Summary:

• Oversize loads may be transported only during daylight hours, Monday through Saturday. 
• For all loads exceeding 10 wide, “Oversize Load” signs are required at the front and rear of vehicles and cargo.
• For loads over 8’ 6” wide, flags must be mounted at the widest point of the load and on each corner.

Operating Hours, Restricted Travel, and Holiday Restrictions

Oversize loads may not travel on major holidays or holiday weekends in North Carolina, including all federal holidays.

Oversize loads may be transported only during daylight hours, Monday through Saturday. Sunday travel is prohibited. Loads that are only overweight but within acceptable dimensional parameters are not subject to transportation restrictions but still require a permit.

Additionally, loads over ten feet wide are restricted from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM within ten miles of Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.

Signs, Flags, and Lights Requirements

To ascertain the safety of all motorists on the road during transport, lights, flags, and signs may be required for oversize or superloads.

Signs

For all loads exceeding 10 feet wide, “Oversize Load” signs are required at the front and rear of vehicles and cargo.

Flags

For loads over 8 feet 6 inches wide, flags must be mounted at the widest point of the load and on each corner. The flags must be mounted so as not to increase the overall width of the load. Additionally, rear overhangs exceeding 4 inches require a flag.

Lights

Lights are required at night to be mounted on the rear of any overhang exceeding 4 inches.

Obtaining a Permit

To obtain a permit, you must apply through the state permit office. Single-use permits are valid for ten days. Permits can be ordered onlineor by calling the North Carolina Department of Transportation at 1-888-574-6683.

Partnering with a Logistics Company

If you are interested in streamlining the oversize permit process in North Carolina, consider partnering with a modular logistics company. Contact our experts to ensure a seamless wide and heavy haul experience for your project. 

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.