Oversize / Overweight Permits in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Nova Scotia 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 (straight 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 or C train double – 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 double – 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)
- Rear overhang – 6′ 6″ (2 m)
- Front overhang – 3′ 3″(1 m)
Height:
- 13′ 7.39″ (4.15 m)
Legal Weight Limit:
- Maximum GVW: 137,789 lbs (62,500 kg) (depends on the configuration)
- Steering axle: 12,125 lbs (5,500 kg)
- 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:
Nova Scotia Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A general seven-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. The permit expires at the end of the trip, so you may need to request a return trip permit. The cost of the permits starts at around $14 and depends on the actual oversize/overweight.
For more details:
Nova Scotia Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
Brunswick provides annual OSOW permits, which allow unrestricted movement for up to 365 days during the running times specified in the permit. The cost of the permits starts at around $134 and depends on the actual oversize/overweight.
For more details:
Nova Scotia Wide Load Requirements
All vehicles/loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) require an oversized permit issued by the Nova Scotia Department of Service.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
All sides and extremities of oversized vehicles and loads must be marked with square flags of red or orange color, with sides at least 400 mm in length at the extremities of all overwidth and overlength loads.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
“D” signs must be displayed as follows:
On the front and rear of the vehicle when the width exceeds 3.05 m (10 ft.).
- On the rear of the vehicle when transporting overlength loads.
- On the rear of the vehicle when a rear overhang exceeds 200 cm (6 ft. 6 in.).
- On the front of the vehicle when a front overhang exceeds 100 cm (3 ft. 3 in.).
- Escort vehicles must be equipped with either a “D” sign or a lighted sign box which must be visible to approaching traffic:
- From the FRONT when leading an overdimensional vehicle or load.
- From the REAR when following an overdimensional vehicle or load. “D” sign or lighted sign box are only to be displayed when an oversize move is in progress.
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
“D” signs must be visible from at least 125 m (410 ft.)
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
A 360-degree amber warning light is mandated for vehicles transporting loads, positioned at the front of the vehicle and on the roof of escort vehicles. It must meet specific visibility criteria:
- The light must offer a minimum visibility of 300 meters (984 feet) in all directions.
- It should flash at a rate between 60 to 90 flashes per minute.
- For loads exceeding 3.65 meters (12 feet) in width or 27.5 meters (90 feet) in length or with front overhangs exceeding 100 centimeters (3 feet 3 inches), flashing amber lights must be visible from 150 meters (492 feet) on the load’s extremities.
- The minimum mounting height for these lights is 1.5 meters (5 feet) from the highway.
- To ensure complete visibility around the vehicle, it may be necessary to install more than one light.
Oversize Pilot Cars and Escort Vehicles Requirements:
- An escort vehicle is mandated at the rear of the primary vehicle.
- On two-lane roads, an escort vehicle is required at the rear of the primary vehicle.
- During daytime travel on two-lane roads, an escort vehicle is necessary at the front of the primary vehicle.
- During daytime travel on multi-lane highways, an escort vehicle is necessary at the rear of the primary vehicle.
- During daytime travel, escort vehicles are required both at the front and at the rear of the primary vehicle on two-lane roads.
- During nighttime travel, an escort vehicle is required at the front of the primary vehicle on two-lane roads and at the rear of the primary vehicle on multi-lane highways.
- During nighttime travel, escort vehicles are required both at the front and at the rear of the primary vehicle.
Nova Scotia Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
The vehicle is restricted from traveling on highways after noon on Saturdays, Sundays, or any public holiday, including New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Natal Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
- It is not allowed to travel between sunset and sunrise as determined by the National Research Council, as indicated on their website:
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/services/hia/sunrise-sunset.html.
- A vehicle is prohibited from using any two-lane road or multilane highway in HRM and CBRM between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- Before entering any underpasses, the vehicle must come to a complete stop, ensuring safe clearance before proceeding at a slow speed.
