Georgia Oversize / Overweight Regulations

What is considered as "Oversized Load" in Georgia?

DIMENSIONS:

Width: 8' 6'

Height: 13' 6"

Length: 75' (including overhang) with 48' or 53' trailer

What is considered as "Overweight Load" in Georgia?

WEIGHTS:

Single Axle: 20,340 lb.

Tandem Axle: 34,000 lb.

Tridem: 30,340 lb. per axle

Max Gross weight: 80,000 lb.

Georgia Oversize / Overweight Permits

Georgia Pilot Cars / Escorts

Length:    

For any permitted load whose length exceeds 75' but is less than or equal to 100' a rear escort/amber light is required.

For any permitted load whose length exceeds 100' but is less than or equal to 125' a vehicle rear escort is required.

For any permitted load whose length is greater than 125' a vehicle front and vehicle rear escort is required.

Height:

For any permitted load whose height is 15' 6" or greater a vehicle front escort with a height sensor is required.

Width:

For any permitted load whose:

Width exceeds 12' but is less than or equal to 14' 8" a vehicle front escort and a rear escort/amber light is required for travel on a 2 lane roadway. A vehicle rear escort is required for the same permitted load to travel on a 4-lane highway. For travel on a Limited Access Highway/Interstate System a rear escort/amber light is required.

Width exceeds 14' 8" up to 16': Two vehicles: front escort and a vehicle rear escort for movement on a 2-lane roadway. On a limited access highway, only a vehicle rear escort is required .

For permitted load that exceeds 16' or for loads not defined above, the department shall determine escort requirements on a case by case basis.

Houses will require a police front escort and a police rear escort.

Georgia Axle Regulations

Special Permit Limits

Georgia Trip and Fuel (IRP / IFTA) Permits

A 72-hour Trip Permit is required for the following out-of-state based vehicles that meet the requirements for apportionment:

        Those with current non-apportioned tags

        Those with IRP tags not apportioned for Georgia.

The Permit must be secured prior to entry and must remain with the vehicle while in the state. A duplicate or photocopy is not acceptable.

A Trip Permit for traveling into Georgia will be available online for a fee of $30.00 and allows interstate and intrastate operation in Georgia.

Georgia-based carriers, who are not apportioned to travel in another IRP state, but wish to do so, must contact that state or the wire services to obtain any needed Trip Permit and information on other requirements of operation. If not apportioned for it before entering any other IRP member state, a Trip Permit must be secured and carried in the cab of the vehicle for which issued or the vehicle may be subject to full registration fees in that state and /or fined. Georgia does not sell trip permits to Georgia-based carriers.

If you need to travel out-of-state before you receive your IFTA credentials, you must purchase fuel trip permits to travel in IFTA jurisdictions and for your reentry into Georgia. Your Georgia Motor Fuel Use Tax Permit must be purchased and validated before you reenter the state. A 10-day Motor Fuel Use Tax Permit will be available online for a fee of $16.00.

Georgia Overweight / Oversize Fines

Any person who violates the load limitation provisions shall be conclusively presumed to have damaged the public roads, including bridges, of this state by reason of such overloading and shall recompense the state for such damage in accordance with the following schedule:

Five cents (5) per pound for all excess weight over the allowed weight limitations, including any applicable variances.

Damages for excess weight shall be assessed at hundred and twenty five (125%) percent times the rate imposed on offending vehicles operating without a permit.

Within 30 days after the issuance of the citation, the owner or operator of any offending vehicle shall pay the amount of the assessment to the Department of Public Safety or request an administrative determination of the amount and validity of the assessment.

The Overweight Citations Unit is responsible for collecting and processing monetary fines imposed on trucks for being overweight when issued a citation on a Georgia highway by the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit of the Motor Carrier Compliance Division.

Running Hours and Holiday Restrictions

Flashing lights are required on the extremeness of any wide, long, or tall load. These light should be visible from at least 500 feet away. These light must be attached and run continuously.

Flags, Lights and Banners

Normal over dimensional loads can run from sun up to sundown Mon through Sunday, unless stated specifically on the permit. But no oversized/weight load can move during foggy, snowy, or poor weather that can affect visibility or traction.

Georgia Tire Regulations

All tires:
(1) Shall have not less than 2/32 inch tread measurable in all major grooves
(2) Shall be free from any cuts, breaks, or snags on tread and sidewall deep enough to expose body cord
(3) Shall be free from bumps, bulges, or separations.

No motor vehicle shall be operated on a public street or highway with tires that have been marked "not for highway use," "for racing purposes only," or "unsafe for highway use."

The department may close or limit access to any portion of road on the state highway system due to a declared state of emergency for inclement weather conditions that results in dangerous driving conditions.

Safety spike metal studs may be used when conditions demand them. A set of chains is also permissible for all vehicles likely to encounter conditions requiring chains.

Operators of commercial motor vehicles with four or more drive wheels traveling on a road declared as limited access due to a declared state of emergency for inclement winter weather conditions shall affix tire chains to each of the outermost drive wheel tires.

A driver of a motor vehicle who causes an accident or blocks the flow of traffic while failing to comply with the requirements posted for hazardous conditions when access is limited on the state highway system due to a declared state of emergency for inclement weather conditions shall be fined up to $1,000.00.

Georgia Annual Permits

Annual permits are available for vehicles with a GVW of up to 100,000 lbs. and a single axle weight of up to 25,000 lbs. Single- and multi-trip permits may be issued to any vehicle or load allowed by Federal law.

Dimensions: 

• Width: 12’ (14’ if annual plus) 
• Height Limit: 14'6"
• Weight Limit: 100,000 lbs.
• Length Limit: 100'

Cost: 

• Standard Annual - $150 
• Annual Plus $500

Time, it takes to receive: 5-10 business days

Mailing method: Mail

Commodity specific? Yes

Georgia Road Conditions

Georgia provides  live videos of main interstates on the GDot 511. You can scroll through the different areas, see a live map of accidents and where to avoid. Input your origin and destination to see how your route is affected.

Georgia Manufactured Houses and Mobile homes

Manufactured Homes and Modular Units A building transportable in one or more sections which in the traveling mode has a box width of eight (8) feet or more and a box length of forty (40) feet or more with the total box width of all section(s) being no more than sixteen (16) feet.

Manufactured Homes, Modular Units, or Portable Buildings in excess of ten (10) feet wide up to a maximum of sixteen (16) feet wide, agrees that the:

(a) Manufactured Homes, Modular Units, or Portable Buildings shall be limited to a length of eighty (80) feet, including the hitch.

(b) Manufactured Homes, Modular Homes, or Portable Buildings in excess of twelve (12) feet wide, must be towed using a towing vehicle no smaller than a fifteen (15) foot transport vehicle and must be equipped with operating brakes on at least one-half of the axles. If unit has three (3) axles, at least two (2) axles must be equipped with functioning brakes.

(c) All necessary safety precautions shall be employed in crossing narrow bridges, including flagging other traffic to permit safe crossing.

Oversize / Overweight Regulations By State