South Carolina Department of Transportation
OSOW Permit Office
955 Park Street Room G-4
Columbia, SC 29201
PHONE: (803) 737-6769 or (877) 349-7190
Hours Of Business
8AM-4:30PM (Eastern)
Escorts
When escorts are needed and number of escorts required
Width exceeding 12 feet up to and including 14 feet: One front escort is required when traveling on a two-lane highway; the Department reserves the right to require a rear escort where it is deemed necessary for safety purposes.
Width exceeding 14 feet up to and including 16 feet: One front and one rear escort required on all roadways
Width exceeding 16 feet: One front and one rear civilian escort AND one front and one rear police escort is required on all roadways, (exceptions can be made upon written approval from the Department’s Permit Director). The front escort is to be a reasonable distance ahead of the move to alert oncoming traffic in sufficient time of the impending hazard ahead. Additional police escort may be required by the escorting officers (local, county, city, Highway Patrol or State Transport Police).
Height 16 feet and greater: One front escort with a height measuring device is required during entire movement on all roadways. A route survey, certified as correct by the applicant, shall also be provided to the permit office prior to permit issuance.
Overall length of 125 feet up to and including 150 feet: One rear civilian escort is required on all roadways.
Overall length greater than 150 feet: One front and one rear civilian escort is required on all roadways.
Overhang greater than 15 feet: All loads with overhang exceeding 15 feet up to 25 feet over the rear of the trailer are required to have a red flag, not less than 18 inches square, at the end of the load AND one rear escort during entire movement over all highways.
Super loads:
Super loads are those exceeding 130,000 lbs., 125′ long (including overhang), or 16′ wide. Super load permits are also required for loads limited by overhead structures (must clear by 3”) or those with front overhangs of 3’ and rear 15’ on trailers less than 48’ long and 10’ on trailers between 48’ and 53’ long (5’ rear overhang on loads only on 40’ straight trucks).
Escort vehicle requirements can differ significantly by state in terms of mandatory driver qualifications, training, certifications, vehicle weights, obligatory signage/flags/lighting, necessary onboard equipment, and more. The Nova team can provide you with all additional requirements specific to your route.
