Oversize / Overweight Permits in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Oversize/Overweight Regulations
According to Saskatchewan 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)
- 10′ 0.08″ (3.05 m) in the case of a house trailer and only if the house trailer is being moved between sunrise and sunset
Length:
- Single unit – 41′ 0.13″ (12.5 m)
- Vehicle combination – 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)
- Articulated bus – 65′ 7.40″ (20.0 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)
Hitch offset:
- single or tandem axle – 5′ 10.87″ (1.8 m)
- tridem axle – 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m)
Height:
- 13′ 7.39″ (4.15 m)
Legal Weight Limit:
- Single axle on a primary highway: 20,062 lbs (9,100 kg)
- Single-half axle unit on a primary highway: 28,109 lbs (12,750 kg)
- Wide-spread tandem axle group on a primary highway: 20,062 lbs (9,100 kg)
- Tandem axle group on a primary highway: 37,479 lbs (17,000 kg)
- Maximum for a tridem axle group (depending on specific conditions): 52,911 lbs (24,000 kg)
- Multiple axle group with 12 or more tires: 37,479 lbs (17,000 kg)
- Multiple axle group with fewer than 12 tires: 33,069 lbs (15,000 kg)
For more details, please see:https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/31363
Saskatchewan Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A general single-trip permit (3 up to 9 days) 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 need to request a return trip permit.
For more details:
Saskatchewan Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
There is no information regarding permits that allow unrestricted movement for up to 365 days.
For more details:
Saskatchewan Wide Load Requirements
All vehicles/loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) require an oversized permit issued by the Saskatchewan Department of Transportation.
Oversize Load Flag Requirements:
All sides and extremities of oversized vehicles and loads must be marked with red or orange flags of at least 30 cm (12”) by 30 cm (12”).
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.
The furthest point at the back of the protruding load needs to be indicated with a red lamp that can be seen from both the rear and sides.
Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:
Escort Required:
Overwidth:
- 3.851 m – 4.29 m: Escort required both front and rear at night on 2 and 4-lane highways.
- 4.3 m – 4.45 m:
- Day: 1 front escort on 2 lane, 1 rear on 4 lane.
- Night: 1 front and 1 rear escort on both 2 and 4-lane highways.
- 4.451 m – 4.99 m:
- Day: 1 front escort on 2 lane, 1 rear on 4 lane.
- 5 m – 5.49 m:
- Day: 1 front and 1 rear on 2 lane, 1 rear on 4 lane.
- 5.5 m – 6.39 m:
- Day: 1 front and 1 rear on both 2 and 4-lane highways.
- 6.4 m – 7.29 m:
- Day: 2 front and 1 rear on 2 lane, 1 front and 1 rear on 4 lane.
- 7.3 m and over:
- Day: 2 front and 1 rear on 2 lane, 1 front and 2 rear on 4 lane.
Overlength:
- 34.01 m – 38.0 m: 1 rear during the day on 2-lane highways, 1 rear at night on all highways.
- 38.01 m – 42.0 m: Varies between 1 rear, 1 front and rear, depending on the state of the load and highway type.
- Over 42.0 m: 1 front and 1 rear during the day on 2 lane, 1 rear on 4 lane.
Overhang:
- 6.5 m – 9.0 m: 1 rear escort both day and night on all highways.
- Over 9.0 m: 1 front and 1 rear during the day on all highways.
Loads on Hwy 102 and 905 North of La Ronge:
- Widths 3.0 m – 4.0 m and over 4.0 m have specific requirements, including additional escorts if passing lanes are reduced.
Equipment and Operation Requirements
Equipment on Escort Vehicle:
- Stop/slow paddle or red flag, brightly colored vest/jacket, fire extinguisher (5BC rating), flares/lanterns/reflectors, and a mounted sign (“D”, “Wide Load”, “Long Load”, “Oversize Load”) with specific visibility and construction requirements.
- Must also have two 175 mm flashing amber outboard lights and two amber inboard rotating/flashing lights as per SAE Standard J595.
Operation of Escort Vehicle:
- Distance from the over-dimensional load: at least 300 meters ahead or not more than 300 meters behind.
- Cannot tow any trailers/vehicles or carry loads that obstruct lights/signs or the operator’s view.
Note: There can be additional escort requirements specified in the permit.
Saskatchewan Wide Load Restrictions
Oversize Holiday Restrictions:
All loads wider than 8′ 6.36″ (2.6 m) are subject to the following restrictions:
Fridays
- Restrictions apply from the Friday before Victoria Day (May) until Labour Day (September).
- No restrictions before 3:00 p.m.
- Maximum width of 3.85m and/or maximum length of 42m after 3:00 p.m.
- Rear effective overhang cannot exceed 9m.
Sundays
- Restrictions apply all year.
- No restrictions before 12:00 p.m.
- Maximum width of 3.85m and/or maximum length of 42m after 12:00 p.m.
- Rear effective overhang cannot exceed 9m.
Public Holidays (including December 24, 27, and 31)
- No restrictions before 12:00 p.m.
