---
title: North Carolina Oversize & Overweight Permits (OS/OW) | NCDOT Superload | Alpine Truck Service
description: Expedited North Carolina NCDOT oversize permits, Charlotte/Raleigh curfews, Port of Wilmington routing, and NCSHP escorts across I-85 and I-40. Call (918) 607-6547.
image: https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/alpine-third-party-charges.webp
---

# North Carolina Oversize, Overweight & Superload Permitting Services

Comprehensive commercial trucking permits and heavy haul compliance across North Carolina.

## Agency & Permitting Authority
- **Agency**: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT)
- **Portal**: NCDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit Unit
- **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" | **Max Routine**: 15' 0"
- **Legal Height**: 13' 6" | **Max Routine**: 15' 0"
- **Legal Length**: 53' Semi-Trailer / 60' Overall | **Max Routine**: 105' 0"
- **Legal Gross Weight**: 80,000 lbs | **Max Routine**: 150,000 lbs
- **Axle Limits**: Single: 20,000 lbs, Tandem: 34,000 lbs (38,000 on state routes with 5% statutory tolerance), Tridem: 42,000 lbs

## Permitting Scope & Services in North Carolina
- **Routine Oversize (OS) Cab-Cards**: Single-trip authorizations for dimensions exceeding 8' 6" 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 150,000, 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 150,000 lbs GVW or exceeding Bridge Formula limits
- **Width Trigger**: Over 15' 0" wide
- **Height Trigger**: Over 15' 0" high
- **Length Trigger**: Over 105' 0" overall length
- **State & Partner Bridge Review**: North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 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 roads; over 14' 0" wide on multi-lane highways
- **Rear Escort**: Required over 14' 0" wide on multi-lane highways; length exceeding 90' 0"; rear overhang > 10' 0"
- **Height Pole**: Required for loads exceeding 15' 0" in height (lead vehicle with calibrated pole)
- **Police Escort**: North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) escort required over 16' 0" wide, 16' 0" high, or over 150,000 lbs

## Metro Curfews & Travel Restrictions
- **Curfew Zones**:
  - Charlotte Metro Area (I-85, I-77, I-485, US-74): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
  - Raleigh-Durham / Research Triangle (I-40, I-440, I-540, US-1): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
  - Greensboro / Winston-Salem / High Point (I-40, I-85, I-74): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
- **Travel Rules**: Daylight only (sunrise to sunset) Monday through Saturday. Sunday travel allowed until 12:00 noon for loads under 12' wide. Overweight-only continuous travel allowed with lighting.

## Key Freight Corridors
- I-85 (Southeast Auto Corridor)
- I-95 (Atlantic Seaboard Arterial)
- I-40 (Cross-State Spine to Wilmington Port)
- I-77 (Charlotte to Midwest)
- I-26 (Asheville to Charleston)
- I-74

## Frequently Asked Questions
### How long does NCDOT take to process a North Carolina oversize permit?
Routine single-trip permits are typically processed in 2–4 business hours. Superloads requiring bridge structural reviews take 3–5 business days. Alpine expedites intake immediately.

### What are Charlotte and Raleigh rush hour curfews for wide loads?
Oversize vehicles cannot travel on Charlotte (I-77/I-85/I-485) or Raleigh-Durham (I-40/I-440/I-540) freeways between 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:00 PM on weekdays.

### What are North Carolina pilot car escort triggers?
North Carolina requires 1 escort for loads over 12' wide on 2-lane roads and over 14' wide on multi-lane highways. Loads over 90' long require an escort. Height over 15' requires a height pole.

### What is North Carolina's superload threshold?
Shipments exceeding 150,000 lbs gross weight, 15' wide, 15' high, or 105' long are classified as superloads in North Carolina.

## 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/north-carolina](https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/permits/north-carolina)