Alabama Oversize Load Signs, Flags And Lights

What Does Alabama Require On The Transport Vehicle?

Rule 450-3-1-.04(9) specifies front and rear signs measuring 7 feet by 18 inches, with 10-inch black letters on yellow and a 1.4–1.5-inch brush stroke. The signs must not block the license plate or headlights. That paragraph permits no other sign wording. Read the ALDOT chapter before substituting a banner bought for another state.

When checking a folded fabric banner, unfold the whole message and measure a letter’s painted stroke. A product listing that gives only overall size leaves an important part of this Alabama specification unanswered. Inspect the actual item installed on the truck, not the spare still in its packaging.

Where Do Alabama Load Flags Go?

The same paragraph specifies 18-inch-square fluorescent orange or red flags at the four corners or length extremities of the load.

A corner on the trailer is not necessarily the outside edge of the freight. Walk the loaded combination and identify the actual outline before choosing mounts. Photograph an unusual protrusion for the crew briefing, then confirm any unresolved placement question with the permit authority.

Is An Escort’s Light Check The Same As The Truck’s?

No. ALDOT’s published harmonization training describes a transport amber flashing or strobe light visible through 360 degrees at 500 feet. Its escort rule separately requires a roof-mounted flashing or strobe amber light with that visibility and an escort sign sized to the vehicle, using the specified 10-inch lettering. The training is dated 2017; match the current permit and rule.

Ask each operator to demonstrate visibility with the complete rig assembled. A roof sign, headache rack or tall load can hide equipment that was unobstructed on an empty vehicle. Keep an escort checklist rather than treating the truck’s completed inspection as the whole crew’s sign-off.

What Should Change After Delivery?

The escort provision says its banner is visible only while transporting the permitted load.

Write the post-delivery equipment change into the handoff. A legal empty vehicle, an empty but still overwidth trailer and a return movement covered by different authority are different cases. Establish the actual return configuration before leaving a sign in place or removing needed warnings.

How Can RouteAll Help With This Movement?

When the Alabama markings are ready, import the issued permit into RouteAll and review its extracted roads with the crew. Keep the sign inspection as its own departure decision. A route displayed in the app does not verify letter stroke, flag placement or warning-light visibility. Get RouteAll For Permit Route Review.

Before You Roll

Before departure, compare the installed front and rear messages, letter stroke and actual flagged outline. Have the escort demonstrate its own equipment. Keep the return configuration decision on the trip sheet, especially when the trailer remains oversize after delivery.