Georgia OSOW Regulations (GDOT)

Legal Dimensions (No Permit Required)

• Width: 8'6"
• Height: 13'6"
• Length: 75' (with 48' or 53' trailer)

Legal Weights (No Permit Required)

• Gross vehicle weight: 80,000 lbs maximum
• Single axle: 20,340 lbs maximum
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs maximum
• Tridem: 30,340 lbs per axle

Permit Types

Single Trip Permit

• Valid: 72 hours
• Cost: $30
• Covers: One movement from point A to point B
• Applies to: Non-divisible oversize and overweight loads exceeding legal limits

Annual Permits

Standard Annual:

• Cost: $150
• Width: 12' maximum
• Height: 14'6" maximum
• Length: 100' maximum
• Weight: 100,000 lbs maximum

Annual Plus:

• Cost: $500
• Width: 14' maximum
• Height: 14'6" maximum
• Length: 100' maximum
• Weight: 100,000 lbs maximum

Processing Time: 5-10 business days (delivered by mail) Commodity Specific: Yes

Special Permit Weight Limits by Axle Configuration

Note: Single- and multi-trip permits may be issued to any vehicle or load allowed by Federal law.

Escort Vehicle Requirements

When Escorts Are Required

Over Width

12' to 14'8" wide:

• Two-lane roadway: Vehicle front escort AND rear escort/amber light
• Four-lane highway: Vehicle rear escort
• Limited Access Highway/Interstate: Rear escort/amber light

Over 14'8" up to 16' wide:

• Two-lane roadway: Two vehicles - front escort AND vehicle rear escort
• Limited access highway: Vehicle rear escort only

Over 16' wide:

• Department determines escort requirements case-by-case

Over Length

• Over 75' but ≤100': Rear escort/amber light required
• Over 100' but ≤125': Vehicle rear escort required
• Over 125': Vehicle front escort AND vehicle rear escort required

Over Height

• 15'6" or greater: Vehicle front escort with height sensor required

Special Loads

• Houses: Police front escort AND police rear escort required

Escort Vehicle Certification

• Georgia requires P/EVO certification
• Driver training and certification program required
• Must meet training requirements to escort oversize/overweight loads

Escort Vehicle Equipment Requirements

Signs

"OVERSIZE LOAD" Sign Specifications:

• Background: Yellow or orange
• Letters: Black
• Letter size: Minimum 8 inches high and 4 inches wide
• Sign dimensions: Minimum 6 feet wide by 1 foot tall

Sign Placement Requirements:

• One sign on front of towing vehicle
• One sign on rear of trailer
• One sign on front escort vehicle (when required)
• One sign on rear escort vehicle (when required)

Mobile Home Additional Requirement:

• Must display sign with mover's name and telephone number
• Must be legible from 50 feet distance

Important:

• "Oversize load" signs must be removed when load/vehicle is legal

Flags

Flag Specifications:

• Color: Red or fluorescent orange
• Size: At least 18 inches square
• Condition: Shall be clean

Flag Placement:

• Displayed so as to wave freely
• All four corners of over-width loads
• Extreme ends of all protrusions, projections, or overhang

Warning Lights

Yellow Flashing or Strobe Lights:

• If used, vehicle must display a current Georgia Lights Sticker
• Current Georgia Light Decal required for flashing amber beacon lights

Optional Equipment:

• Note: Georgia DOT regulations make no mention of lights being required
• However, flashing lights on extremities of wide, long, or tall loads are recommended:
  • Visibility: Should be visible from at least 500 feet
  • Should run continuously during movement

Trip and Fuel Permits (IRP / IFTA)

72-Hour Trip Permit

Required for out-of-state based vehicles that meet apportionment requirements:

• Vehicles with current non-apportioned tags
• Vehicles with IRP tags not apportioned for Georgia

Requirements:

• Cost: $30.00
• Must be secured prior to entry into Georgia
• Must remain with vehicle while in the state
• No duplicates or photocopies accepted
• Allows interstate and intrastate operation in Georgia

For Georgia-Based Carriers:

• Georgia does not sell trip permits to Georgia-based carriers
• If not apportioned for another IRP state, must contact that state or wire services for Trip Permit

Motor Fuel Use Tax Permit (IFTA)

10-Day Motor Fuel Use Tax Permit:

• Cost: $16.00
• Required for out-of-state travel before receiving IFTA credentials
• Must purchase fuel trip permits to travel in IFTA jurisdictions
• Must be purchased and validated before reentry into Georgia

Overweight / Oversize Fines

Damage Recompense Schedule: Any person violating load limitation provisions shall be conclusively presumed to have damaged public roads (including bridges) and shall recompense the state:

Fine Structure:

• 5¢ per pound for all excess weight over allowed weight limitations (including any applicable variances)

Penalty for Operating Without Permit:

• Damages for excess weight assessed at 125% times the rate imposed on offending vehicles operating without a permit

Payment:

• Within 30 days after citation issuance, owner/operator must:
  • Pay the assessment to the Department of Public Safety, OR
  • Request an administrative determination of the amount and validity

Administering Authority:

• Overweight Citations Unit (Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit, Motor Carrier Compliance Division)

Tire Regulations

Tire Tread Requirements

All Motor Vehicles (except School Buses):

• Minimum tread: Not less than 2/32 inch measurable in all major grooves

School Buses:

• Front tires: Not less than 4/32 inch tread measurable in all major grooves
• Rear tires: Not less than 2/32 inch tread measurable in all major grooves
  • Exception: When there are fewer than four tires on the rear, rear tires shall have not less than 4/32 inch tread

