Summary:

• In Alabama, oversize loads can move only during daylight hours.
• Permitted vehicles cannot travel any time there is not enough light to clearly see up to a distance of 500 feet, including during inclement weather.
• Single-trip permits are one-use and valid for five days.

When it comes to transporting wide and heavy loads in Alabama, understanding the intricacies of oversize permits and logistics is crucial to success. Read on to learn about wide and heavy haul information and Alabama oversize permit requirements.

Operating Hours, Restricted Travel, and Holiday Restrictions

In Alabama, oversize loads can move only during daylight hours. Loads between 120-150 feet in length are further restricted to a window of time from 9am-3pm Monday through Friday. 

Permitted vehicles (with or without additional escort vehicles) cannot travel in inclement weather, including fog, snow, ice, or any other time where there is not enough light to clearly see people and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet.

Finally, oversize loads cannot travel on the following holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

Signs, Flags, and Lights Requirements

Signs, flags, and lights enhance the visibility of a wide and heavy haul, reducing the risk of accidents. They help ensure a safer journey and are required for compliance with Alabama’s oversize load regulations.

Signs

Oversize loads must have a sign that says, “OVERSIZE LOAD” on the front and rear of the truck that does not obstruct the vehicle’s license plate or lights. The sign must be 7 feet wide and 18 inches high with black letters on a yellow background. The letters on the sign are required to be 10 inches high with a 1.4”–1.5” brushstroke for clear visibility.

Flags

Transport vehicles must place an 18-inch square, fluorescent, red or orange flag at all four corners of the oversize load before travel.

Lights

Only rear overhangs of over 4 feet require lights at night. If a rear overhang is over 5 feet, the vehicle will require a permit and cannot run at night. 

A flashing or strobe amber light, visible for 500’ and 360 degrees, may be required of the transport vehicle.

Obtaining a Permit

Here are a few points to keep in mind:

• Single-trip permits are one-use and valid for five days. 
• Annual permits are vehicle-specific. 
• Oversize and/or overweight vehicles need a “Routing Authorization” permit to cover gross weights of over 100,000 pounds during operation. These authorizations are issued from the Permit Office, must stay in the vehicle, and accompany the annual permit.

Permits can be ordered at the Alabama state website or by calling 1-800-499-2782.

Partnering with a Logistics Company

Navigating the Alabama oversize permit process for wide and heavy hauls demands attention to detail, compliance with regulations, and strategic planning. To streamline the oversize permit process and ensure a seamless wide and heavy haul experience, consider partnering with a modular logistics company. Connect with our experts if you are interested in more information.

Read more:

• Over-Dimensional and Heavy Haul Permitting 101
• What You Need to Know About State Oversize Permits for Over-Dimensional, Wide, and Heavy Haul Trucking
• State Oversize Permit & Wide Load Regulations: Simplified

ariesfs is a transportation logistics company specializing exclusively in High Stakes Freight® , or freight where there is significant risk in moving your product. We help you transport freight when there are projects with timelines and delivery sequences, shipments with high complexity, and shipments with unique constraints.