Oversize / Overweight Permits in Manitoba
Manitoba Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Manitoba 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:
- Truck tractor, semi-trailer – 75′ 5.51″ (23.0 m) RTAC/ 65′ 7.40″ (20.0 m) non-RTAC (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
- Tridem drive truck tractor, semi-trailer – 77′ 1.20″ (23.5 m) RTAC/ 65′ 7.40″ (20.0 m) non-RTAC (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 combination – 90′ 2.68″ (27.5 m) RTAC/ 75′ 5.51″ (23.0 m) non-RTAC (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 or C-train combination – 82′ 0.25″ (25.0 m) RTAC/ 75′ 5.51″ (23.0 m) non-RTAC (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 gross weight: 132,277 lbs (60,000 kg) (including the weight of the load) (varies on the axle configuration)
- Single axle: 20,062 lbs (9,100 kg) straight truck
- Tandem axle: 35,274 lbs (16,000) straight truck
- Tandem axle: 48,414 lbs (21,960)
- Tridem axle: 60,627 lbs (27,500)
For more details, please see: https://www.gov.mb.ca/mti/mcd/weights_dimensions/index.html
Manitoba Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A general 5-day 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 request a return trip on the same permit.
For more details:
Manitoba Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
This permit allows unrestricted movement for up to 365 days, allowing a particular vehicle and approved load to repeatedly travel one way between two points on designated routes.
Annual permits are available for:
- Oversize and/or overweight vehicles and commodities
- Vehicles with permanently mounted equipment
- Special mobile machines
- House trailers
- Grain bins and storage tanks
- Implements of husbandry (including farm tractors)
- Hay and straw
- Bale trucks and pony trailers
- Car carriers (high mounts and stingers)
- Long combination vehicles (LCVs)
- Lift/flip axles
- Long wheelbase truck tractors
- Long wheelbase semitrailers
- Not valid for travel on the Winter Road System
- Not valid on any roadway under the jurisdiction of Manitoba that is not classified as an RTAC, A1 or B1 highway
- Not valid for any municipal road not indicated on the permit
Note: Annual permits are issued to the registered owner of the power unit. Fleet blanket permits may be issued in some cases.
For more details:
Manitoba Wide Load Requirements
All vehicles/loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) require an oversized permit issued by the Manitoba Department of Transportation.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
All sides and extremities of oversized vehicles and loads must be marked with bright red or fluorescent orange warning flags of not less than 40 cm square.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
All oversized vehicles must be equipped with “OVERSIZE LOAD” or “D” banners(signs) in black letters at least 200 mm high, with lines forming the letters at least 30 mm wide on a yellow background.
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
Signs must be lit up or made of reflective material at night (sunset to sunrise) and visible from at least 150 m (492 feet) away.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
During nighttime transportation, all extremities must be marked with solid amber lamps visible both at the front and rear. These lamps must bear appropriate markings.
Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:
Escort Required:
Width:
- Exceeding 2.60m:
- Exceeding 3.05m:
- Always: “D” or “WIDE LOAD” sign.
- Exceeding 3.70m:
- Always (Brandon): Brandon Police determination.
- Always: Amber beacon on the cab.
- Day (Provincial Undivided): Front pilot vehicle.
- Night (Provincial Undivided): Front and rear pilot vehicles.
- Night (Provincial Divided): Rear pilot vehicle.
- Summer Holiday Season/Public Holidays: Holiday travel restrictions.
- Exceeding 4.60m:
- Day (Provincial Undivided): Front and rear pilot vehicles.
- Day (Provincial Divided): Rear pilot vehicle.
- Commuter Hours/ Night (All): No travel allowed.
- Always (Winnipeg): Police escort may be required.
- Exceeding 6.10m:
- Day (Provincial): Front and rear pilot vehicles.
- Always: Permit must be carried.
Length:
- Exceeding Legal Length:
- Winnipeg Rush Hour/Summer Holiday/Public Holidays: Travel restrictions.
- Exceeding 31.0m:
- Always: “D” or “Long Load” signs.
- Always (Provincial Undivided): Rear pilot vehicle.
- Always (Winnipeg/Brandon): Police escort may be required.
- Exceeding 41.0m:
- Day (Provincial Divided): Rear pilot vehicle.
- Day (Provincial): No left turns at uncontrolled intersections.
- Day (Provincial Undivided): Front and rear pilot vehicles.
- Night (All): No travel allowed.
Overhang:
- Exceeding 1.0m:
- Day: Red flag.
- Night: Red clearance light.
- Exceeding 6.5m:
- Always (Provincial): Rear pilot vehicle.
- Always (Brandon/Winnipeg): Police escort may be required.
- Exceeding 9.0m:
- Day (Provincial): Front and rear pilot vehicles.
- Night (Provincial): Travel prohibited.
Front Projections:
- Exceeding 1.0m:
- Night/Day: Amber light or reflector, red flag.
- Night: Red clearance light.
