How to read a Florida oversize permit

An FDOT trip permit is three pages: page 1 has the dates, sizes and travel restrictions, page 2 has the route written as turn-by-turn sentences, and page 3 is a route map. Page 1 only says 'See other side for route details', so go to page 2 for the route, and know that FDOT has not checked that route for clearances or local roads.

Issued by the Florida Department of Transportation, State Permit Office through Permit Application System (PAS). Written from a real permit we read.

The route section of a real Florida oversize permit, with road names highlighted in yellow.
The route on a real Florida permit, page 2. Names and numbers are blacked out. Highlighted: the road names Honk reads. Tap to enlarge.

How to read the route

The route is on page 2, after the ROUTE: label under VEHICLE ROUTING. Read it top to bottom. Each phrase between commas is one move, and some lines hold two moves. It reads like phone map directions: go, turn left, turn right, merge onto, take the exit, finish at. There are no miles and no exit numbers, so use the map on page 3 to see where the line runs.

What's on each page

  1. Page 1: Permit number and effective dates, fees, the permittee, FROM and TO, the vehicle limits (axle weights, height, length, width, gross weight, number of axles) and the PERMIT RESTRICTIONS / MOVEMENT CONDITIONS box. The legal text at the bottom repeats on every page.
  2. Page 2: VEHICLE ROUTING: FROM and TO again, then the whole route as turn-by-turn sentences after ROUTE:.
  3. Page 3: ROUTE MAP: a road map with the route drawn as a blue line.

Road names on Florida permits

On the permitMeans
CR-33County Road 33
CR-470 (1ST ST)County Road 470, also called 1st Street
FLORIDA'S TURNPIKE NORTHFlorida's Turnpike, heading north
I-75Interstate 75
I-75 - AT GEORGIA LINEInterstate 75 at the Georgia state line, where the Florida route ends

Where the route starts and ends

The start is written after 'START AT' as a full street address with city, state and ZIP code. The end is written after 'FINISH AT' as a road at a state line: I-75 - AT GEORGIA LINE. The FROM: and TO: line above the route shortens the start to just a town name.

Conditions to watch for

Travel time

You may drive any day of the week, in daylight only.

“TRAVEL IS PERMITTED ALL DAYS, DAYTIME HOURS ONLY.”

Flags

High-visibility flags at least 18 inches square are required.

“HIGH VISIBILITY FLAGS (MIN. 18 INCHES SQUARE) ARE REQUIRED.”

Visibility

Do not move when you can see less than 1,000 feet.

“NO MOVEMENT IS PERMITTED WHEN VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN ONE THOUSAND (1000) FEET.”

State highways only

The permit covers state highways only. Getting permission for local roads and bridges is up to the permittee.

“PERMIT VALID ON STATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM ONLY.”

Clearances

FDOT did not check this route for height, length or width. Making sure the load clears everything on the route is on you before you move.

“THE ROUTE ON THE FACE OF THIS PERMIT HAS NOT BEEN REVIEWED NOR VALIDATED FOR HEIGHT, LENGTH, WIDTH, NOR LOCAL ROADWAYS AND BRIDGES.”

Weigh stations

Pull into every open weigh station.

“PERMITTED VEHICLES CANNOT BYPASS ANY OPEN WEIGH STATION.”

One trip

The permit covers one trip only.

“THIS PERMIT IS VALID FOR ONE TRIP ONLY.”

Easy to miss

  • Page 1 does not have the route. It says 'ROUTE: See other side for route details.' The route is on page 2.
  • The route starts on neighborhood streets and county roads, but the permit is valid on the state highway system only. Permission for the local roads is up to the permittee.
  • There are no exit numbers. 'TAKE THE EXIT TO MERGE ONTO I-75' does not say which exit, so check the map on page 3.
  • The text was made by a map tool, not checked by a person: the first street is spelled two different ways, and the last line ends with 'ON THE LEFT', which means nothing at a state line. The permit ends at the Georgia line on I-75.

Questions

Where is the route on a Florida oversize permit?

On page 2, under VEHICLE ROUTING, after the ROUTE: label. Page 1 only says 'See other side for route details', and page 3 is a map of the same route.

How long is a Florida oversize trip permit good for?

FDOT issues ten-day trip permits, and this one shows effective dates ten days apart. It is also good for one trip only.

Does a Florida oversize permit cover county and city roads?

No. The permit says it is valid on the state highway system only, and the permittee must get authority for local roads and bridges, even when they are written into the route.

Your permit is the legal document; follow everything it says. Permits change, and yours may differ from the ones we read.Last checked October 2026.