Federal & State Regulations | Oversize/overweight permits - British Columbia

When a Permit Is Required

Owners or operators of vehicles, combination of vehicles, or vehicle loads that exceed legal size and weight limits must obtain a special permit to operate on the highways in the Province of British Columbia.

Note: The maximum allowable weight on tandem axles granted by an overload permit is limited to 23,000 kilograms and on single axles is limited to 11,000 kilograms. The maximum allowable weight on a tridem axle for TAC vehicles, granted by an overload permit is 28,000 kilograms (2.4 to 3.0 metres axle spread) or 29,000 kilograms (over 3.0 to 3.7 metres axle spread).

Application Procedure

Oversize or overload permit may be obtained at the first inspection station encountered after entering British Columbia; however, phoning ahead is required for approval. For loads picked up in British Columbia or on a point-to-point operation in British Columbia, a permit number must be obtained prior to operating.

Types of Permits

With the permit the province may issue an attachment (Form CVSE1000) that becomes an integral part of the permit and specifies certain conditions, like routes or bridges not to be traveled and time of day.

Overload permit - An overload permit must be obtained for any vehicle or combination of vehicles, with or without load, in excess of the weight allowed by Table 1 or in excess of the gross weight for which the vehicle is licensed. The province will only issue an overload permit when loads are not reducible or when a vehicle is not licensed up to its allowable weight.

Oversize permit - An oversize permit for vehicles and/or loads exceeding the legal dimensions must be obtained and is only issued for loads not readily reducible in size.

The duration of an oversize or overload permit is normally for a single trip.

LCV permits are available; see www.th.gov.bc.ca/forms/getForm.aspx?formId=1260.

Scale of Fees

Oversize Permit, Single Trip, valid for up to 7 days, one-way — $15 (round-trip permits are $30)

For each oversize term permit not exceeding one month — $30

OVERLOAD PERMIT FEES

Overload in kg	Fee for each 10 km of operation or fraction thereof (minimum $25)
0 -2 000	$ .95
2 001-3 000	1.15
3 001-4 000	1.40
4 001-5 000	1.60
5 001-6 000	1.85
6 001-7 000	2.15
7 001-8 000	2.45
8 001-9 000	2.95
9 001-10 000	3.35
10 001-11 000	3.75
11 001-12 000	4.25
12 001-13 000	4.95
13 001-14 000	5.60
14 001-15 000	6.25
15 001-16 000	7.25
16 001-17 000	8.25
17 001-18 000	9.15
18 001-19 000	10.10
19 001-20 000	10.90
20 001-21 000	11.85
21 001-22 000	12.70
22 001-23 000	13.95
23 001-24 000	14.95
24 001-25 000	16.10
25 001-26 000	17.85
26 001-27 000	19.85
27 001-28 000	21.40

The fee payable for overload permits issued to vehicles exceeding 28,000 kilograms is $21.40 plus $1.85 for each 900 kilograms or portion thereof exceeding 28,000 kilograms, for each 10 kilometres of operation or fraction thereof. The amount due for each overload permit issued shall be rounded to the nearest dollar, and any amount ending in $0.50 is raised to the next highest dollar.

If a movement is both oversize and overweight, the fee is $15 plus the overload fee as calculated from the table above.

Insurance Requirements

Prior to issuing a permit, the Minister of Transportation and Highways may require an applicant to deposit funds sufficient to pay the cost of repairing any damage to highways, highway structures, or other public structures that may occur as a result of the move.

Permitted Vehicle Limitations

Non-TAC vehicle permits will be issued to straight trucks manufactured prior to January 31, 1993, and full trailer combinations and truck-tractor semi-trailer combinations manufactured prior to August 31, 1988.

Width - The operator of any vehicle, combination of vehicles, or load that exceeds the legal width limit must obtain an oversize permit before operating in the province. Permits are generally issued for non-reducible loads only. Permits for loads exceeding 4.4 metres wide are not normally issued. For permits exceeding that width limit, applicants must write the Manager, Commercial Transport Division, and give details of the commodity to be moved and the reasons why it cannot be reduced in size.

Overwidth loads up to 3.2 metres do not require a pilot car and may travel during the hours of darkness as well as during the day providing they are properly lighted.

Height - The operator of any vehicle or load that exceeds the legal height limits must obtain an oversize permit before entering British Columbia.

No other specific regulations are issued governing overheight movements. The maximum height allowed under permit is apparently determined by route.

Length - An oversize permit must be obtained for the movement of any vehicle, combination, or load that exceeds legal length limits. Special permits are issued only for loads that are non-reducible.

For non-TAC vehicles an oversize permit is required if the rear overhang measured from the center of the last axle of the vehicle (not including booster axles) exceeds 5.0 metres. Permits to exceed legal rear overhang are not issued for vehicles/loads on the first semi-trailer of an A, B, or C train; however, a front projection up to 3.0 metres maximum will be permitted on the second semitrailer of the B train.

