum total GVW **53' semitrailer allowed unless signs are
posted that authorized for any vehicle or load indicate semitrailer length restrictions. Single piece loads may
be transported on an extendable semitrailer that exceeds 53 feet, provided that no pieces will be loaded end
to end and the semitrailer does not exceed 75 feet in overall length; on roads other than the interstate and
NHS system routes, the overall length shall not exceed 100 feet. Empty extendable semitrailer or
extendable semitrailers transporting a single-piece load of 53 feet or less shall be required to maintain a
semitrailer length of 53 feet or less. When the semitrailer is extended beyond 53 feet, the rearmost of the
load or semi-trailer shall be marked with a four-inch multi-directional amber strobe light and with 18 inch
bright red or orange warning flags
PERMIT LIMITS
Weight
o
oo
ooo
oooo
5 axles 6 axles 7 axles GA-2
Length:
23,000
46,000
69,000
92,000
100,000
125,000
148,000
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Width:
Height:
No Maximum set
16”0”
18’
SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual
8 axles -
150,000
PERMIT RESTRICTIONS
General - Permits are valid for ten travel days. Travel is permitted from one-half hour after sunrise to onehalf hour before sunset Monday through Saturday. No travel is permitted on Sundays or holidays.
Divisible loads are not allowed under a permit. Dozer blades may be hauled with the dozer attached, or if
disassembled, loaded for minimum width and up to 100,000 pounds gross weight only.
Customers can now submit revision request to previously issued permits within a 48-hour business day
window. Please submit permit request form by email or fax and the revised permit will be returned as the
original permit was issued (fax or email). NOTE: a $6 fee (plus a $7 convenience charge for credit card use)
may be charged.
Insurance - Commercial Motor Carriers are required to provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance that
consists of the following amounts of public liability/automobile: $1 million each accident; $300,000 each
person injured; total property damage, $1 million; The certificate must show the Department of
Transportation as the certificate holder and must remain on file for the duration of the permit.
Weekend/Night Travel
Movement of a permitted vehicle or load will take place only on Monday through Saturday, thirty (30) minutes after
sunrise to thirty (30) minutes before sunset, unless otherwise shown on the permit.
Houses may only be moved Monday through Saturday from 9:00am to 3:00pm unless otherwise noted on
the permit.
Travel not allowed on routes with bridges of less than 28 feet lateral clearance.
Travel Days: Monday through Saturday
Holiday –
No permitted vehicle or load will be moved during the following legal holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July
4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Inclement Weather – No permitted vehicle or load will be moved during foggy weather, snow or icy
conditions
Permit Information Required - Tractor and trailer information; overall dimensions (including length,
width, height and weight); gross weight; axle weight (must be individual weights); origin and destination;
routes to be traveled; effective dates.
Any permitted load over 16' in width, shall be restricted to travel between the hours of 10:00am to 3:00pm
for major cities. Call the permit office for the specific locations.
Changes may be made to requested routes without customer consultation to correct a misaligned routes,
provide a more direct route, or due to traffic/road conditions and dimensions. Origin and destination will
only be changed with prior consultation.
PERMIT TYPES
Single Trip
May only be used once for movement during the times specified on permit; must include a description of the
load; name of transporter; origin and destination, routes of travel and insurance provider information.
Standard Single - $30.00

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Width & Height Limit of 16'
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SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual

Weight Limit of 150,000 lbs.
Superload Single - $125.00


Width & Height greater than 16'
Weight Limit 150,001 to 180,000 lbs.
Note: May take up to three (3) days for approval.
Superload Plus - $500.00


Weight over 180,000 lbs.
Requires Bridge Analysis
Note: May take up to three (3) weeks for approval.
Continuous travel allowed for loads with a gross weight of 125,000 lbs. and no dimensions except during
weather conditions and holidays listed in 672-2.03(b)
Annual Permits
All annual permits must have a load specific description that matches the type of load that is being
transported. This means that heavy equipment permits are only issued for drivable equipment. Nondivisible load types such as pre-stress concrete, steel truss, concrete beams etc. will be issued their own
specific type of annual permit that matches the item shown on the permit.
Are good for one (1) year from date of purchase; are interchangeable within the same company, as long as
the original is in the transport vehicle at the time of movement; may be used for any load type that is not
divisible, and does not exceed any dimension. Required to maintain $3500,000 liability insurance with the
Georgia Department of Transportation as the certificate holder and must be on file with said Department for
the duration of the permit.
Standard Annual - $150.00




