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Nashville and Davidson County Oversize/Overweight Permit And Regulations

Note: For state regulations, see OD Regulations By State


Weight and Dimension Restrictions

It is a misdemeanor for any person to drive or move, or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicles of a size or weight exceeding the limitations stated in Tennessee State Statute Announced.

The provisions of this title governing size, weight and load shall not apply to fire apparatus, road machinery, or to implements of husbandry, including farm tractors, temporarily moved upon a highway, or to a vehicle operated under the terms of a special permit issued as herein provided.

Width of Vehicles

The outside width of any vehicle or the load thereon shall not exceed 8 feet, except as otherwise provided in this section.

Loads Projecting from Passenger Vehicles

No passenger-type vehicle shall be operated on any highway with any load carried thereon extending beyond the left side of such vehicle nor extending more than 6 inches beyond the right side thereof.

Height and Length of Vehicles and Loads

No vehicle, including any load thereon, shall exceed a height of 30 feet 6 inches. No vehicle, including any load thereon and bumpers, shall exceed a length of 40 feet extreme overall dimensions. This limit shall not apply to air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment mounted on the front of a trailer or semitrailer.

Gross Weight per Axle of Vehicles and Loads

Subject to the limit upon the weight imposed upon the highway through any one axle as set forth in the Tennessee StateStatute Annotated, the total gross weight with load imposed upon the highway by any one group of two or more consecutive axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed the gross weight given for the respective distance between the first and last axle group of axles, measured longitudinally to the nearest foot as set forth in Tennessee State Statute Annotated. 

Permits for Excess Size and Weight

The department of public works will issue a special permit in writing at the direction of the traffic and parking commission authorising the applicant to operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size and weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in this title or otherwise not in conformity with the provisions of this regulation upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the traffic and parking commission.  

The application for any such permit shall specifically describe in writing the vehicle or vehicles and load to be operated or moved and the particular highways for which the permit to operate is requested.

The department of public works shall issue or withhold such permit at its discretion, or to establish seasonal or other time limitations within the vehicles described may be operated on the highways indicated, or otherwise to limit or prescribe conditions of operation of such vehicle or vehicles, when necessary to protect the safety of highway users, or to protect the efficient movement of traffic from unreasonable interference, or to protect the highways from undue damage to the road foundations, surfaces or structures.  

Every such permit shall be carried in the vehicle or combination of vehicle to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by any police officer or authorized agent of the traffic and parking commission, and no person shall violate any of the terms or conditions of such special permit. 


See the City of Nashville and Davidson County Municipal Code https://library.municode.com/tn/metro_government_of_nashville_and_davidson_county/codes/code_of_ordinances