Overweight

The operator of any vehicle or combination of vehicles or load that exceeds the legal weight allowed must secure an overload permit to move over highways in the Province of British Columbia. Carriers who don’t exceed legal weight limits but do exceed their registered gross weight must also obtain an overload permit. Overload permits are usually available for non-reducible loads and all inquiries must be made well in advance of anticipated movement.

The maximum tandem axle weight granted by a permit is 23,000 kilograms.

The maximum allowable weight on a tridem axle for TAC vehicles, granted by an overload permit, is 28,000 kilograms (2.4 to 3.0 metres axle spread), or 29,000 kilograms (over 3.0 to 3.7 metres axle spread).

Weight on groups of axles is governed by the Bridge Formula which can restrict maximum axle weights. During Spring Road Restrictions, no overload permits are issued for axle overloads.

Sign requirements

Where conditions of an oversize or overload permit prescribe that signs, flags, or lights be provided by the permittee, the standards for equipment set forth below must be complied with, unless otherwise prescribed by the conditions of the permit.

Signs: Required on Oversize Vehicle/Load:

Up to and including 3.2 metres wide - signs not required.
Over 3.2 metres wide and up to 3.5 metres wide load - “D” sign or Oversize Load sign required front and rear.
Over 3.5 metres wide - Wide Load, Oversize Load or “D” sign required front and rear on pilot car.
Over 25 to 27.5 metres in length - Long Load, Oversize Load, or “D” sign required front and rear.
Over 27.5 metres in length - Long Load, Oversize Load or “D” signs required front and rear plus on the pilot car.

Where an oversize or overload permit requires a sign be provided on the vehicle or load, the sign must satisfy the following:

Be a panel that:
- Is 150 x 30 centimetres;
- Has black lettering on a yellow background;
- Has letters of 20 centimetres in height and 3 centimetre stroke; and
- Contains only the words WIDE LOAD or, in the case of overlength vehicles, LONG LOAD; or OVERSIZE LOAD, or
Be depicted according to Table 2, following:
Notes:
1. All dimensions are shown in centimetres.
2. Shaded areas are RED.
3. Unshaded areas are WHITE.
4. Both colors are made reflective with retro-reflective sheeting that meets the requirements of the Canadian Standards Board:
  - CGSB STANDARD 62-GP-11M
  - Class 1 or Class 2
  - Level 2
  - RED
  - WHITE
5. The letter “D” shall be 20 centimetres in height and have a nominal 3 centimetre stroke.
  For mobile homes and modular buildings that exceed 3.5 metres in width, in addition to the requirements outlined above, permittees must display on the rear of the mobile or modular home a sign that:
  - Has a yellow background with red reflective lettering;
  - Has letters of not less than 15 centimetres in height and 3 centimetre stroke; and
  - Reads “CAUTION-MAY SLOW OR STOP UNEXPECTEDLY.”

Flags and lighting requirements

Flags

Red or orange flags are required on oversized loads as follows:

Width in excess of 2.6 metres - one flag on all four corners or projections.
Projections - in excess of 1.2 metres to the rear or one metre to the front required for travel during daylight.
When two loads/trailers are oversize (e.g., B-train), flags or lights must be displayed on all four corners of each load/trailer.

Lights

Mobile homes and modular buildings must be equipped with two flashing sealed-beam amber lamps not less than 15 centimetres in diameter mounted on the upper two corners, facing to the rear. When authorized to travel during darkness, the towing unit and mobile or modular home must either be equipped with and operate a 32 candela flood-lamp, which must be mounted on the hitch or frame within 60 centimetres of the mobile or modular home, so that the light illuminates the upper portion of the home, or the towing vehicle must be equipped with and operate one or two rotating or strobe lights, amber in color.

When oversize vehicles/loads are authorized by permit to travel at night, these vehicles shall be lighted as follows:

Front projections - white lights (MVAR 4.20)	Rear projections - red light (MVAR 4.20)
Front extremities - amber lights	Overwidth vehicles/loads (MVAR 4.22)
Rear extremities - red lights

Escort and Flagperson Requirements

Escorts

Where conditions of an oversize or overload permit prescribe that pilot cars (escorts) be provided by the permittee, the standards for equipment set forth below must be complied with, unless otherwise prescribed by the conditions of the permit.

Escort cars must be private passenger motor vehicles or commercial vehicles of a gross weight not exceeding 5,500 kilograms.

