Legal size limits without a permit
| Measurement | North Carolina legal limit |
|---|---|
| Height | 13 ft 6 in |
| Width | 102 in / 8 ft 6 in |
| Front Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
| Rear Overhang | Up to 14 ft; loads with overhang beyond 4 ft require flagging |
Axle and gross weights
How much each axle group and the whole vehicle can carry in North Carolina, without a permit and with an overweight permit.
| Axle group | Legal limit | With a permit |
|---|---|---|
| Steer axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Up to 25,000 lbs (steer axle capped at 20,000 lbs) |
| Tandem axle | 38,000 lbs | Up to 50,000 lbs; tridem up to 60,000 lbs; 4+ axle groupings up to 68,000 lbs |
| Tridem axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Quad axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | 94,500–132,000 lbs depending on axle count (5 to 7 axles) |
Superload: Loads over 132,000 lbs gross weight, over 15 ft wide, or over 110-150 ft long require a Superload Permit and individual review
Permit types we file in North Carolina
Single-Trip PermitValid for 10 calendar days for one move.
Annual PermitValid one year from the effective date; loads over 90,000 lbs require route-specific approval.
Superload PermitRequired for loads exceeding standard weight/width/length thresholds.
Maximum dimensions with a permit
| Dimension | Maximum with a permit |
|---|---|
| Length | Up to 105 ft for non-divisible general commodities/mobile homes under standard permit |
| Width | Up to 15 ft standard (mobile homes up to 16 ft) |
| Height | Set by vertical clearance along the authorized route; escort required above 14 ft 5 in |
| Rear Overhang | Loads over 4 ft overhang require flagging |
NCDOT explicitly defines a superload as gross weight over 132,000 lbs or width over 15 ft.
Escorts and travel restrictions
Escort & pilot car rules
- 1 escort (rear) for loads over 12 ft wide on two-lane highways, or over 110 ft long.
- 1 escort (front) for loads over 149,999 lbs.
- 2 escorts for loads over 14 ft wide on two-lane roads, or 150 ft or more in overall length.
When you can travel
- General commodities: Monday–Saturday, sunrise to sunset, no Sunday travel.
- Loads over 12 ft wide banned near major cities 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
- No movement when visibility is under 500 ft.
Signs, flags and lights
Most states require
- An “OVERSIZE LOAD” banner on the front of the truck and the rear of the load.
- Red or fluorescent orange warning flags at each corner and at the widest points of the load.
- Amber warning lights or clearance lights when moving at night, where night travel is allowed.
North Carolina specifics
- Banner size, flag size and light rules for North Carolina are listed on your permit.
- We include them in your permit notes so your driver has them before the trip.
Rules change. Limits and requirements are set by NCDOT and can change. We confirm the current rules for your exact load before filing.