Oversize / Overweight Permits in Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Northwest Territories 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); if the vehicle is wider than 2.05 m, front amber and rear red clearance lights are required
Length:
- Single unit (straight truck) – 41′ 0.13″ (12.5 m)
- Straight truck trailer combinations – 68′ 10.77″ (21.0 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)
- Truck tractor semi-trailers and A, B, and C trains – 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)
- Truck-tractor and double trailer combinations (extended length vehicle permit is required) – 101′ 8.47″ (31.0 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)
Height:
- 13′ 9.35″ (4.2 m)
Legal Weight Limit:
- Maximum GVW: 137,789 lbs (62,500 kg) (depends on the configuration)
- Steering axle: 12,125 lbs (5,500 kg) (depends on the configuration)
- Single axle: 20,062 lbs (9,100 kg) (depends on the configuration)
- Tandem axle: 39,683 lbs (18,000 kg) (depends on the configuration)
- Tridem axle: 57,320 lbs (26,000 kg) (depends on the configuration)
For more details, please see:
Northwest Territories 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. The permit expires at the end of the trip, so you may need to request a return trip permit.
Overweight permit cost: A x B x C + D
- A=$10
- B=The amount the load is overweight in kilograms divided by 1000
- C=The total kilometers that the load will travel divided by 100
- D=$20.00
Oversized permit cost: $38.00
For more details:
Northwest Territories Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
Northwest Territories provides annual OSOW permits, which allow unrestricted movement for up to 365 days during the running times specified in the permit.
Annual extended length permit: $144.00
Wide base super single permit: $268.00
For more details:
Northwest Territories Wide Load Requirements
All vehicles/loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) require an oversize permit.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
All sides and extremities of oversized vehicles and loads must be marked with square flags of red color, with sides at the extremities of all overwidth and overlength loads at least 410 mm in length.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
The “D” signs are the preferred ones for identifying oversized vehicles. The use of “Wide Load,” “Long Load,” or “Oversize Load” signs is also allowed.
The vehicle carrying an oversized load must have “D” warning signs installed at both the front and rear.
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
- “D” signs must be visible from at least 125 m (410 ft.)
- Width of 245 cm and height of 30 cm.
- The lettering should be 20 cm high.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
A 360-degree amber warning light is mandated for vehicles transporting loads. It must be positioned at the front of the vehicle and on the roof of escort vehicles and meet specific visibility criteria.
During darkness or adverse weather, two red and amber warning lights mounted on the projection, with the red part facing to the rear and the amber part facing to the front, are required.
Oversize Pilot Cars and Escort Vehicles Requirements:
- between 3.2 m and 3.85 m in width: preceded by an escort vehicle
- between 3.85 m and 4.45 m or over in width: followed by an escort vehicle
- over 29 m in length: followed by an escort vehicle
Northwest Territories Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
While no recommendations have been published, oversized travel may not be allowed on common statutory holidays, including New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Remembrance Day.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
While no recommendations have been published, permitted travel time may be allowed from sunrise to sunset.
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:
While the Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada, the Northwest Territories has not published specific seasonal restrictions. However, they may appear in oversize/overweight permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.
For more details:
Northwest Territories 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: 12,125 lbs (5,500 kg) (depends on the configuration)
- Single axle: 20,062 lbs (9,100 kg) (depends on the configuration)
- Tandem axle: 39,683 lbs (18,000 kg) (depends on the configuration)
- Tridem axle: 57,320 lbs (26,000 kg) (depends on the configuration)
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- Per-axle weight depends on the axle configuration and the type of permit
- Maximum GVW: 137,789 lbs (62,500 kg) (depends on the vehicle/axle configuration)
Oversize Tire Regulations:
- When driving on snow or ice, vehicles should have mud and snow tires or tire chains on either the rear wheels (for rear-wheel-drive vehicles) or the front wheels (for front-wheel-drive vehicles).
- Mixing radial ply and bias or belted bias tires on different axles is prohibited.
- Mixing radial and bias ply tires on one axle or tandem drive axle configuration for vehicles over 4,500 kilograms is prohibited.
- Vehicle tires must not:
- Be damaged to the extent that tire body cords are exposed or affected.
- Be re-cut or re-grooved below the original tread depth unless specified by the manufacturer.
- Have tread wear indicators contacting the road in consecutive grooves.
Northwest Territories Trip Permits (IRP Permits)
No information has been published indicating that the Northwest Territories are part of the International Registration Plan (IRP).
Northwest Territories Fuel Permits (IFTA Permits)
No information has been published indicating that the Northwest Territories are an IFTA jurisdiction.
Northwest Territories Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
Winter Road Permit:
This permit allows for an increased weight limit when traveling on the Tłı̨chǫ winter road system serving Whatı̀, Wekweètı̀, and Gamètı̀.
8-Axle Winter Permit:
This permit is available during winter months when weights are restricted on Northwest Territories highways and must be purchased prior to entering the territory.
The permit allows a super b-train to carry an additional 500 kilograms (kg) per axle, not including the steering axle.
The following weight restrictions apply for this permit:
- Steering: 5,500 kg
- Tandem drives: 18,000 kg
- Tridem lead: 25,500 kg
- Tandem pup: 18,000 kg
- Total gross vehicle weight: 67,000 kg
9-Axle Winter Permit:
This permit is available during winter months when weights are restricted on Northwest Territories highways and must be purchased prior to entering the territory.
The permit allows a super b-train to carry an additional 500 kilograms (kg) per axle, not including the steering axle.
- The gross weight of the unit will be based on the following weight restrictions:
Steering axle: minimum of 5,500 kg to a maximum of 7,300 kg based on 100 kg per centimeter of tire width - Tridem drive axles: maximum of 23,000 kg
- Tridem lead trailer: a maximum of 24,000 kg (the tridem axle spread must be between 3 and 3.7 meters; spreads under 3 m cannot exceed 21,000 kg).
- Tandem pup trailer: 17,000 kg
- Total maximum gross vehicle weight: 71,300 kg (maximum weight, provided that the steering tires have the appropriate width and axle spread limits).
Amber Light Permits:
Vehicles escorting oversized loads shall be equipped with roof-mounted amber warning lights.
Loading (Parking) 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 Northwest Territories
While no specific restrictions have been provided by Northwest Territories authorities, oversize and overweight fines may appear based on the weight exceeding the maximum legal requirements.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Northwest Territories
The cost of Northwest Territories OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. A single-trip oversize permit costs about $38, while an annual one may exceed $268.
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. We assist 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.