Width-12'0"
Height Limit-14'6"
Weight Limit-100,000 lbs.
Length Limit-100'0
Note: Containerized freight allowed 100,000 pounds on 5 axles.
NHS Annual - $500.00

Width-14'0 " (allowed up to 14'8" from the base to a point 10'0" above the ground for upper portion
of the load)



Height Limit-14'6"
Weight Limit-100,000 lbs.
Length Limit-100'0
Note: Travel on NHS routes only - see map.
Annual Commercial Wrecker Emergency Tow Permit
Effective July 1, 2012, due to the passage of HB835, Georgia will offer a new emergency tow permit
replacing the old permit. Upon renewal, the new permit will be issued. Please see the legislation below for
the new requirements.



GA-4
Official Code of Georgia Annotated - Chapter 32-6-28
(b) Duration and limits of permits.
(3) Annual Commercial wrecker emergency tow permit. Pursuant to this code section, the
commissioner may issue an annual permit for vehicles towing disabled, damaged, or wrecked
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SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual
commercial vehicles even though such wrecker or its load exceeds the maximum limits specified in
this article. However, an annual commercial wrecker emergency tow permit shall not authorize the
operator of a vehicle:



(A) Whose single axle weight exceeds 21,000 pounds; or
(B) Whose load on any tandem axle exceeds 40,000 pounds; or
(C) Whose total load length exceeds 125 feet.
Charges for the issuance of annual commercial wrecker emergency tow permits shall be $500.00 per permit.
Rules of the State Department of Transportation - Chapter 672-2-.01 Definitions.
(d) Emergency Towing: When a tractor/trailer combination becomes disabled, an authorized permitted
wrecker may transport the disabled tractor/trailer to a repair facility or safe location to dismantle the
tractor/trailer. If the closes location is a weigh station or rest area, transporters are authorized to leave
dismantle the tractor/trailer, at that location, however, they must be moved within a twenty-four (24) hour
period or be moved at the owner’s expense. No state agency shall be responsible for any damages to
tractor-trailer left on State property.
FEES
Single Trip
Standard Single:
$ 30.00 - regardless of load type
Superload: $125.00 - regardless of load type
Superload Plus:
$500.00 - regardless of load type
Annual Permits
Standard Annual:
$150.00 - regardless of load type
Annual Permit Plus:
$500.00 - regardless of load type
Hay Bales: $150.00 - not to exceed 11' width - no travel on Interstates
When paying by credit card, there is an additional convenience charge of $7.00 per permit
ESCORTS AND SIGNS
Length:
For any permitted load whose length exceeds 75' but is less than or equal to 100' a rear
escort/amber light is required.
Length: For any permitted load whose length exceeds 100' but is less than or equal to 125' a vehicle rear
escort is required.
Length: For any permitted load whose length is greater than 125' a vehicle front and vehicle rear escort is
required.
Height: For any permitted load whose height is 15' 6" or greater a vehicle front escort with a height sensor
is required.
Width: For any permitted load whose width exceeds 12' but is less than or equal to 14'8" a vehicle front
escort and a rear escort/amber light is required for travel on a 2 lane roadway. A vehicle rear
escort is required for the same permitted load to travel on a 4-lane highway. For travel on a
Limited Access Highway/Interstate System a rear escort/amber light is required.
Width: For any permitted load whose width exceeds 14' 8" up to and including 16' shall require a vehicle
front escort and a vehicle rear escort for movement upon a 2-lane roadway. A vehicle rear escort
is required for movement of the same permitted load on a Limited Access Highway/Interstate
System.
Width: For permitted loads whose width exceeds 16' or for loads not defined above, the department shall
determine escort requirements on a case by case basis.
Houses: Houses will require a police front escort and a police rear escort.
Sign Requirements
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SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual
Signs are required on all escorts and vehicle transporting loads requiring a permit. Sign must have black
letters on a yellow or orange background. Letters must be at least eight inches high and four inches wide.
The sign must be at least six feet wide by one foot tall, and read "OVERSIZE LOAD". One sign must be
displayed on the front of the towing vehicle and one sign on the rear of the trailer as well as, the front escort
and the rear escort vehicles when required. Additionally, all mobile homes must have a sign which contains
the name and telephone number of the mover and must be legible from a distance of 50 feet. "Oversize
load" signs must be removed when load/vehicle is legal.
Flag Requirements
Red flags, 18 inches square must be displayed on all four corners of the load and all extremities.
Certified Vehicle Escort Program:
Georgia Department of Transportation will recognize escort vehicle operator certifications from other states
whose programs meet or exceed the objectives of the Georgia program for operators that currently have a
valid out-of-state driver's license and certification. The programs accepted include the following states:
Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Utah, and Arizona. The Georgia program reciprocates with the following
recognized states: North Carolina, Florida, and Oklahoma, and Washington.
Please contact the Oversize Permit Unit, Customer Service Line with questions or for further information: 1
(888) 262-8306
Training Certification
Georgia DOT implemented the vehicle escort and training certification program on January 1, 2011. Pilot
car escort drivers can register through the Georgia Technical College System. Please contact the Oversize
Permit Unit, Customer Service Line with questions or for further information: 1-888-262-8306
See Georgia Certified Escort Vehicle Operator Handbook.
FINES
Overdimension Only:
Set by local governments.
Overweight Fines:
Zero to 1,000 pounds overweight is 0.8 cents per pound:





