---
title: Virginia Oversize & Overweight Permits (OS/OW) | VDOT Superload | Alpine Truck Service
description: Expedited Virginia DMV oversize permits, NoVA/Richmond curfews, Hampton Roads tunnel routing, and VSP escorts across I-95, I-81, and I-64. Call (918) 607-6547.
image: https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/alpine-third-party-charges.webp
---

# Virginia Oversize, Overweight & Superload Permitting Services

Comprehensive commercial trucking permits and heavy haul compliance across Virginia.

## Agency & Permitting Authority
- **Agency**: Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) / DMV
- **Portal**: Virginia DMV OS/OW Hauling Permits 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" | **Max Routine**: 15' 0"
- **Legal Height**: 13' 6" | **Max Routine**: 15' 0"
- **Legal Length**: 53' Semi-Trailer / 65' Overall | **Max Routine**: 115' 0"
- **Legal Gross Weight**: 80,000 lbs | **Max Routine**: 150,000 lbs
- **Axle Limits**: Single: 20,000 lbs, Tandem: 34,000 lbs, Tridem: 42,000 lbs

## Permitting Scope & Services in Virginia
- **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 Virginia Bridge Formula capacities
- **Width Trigger**: Over 15' 0" wide
- **Height Trigger**: Over 15' 0" high
- **Length Trigger**: Over 115' 0" overall length
- **State & Partner Bridge Review**: Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) / DMV 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; over 14' 0" wide on multi-lane highways
- **Rear Escort**: Required over 14' 0" wide on multi-lane highways; length exceeding 85' 0" (2-lane) or 100' 0" (4-lane); rear overhang > 10' 0"
- **Height Pole**: Required for loads exceeding 14' 6" in height (lead vehicle with calibrated pole)
- **Police Escort**: Virginia State Police (VSP) escort required over 16' 0" wide, 16' 0" high, or gross weight over 150,000 lbs

## Metro Curfews & Travel Restrictions
- **Curfew Zones**:
  - Northern Virginia / DC Metro (I-95, I-495 Capital Beltway, I-66, I-395, Route 28): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:30 PM M-F
  - Richmond Metro Area (I-95, I-64, I-295, Powhite Pkwy): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
  - Hampton Roads / Norfolk / Virginia Beach (I-64, I-664, Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:30 PM M-F
- **Travel Rules**: Daylight only (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after 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-95 (Mid-Atlantic East Coast Arterial)
- I-81 (Shenandoah Logistics Spine)
- I-64 (Richmond to Hampton Roads Port)
- I-66 (DC to Front Royal)
- I-85
- I-77 (Fancy Gap)
- I-295

## Frequently Asked Questions
### How long does Virginia DMV/VDOT take to issue an oversize permit?
Routine single-trip permits are typically processed in 2–4 business hours. Superloads requiring bridge structural reviews and State Police escorts take 5–10 business days.

### What are the Northern Virginia and Richmond rush hour curfews?
Oversize vehicles cannot travel in Northern Virginia (I-495, I-95, I-66) between 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:30 PM, or in Richmond between 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:00 PM on weekdays.

### What are Virginia pilot car escort rules?
Virginia requires 1 escort for loads over 12' wide on 2-lane roads and over 14' wide on multi-lane highways. Loads over 85' long on 2-lane roads require an escort. Height over 14'6" requires a height pole.

### Are oversize loads permitted through the Hampton Roads tunnels?
Vehicles exceeding 13'6" in height or 8'6" in width must receive specific VDOT tunnel clearance and often require scheduled off-peak police escort windows.

## 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/virginia](https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/permits/virginia)