When escorting a vehicle or vehicle and load in excess of 27.5 metres in length and less than 3.2 metres in width, pilot cars must also be equipped with a roof-mounted LONG LOAD, OVERSIZE LOAD, or “D” sign that complies with the following:

The sign shall have a box that:
- Is 180 centimetres x 35 centimetres x 10 centimetres;
- Has an outside surface covered with baked enamel;
- Has an inside surface of white baked enamel that gives good reflective quality;
- Has 8 lamps mounted in it and spaced so as to give even lighting of the sign back-ground; and
- Shelters all wire connectors, switches, flashers, and similar wiring components for the lighting attached to it.
The sign must also be double-faced on 3 millimetre plexiglass background that
- Has, for a WIDE LOAD or OVERSIZE LOAD sign, a yellow background and black lettering of 28 centimetre in height and 4 centimetre stroke; or
- In a “D” sign, as depicted in Table 3 below.
The lamps referred to above must have a rating of 12.5 volts, minimum 5 candela, and design amps.
The sign box referred to must
1. Have mounted on it 2 amber lamps (one at each end) that:
  - Have a two-way light design,
  - Are at least 17.75 centimetres in diameter,
  - Meet C.S.A. Standard D-106.1 1972, and
  - Flash at 60-90 flashes per minute; or -include the mounting of 2 standard 203 millimetre rotating amber or strobe lights (one at each end with two sealed beam units per lamp) on the pilot car sign, and
2. Be designed to mount on car-top carriers or equal mountings; and
3. Have an upright position and folded horizontal position.
  Notes:
  1. All dimensions are shown in centimeters.
  2. Shaded areas are RED.
  3. Unshaded areas are WHITE.
  4. The letter “D” must be 20 centimetres in height and have a nominal 3 centimetre stroke

When escorting an oversize vehicle or load on a two-lane or three-lane highway, a pilot car must precede the oversize vehicle or load at a distance of not less than 100 metres nor more than 500 metres. When escorting an oversize vehicle or load on a four-lane or divided highway, the pilot car must follow the oversize vehicle or load at a distance of not less than 100 metres nor more than 500 metres. However, a pilot car must, when necessary, precede the oversize vehicle or load through tunnels, structures, etc., at an adequate distance so as to provide ample warning for oncoming vehicles.

Towing units and pilot cars must be equipped with compatible two-way radios and be in constant communication with one another during the oversize movement.

For mobile or modular home movements, only one pilot car is required when an approved “D” sign is displayed on the rear of the structure. Otherwise two pilot cars are required. The province may require additional pilot cars depending on the route to be traveled.

More information on pilot car requirements can be found in general permit conditions forms CVSE1000, CVSE1001, and CVSE1002.

Flagpersons

Provincial regulations don’t specify anything about flagpersons, though it’s likely that for some moves the province may require them.

Oversize

Width - For overwidth movements of vehicles and/or loads up to 3.2 metres, pilot cars are not required; over 3.2 to 3.8 metres, one pilot car required. Additional pilot cars may be required depending upon the route to be traveled and nature of the load.

Pilot cars for loads 3.2 to 3.5 metres may be exempted if the towing unit is equipped with and operating a revolving amber light and displays a WIDE LOAD or “D” sign to the front and rear.

Height - For movements that are overheight only, the province does not specify that pilot cars be used. It is likely, however, that if the movement affects traffic safety more than usual, then the province will require a pilot car.

Length - For movements of overlength loads up to 27.5 metres, no pilot car is required; over 27.5 metres, at least one pilot car required. Additional pilot cars may be required depending on the route to be traveled and the nature of the load.

Overweight

Pilot cars are not normally required for loads that are overweight only.

Travel Restrictions

The province may allow movement of oversize loads at night provided the extremities of the vehicle and load are properly lighted.

Drivers of oversize loads must pull off the highway wherever possible to allow following vehicles to pass. There must be no overtaking of any overdimensional loads or vehicles on any highway by any other overdimensional load or vehicle.

Except as required by permit, there must be no convoying of overwidth loads.

When inclement weather conditions obscure people or vehicles on a highway at a distance of 100 meters, permits are invalid.

Weekend and Holiday Restrictions - Unless expressly permitted by the conditions of a permit, no person shall drive or operate an oversize vehicle or load in excess of 3.2 metres on a Sunday or general holiday. No moves are permitted from 2 p.m. of any day preceding a general holiday to daylight of the day following the general holiday. General holidays include:

New Year’s Day	Thanksgiving Day
Good Friday	Remembrance Day
Victoria Day	Christmas Day
BC Day	Boxing Day

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Oversize/overweight permits - British Columbia

When a Permit Is Required

Application Procedure

Types of Permits

Scale of Fees

Insurance Requirements

Permitted Vehicle Limitations

Overweight

Sign requirements

Flags and lighting requirements

Flags

Lights

Escort and Flagperson Requirements

Escorts

Flagpersons

Oversize

Overweight

Travel Restrictions