South Carolina Oversize Permits: South Carolina Oversize / Overweight Trucking Permits Rules and Requirement
South Carolina Oversize permits OR South Carolina Overweight Permits are required when a vehicle or its load exceeds the state feet legal size or weight limits and needs to travel on public highways. These permits ensure compliance with safety standards and protect road infrastructure.
South Carolina oversize permits phone number: 630-222-5770
Chicago Permit offers fast, reliable solutions for all your South Carolina Oversize Permits and South Carolina Overweight Permits needs. Whether you require a South Carolina Single Trip Permit, Annual Permit, or assistance with South Carolina Oversize Overweight Permits Requirements, we make it easy to apply online. Access the latest South Carolina Oversize Overweight Permits PDF, complete your application form, and even manage your permits through the SCDOT permit login with our expert help.
We also assist with South Carolina Overhang Permits, temporary trip permits, fuel and trip permits, and guide you through understanding the South Carolina Overweight Permits Price and Cost. Chicago Permit ensures your compliance with all state regulations, offering fast service and clear support. Need help? Contact us directly or get assistance through the South Carolina Oversize Permit Office Phone Number today!
South Carolina Oversize Permits Legal Dimension Limit
Legal Dimensions for Trucking in South Carolina
Length: A semitrailer along with its cargo can be up to fifty-three feet long, ensuring that the measurement from the kingpin’s center to the center of the rear axle group does not surpass forty-one feet
Overhang:
- When using a 48 feet semitrailer, a rear overhang of up to 5 feet is acceptable
- For a semitrailer measuring 53 feet, no rear overhang is allowed.
Width: The standard width allowed on interstates and designated routes is 8 feet 6 inches.
Height: The maximum permitted height for any load is 13 feet 6 inches
South Carolina Oversize Permits: Legal Weight Limit
The maximum allowable gross vehicle weight is up to 80,000 pounds, subject to axle configurations:
Axle weight limits South Carolina
- Single axle: 20,000 pounds.
- Tandem axle: 34,000 pounds.
- Tridem axle: Generally, 35,200 pounds, depending on axle spacing.
Important Note: South Carolina only allows overhang permits for non-divisible loads. Combining multiple separate items that lead to overhang is not permitted.
South Carolina Oversize Permits Limits
- Length: Up to 125 feet overall.
- Overhang:
3 feet front overhang from the trailer.
10 feet rear overhang for trailers between 48 to 53 feet. - Width: Loads can have a width of up to 16 feet under permits.
- Height: There is no fixed height limit; allowed height depends entirely on the specific route being used. Loads must have at least 6 inches clearance below any overhead obstacles.
Maximum Weights With South Carolina Oversize Permits
Weight (based on axle configuration and spacing)
- Axle Weight:
Single axle: 20,000 pounds
Tandem axle: 40,000 pounds
Tridem axle: 60,000 pounds
Quad axle: 80,000 pounds - Gross Weight:
5 axles: 90,000 pounds
6 axles: 110,000 pounds
7 axles: 130,000 pounds
Superload Classification: Loads that go beyond the stated size or weight limits are classified as superloads
South Carolina oversize permits validity period
To operate legally in South Carolina, commercial carriers must secure the appropriate permits based on vehicle size, weight, and registration status. Below is a detailed guide to the validity of all key South Carolina trucking permits, including oversize, overweight, superload, IRP, IFTA, TRP, and temporary trip and fuel permits.
Operating Time South Carolina:
Movement is allowed from half an hour after sunrise until half an hour before sunset, Monday through Saturday. No travel is permitted on Sundays. Overweight loads weighing up to 130,000 pounds may travel continuously as long as they maintain normal traffic speeds. If a load weighs more than one hundred thirty thousand pounds, travel is restricted to weekdays from Monday through Friday.
Restricted Travel South Carolina:
On school days, no loads wider than 12 feet and up to 15 feet are allowed to move on state highways near major metropolitan areas during peak hours:
- 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM,
- 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM,
- and 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
During periods when schools are closed, restricted travel hours apply from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Loads up to 16 feet wide must travel during the off-peak times:
- 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on school days,
- and 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on other days.
Travel is prohibited on Fridays and Saturdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day on I-95 and routes leading to Myrtle Beach.
No movement is allowed during major holidays and holiday weekends.
Road and Bridge Oversize Restrictions
South Carolina follows the Federal Bridge Formula, which governs specific bridge weight limits. Key roadway restrictions include:
- No travel through construction zones.
- Obeying warning signs in work areas.
- Yielding to law enforcement, emergency vehicles, and other priority traffic.
Important Note: Vehicles between 14 feet and 16 feet wide must travel alone (without opposing traffic) across bridges narrower than 18 feet.
Seasonal Load Restrictions
Unlike several northern regions and provinces in Canada, South Carolina does not enforce specific frost-related road restrictions. However, seasonal restrictions may appear on oversize load permits depending on the nature and type of the cargo.
Summer Travel Restrictions:
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, movement is banned on Saturdays and Sundays east of I-95 on the following routes:
- US-378, SC-327, US-76, SC-576, US-501, SC-22, SC-31, SC-9 (near Georgetown),
- and other surrounding roads near Myrtle Beach.
Oversized Tire Regulations
- Tires must be in good operating condition, properly inflated, and show at least the minimum legal tread depth.