- Exceeding 3.0m (kingpin setback):
- Always (Provincial): Front pilot vehicle.
- Always (Brandon/Winnipeg): Police escort may be required.
- Exceeding 6.0m (from steer axle):
- Always (Provincial): Front pilot vehicle.
- Always (Brandon/Winnipeg): Police escort may be required.
Escort Vehicle Requirements:
- Pilot vehicle specifications:
- Height and visibility requirements.
- Prohibition on towing other vehicles.
- Equipment and signs:
- Communication device.
- Safety equipment.
- Fire extinguisher.
- Flares/reflectors.
- Roof-mounted amber lamp.
- Illuminated sign with specific requirements.
Regulations:
- Prohibition on misuse of signs.
- Proximity requirements of pilot vehicles to escorted vehicles.
- Application of extra-provincial requirements to non-residents.
Note: There can be additional escort requirements specified in the permit.
Manitoba Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
During the summer holiday season and public holidays: travel restrictions apply on provincial holiday restricted routes.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Moves are allowed one-half hour before sunrise and no later than one-half hour after sunset, excluding official holidays.
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:
The Manitoba Infrastructure, in alignment with the Vehicle Weights and Dimensions on Classes of Highways Regulation (MR 155/2018) under the Highway Traffic Act, has issued the Winter Seasonal Weights (WSW) Order #9 for the 2023-2024 season. This program plays a crucial role in optimizing the utility of Manitoba’s highways and roads during the winter months, leveraging the hardened roadbed conditions to permit heavier-than-usual vehicle weights.
Key Dates for 2023-2024 Season:
- Zone 1A: WSW ended on February 23, 2024. The latest start date was December 21, 2023.
- Zone 1B, Zone 2, and Zone 3: WSW will not end before March 3, 2024. The start dates were December 17, December 12, and December 1, 2023, respectively.
Climate Zone Specifics
- Start and end dates may vary based on weather conditions, specifically the freezing and thawing indexes, as well as daily air temperatures.
- WSW orders commence at 12:00 A.M. on start dates and expire at 11:59 P.M. on end dates.
For more details:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/mti/wsw/index.html
Manitoba 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:
- Maximum gross weight: 132,277 lbs (60,000 kg) (including the weight of the load) (varies on the axle configuration)
- Single axle: 20,062 lbs (9,100 kg) straight truck
- Tandem axle: 35,274 lbs (16,000) straight truck
- Tandem axle: 48,414 lbs (21,960)
- Tridem axle: 60,627 lbs (27,500)
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- Per axle weight depends on the axle configuration and the type of permit
Oversize Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum legal tread depth.
Regarding tire condition:
- Tires must not have exposed cords, cuts, or abnormal bumps.
- They should not be removed or recut unless designed for it.
- Tread depth should not be worn beyond specified limits.
Manitoba Trip Permits
Since March 1, 2001, Manitoba has participated in the International Registration Plan (IRP), allowing Manitoba-based truck and bus operators to share registration fees and road-use taxes across forty-eight U.S. states and ten Canadian provinces. The implementation of IRP changes how Manitoba’s retail sales tax is calculated for commercial vehicles, introducing a Manitoba Prorate Vehicle Tax (PVT) paid annually at registration instead of a one-time 7% sales tax. This new tax system spreads the cost over the vehicle’s life. Vehicles registered under IRP before March 1, 2001, and already taxed may qualify for a transitional PVT exemption/refund for up to two years, with a two-year claim limit. IRP jurisdictions will collect and remit PVT for vehicles traveling into Manitoba.
Manitoba Fuel Permits
Manitoba joined the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA), allowing carriers operating across Canadian provinces and U.S. states to simplify fuel tax reporting. Starting in 1983 with three states, IFTA now includes forty-eight U.S. states and ten Canadian provinces. Manitoba carriers can obtain fuel tax credentials from Manitoba Finance for travel in all IFTA jurisdictions.
Manitoba Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
Term Permits:
Term permits can be issued up to a maximum of one year. Their duration depends on the type of permit requested
Availability
- Winter road access – general freight
- access to a restricted road for certain essential commodities only
- damaged tarpaulin covers
- tridem drive trucks and pony trailers
- vehicles with forklift attachments
Amber Light Permits:
Vehicles escorting oversize 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 Manitoba
Oversize and overweight fines in Manitoba depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal requirements.
In Manitoba, for oversize and overweight vehicle offenses, fines are $13.20 per 110 lbs (50 kg) over the legal limit. Two allowances reduce the fine: if weight is measured on approved portable scales, disregard 1100 lbs (500 kg), or 5% of the max allowed weight, whichever is less; if on certified scales, disregard 1100 lbs (500 kg) or 2%, whichever is less. Officers may require load adjustment to legal limits on-site. Vehicles must not exceed registered weight limits. The fine for exceeding weight limits is $3.6 per mile per pound overweight.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Manitoba
The cost of Manitoba 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.