Oversize / Overweight Permits in Quebec
Quebec Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Quebec law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversized/overweight load:
Legal Size Limit:
- Width: 8′ 6.37″ (2.6 m.) (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
- Height: 13′ 6″ (4.15 m.) (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
- Overall Length: 75′ (23 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)
- Category 1A: Tridem Drive: 75′ (23 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/C Train Double: 82′ (25 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′ (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′ 6.7″ (2 m.)
Legal Weight Limit:
- Single Axle-dual wheel: 7,100 kg (15,653 lb.)
- Tandem Axle: 10.700 kg (23,589 lb.)
- Tridem Axle: 14,300 kg (31,526 lb.)
- Steering Axle: 10,000 kg (22,046 lb.)
- Gross Vehicle: 28,500 kg (62,832 lb.)
Note: We recommend you double-check the current data with:
Quebec Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
If you have a heavy vehicle (exceeding the legal limits) from another Canadian province or the US used for transporting goods/passengers in Québec, you need a 10-day trip permit. This permit allows travel through or to a specific location in Québec and back. However, if your vehicle is IRP registered with Québec fees paid, no trip permit is needed.
Quebec Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
An annual permit is not listed as an option. However, an outsized vehicle that exceeds axle load, total loaded mass, or dimensions set by the Vehicle Load and Size Limits Regulation requires a special permit, without which it’s prohibited for owners or operators, according to section 463 of the Highway Safety Code.
Quebec Wide Load Requirements
All vehicles/loads wider than 8′ 6.37″ (2.6 m.) from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices, require a special permit.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
Clean flags, either red or fluorescent orange, measuring at least 30 cm square, are mandatory. They must be positioned to wave freely at all four corners of over-width loads and at the farthest points of any protrusions, projections, or overhangs on the permitted vehicle.
Oversize Load Banner Requirements:
All non-escorted oversized vehicles must be equipped with standard truck-width red and white “D” signs.
Oversize Load Sign Requirements:
“Wide Load” banners(signs) from other provinces are also allowed.
Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:
A rotating, strobe, or flashing amber light, visible up to 500 feet, must be installed on the vehicle to alert approaching traffic of potential safety risks. Additionally, red lights are necessary at the rear extremities.
Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:
Front Escort:
When the vehicle width exceeds 3.75 m on a road with multiple lanes.
When the vehicle length exceeds:
- 17 m for a single-unit vehicle.
- 21 m for a crane.
- 27.50 m for a combination of 2 road vehicles, including a crane and a trailer.
- 30 m for a combination of 3 vehicles consisting of a tractor, a hauled dolly, and a semi-trailer, or for a combination of vehicles covered by a Class 2 permit.
When the rear overhang exceeds specified limits.
Rear Escort:
When the vehicle width exceeds 3.75 m on a road with a single lane.
When the vehicle width exceeds 3.10 m (but not exceeding 3.75 m) and travels at night on a single-lane road, except for snow removal vehicles meeting certain conditions.
When the vehicle height exceeds 4.50 m.
When the front overhang exceeds specified limits.
Two Escort Vehicles:
When the vehicle width exceeds 4.40 m on a single-lane road.
When one escort vehicle is required both in front and behind the escorted vehicle, meeting specific conditions.
Escort Vehicle Requirements:
- Must have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 4,500 kg.
- Must be equipped with visible flares, lamps, or reflectors up to 300 m.
- Must have either 2 amber lights spaced at least 1 m apart with a 360º range or 3 amber lights with specific specifications. The lights must operate at a rate of 60 to 90 cycles per minute and meet minimum visibility requirements.
Quebec Wide Load Restrictions
All loads wider than 8′ 6.37″ (2.6 m.) are subject to the following restrictions:
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
Unless otherwise mentioned in Quebec wide load permits, Travel is restricted on Sundays and all legal holidays.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Travel with oversized vehicles/loads is generally allowed only during daylight hours, within 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, Monday through Saturday. Night travel requires a permit.
Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:
Quebec provides specific bridge restrictions, which may vary depending on the bridge type. As for the oversized 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:
In Quebec, there are three Thaw Zones with varying load limit reduction periods:
- Zone 1: March 7th to May 6th
- Zone 2: March 14th to May 13th
- Zone 3: March 21st to May 20th
Dates may change due to weather. Check the Ministry of Transportation’s website for updates. Load restrictions are detailed in the Quebec Vehicle Load and Size Limits Regulation. Examples of reduced axle weights include tandem axles down to 15,500 kg from 18,800 kg, tridem axles down to 18,000 kg from 21,000 kg, and more.
Quebec Wide Load Limits
Quebec sticks to the width limit of 8′ 6.37″ (2.6 m.). Everything wider requires a permit to be moved on public roads.
