Overview
South Carolina oversize and overweight permits are issued by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Single-trip permits are valid for seven consecutive days.
Permit approval depends on the proposed route, dimensions, axle weights and overhead clearances.
Permit Office
| Office | South Carolina Department of Transportation |
| Address | P.O. Drawer 191, Columbia, South Carolina 29202 |
| Contact | (803) 737-6769 / 1 (877) 349-7190 |
| Hours | 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (ET); no permits issued before 8:30 A.M. or after 4:30 P.M. |
Permit Basics
| Permit validity | Single-trip permits are valid for seven (7) consecutive days. |
| Operating time | 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (ET) |
Dimensions & Weights
Routine permit limits
| Length | 125′ on pole trailers; 40′ on 2-axle trucks; 45′ on 3-axle trucks; 15′ rear overhang with escort on trailers less than 48′ |
| Overhang | 15′ rear overhang and 3′ front overhang on a trailer 53′ or less. Trailers longer than 53′ may have ⅓ of the load overhang the rear. |
| Width | 16′ |
| Height | Must be at least 6″ less than any overhead structure on the route |
| Axle / group | Spacing | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Single | — | 20,000 |
| Tandem | — | 40,000 |
| Tridum | — | 60,000 |
| Quad | — | 80,000 |
Escort Requirements
| Based on | Escorts required |
|---|---|
| Width | On 2-lane highways — width over 12′ up to 14′: 1 front |
| Width | On all highways — width over 14′ to 16′: 2 (front & rear) |
| Width | On all highways — width over 16′ (requires approval of resident engineers and state oversize permit department): 2 (1 front & 1 rear) + 2 police |
| Overhang | Rear overhang of 15′ on a trailer less than 48′, or 10′ on 48′ and 53′ trailers: rear escort and flags (or amber light) |
- Permittee is responsible for vertical clearances
- No specific escort requirements are given for height and length beyond width/overhang rules
Notes
- Gross Weight — 5 Axles: 90,000
- Gross Weight — 6 Axles: 110,000
- Gross Weight — 7 Axles: 130,000