Oversize / Overweight Permits in Alberta
Alberta Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Alberta law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversized/overweight load:
Legal Size Limit:
Width:
- 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
Length:
- Single unit (truck) – 41′ 0.13″ (12.5 m)
- Vehicle combination (tractor semi-trailer, truck and pony trailer, truck and full trailer) – 75′ 5.51″ (23.0 m) (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
- A-Train, C-Train – 82′ 0.25″ (25.0 m) (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
- B-Train – 90′ 2.68″ (27.5 m) (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
Height:
- 13′ 7.39″ (4.15 m)
Legal Weight Limit:
- Maximum GVW: 117,947 lbs (53,500 kg) A-Train; 139,994 (63,500 kg) B-Train
- Steering axle: 13,228 lbs (6,000 kg)
- Single axle: 16,094 lbs (7,300 kg)
- Tandem axle: 29,983 lbs (13,600 kg)
- Tridem axle: 41888 lbs (19,000 kg)
For more details, please see:
Alberta Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A general single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversized and overweight loads exceeding the legal limits. It covers one movement from point A to point B during the running times specified in the permit. You may need to request a return trip permit.
For more details:
Alberta Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
Alberta provides annual OSOW permits that allow for unrestricted movement for up to 365 days.
To obtain an annual permit, the vehicle must meet the permit qualification requirements to exceed the regulated weight allowances.
Note: Some vehicles may need to obtain a weigh scale ticket from a certified scale.
For more details:
Alberta Wide Load Requirements
All vehicles/loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) require an oversized permit issued by the Alberta Department of Transportation.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
All sides and extremities of oversized vehicles and loads must be marked with red or orange flags of at least 40 cm in length.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
All oversized vehicles must be equipped with red and white “D” banners(signs) affixed to the front of the power unit and the back of the load. The dimensions of the sign are 2.45 meters by 0.3 meters, with the letter “D” in the center measuring 20 centimeters high. The white areas of the sign must possess high reflectivity, while the red areas are to be coated with transparent red paint akin to that used for stop signs.
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
For oversized loads, an alternate sign labeled “Wide Load” is necessary. This sign must measure 1.5 meters by 0.3 meters and feature black letters on a yellow background. The letters indicating “Wide Load” should be 20 centimeters high. The panel requires a 9.5 mm black border along its edges.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
During nighttime transportation or in poor visibility conditions, all extremities must be marked with solid amber lamps visible both at the front and rear. These lamps must bear appropriate markings.
The furthest point at the back of the protruding load needs to be indicated with a red lamp that can be seen from both the rear and sides.
Oversize Pilot Cars and Escort Vehicles Requirements:
When escort vehicles are required due to over-dimensional safety requirements, operators may proceed on highways under the authority of a special permit. The vehicle and related equipment must comply with the regulations outlined in the permit. For vehicles exceeding certain widths:
- Widths exceeding 2.6 meters require warning flags or lights.
- Widths exceeding 3.05 meters need additional dimensional signs.
- Widths exceeding 3.35 meters require flashing lights.
- Widths exceeding 3.85 meters on a 2-lane highway necessitate pilot and trail vehicles.
On multi-lane highways, widths exceeding 5.5 meters require a pilot and trail vehicle. Operation is restricted during specific times and days. Escort vehicles must maintain radio communication and distance parameters. They must also display appropriate dimensional signs and use lights accordingly. Escort vehicles are prohibited from towing or obscuring required equipment.
Essential equipment for escort vehicles and personnel includes warning triangles, flags, reflective vests, and flashlights. Personnel outside the vehicle must wear reflective vests and use warning equipment as necessary. All equipment must be well-maintained.
Note: There can be additional escort requirements specified in the permit.
Alberta Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
Travel is not permitted on specific holidays, including New Year’s Day, Provincial Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Family Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Weekend Travel Allowance: Over-length loads are permitted to travel on weekends, but this allowance is solely for loads exceeding standard length limits.
Sunday Travel Restrictions: Loads wider than 3.85 meters are prohibited from traveling on Sundays.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Moves are generally allowed from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, excluding restricted holidays.
Friday Travel Restrictions: Loads exceeding 3.85 meters in width are not permitted to travel after 3 pm on Fridays.
Night Travel Permission: Over-length loads are allowed to travel at night on multi-lane roads, requiring one rear pilot car or escort vehicle.
Extended Lengths on Single-Lane Roads: Loads longer than 42 meters on a single-lane road require pilot cars both in front and rear.
Daylight Travel Requirement for Wide Loads: Loads wider than 4.45 meters are only allowed to travel during daylight hours.
Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:
All vehicles, including driven and towed, must comply with posted bridge weight limits.
You must operate at the lowest practical speed when crossing bridges if your vehicle’s weight exceeds the legal requirements.
As for the oversize road restrictions, they include but are not limited to the following:
- driving through work zones that are under construction
- neglecting warning signals when driving through work zones
- not giving traffic priority to law enforcement, emergency vehicles, etc.
Oversize Seasonal Weight Restrictions:
Heavy-haul seasonal weights:
- Spring: Dependent on weather conditions, commencing concurrently with Period 1 weights for service rigs, contingent upon thaw depth readings of a minimum of 25 cm.
- Post-Thaw: Begins on June 16th, with the option to start one week earlier or later.
