RouteAllTennessee Oversize Load Signs, Flags And Lights
Sources Reviewed: October 23, 2026
Tennessee’s online permit FAQ and published movement rule give useful equipment details, but some wording differs. Start with the issued permit and obtain clarification on a conflict rather than hiding the difference in a statewide checklist.
On This Page
What Does Tennessee’s FAQ Say About Banners?
TDOT’s FAQ calls for front and rear OVERSIZE LOAD banners above 10 feet wide or 75 feet long. It lists a 7-foot by 18-inch yellow panel with black letters at least 10 inches high and a 1⅝-inch stroke. The published rule lists a 1½-inch stroke. A buyer should compare the source required for the permit rather than treating those as identical numbers. Keep the complete instruction with the trip paperwork.
How Are Overwidth Flags Positioned?
The FAQ directs red flags at the front and rear, top and bottom of the widest side; a widest point between top and bottom also needs marking. It gives an 18-inch-square minimum and requires a rear-end flag for overlength cargo. The rule also permits fluorescent orange. Choosing red avoids the color discrepancy in these two publications, but the crew still needs to identify the actual wide points on its load.
What Should Be Checked Before Night Movement?
Both publications describe red lamps and reflectors at projecting-load rear corners, plus a side-facing red marker for maximum overhang. Their stated nighttime periods differ. Ask TDOT which current conditions apply to the actual permit instead of using this article to resolve that discrepancy. Have dispatch record the clarification, then check both equipment and travel authorization. Installing night markers alone does not extend permitted operating hours.
Does The Pilot Car Have Its Own Equipment?
The published movement rule separately addresses escort signs, amber warning lamps and identifying business placards. A transport-vehicle equipment check does not inspect the escort vehicle. During the parked briefing, have each operator confirm their own requirements and identify any permit-specific additions. If a load or escort is substituted, review that equipment again rather than relying on an earlier photograph of the previous assignment.
How Can RouteAll Help Prepare The Tennessee Trip?
Import the issued permit into RouteAll and review its extracted road sequence while parked. Compare the first road, connecting junctions and final approach with the document, then share the reviewed route with the crew. Keep your equipment checklist beside that route review. RouteAll helps organize and navigate the permitted route; it does not inspect banners, certify flag placement or establish that a lighting setup complies with the permit.
Before You Roll
Match the measured load to the permit category. Inspect the actual front, rear and projecting points after securement. Resolve any unclear marking instruction with the issuing authority before dispatch, and revisit it when equipment or the load changes.
Further Reading
- Compare State Sign Requirements
- Prepare The Oversize Equipment Checklist
- Read The Tennessee Oversize Permit
Sources And Scope
Original driver reference based on the identified official publications, reviewed October 23, 2026. The issued permit, current law and applicable commercial-vehicle rules control. Load markings and escort equipment are distinct. This page identifies the source scope and does not replace a complete equipment inspection.
- TDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit FAQ — Published banner trigger, dimensions, flags and nighttime FAQ.
- TDOT Published Movement Rules, 2017 — Dated rule document; lettering, flag-color and night-period differences remain visible.