- Tire chains or other non-rubber protrusions are prohibited unless specifically authorized and proven safe.
- Studs authorized for tires must not stick out more than 1/16 of an inch past the tread.
Note: South Carolina does not issue permits for vehicles or vehicle combinations equipped with pneumatic tires that exceed legal standards.
South Carolina Escort Requirement
- Length: There are no specific escort requirements based solely on how long the overall load is.
- Overhang:
If the rear overhang exceeds ten feet, the load must travel with one escort vehicle. - Width:
On two-lane roads, any load wider than 12 feet requires one escort vehicle.
When loads exceed 14 feet wide on any road, two escort vehicles must required.
Over 16 feet wide: at least three escorts are required, and a police escort may also be mandated. - Height: No set escort rule for height; it is the permit holder’s responsibility to ensure the load can clear all overhead structures.
South Carolina Banners, Lighting & Flage Requirement
Loads wider than 12 feet must display “Oversize Load” signs at the front and rear, along with flags on each corner. A rotating amber beacon or strobe light must be installed at the rear for loads between 12 feet and 14 feet wide. For loads between 14 feet and 16 feet wide, a rotating amber beacon or strobe light is required at each rear outer corner. Any rear overhang extending 4 feet or more must have a red flag mounted at the very end of the load. After sunset and before sunrise, or whenever windshield wipers are needed or visibility drops below 50 feet due to adverse weather conditions, appropriate lighting must be used.
Additional Information
Farming tractors, forestry equipment, and road machinery are exempt from permit requirements as long as the load does not exceed 12 feet in width, 13 feet 6 inches in height, or a total weight of 90,000 pounds. This exemption applies only to daytime operations and permits movement seven days a week.
South Carolina Oversize/Overweight Fee structure
South Carolina offers a variety of vehicle and transportation permits, each with its own fee depending on the type and usage. Below is a breakdown of key permit types and their current associated costs:
| Permit Type / Fee Description | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single Trip Permit | $30 |
| Width exceeding 16 feet | $35 |
| Width exceeding 18 feet | $40 |
| Width exceeding 20 feet | $45 |
| Width exceeding 22 feet | $50 |
| Annual Multiple Trip Permit | $100 |
| Administrative Fee for Prorated Annual Permits | $10 |
| Annual House Moving License | $100 |
| Superload Application (Non-Refundable) | $100 |
| Engineering Review Fee for Superloads over 130,000 pounds | $100 |
| Engineering Review Fee for Superloads more than 200,000 pounds | $200 |
| Engineering Review Fee for Superloads more than 300,000 pounds | $350 |
| Impact Fee for Loads more than 130,000 Pounds | $3 per 1,000 pounds |
| Administrative Fee for Road Machinery Permits | $10 |
| Additional Megaload Impact Fee for Loads Exceeding 500,000 Pounds | $0.05 per 1,000 pounds per mile |
| Credit Card Convenience Fee (Applied per Transaction) | $5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
South Carolina oversize permits can be obtained online through our website chicagopermit.net or by calling us at 630-222-5770
In most U.S. states, including South Carolina, a load up to 8 feet 6 inches wide can generally travel without requiring an oversize permit. Anything exceeding this standard width will typically need a special permit before traveling.
In South Carolina, any vehicle or load that exceeds legal size or weight limits must obtain a special permit. Permits are issued for dimensions such as width, height, length, and weight. Operators must follow the approved travel routes, adhere to movement hours, and may need escorts depending on the size of the load.
Yes, South Carolina requires trip permits for commercial vehicles that are not registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP). These permits allow temporary travel within the state without permanent registration.
South Carolina oversize permits can be obtained online through our website comparetransportll.com or by calling us at 630-222-5770
Applications for South Carolina oversize permits can be submitted online via our website comparetransportll.com or by calling us at 630-222-5770
The cost of a South Carolina overweight permit depends on the amount by which the load exceeds legal weight limits. Typically, fees start around $30 and increase based on axle weight and overall gross weight.
The phone number for assistance is 630-222-5770.
To get your South Carolina oversize permits fast and at competitive prices, contact chicagopermit.net at (630) 222-5770. Their experienced team will handle all permit types across the U.S. and Canada.
An overweight permit in South Carolina generally starts at approximately $30. The final price varies depending on the number of pounds over the legal limit and other specific load details.
The cost for a standard oversize permit in South Carolina is usually around $30, though this can vary if the load size requires additional clearances or escort vehicles.
South Carolina’s oversize laws state that any vehicle or load exceeding 8 feet 6 inches wide, 13 feet 6 inches tall, or 53 feet in trailer length needs a permit. Special rules apply for extreme dimensions, such as escort requirements and restricted travel times.
Yes, you can get South Carolina oversize permit online by calling us at 630-222-5770.
You can log in to manage your South Carolina oversize permit through Our website chicagopermit.net
Generally, oversize loads are allowed to travel only during daylight hours in South Carolina. Nighttime travel is typically restricted unless specific authorization is granted under special circumstances.
A standard oversize permit in South Carolina generally costs around $30. Additional charges may apply for larger or more complex moves.
In South Carolina, a load is considered oversized if it exceeds any of these limits: 8 feet 6 inches in width, 13 feet 6 inches in height, 53 feet in trailer length, or the standard legal weight limits per axle or gross vehicle weight.