- Summer: Effective from July 1st.
- Fall: Begins on September 1st.
- Winter: Dependent on weather conditions, initiated based on frost depth readings of 75 cm or more.
Service rigs seasonal weights:
- Period 1: Dependent on weather conditions, starting simultaneously with Spring weights for heavy haul, contingent upon thaw depth readings of at least 25 cm.
- Period 2: Begins on June 16th, with flexibility to commence one week earlier or later.
- Period 3: Starts on July 16th.
- Period 4: Effective from September 1st.
The determination of Spring/Period 1 and Winter/Period 4 seasons, as well as the placement of thaw or frost lines, is based on monitoring frost and thaw depths from a network of 70 frost probe stations across the province. The current placement of the frost or thaw line can be viewed on the Frost/Thaw Contour Map.
For more details:
https://www.alberta.ca/road-restrictions-and-bans-overview#jumplinks-2
Alberta Wide Load Limits
Everything wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) requires a permit to be moved on public roads.
Maximum Load Limits Until a Trucking Permit Is Required:
Wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
Axle Weight Limits:
Legal axle weight limit:
- Steering axle: 13,228 lbs (6,000 kg)
- Single axle: 16,094 lbs (7,300 kg)
- Tandem axle: 29,983 lbs (13,600 kg)
- Tridem axle: 41888 lbs (19,000 kg)
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- Per-axle weight depends on the axle configuration and the type of permit
- Maximum GVW: 117,947 lbs (53,500 kg) A-Train; 139,994 (63,500 kg) B-Train
Oversize Tire Regulations:
- Tires on each axle must be uniform in size and type.
- Tires must have a minimum tread depth of 0.32 cm (1/8″) above the wear bars. No bald spots should be visible on adjacent treads.
- No part of the vehicle should come within 2.54 cm (1 in.) of any part of the tire during travel or turning.
- It is advisable to have a minimum tread depth of approximately 6/32″ (or 4.8mm) on tires at the beginning of winter.
- There are no restrictions on studded tires in Alberta, and the province does not mandate the use of winter tires during winter months. However, Alberta Transportation suggests equipping vehicles with four winter or all-weather tires for enhanced traction and control in severe winter conditions.
- Overall, tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum legal tread depth.
Alberta Trip Permits
Alberta has been a part of the International Registration Plan (IRP), a reciprocity agreement between the United States, the District of Columbia, and Canada that recognizes the registration of commercial motor vehicles issued by other jurisdictions.
To apply for an in-transit permit, you’ll need to present proof of insurance (either digital or paper format) along with your driver’s license. For travel outside of Alberta, Proof of Ownership (such as a bill of sale or certificate of title) is also required.
In-transit permits have varying durations based on their purpose:
- If the purpose is to transport the vehicle to another province, for a test drive by a prospective buyer, or for inspection or mechanical services, the permit remains valid for up to 7 days.
- For travel within Alberta, from Point A to Point B, the permit’s validity is limited to a maximum of 3 days.
- If the in-transit permit is intended for a salvage vehicle, its validity is reduced to only 24 hours.
The cost starts at around $25.
Alberta Fuel Permits
In cases where immediate IFTA credentials are needed, you have the option to obtain a 30-day temporary permit at an extra cost of $10 per vehicle.
Current registrants are required to provide details such as the make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
New carriers are required to submit the aforementioned information along with the completed IFTA Registration form.
Alberta Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
Long Combination Vehicle Program:
- The Permit Holder is required to maintain a satisfactory Carrier Profile, which includes factors such as the R-Factor score, general NSC compliance with a good audit score, and permit compliance with a good Permit Inspection score where applicable.
- Only drivers who have completed all necessary industry-related training courses are permitted to utilize the permit exemption.
- All individuals involved in permit compliance, including drivers, dispatchers, and transportation safety management, must successfully complete the training outlined in the Attached Conditions for the Operation of Long Combination Vehicles.
- The Permit Holder must have and enforce a written policy to effectively monitor each driver’s compliance with the permit conditions.
- The Permit Holder must establish and enforce specific written policies and procedures within their safety program to ensure continuous compliance with all permit conditions.
Amber Light Permits:
Vehicles escorting oversized loads shall be equipped with roof-mounted amber warning lights.
Loading Zone Permits:
A loading zone permit may be issued for using commercial loading zones by non-commercial delivery vehicles.
For more information about specialty permits:
Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Alberta
Oversize and overweight fines in Alberta depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal requirements.
Operating a vehicle that exceeds the legal dimensions permitted in Alberta is prohibited. Unless otherwise permitted, driving or operating a vehicle on a highway is only permissible if the vehicle complies with the standards for vehicle and equipment as outlined in the regulations applicable to that vehicle.
For exceeding legal dimensions:
- Between 19 feet and 29 feet: Fine of $1.00 plus $0.20 for every additional 3.9 inches over 19 feet in height; over 29 feet or more – $6.80.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Alberta
The cost of Alberta OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size.
You may also be charged an application fee for processing and handling your permit request.
Trucking Permit Service
Express Permits provides a full spectrum of trucking permit services, assisting motor carriers in obtaining the appropriate oversize and overweight permits, coordinating with authorities, and ensuring compliance with state regulations, saving valuable time, effort, and potential penalties. You can rely on us regardless of your load’s type, nature, and destination.