- Prior to the move, the mover must contact Nova Scotia Power (NSP), Aliant, and local cable companies.
- If crossing the Canso Causeway, the mover must notify the RCMP 24 hours in advance to determine the move’s scheduled time.
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:
Commencing from 11:59 pm on March 3, 2024, spring weight restrictions come into effect for the following counties: Annapolis, Digby, Lunenburg, Queens, Kings, Shelburne, Yarmouth, Halifax, Hants, Colchester, Cumberland, Pictou, Antigonish, Guysborough, Cape Breton, Inverness, Richmond, and Victoria.
Note: Certain roads, including 100-series highways, are exempted from these restrictions.
For more details:
Nova Scotia 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)
- 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:
- Driving on highways with snow or ice on the surface is prohibited unless the vehicle’s driving axle tires are equipped with snow tires or tire chains.
- From October 15th to May 31st, vehicles on highways may use pneumatic tires with metal studs under certain conditions:
- Studs must not protrude more than one-eighth of an inch from the tire tread.
- Each stud, including casing, must not exceed half an inch in diameter.
- The number of studs per tire must be within specified limits based on the vehicle’s registered weight.
- The studs on the left and right sides of the vehicle must be equal in number.
- Studs must be securely embedded in the tire to avoid property damage or hazards.
- Studs should not exceed a length of a quarter-inch from the tire base or a diameter of half an inch.
- 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 a tread depth of less than two thirty-seconds of an inch at gauge reading points.
- Have tread wear indicators contacting the road in consecutive grooves.
- The minimum tread depth in Nova Scotia is 3mm or 4/32 inches in fraction, with a minimum tire width of 445 mm.
- In a dual tire set, tires should not touch each other or differ in overall diameter by more than 12.7 mm.
Nova Scotia Trip Permits (IRP Permits)
Anyone wishing to operate a non-registered vehicle on a public road in Nova Scotia may request a Temporary (vehicle) permit, which is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. The cost starts at $13.20, with no additional tax charged.
Nova Scotia Fuel Permits (IFTA Permits)
Carriers must obtain a single-trip permit by law to enter Nova Scotia and operate a qualified motor vehicle not registered under the International Fuel Tax Association (IFTA). This permit remains valid for either five days or until the completion of the trip.
The purpose of the single-trip permit is to fulfill tax obligations related to motor fuel use in Nova Scotia.
Carriers are eligible to apply for this permit if they possess a qualified motor vehicle that is not registered under IFTA and is intended to enter Nova Scotia.
A qualified motor vehicle is defined as a vehicle utilized, designed, or maintained for the transportation of people or property. It must meet one of the following criteria:
- It possesses two axles with a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds or 11,797 kilograms.
- It has three or more axles, regardless of weight, or it is used in combination when the combination’s weight reaches 26,000 pounds or 11,797 kilograms gross vehicle weight.
The cost of the permit starts at around $12.5 per vehicle.
Nova Scotia Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
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 Nova Scotia
Oversize and overweight fines in Nova Scotia depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal requirements.
Penalties for offenses related to vehicle weight violations:
- first offense – $237.50
- second offense – $352.50
- third offense – $582.50
Additionally, a person violating regulations limiting vehicle weights or axle weights shall face an additional penalty as follows:
- 5,510 lbs or less – $1.25 for every 110 lbs overweight;
- 5,511 – 11,023 lbs – $2.50 for every 110 lbs overweight;
- 11,024 – 16,534 lbs – $3.75 for every 110 lbs overweight;
- 16,535 or more – $10.00 for every 110 lbs overweight.
Note: Imprisonment for up to six months may be imposed in addition to any other prescribed penalties.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Nova Scotia
The cost of Nova Scotia OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $14 for a single-trip permit and may exceed $1,000 for an annual one.
You may also be charged an application fee for processing and handling your permit request.
For more details: https://novascotia.ca/sns/paal/ndxrmv.asp
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.