Florida Oversize Load Permit Requirements
Legal truck dimensions, oversize load travel hours, pilot car and escort requirements, and how to order an oversize/overweight permit from FDOT State Maintenance Office Permits (Overweight/Overdimensional Permits).
FL, reviewed October 2026
Check your load for Florida
Oversize permit required in Florida
- Width 10 ft 0 in exceeds the 8 ft 6 in legal limit.
No width-based pilot car at 10 ft 0 in wide.
Florida Truck Legal Width, Height & Length
A truck and load at or under these dimensions can travel Florida highways without an oversize permit. Exceed any one of them and you need a permit before you move.
| Legal width | 8 ft 6 in |
|---|---|
| Legal height | 13 ft 6 in |
| Legal length | Single unit 40 ft; tractor with semitrailer over 48 ft requires a permit when kingpin distance exceeds 41 ft; truck with trailer 68 ft; front overhang 3 ft (FHP enforcement summary). |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs |
Florida Oversize Load Travel Hours
- Daily movement window
- Daytime hours only for loads over 10 ft wide, over 14 ft 6 in high or over 80 ft long; loads up to 10 ft wide and up to 80 ft long may move all days and hours. No travel when visibility is under 1,000 ft. Congested areas barred during peak traffic hours unless the permit authorizes (14 ft and under 16 ft wide, over 85 ft long). Nighttime moves need FDOT approval and law enforcement escorts.
- Weekend movement
- Rule 14-26.012(5)(e): unless otherwise noted on the permit, movements are prohibited on weekends and holidays. However, per-dimension rules allow all-days movement for loads up to 10 ft wide, up to 14 ft 6 in high and up to 80 ft long, so weekend movement depends on the permit.
- Holiday restrictions
- Rule 14-26.0041(6): 'Excluding Holidays' means movement is prohibited all day on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas. If a holiday falls on Saturday the preceding Friday is also observed; if on Sunday the following Monday is also observed. Applies to loads over 10 ft wide, over 14 ft 6 in high or over 80 ft long; smaller loads may move on holidays. See this year's holiday dates for all states.
Florida Pilot Car Requirements
Over 12 ft up to 14 ft wide needs one qualified escort (rear on four-lane divided, front on two-lane); over 14 ft needs two; over 14 ft 6 in high needs a lead escort with height pole; over 95 ft long needs one escort.
| First pilot car (width) | 12 ft 0 in wide and over |
|---|---|
| Two pilot cars (width) | 14 ft 0 in wide and over |
| Height-pole escort | 14 ft 6 in tall and over |
| Length escort | 95 ft 0 in long and over |
Florida pilot car requirements by load width and height. Crossing a border? Compare with Alabama, Georgia.
How to order a Florida oversize permit
FDOT State Maintenance Office Permits (Overweight/Overdimensional Permits)
Overweight as well? Check axle limits with the bridge formula calculator.
Crossing Florida without Florida apportioned plates? Estimate the temporary trip permit cost with the trip permit cost estimator.
Florida Oversize Load FAQs
- What are the oversize load travel hours in Florida?
- Daytime hours only for loads over 10 ft wide, over 14 ft 6 in high or over 80 ft long; loads up to 10 ft wide and up to 80 ft long may move all days and hours. No travel when visibility is under 1,000 ft. Congested areas barred during peak traffic hours unless the permit authorizes (14 ft and under 16 ft wide, over 85 ft long). Nighttime moves need FDOT approval and law enforcement escorts. Weekends: Rule 14-26.012(5)(e): unless otherwise noted on the permit, movements are prohibited on weekends and holidays. However, per-dimension rules allow all-days movement for loads up to 10 ft wide, up to 14 ft 6 in high and up to 80 ft long, so weekend movement depends on the permit.
- When is a pilot car required in Florida?
- Over 12 ft up to 14 ft wide needs one qualified escort (rear on four-lane divided, front on two-lane); over 14 ft needs two; over 14 ft 6 in high needs a lead escort with height pole; over 95 ft long needs one escort. Height: 14 ft 6 in and taller (height-pole escort).
- What is the legal truck width in Florida?
- The standard legal width in Florida is 8 ft 6 in (102 inches), the federal minimum width allowed on the National Network of highways. A load wider than that needs an oversize permit.
- How tall can a truck be in Florida without a permit?
- The legal height limit in Florida is 13 ft 6 in, measured from the road surface to the highest point of the vehicle or load. Taller loads need an oversize permit and a surveyed route for bridge and wire clearances.
- Can oversize loads move on holidays in Florida?
- Rule 14-26.0041(6): 'Excluding Holidays' means movement is prohibited all day on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas. If a holiday falls on Saturday the preceding Friday is also observed; if on Sunday the following Monday is also observed. Applies to loads over 10 ft wide, over 14 ft 6 in high or over 80 ft long; smaller loads may move on holidays.
- How do I get an oversize or overweight permit in Florida?
- Apply through FDOT State Maintenance Office Permits (Overweight/Overdimensional Permits) ((850) 410-5777) or its online permit portal. Have your USDOT number, vehicle and load dimensions, axle weights and route ready. Permit expediting agents can file on your behalf if you need the permit the same day.
Regulations change. This page summarises published Florida rules as reviewed October 2026 and is not legal advice; the conditions printed on your permit control. Note: Source is Fla. Admin. Code 14-26.012 (via Cornell LII). Per rule: one escort for an over-width load precedes on two-lane highways or follows on four-lane divided highways; two escorts required on lanes under 12 ft, bridges under 30 ft, and high-ADT roads unless four warning lights are used (12-14 ft); height pole required on lead escort for loads over 14 ft 6 in; over 16 ft high also needs law enforcement escort; length over 150 ft needs two escorts (one on limited access), over 250 ft adds law enforcement. Over 16 ft wide is local moves only. Legal 80,000 lb comes from s.316.535 F.S. (not displayed on fetched page) - standard federal figure. Fuel permit $45 fee quoted from search result of FLHSMV page, not from a separately fetched page. Legal length rows quoted from FHP enforcement criteria.