Virginia Law

A. For loads with gross vehicle weights over 400,000 pounds, a schematic of the vehicle providing detail of the loading the vehicle will impose must be submitted with the permit application for VDOT's use. The schematic must include the longitudinal spacing between all axles and the transverse dimensions of all tires and all spacing between each tire along the axle. For vehicles with different tire configurations on multiple axles, all unique axle configurations must be included. An example vehicle schematic is available in the Virginia Hauling Permits Manual available from DMV.

B. The requirement for additional analysis may also be extended to vehicles with gross weights less than 400,000 pounds for unusual vehicle or structure characteristics as determined by VDOT in its sole discretion.

C. For loads with gross vehicle weights over 750,000 pounds, VDOT will require the permit applicant to retain an engineer licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia to complete an engineering analysis of all structures to be crossed by the vehicle on the permitted route. This requirement may apply for loads with gross vehicle weights between 500,000 and 750,000 pounds at VDOT's sole discretion. This requirement may also be extended to vehicles with smaller gross weights as needed (i) for unusual vehicle or structure characteristics as determined by VDOT, or (ii) in cases where multiple routes and or vehicles are requested to be evaluated for the same load.

D. The permit applicant's engineer must execute and submit a Critical Infrastructure Information / Sensitive Security Information (CII/SSI) nondisclosure form before VDOT will release the safety inspection reports and bridge plans necessary to complete the analysis. A meeting with VDOT's engineers before beginning the analysis is strongly encouraged.

E. VDOT in its sole discretion may require that pre-travel and post-travel inspections be completed for any structures along the permitted route to assess for and capture any damage to VDOT's inventory. When inspections are determined to be required, VDOT will also require a surety bond to be posted. The value of the surety, as determined solely by VDOT, will be commensurate with the cost to perform major repairs or replace affected portions of VDOT's inventory along the permitted route.

F. VDOT review and approval of any independent analysis is required before DMV will issue any permit. VDOT's determination is final.

G. The amount of time required to process a permit will be commensurate with the volume and complexity of the analysis required.