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Oversize Load Permit Requirements — North Carolina
Legal size/weight limits, escort thresholds, travel restrictions, and permit office contact for North Carolina.
These figures are a reference summary of publicly published state rules, not a substitute for a state-issued permit and not legal advice. Rules change — always confirm current limits and requirements directly with the state permit office before you plan or run a move. Last verified: 2026-06-28. Oversize Ops is NOT responsible and CANNOT be held liable for decisions made from this reference. Official source ↗
Legal Maximum Dimensions (no permit required)
- Width
- 8.5ft (102in)
- Height
- 14ft (168in)
- Length
- 53ft
- Gross Weight
- 80,000 lbs
- Single Axle
- 20,000 lbs
- Tandem Axle
- 38,000 lbs
Escort / Pilot Car Thresholds (see glossary for terms, certification requirements for the driver)
- Front escort required over
- 12ft wide
- Rear escort required over
- 12ft wide
- Both escorts required over
- 14ft wide
- Height escort required over
- 14ft tall
Front escort >12ft, both escorts >14ft. NCDOT certified escorts required.
Travel Restrictions
- Night travel
- Generally restricted
- Weekend travel
- Generally allowed
- Sunday travel
- Generally restricted
Night travel restricted — daylight hours required for oversize. Sunday travel PROHIBITED. Escort required >12ft wide.
Holiday blackouts: Major US holidays.
Superload Thresholds
- Width over
- 15ft
- Length over
- 150ft
- Weight over
- 200,000 lbs
Estimated Permit Cost Verify before relying
$12–$48 by dimension/weight; superload +$100 application fee + $3 per 1,000 lb over 132,000
⚠ Source document is dated 2010 (~16 years old) — the highest staleness risk in this dataset. Confirm directly with NCDOT before relying on this.
Source: NCDOT Handbook — verify current fee with the permit office before budgeting a move.
Permit fee only — does not include escort/pilot-car service costs (market-rate, arranged separately) or third-party permit-service fees. This is an estimate for planning purposes, not a quote.
Get a Permit
- Online portal
- https://connect.ncdot.gov/municipalities/Roadway/Pages/OverSizeOverWeight.aspx
- Phone
- 1-919-707-2600
NC tandem axle limit 38,000 lbs (higher than federal for intrastate). NCDOT online portal.
Planning a move through North Carolina?
Plan a truck-legal route that checks bridges and construction, or find a vetted transporter or escort.
Try the Route Planner Find an Escort