- Maximum width of 3.85m and/or maximum length of 42m after 12:00 p.m.
- Rear effective overhang cannot exceed 9m.
The Day Prior to a Public Holiday
- If a public holiday falls on a day other than Monday, travel is restricted as follows:
- No restrictions before 3:00 p.m.
- Maximum width of 3.85m and/or maximum length of 42m after 3:00 p.m.
- If a holiday falls on a Monday, Sunday restrictions apply.
When a Public Holiday Falls on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday
- Travel is restricted on the Friday before a public holiday.
- No restrictions before 3:00 p.m.
- Maximum width of 3.85m and/or maximum length of 42m after 3:00 p.m.
Night Travel (sunset to sunrise)
- Maximum width of 4.45m and/or maximum length of 42m.
- Loads over 3.85m require both a lead and trail escort vehicle on all highways.
- Maximum height of 5.18m.
Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:
Moves are generally allowed from sunrise to sunset, excluding restricted 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 Winter Weight Season is active on many Saskatchewan roads, as stated by the provincial Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure, with spring restrictions usually starting in March.
- For highways with spring load restrictions: Steering axles can carry up to 10 kg/mm (560 lb. per inch) of tire width, capped at 3,000 kg (6,612 lb.) per wheel and 5,500 kg (12,120 lb.) per axle. Straight trucks on primary highways can have up to 7,250 kg (16,000 lb.) on the steering axle if the tires are the correct size.
- Other wheels are limited to 6.25 kg/mm (350 lb. per inch) of tire width, with a maximum of 1,650 kg (3,636 lb.) per wheel.
For more details:
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/ministries/highways
Saskatchewan 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:
Single axle:
- Primary Highway: 9,100 kg (20,062.04 lbs)
- Secondary/Municipal Highway: 8,200 kg (18,077.88 lbs)
- Winter Season: 10,000 kg (22,046.2 lbs)
Single-half axle unit:
- Primary Highway: 12,750 kg (28,108.9 lbs)
- Secondary/Municipal Highway: 10,875 kg (23,975.24 lbs)
- Winter Season: 13,500 kg (29,762.37 lbs)
Wide-spread tandem axle group (excluding semi-trailers):
- Primary Highway: 9,100 kg (20,062.04 lbs)
- Secondary/Municipal Highway: 8,200 kg (18,077.88 lbs)
- Winter Season: 10,000 kg (22,046.2 lbs)
Tandem axle group:
- Primary Highway: 17,000 kg (37,478.54 lbs)
- Secondary/Municipal Highway: 14,500 kg (31,966.99 lbs)
- Winter Season: 18,000 kg (39,683.16 lbs)
Tridem axle group:
- Based on Axle Spread, with maximums of up to 24,000 kg (52,910.88 lbs) on specific highways or conditions.
Multiple axle group:
- With 12 or more tires: 17,000 kg (37,478.54 lbs)
- With fewer than 12 tires: 15,000 kg (33,069.3 lbs)
The maximum permitted axle weight limit:
- Per-axle weight depends on the axle configuration and the type of permit
Oversize Tire Regulations:
- General limit: 10 kg/mm of tire width, up to 3,000 kg (6,613.86 lbs).
- For steering axles: 10 kg/mm of tire width.
- For truck tractors with a single/tandem drive axle: The maximum steering axle weight is 6,000 kg (13,227.72 lbs).
- For truck tractors with a tridem drive axle group: The maximum steering axle weight is 7,300 kg (16,093.73 lbs).
- For self-propelled equipment: 10 kg/mm of tire width, up to 5,500 kg (12,125.41 lbs).
- For tires ≥445mm width: Varied limits based on highway type, up to 4,550 kg on specified primary highways.
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.
Saskatchewan Trip Permits
If you operate out of Saskatchewan and travel in at least one additional IRP jurisdiction with a vehicle primarily intended for transporting goods or passengers for hire, you have the option to register your vehicle(s) proportionally (obtain an IRP (single-trip) permit).
Saskatchewan Fuel Permits
Fuel Tax reporting is required from all inter-jurisdictional trucking firms that travel in Saskatchewan with commercial motor vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight of 11,797 kilograms or more (26,000 lbs).
IFTA permits are available for purchase if the carrier is not affiliated with the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).
Saskatchewan Specialty Permits
The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.
40 km Radius Permits:
Registration for radius permits is granted to vehicles meeting the following criteria:
- The vehicle operates within a 40 km radius from the loading point in Saskatchewan.
- The vehicle remains within the confines of Saskatchewan’s borders.
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 Saskatchewan
Oversize and overweight fines in Saskatchewan depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal requirements.
Highway Officers enforce transport regulations, including weight and dimension rules for commercial vehicles on provincial highways. Vehicles found overweight can result in significant fines ranging from $100 to $500, based on the excess weight. Fines for exceeding weight limits start at $35 plus $10 for each 110 pounds or fraction thereof over the legal weight.
Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Saskatchewan
The cost of Saskatchewan OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. The basic single-trip permits start at $11 plus registration fees.
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.