TN highway grading permit bonds.
From $100. Apply to see your price.
When grading or earthwork affects a Tennessee state highway right-of-way, TDOT conditions the grading permit on a bond running to the Department. The amount tracks the estimated construction cost TDOT determines. Premiums are 1% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum, and your exact price appears at the 60-second application.
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Apply to filed in one sitting.
No underwriting queue for the standard grading permit bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with TDOT. Here is the whole thing:
Apply online
Your business details, the bond amount TDOT required, and the effective date — that is the entire application.
Issued on the spot
No waiting for most applicants — the executed bond generates as soon as you pay. Larger amounts may get a quick soft-pull review, which never affects your credit score.
File with TDOT
Submit the executed bond with your grading permit application to the regional Traffic Engineering office. TDOT often wants the original mailed or delivered — we send it.
What it is and who needs it.
What the grading permit bond actually covers
Grading and earthwork that affect a Tennessee state highway right-of-way require a permit from TDOT, issued through its regional Traffic Engineering offices under the same right-of-way framework that governs entrance permits. The grading permit is conditioned on a surety bond running to the Department.
The bond guarantees you perform the grading per your approved plans and restore to original condition any part of the highway, shoulders, or drainage your work disturbs or damages. The amount tracks the estimated construction cost TDOT determines for the work.
If you leave the right-of-way out of compliance or damaged, TDOT can recover against the bond to put it right — and if the surety pays, you repay the surety. We price the amount on your permit from $100, with most applicants approved instantly.
You need this bond if you are
Five minutes, issued on the spot.
Submit the application with the bond amount on your TDOT permit — the executed bond is generated instantly, ready to file.
Start the application →Common questions.
If yours isn't here, the bond team can usually answer within the hour.
How much is the Tennessee highway grading permit bond? ▾
Who sets the bond amount? ▾
What does the bond guarantee? ▾
Is there a credit check? ▾
How is this different from the entrance permit bond? ▾
Other Tennessee bonds.
Grading permit bond, issued today.
Five-minute application, premiums from $100. Enter the amount TDOT required and file the same day.