Legal size and weight limits

Dimension	Limit
Overall Height Limit	Maximum 4.15 m (13 ft 6 in.)⁴
Overall Width Limit	Maximum 2.6 m ^1,2,5 (8 ft 6 in.)
Overall Length Limits⁷
Tractor Semitrailer	Maximum 23 m ^3,6 (75 ft 6 in.)
A and C Train Doubles	Maximum 25 m (80 ft)
B Train Doubles	27.5 m (90 ft)
Truck - Pony trailer Combination	Maximum 23 m
Truck - Full Trailer Combination	Maximum 23 m
Box Length Limit⁷
A, B and C Train Doubles	Maximum 20.0 m
Truck - Pony Trailer Combination	Maximum 20.0 m
Truck - Full Trailer Combination	Maximum 20.0 m
Trailer Length Limits⁷
Semitrailer	Maximum 16.2 m
Full Trailer	Maximum 12.5 m
Pony Trailer	Maximum 12.5 m (41 ft)
¹ An outside rear-vision mirror may extend up to 300 millimetres on each side of a vehicle or combination of vehicles. ² Auxiliary equipment or devices not designed or used to carry cargo may extend up to 100 millimetres on each side of a vehicle or combination of vehicles. ³ A tractor semi-trailer while being used to transport poles, pipe or material that cannot be dismembered shall have a maximum overall length limit of 25 metres. ⁴ A tractor semitrailer designed and used as an auto carrier cannot exceed 4.15 m unloaded or 4.3 m loaded. The driver must ensure the vehicle can safely pass under overpasses or other structures (such as power lines). ⁵ On a tractor semitrailer designed and used as an auto carrier, a load that overhangs the front or rear of the tractor semi-trailer must not have an overall width that exceeds 2.1 m. ⁶ Tractor semitrailers designed and used as an auto carrier cannot exceed a length of 23 m unloaded or 25 m loaded. ⁷ Length does not include any extension caused by an aerodynamic device installed at the rear of the truck, trailer, or semi-trailer if any portion of the device more than 1.9 m above the ground does not protrude beyond a transverse plane starting from the rear bottom edge of the rear impact guard or, if not so equipped, the lowest point at the rear of the vehicle and intersecting with a point that is 1.74 m above the ground and 1.21 m behind the rear of the vehicle, and more than 1.52 m beyond the rear of the vehicle to which it is attached, any portion of the device within 1.9 m of the ground does not protrude; the device complies with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 223, as amended, made under the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Act; the device does not obstruct or diminish lighting and conspicuity markings required by the Act and its regulations; the device is not designed or used for carrying cargo; and the device is capable of being folded to within 0.305 m of the rear of the vehicle.

Dimensional Controls — Wheelbases, Interaxle Spacings, Overhangs, Setback and Track Width
Dimension	Limit
Tractor Wheelbase	Maximum 6.2 m⁶
Trailer Wheelbase
Semitrailer	Minimum 6.25 m/Max. 12.5 m
Full Trailer	Minimum 6.25 m
Pony Trailer	Minimum 6.25 m
Effective Rear Overhang
Straight Truck	Maximum 4.0 m
Semitrailer	Maximum 35% of wheelbase⁷
Full Trailer	Maximum 35% of wheelbase
Pony Trailer	Maximum 4.0 m
Rear Overhang¹	Maximum 2.0 m ⁸
Front Overhang²	Maximum 1.0 m
Kingpin Setback (Semi-trailer)	Maximum 2.0 m radius
Track Width
Semitrailer, Full Trailer and Pony Trailer	2.5 m/ Maximum 2.6 m⁵
Minimum Interaxle Spacing Requirements³
Single Axle to Single Axle	Minimum 3.0 m ⁴
Single Axle to Tandem Axle	Minimum 3.0 m ⁴
Single Axle to Tridem Axle	Minimum 5.0 m
Tandem Axle to Tandem Axle	Minimum 5.0 m
Tandem Axle to Tridem Axle	Minimum 5.5 m
¹ Cargo may overhang the rear, if the overall length and effective rear overhang limits are respected. Red warning flags are required on the rear of the cargo when the rear overhang exceeds 1.0 metres. ² Cargo may overhang the front, if the overall length limit for the vehicle or vehicle combination is not exceeded, and in the case of a semitrailer, the cargo does not extend beyond a 2.0 metres radius about the kingpin. ³ A vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not comply with the minimum interaxle spacing requirements, but that complies with all other dimensional limits, will be subject to a reduction in the maximum gross vehicle weight limit of 1,000 kilograms for each 0.5 metres shortfall, or part thereof, in required interaxle spacing. ⁴ The minimum interaxle spacing requirement must always be met by a truck and a tractor. ⁵For a semitrailer, a full trailer, and a pony trailer retrofitted with single tries equal to or greater than 445 millimetres in width, the minimum track width is 2.3 metres. ⁶ A tractor wheelbase can be up to a maximum of 7.2 m, if the wheelbase of the semitrailer is not greater than the wheelbase as set out in Schedule A-1. ⁷ A tractor semitrailer designed and being used as an auto carrier must not have a rear overhang that exceeds 35% of the wheelbase when not loaded and 42% of the wheelbase when loaded. ⁸ A tractor semitrailer designed and being used as an auto carrier must not have a rear overhang that exceeds 1.2 m.

