South Carolina oversize load rules
Legal limits, pilot car requirements, travel restrictions, superload thresholds and permit fees for oversize and overweight loads in South Carolina.
Legal limits without a permit
| Width | 8′6″ (102 in) |
|---|---|
| Height | 13′6″ |
| Length | 53′ trailer or semitrailer · no overall combination limit · 40′ single vehicle |
| Weight | 80,000 lb gross on interstates |
Travel restrictions
- No travel on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas; the Permit Director may extend this from noon the day before to noon the day after
- No Saturday or Sunday movement east of I-95 on listed Myrtle Beach-area and US 17 coastal routes from Memorial Day through Labor Day
- No movement in heavy rain or fog under 500 ft visibility, high winds, or slippery conditions
Escort (pilot car) requirements
- 1 front escort on two-lane highways; a rear escort may be required (over 12′ to 14′ wide)
- 1 front and 1 rear escort on all roads (over 14′ to 16′ wide)
- Front and rear civilian escorts plus front and rear police escorts on all roads (over 16′ wide)
- Front escort with height-measuring device for the entire move, plus a certified route survey (16′ and higher)
- 1 rear civilian escort (125′ to 150′ long)
- 1 front and 1 rear civilian escort (over 150′ long)
- Rear overhang over 15′ (to 25′): red flag at the end of the load and 1 rear escort on all highways.
- Local police may require additional police escorts.
Superloads
Over 130,000 lb gross or 20,000 lb on any single axle triggers routing analysis (3 to 5 business days), a $100 application fee and a $3 per 1,000 lb impact fee. 16′ wide or 180,000 lb requires a certificate of insurance. Over 300,000 lb needs manufacturer weight documentation and may need an independent structural analysis. Over 500,000 lb pays a megaload impact fee. 16′ is the maximum width normally permitted.
Permit fees
| Single trip | $30 |
|---|---|
| Excessive width (over 16′ / 18′ / 20′ / 22′) | $35 / $40 / $45 / $50 |
| Superload application (non-refundable) | $100 |
| Superload engineering analysis (over 130,000 / 200,000 / 300,000 lb) | $100 / $200 / $350 |
| Superload impact fee (over 130,000 lb) | $3 per 1,000 lb |
| Multiple trip (annual) | $100 |
Single-trip permits are valid 7 days.
Common questions
When does a load need a pilot car in South Carolina?
Over 12′ wide on two-lane roads (one front escort), over 14′ wide anywhere (front and rear), 16′ high (height-pole escort and route survey), or 125′ long (rear escort). Over 16′ wide adds front and rear police escorts.
Are there weekend restrictions in South Carolina?
Normally oversize loads may move seven days a week in daylight. From Memorial Day through Labor Day there is no Saturday or Sunday movement on the listed coastal routes east of I-95.
What makes a South Carolina load a superload?
Over 130,000 lb gross or 20,000 lb on a single axle starts routing analysis and the impact fee. 16′ wide or high, 180,000 lb and 300,000 lb each add further requirements.
Sources
- SCDOT Guidelines for Movement of Oversize/Overweight Vehicles (PDF)
- SCDOT OSOW permits and fee schedule
- S.C. Code § 56-5-4030 (width)
- S.C. Code § 56-5-4060 (height)
- S.C. Code § 56-5-4070 (length)
- S.C. Code § 56-5-4140 (weight)
Planning reference. Permits carry their own conditions, and city and county roads have separate rules. Confirm with the SCDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit Office before moving a load. Found an error? Report it.
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