How to read a Virginia oversize permit
Virginia hauling permits are issued by DMV through EZ Haul, built with VDOT and ProMiles, which routes the trip automatically on a map. DMV says each permit contains routing information, travel rules and safety requirements, including your escorts, and officers can act if you are off the route listed on the permit.
Issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Hauling Permits Section through EZ Haul. Written from Virginia DMV's published rules; we haven't read a real Virginia permit yet.
How to read the route
Virginia has not published a sample permit, so the route layout is not known. A single trip permit covers one move between two specific points, and EZ Haul builds the route automatically. DMV says each permit contains the routing information, and escort requirements are listed on it. Stay on the route listed on the permit: being off it is grounds for enforcement.
Road names on Virginia permits
| On the permit | Means |
|---|---|
| I-64 | Interstate 64 |
| I-77 | Interstate 77 |
| I-664 | Interstate 664, which crosses the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel |
| noninterstate routes | Any road that is not an interstate; Virginia's escort rules are stricter there |
Where the route starts and ends
Not published for regular single trips. For superloads, the application must give the origin and destination in Virginia, including mileage and the specific intersecting routes.
Conditions to watch for
Holidays
Permits are not valid on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, starting at noon the weekday before. For a Monday holiday, from noon Friday through Monday. Source
“On the holidays listed in this subsection, permits will not be valid from noon the preceding weekday through the holiday.”
Sunrise to sunset
Normal travel time for permitted loads is sunrise to sunset. Some superloads may be required to move at night. Source
“Normal times of travel for permitted loads are sunrise to sunset.”
City and town rush hours
No permitted travel inside city or town limits 7 to 9 am and 4 to 6 pm. Overweight loads, and overlength loads up to 85 ft, are the exception. Source
“No permitted travel is allowed within the corporate limits of cities or towns between the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.”
Escorts
Over 12 ft wide: front and rear escort on non-interstates, one rear escort on interstates. Over 14 ft 5 in high: front escort with a height pole. Over 90 ft long: rear escort on non-interstates; over 150 ft: front and rear on all routes. Over 18 ft wide or 200 ft long: case by case. Escorts must be certified. Source
“One front and one rear escort is required on noninterstate routes when the permitted load exceeds 12 feet in width.”
Flags
Flags on the load must be red or orange fluorescent, at least 18 inches square, at the edges of an overwidth load. Source
“All flags attached to vehicle loads shall be red or orange fluorescent, not less than 18 inches square”
Carry the permit
Carry the permit in the truck and show it to DMV, police or VDOT when asked. Source
“The permit is required to be carried in the transport vehicle.”
Easy to miss
- Keep the whole permit in the truck. Under the regulation, officials may act if the driver does not have the entire permit in the vehicle, or if the truck is off the route listed on the permit.
- The holiday shutdown starts at noon the weekday before, not at midnight. A Monday holiday takes out Friday afternoon and the whole weekend.
- Weather: when road conditions, visibility or weather make travel hazardous, permitted vehicles may not operate unless responding to an emergency.
Questions
Do I have to carry my Virginia hauling permit?
Yes. The permit must be carried in the transport vehicle and shown to DMV, law enforcement or VDOT when asked. Officials may act if the entire permit is not in the vehicle.
What hours can I move an oversize load in Virginia?
Normally sunrise to sunset. Inside city and town limits there is no permitted travel 7 to 9 am and 4 to 6 pm, except for overweight loads and overlength loads up to 85 ft.
When do I need escorts in Virginia?
Over 12 ft wide you need front and rear escorts on non-interstates and one rear escort on interstates; over 14 ft 5 in high, a front escort with a height pole. All escort requirements are listed on your hauling permit.
Sources
Your permit is the legal document; follow everything it says. Rules change; check Virginia DMV's site before you move.Last checked October 2026.