Plus 1.5 cents per pound next 2,000 pounds overweight
Plus three cents per pound next 2,000 pounds overweight
Plus four cents per pound next 3,000 pounds overweight
Plus five cents per pound for all excess weight over 8,000 pounds
Overweight fines are assessed based on allowable weights. Overweight vehicles may be fined for
either gross, tandem or axle weight violations, whichever produces the larger fine. If overweight on
a permitted load, the fine is assessed at 125 percent of the rate imposed for operating without a
permit. Operator may shift a load by hand to avoid an overweight axle violation. All excess weight
over 6,000 pounds must be off loaded. Sliding axles change configuration of vehicle and are not
considered shifting of load.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL
There are several major cities in Georgia that restrict oversized movements to be made after nightfall,
contact the state permit office for further information.
No permitted load will be allowed to travel into or through the area bounded by I-285 (Atlanta bypass), unless the
vehicle is making a pickup or delivery within the area. The driver must be prepared to show proof of such pickup of
delivery. In addition, a permit issued for the movement of a vehicle or load is not valid between the hours of 6 a.m.
through 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. through 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parking on the interstate and limited access
highway rights-of-way will not be allowed for permitted vehicles waiting for authorization.
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SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual
Continuous movement is allowed 24 hours/day 7days/week, except holidays & weather conditions for
permitted loads that do not exceed 125,000 lbs. or any legal dimension.
Travel not allowed on routes with bridges of less than 28 feet lateral clearance.
Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossing
All oversized or overweight loads of such nature that requires a reduced travel speed must contact the
railroad. Usually this is done in the preliminary stages when the routing indicates a rail crossing.
Prior to issuing the permit, all necessary contacts such as local utilities, law enforcement agencies, and other
clearance, notify D.O.T. with their approval.
PORTS OF ENTRY
Port Of Entry-Brunswick
Port Information
Port Code:
1701
Location Address:
1609 Gloucester Street
Brunswick, GA 31520
Mailing Address:
Same As Above
General Phone:
(912) 262-6692
General Fax:
(912) 262-0235
Operational Hours:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM(Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Service Port-Atlanta
Port Information
Port Code:
1704
Location Address:
4341 International Parkway
Suite 600
Atlanta, GA 30354
Mailing Address:
Same As Above
Port Director:
Stephen Kremer
General Phone:
(404) 675-1300
General Fax:
(404) 675-1237
Operational Hours:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM(Eastern)
Seven Days A Week (7)
Service Port-Savannah
Port Information
Port Code:
1703
Location Address:
1 East Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31401
Mailing Address:
Same As Above
Port Director:
John Porter
General Phone:
(912) 447-9400
General Fax:
(912) 447-9407
Operational Hours:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM(Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
PERMIT ORDERING
Customers can now order permits online. The Permit Office will process all online applications. Permits will
be issued during normal business hours of 7:00 am to 4:45 pm, Monday through Friday.
Applications for permits requiring routing approval received after 3:00 pm may not be processed until the
following business day.
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SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual
For customers who routinely order permits, fill out the Web Based Application Account Creation/Affidavit
form and return it to the Permit Office via email or fax at (404) 635-8166. Customers will be notified by
email once the account is set up.
For customers with an account, you may begin entering permit applications using (Automated Routing and
Permitting System) ARPS.
Customers who do not have an account setup can place a permit order online by accessing the ARPS Guest
Login screen .
SPECIAL NOTES
Recent Changes – None Noted.
Pending Changes – None Noted.
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SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual