---
title: Alabama Oversize & Overweight Permits (OS/OW) | ALDOT Superload | Alpine Truck Service
description: Expedited Alabama oversize and overweight permit procurement across I-65, I-20, and I-10. Complete ALDOT bridge review, pilot car coordination, and 24/7 dispatch support. Call (918) 607-6547.
image: https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/alpine-third-party-charges.webp
---

# Alabama Oversize, Overweight & Superload Permitting Services

Comprehensive commercial trucking permits and heavy haul compliance across Alabama.

## Agency & Permitting Authority
- **Agency**: Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT)
- **Portal**: ALDOT Oversize/Overweight Permitting System
- **Regulatory Advisory**: State DOT regulations and permit processing queues are determined by individual state transportation authorities and vary by agency workload. Carriers should verify active route advisories and state requirements prior to movement.

## Legal vs. Routine Permitted Dimensions
- **Legal Width**: 8' 6" (8' 0" on lanes < 12' wide) | **Max Routine**: 16' 0"
- **Legal Height**: 13' 6" | **Max Routine**: 16' 0"
- **Legal Length**: 57' Semi-Trailer / 85' Overall | **Max Routine**: 150' 0" (20' max rear overhang)
- **Legal Gross Weight**: 80,000 lbs | **Max Routine**: 168,000 lbs (8 axles) / 146,000 lbs (7 axles) / 124,000 lbs (6 axles) / 102,000 lbs (5 axles)
- **Axle Limits**: Single: 20,000 lbs, Tandem: 34,000 lbs, Tridem: 42,000 lbs

## Permitting Scope & Services in Alabama
- **Routine Oversize (OS) Cab-Cards**: Single-trip authorizations for dimensions exceeding 8' 6" (8' 0" on lanes < 12' wide) width or 13' 6" height.
- **Overweight (OW) Axle Permits**: Overload cab-cards for heavy machinery and configurations exceeding 80,000 lbs GVW.
- **Multi-Axle Superload Permits**: Specialized filings exceeding Over 180,000, including State DOT and certified partner bridge reviews, route surveys, and police escorts.
- **Annual & Blanket Fleet Permits**: Continuous-operation annual highway authorizations for construction fleets.
- **Temporary Trip & Fuel Permits**: 72-hour IRP vehicle registration and IFTA fuel tax credentials.
- **County, City & Toll Road Clearances**: Municipal authorizations and turnpike clearances.

## Superload Permitting & State Review Protocol
- **Weight Trigger**: Over 180,000 lbs GVW or exceeding maximum routine axle limits
- **Width Trigger**: Over 16' 0" wide (over 16' prohibited on Interstates)
- **Height Trigger**: Over 16' 0" high
- **Length Trigger**: Over 150' 0" overall length or rear overhang > 20'
- **State & Partner Bridge Review**: Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) electronic systems and certified structural engineering partners evaluate axle load distribution across bridge structures upon submission.
- **Route Surveys & Clearances**: Required for extreme heights/widths to verify overhead physical clearances.
- **Utility & Escorts**: Coordinated wire lifts with power utilities and State Police / Highway Patrol escorts.

## Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicle Requirements
- **Front Escort**: Required over 12' 0" wide on two-lane highways
- **Rear Escort**: Required over 12' 0" wide on multi-lane highways; length > 90' (1 escort), length > 105' (2 escorts); rear overhang > 5'
- **Height Pole**: Required over 16' 0" high (lead vehicle with calibrated height pole; lower on select routes)
- **Police Escort**: Required for loads exceeding 16' 0" wide, over 17' 0" high, or gross weight over 180,000 lbs

## Metro Curfews & Travel Restrictions
- **Curfew Zones**:
  - Birmingham Metro (I-65, I-20, I-59, I-459): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
  - Mobile Metro & I-10 Wallace Tunnel / Bankhead Tunnel restricted transit
  - Montgomery Metro (I-65, I-85): 7:00–8:30 AM & 4:30–6:00 PM M-F
- **Travel Rules**: Daylight only (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset) Monday through Saturday. No travel on Sundays. Continuous travel allowed for routine overweight-only loads with proper lighting.

## Key Freight Corridors
- I-65 (Gulf to Midwest Spine)
- I-20 (East-West Industrial)
- I-10 (Mobile Port Freight Corridor)
- I-85 (Southeast Auto Corridor)
- I-59 (Northeast-Southwest Arterial)

## Frequently Asked Questions
### How long is an Alabama oversize permit valid?
Alabama single-trip oversize and overweight permits are valid for five (5) consecutive days. Permits must be secured prior to entering the state.

### What are the pilot car requirements in Alabama?
Alabama requires 1 escort for loads over 12' wide (front on two-lane, rear on multi-lane). Loads over 90' long require 1 escort, and over 105' long require 2 escorts. Rear overhang over 5' requires 1 rear escort.

### Is weekend travel allowed for oversize loads in Alabama?
Alabama permits movement on Saturdays during daylight hours (up to 1/2 hour after sunset). Sunday movement is strictly prohibited for oversize loads.

### What qualifies as a superload in Alabama?
Loads exceeding 180,000 lbs GVW, 16'0" wide, 16'0" high, or 150'0" long are classified as superloads, requiring ALDOT structural bridge analysis and state police escorts.

## Contact & Direct Dispatch
- **Direct Phone**: (918) 607-6547 (CALL: [918-607-6547](tel:9186076547))
- **Email**: [permits@alpinetruck.com](mailto:permits@alpinetruck.com)
- **Online Intake**: [alpinetruckservice.com/permits/alabama](https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/permits/alabama)