How to read a South Carolina oversize permit
SCDOT's Oversize/Overweight Permit Office issues single trip permits through its online Safehaul system; each one is route specific, tied to one truck and trailer, and good for 7 days. On SCDOT's published permit the route sits on the last page under ROUTE INFORMATION, after a page of travel restrictions and a page of general conditions.
Issued by the South Carolina Department of Transportation, Oversize/Overweight Permit Office through Safehaul. Written from SCDOT's published rules; we haven't read a real South Carolina permit yet.
How to read the route
The route is on the last page under ROUTE INFORMATION, in labeled lines: Origin, Destination, Total Mileage, Route and Route Return. On the published sample, a statewide emergency permit, the Route line held a rule ('all non-interstate routes within the national network') instead of a list of roads. SCDOT's guidelines say a single trip permit specifies a defined route of travel, but SCDOT has not published a normal permit, so how a road-by-road route is printed is not confirmed. Route Return is a separate line for the trip back; it was blank on the sample.
What's on each page
- Page 1: PERMIT RESTRICTIONS: who the permit is issued to, vehicle and load, overall dimensions, overhang, gross weight and axle weights and spacing, then bullet-point rules on travel times, holidays, summer weekends and escorts. The footer on every page repeats SINGLE TRIP PERMIT #, Valid From and To.
- Page 2: GENERAL CONDITIONS: escort signs, lights and radios, warning light, signs and flags on the load, bad weather, posted bridges, overhead clearances, flaggers and work zones.
- Page 3: ROUTE INFORMATION: Origin, Destination, Total Mileage, Route and Route Return, the line saying the original permit must be signed and carried, the driver certification and the permittee signature line.
Road names on South Carolina permits
| On the permit | Means |
|---|---|
| I-95 | Interstate 95 |
| US-17 | US Highway 17 |
| SC-22 | South Carolina state highway 22 |
| US & SC HIGHWAYS | US-numbered and SC-numbered highways, as written on the sample permit |
| secondary routes | Smaller state roads below the US and SC routes; some permits ban them |
Where the route starts and ends
On the sample, Origin and Destination were free text in capitals: 'FROM STATE LINE AND POINTS WITHIN SOUTH CAROLINA OVER US & SC HIGHWAYS ONLY.' SCDOT has not published a normal routed permit, so how a specific start and end are worded is not confirmed.
Conditions to watch for
Travel time by width
Up to 12 ft wide: sunrise to sunset, any day. Over 12 to 15 ft: the same, but not near large cities 7 to 9 am on weekdays, or 3 to 6 pm on school days (4:30 to 6 pm other weekdays). Over 15 ft: only 9 am to 3 pm on school days, 9 am to 4 pm other days. Source
“All loads or mobile homes up to 12 feet wide are allowed to travel from sunrise to sunset Monday through Sunday.”
Holidays
No travel on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas. The Permit Director can also stop travel from noon the day before to noon the day after, depending on route and size. Source
“NO travel shall be allowed on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.”
Summer beach weekends
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, no Saturday or Sunday moves east of I-95 in the Myrtle Beach area, including US-378, US-76, US-501, SC-22, SC-31, SC-9 and US-17 from the North Carolina line to Georgetown. Source
“Movement is prohibited on Saturday and Sunday, East of I-95, from Memorial Day through Labor Day”
Escorts
Over 12 to 14 ft wide: one front escort on two-lane roads. Over 14 to 16 ft: front and rear on all roads. Over 16 ft: front and rear civilian escorts plus front and rear police. 16 ft high or more: front escort with a height measuring device. 125 to 150 ft long: one rear escort; over 150 ft: front and rear. Source
“Width exceeding 14 feet up to and including 16 feet: One front and one rear escort required on all roadways.”
Signs, flags and lights
Loads 12 ft wide or wider need OVERSIZE LOAD or WIDE LOAD signs front and rear (at least 12 in by 7 ft, black on yellow) and 18-inch red or orange flags at the four outer corners. Over 12 ft wide also needs a flashing or strobe amber light on the rear of the load. Source
“The sign or banner must read OVERSIZE LOAD or WIDE LOAD”
Bad weather
Don't move when heavy rain or fog cuts visibility below 500 ft, in high wind, or when roads are icy or slick. Source
“No movement shall be allowed during inclement weather such as heavy rain or fog when visibility is restricted to less than 500 feet.”
Easy to miss
- Sign it. The route page of SCDOT's permit says the original permit shall be signed and carried in the towing vehicle during movement.
- A route change is not an amendment. SCDOT requires a new permit when the route, escorts or travel times change.
- Bridges can become posted during your permit dates. Travel over weight-posted bridges is prohibited, and it is up to you to call the permit office for a new route.
Questions
How long is a South Carolina oversize single trip permit good for?
Seven days, for one trip. It is tied to one truck/tractor and trailer, and a defined route of travel is specified on the permit.
Can I move an oversize load on Saturday or Sunday in South Carolina?
Most loads up to 15 ft wide may move sunrise to sunset Monday through Sunday. But from Memorial Day through Labor Day, weekend moves are banned east of I-95 in the Myrtle Beach area.
Where is the route on a South Carolina oversize permit?
On SCDOT's published permit it is on the last page, under ROUTE INFORMATION, with lines for Origin, Destination, Total Mileage, Route and Route Return.
Sources
Your permit is the legal document; follow everything it says. Rules change; check SCDOT's site before you move.Last checked October 2026.