Tire Condition Requirements

All tires must be:

1. Free from cuts, breaks, or snags on tread and sidewall deep enough to expose body cord
2. Free from bumps, bulges, or separations

Prohibited Tires

• No motor vehicle shall be operated on public street or highway with tires marked:
  • "Not for highway use"
  • "For racing purposes only"
  • "Unsafe for highway use"
• Retreaded tires shall NOT be used upon the front wheels of buses

Winter Weather Equipment

Studded Tires:

• Safety spike metal studs may be used when conditions demand them

Tire Chains - Definition: For purposes of Georgia regulations, "tire chains" means:

• Metal chains consisting of two circular metal loops positioned on each side of a tire
• Connected by not less than nine evenly spaced chains across the tire tread
• OR any other traction devices as provided by rules and regulations of the Commissioner of Public Safety

Tire Chain Requirements During Declared State of Emergency:

When GDOT declares a road has limited access due to declared state of emergency for inclement winter weather:

Commercial Motor Vehicles (Code Section 40-1-1) with 4+ Drive Wheels:

• Exception: Buses
• Requirement: Must affix tire chains to each of the outermost drive wheel tires

Buses and Motor Coaches:

• Requirement: Must affix tire chains to at least two of the drive wheel tires before proceeding

All Other Motor Vehicles:

• Must be equipped with ONE of the following:
  • Tire chains, OR
  • Four-wheel drive with adequate tires for existing conditions, OR
  • Snow tires with manufacturer's all weather rating

Road Closure and Limited Access Authority

Department Authority:

• GDOT may close or limit access to any portion of road on the state highway system due to declared state of emergency for inclement weather conditions resulting in dangerous driving conditions

Signage Requirements:

• Adequate size signage shall be erected or posted indicating:
  • Road closure, OR
  • Limited access declaration
• When access is limited due to inclement winter weather, posted signage shall:
  • Notify motorists of required equipment (chains, 4WD, or snow tires)
  • Inform motorists it is unlawful to proceed without required equipment

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Fine: Up to $1,000

Applies to drivers who:

• Cause an accident, OR
• Block the flow of traffic

While failing to comply with equipment requirements when access is limited on the state highway system due to declared state of emergency for inclement weather conditions

Manufactured Homes and Mobile Homes

Definition

Manufactured Homes and Modular Units:

• Building transportable in one or more sections
• In traveling mode: box width 8 feet or more AND box length 40 feet or more
• Total box width of all sections: no more than 16 feet

Permit Requirements for Manufactured Homes/Modular Units/Portable Buildings

Width: 10' to 16' wide:

Maximum Dimensions:

• Length: 80 feet maximum (including hitch)
• Width: 16 feet maximum

Towing Vehicle Requirements (for units over 12' wide):

• Minimum 15-foot transport vehicle required
• Must be equipped with operating brakes on at least one-half of the axles
• If unit has 3 axles: at least 2 axles must have functioning brakes

Safety Requirements:

• All necessary safety precautions shall be employed when crossing narrow bridges
• Flagging other traffic to permit safe crossing

Additional Signage:

• Must display sign with mover's name and telephone number
• Must be legible from 50 feet distance

Operating Times

Standard Hours

General Permitted Loads:

• Movement allowed: Monday through Sunday
• Time window: 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset
• Unless otherwise shown on the permit

Note: While regulations state "Monday through Sunday," many sources indicate travel days are Monday through Saturday. Verify with specific permit.

Houses (Manufactured Homes)

• Movement allowed: Monday through Saturday ONLY
• Time window: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Unless otherwise noted on the permit

Holiday Restrictions

No movement allowed on the following legal holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• July 4th
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Weather Restrictions

No movement allowed during:

• Foggy weather
• Snow or icy conditions
• Any conditions affecting visibility or traction

Bridge Clearance Restrictions

• No travel allowed on routes with bridges of less than 28 feet lateral clearance

Atlanta Metro Restrictions (within I-285)

General Rule:

• No permitted load allowed to travel into or through the area bounded by I-285 (Atlanta bypass)
• Exception: Vehicle making a pickup or delivery within the area
• Proof required: Driver must be prepared to show proof of pickup or delivery

Time-of-Day Restrictions (within I-285):

• Permit NOT valid:
  • Monday through Friday: 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
  • Monday through Friday: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Parking Restrictions:

• No parking allowed on interstate and limited access highway rights-of-way for permitted vehicles waiting for authorization

Road Conditions Information

GDot 511 System:

• Live videos of main interstates
• Live map of accidents and areas to avoid
• Route planning with origin and destination input
• Real-time impact assessment on your route
• Website: http://www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Permits/OversizePermits

Permitting System

• GAPROS: Georgia Permitting and Routing Optimization System
• Online permit ordering and route planning
• Access to route maps and posted bridges

Contact Information

Permit Department

• Phone: 844-837-5500
• Fax: 404-635-8509
• Hours: 7:00 AM - 4:45 PM Eastern Time
• Website: http://www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Permits/OversizePermits

General Information

• State: Georgia
• Agency: Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
• System: GAPROS (Georgia Permitting and Routing Optimization System)

Regulatory References

• Georgia DOT Rules of State DOT, Chapter 672-2
• Georgia Administrative Code (GAC) Chapter 672-2
• Georgia Code Title 32, Chapter 6, Article 2, Section 32-6-28
• http://www.dot.ga.gov/PS/Permits/OversizePermits
• https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/Pages/OversizePermits.aspx
• https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/672-2
• https://jjkellercompliancenetwork.com/regsense/oversize-and-overweight-movements-georgia

Last Updated: 2025-11-11