Oversize / Overweight Permits in Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Prince Edward Island 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 combinations – 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: 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:
Prince Edward Island Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A general five-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.
For more details:
Prince Edward Island Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
Prince Edward Island doesn’t provide annual OSOW permits, which allow unrestricted movement for up to 365 days.
For more details:
Prince Edward Island Wide Load Requirements
All vehicles/loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) require an oversized permit issued by the Prince Edward Island Department of Transportation.
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:
All oversized vehicles must be equipped with standard “D” signs.
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.
Oversize Pilot Cars and Escort Vehicles Requirements:
Width:
Single-lane highways:
- Loads exceeding 12 feet (3.66 m): One lead pilot is required.
- Loads exceeding 16 feet (4.88 m): One lead pilot and one trail vehicle are required.
Multi-lane highways:
- Loads exceeding 12 feet (3.66 m): One trail vehicle is required.
- Loads between 10 feet (3.05 m) and 12 feet (3.66 m): Night travel permitted with a trail vehicle.
Length:
Single-lane highways:
- Loads over 90 feet (27.5 m): One trail vehicle is required.
Multi-lane highways:
- Loads up to 98 feet 5 inches (30 m): Night travel permitted.
- Loads exceeding 98 feet 5 inches (30 m): One trail vehicle is required.
Front overhang:
- Exceeding 10 feet (3.05 m): One lead pilot is required on all highways.
Rear overhang:
- Exceeding 10 feet (3.05 m): One trail vehicle is required on all highways.
Prince Edward Island Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
OSOW vehicles are not restricted from traveling on highways on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays. However, restrictions may appear on a permit.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Travel is only permitted for daylight hours (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:
Weight restrictions are implemented effective 12:01 AM on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. These restrictions impose limits on the maximum weight permitted for vehicles traveling on specific roads:
- All-weather roads: Vehicles may carry up to their maximum allowable weight – with no overweight exceptions permitted.
- Other roads: Vehicles may carry 75 percent of their maximum allowable weight.
- Posted weight limits: Only the road’s posted weight limit is allowed.
For more details:
Prince Edward Island 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:
No person may operate a motor vehicle on a highway with tires less than 1.6 mm of tread design depth in any three locations measured one hundred and twenty degrees apart.
Every solid rubber tire on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire traction surface at least 25 mm above the edge of the flange or rim on the entire periphery.
Unless specified otherwise by regulations, tires on vehicles traveling on highways must not feature any block, stud, flange, cleat, spike, or other protrusion made of materials other than rubber extending beyond the tire’s traction surface. However, exceptions include the use of farm machinery tires with non-damaging protrusions and the use of tire chains.
Winter tire conditions:
Between October 1 of any given year and May 31 of the following year, it is allowed to utilize tires on a motor vehicle when traveling on the highway, provided that the tires possess studs or protrusions on their periphery made from a material other than rubber. However, these studs or protuberances must not exceed five percent of the tire’s surface area in material other than rubber, and they must not extend more than 3.2 mm beyond the tread surface of the tire. Additionally, it is prohibited to insert such studs or protuberances into tires that are already used or worn.
Prince Edward Island Trip Permits (IRP Permits)
Anyone wishing to operate a non-registered vehicle on a public road in Prince Edward Island may request a single-trip permit, which is valid for 5 days from the date of issue.
Prince Edward Island Fuel Permits (IFTA Permits)
To fulfill your motor fuel use tax requirements, you have the option to acquire a single-trip fuel permit for each jurisdiction you intend to visit. In Prince Edward Island, these permits can be obtained at the highway scale upon entry. It’s advisable to reach out to other jurisdictions before your journey to understand their specific requirements.
Prince Edward Island 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 Prince Edward Island
Oversize and overweight fines in Prince Edward Island depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal requirements.
No OSOW vehicle is allowed to move on a highway without a permit. The Minister or an authorized individual may issue permits upon written application, subject to specified conditions, and must be prominently displayed inside the vehicle.
As outlined in the legislation, violations of this regulation may result in fines ranging from $100 to $500 upon summary conviction.
Overweight fines:
- $150 for up to 20,000 lbs overweight
- $300 for over 20,000 lbs overweight.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Prince Edward Island
The cost of Prince Edward Island OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. The cost of a single-trip permit starts at about $30 and may exceed $300, depending on the nature of the load and vehicle configuration .
You may also be charged an application fee for processing and handling your permit request.
For more details:
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.