Maximum Load Limits Until a Trucking Permit Is Required:
8′ 6.37″ (2.6 m.) (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
Axle Weight Limits:
Legal axle weight limit:
- Single Axle-dual wheel: 7,100 kg (15,653 lb.)
- Tandem Axle: 10.700 kg (23,589 lb.)
- Tridem Axle: 14,300 kg (31,526 lb.)
- Steering Axle: 10,000 kg (22,046 lb.)
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
The maximum permitted axle weight varies depending on the permit type.
Single axle weight limits:
- 9,100 kg (20,062 lb) on primary highways
- 8,200 kg (18,077 lb) on secondary and municipal highways
- 10,000 kg (22,046 lb) during winter weight season
Single-half axle unit weight limits:
- 12,750 kg (28,109 lb) on primary highways
- 10,875 kg (23,975 lb) on secondary and municipal highways
- 13,500 kg (29,762 lb) during winter weight season
Wide-spread tandem axle group weight limits:
- 9,100 kg (20,062 lb) on primary highways
- 8,200 kg (18,077 lb) on secondary and municipal highways
- 10,000 kg (22,046 lb) during winter weight season
Tandem axle group weight limits:
- 17,000 kg (34,478 lb) on primary highways
- 14,500 kg (31,967 lb) on secondary and municipal highways
- 18,000 kg (39,683 lb) during winter weight season
Tridem axle group weight limits:
- Varies based on axle spread, ranging from 20,000 kg (44,092 lb) to 24,000 kg (52,910 lb) on primary highways
Multiple axle group weight limits:
- 17,000 kg (34,478 lb) for three or more axles with 12 or more tires
- 15,000 kg (33,069 lb) for three or more axles with fewer than 12 tires
A-train or C-train weight limits:
- Varies based on axle spacing, up to 23,000 kg (50,706 lb) for a single axle and tandem axle group combination
End dump semi-trailer weight limits:
- Varies based on manufacturing date and interaxle spacing, ranging from 30,000 kg (66,138 lb) to 35,000 kg (77,161 lb) during the winter weight season.
For more information:
Oversize Tire Regulations:
The maximum allowable weight per tire, excluding those on a steering axle of a bus, truck, or truck tractor, is 10 kilograms (22 lb) per millimeter of tire width, based on the manufacturer’s specified width marked on the tire, with a cap at 3000 kilograms (6614 lb).
Quebec Trip Permits
If you have a heavy vehicle registered in another Canadian province or territory or in the United States, and you’re using it for transportation in Québec, you need a trip permit. This permit is valid for 10 days and allows your vehicle to travel through or within Québec. However, if your vehicle is registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP permits) and Québec fees are paid, a trip permit is not necessary.
Quebec Fuel Permits
If you’re subject to IFTA but lack an IFTA license, you’ll need a certificate for occasional trips from your base jurisdiction and every other member jurisdiction you travel in. This certificate must be obtained before each trip and kept in your vehicle.
The certificate allows travel in the issuing member jurisdiction without fulfilling IFTA obligations such as quarterly fuel tax returns. Keep the certificate in your qualified motor vehicle.
For temporary registration, a temporary 1-month certificate can be issued by the SAAQ or a dealer to allow operation on Québec roads for a limited period, applicable even for vehicles not connected to the Québec road network.
Quebec Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
Mobile Home and Modular Home Permits:
There is no official information referring to mobile home or manufactured house permits.
Amber Light Permits:
Vehicles escorting oversize loads shall be equipped with amber warning lights.
Loading Zone Permits:
A loading zone permit may be issued for using commercial loading zones by non-commercial delivery vehicles.
Special Permits:
The Ministry of Transportation imposes restrictions on vehicle loads and dimensions to safeguard infrastructure integrity and prioritize the safety of all road users.
Under the Highway Safety Code, vehicles adhering to authorized load and size specifications outlined in the Vehicle Load and Size Limits Regulation can freely traverse Québec’s road network.
In cases where a vehicle or combination thereof cannot meet Regulation requirements, acquiring a special permit offers a potential solution.
For more information about specialty permits:
Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Quebec
Oversize and overweight fines in Quebec depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight.
Violations related to overweight conditions involve:
Operating or driving a heavy vehicle on public roads despite being prohibited or failing to meet conditions related to the “conditional” safety rating results in fines ranging from $500 to $1,500 for a first offense and $1,500 to $2,500 for subsequent offenses.
Fines for overweight conditions are as follows:
- 0 – 5,511 lb: $90 – $270
- 5,511 – 16,084 lb: $175 – $525
- 16,084 – 22,046 lb: $350 – $1,050.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Quebec
The cost of Quebec 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.