Axle weight limits
Axle Type	Application	Spread Range	Weight Limit
Steering	Straight Truck	N/A	8000 kg¹
	Intercity Bus	N/A	7250 kg¹
	Tractor	N/A	5500 kg¹
Tandem Steering ²	Straight Truck	1.2 m to 1.85 m	16 000 kg
Tandem (single tires <445 mm) (including tandem equivalent axle)	Straight Truck Tractor, Trailer, and Semitrailer	less than 1.2 m	9100 kg
		1.2 m to 1.85 m	12 000 kg
		greater than 1.85 m	12 000 kg
Tandem (single tires = or >445 mm) (including tandem equivalent axle)	Straight Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Semitrailer	less than 1.2 m	9100 kg
		1.2 m to 1.85 m	15 400 kg
		greater than 1.85 m	15 400 kg
Tandem (single tires < 445 mm and dual tires) (including tandem equivalent axle)	Straight Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Semitrailer	less than 1.2 m	9100 kg
		1.2 m to 1.85 m	15 000 kg
		greater than 1.85 m	15 000 kg
Tandem (single tires = or >445 mm and dual tires) (including tandem equivalent axle)	Straight Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Semitrailer	less than 1.2 m	9100 kg
		1.2 m to 1.85 m	16 700 kg
		greater than 1.85 m	16 700 kg
Tandem (dual tires) (including tandem equivalent axle)	Straight Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Semitrailer	less than 1.2 m	9100 kg
		1.2 m to 1.85 m	18 000 kg
		greater than 1.85 m	18 000 kg
Tridem (single tires < 445 mm) (including tridem equivalent axle)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	12 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	18 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	18 000 kg
		3.6 m to 3.7 m	18 000 kg
		greater than 3.7 m	12 000 kg¹¹
Tridem (single tires = or >445 mm) (including tridem equivalent axle)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	15 400 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	21 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	23 100 kg
		3.6 m to 3.7 m	23 100 kg
		greater than 3.7 m	15 400 kg¹⁴
Tridem (lead axle with single tires < 445 mm and 2 axles with duals) (including tridem equivalent axle)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	18 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	20 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	22 000 kg
		3.6 m to 3.7 m	23 324 kg
		greater than 3.7 m	18 000 kg¹⁵
Tridem (lead axle with single tires = or > 445 mm and 2 axles with duals) (including tridem equivalent axle)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	18 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	21 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	23 700 kg
		3.6 m to 3.7 m	25 034 kg
		greater than 3.7 m	18 000 kg¹⁷
Tridem (dual tires) (including tridem equivalent axle)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	18 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	21 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	24 000 kg
		3.6 m to 3.7 m	26 000 kg
		greater than 3.7 m	18 000 kg⁶
Triaxle (single tires < 445 mm)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	9100 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	12 000 kg¹¹
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	12 000 kg¹¹
		3.6 m to 4.9 m	12 000 kg¹¹
Triaxle (single tires = or > 445 mm)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	9100 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	15 400 kg⁴
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	15 400 kg¹⁴
		3.6 m to 4.9 m	15 400 kg¹⁴
Triaxle (lead axle with single tires < 445 mm and 2 axles with duals)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	9100 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	18 000 kg¹²
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	18 000 kg¹³
		3.6 m to 4.9 m	18 000 kg¹⁵
Triaxle (lead axle with single tires = or > 445 mm and 2 axles with duals)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	9100 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	18 000 kg⁴
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	18 000 kg¹⁶
		3.6 m to 4.9 m	18 000 kg¹⁷
Triaxle (dual tires)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	18 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	18 000 kg⁴
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	18 000 kg⁵
		3.6 m to 4.9 m	18 000 kg⁶
Maximum Axle Weights for Intermediate Weight Roads
Single Steering	Straight Truck	N/A	8000 kg¹
	Intercity Bus	N/A	7250 kg¹
	Tractor	N/A	5500 kg¹
Tandem Steering ²	Straight Truck	1.2 m to 1.85 m	16 000 kg
Tandem (single tires) (including tandem equivalent axle)	Straight Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Semitrailer	less than 1.2 m	9100 kg
		1.2 m to 1.85 m	12 000 kg
		greater than 1.85 m	12 000 kg
Tandem (single tires and dual tires) (including tandem equivalent axle)	Straight Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Semitrailer	less than 1.2 m	9100 kg
		1.2 m to 1.85 m	15 000 kg
		greater than 1.85 m	15 000 kg
Tandem (dual tires) (including tandem equivalent axle)	Straight Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Semitrailer	less than 1.2 m	9100 kg
		1.2 m to 1.85 m	18 000 kg
		greater than 1.85 m	18 000 kg
Tridem (single tires) (including tridem equivalent axle)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	12 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	18 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	18 000 kg
		3.6 m to 3.7 m	18 000 kg
		greater than 3.7 m	12 000 kg¹¹
Tridem (lead axle with single tires and 2 axles with duals) (including tridem equivalent axle)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	18 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	20 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	22 000 kg
		3.6 m to 3.7 m	22 000 kg
		greater than 3.7 m	18 000 kg¹³
Tridem (dual tires) (including tridem equivalent axle)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	18 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	21 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	24 000 kg
		3.6 m to 3.7 m	26 000 kg
		greater than 3.7 m	18 000 kg⁵
Triaxle (single tires)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	9100 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	12 000 kg¹¹
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	12 000 kg¹¹
		3.6 m to 4.9 m	12 000 kg¹¹
Triaxle (lead axle with single tires and 2 axles with duals)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	9100 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	18 000 kg¹²
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	18 000 kg¹³
		3.6 m to 4.9 m	18 000 kg¹⁵
Maximum Axle Weights for All Other Highways
Single Steering	Straight Truck	N/A	8000 kg ¹
	Intercity Bus	N/A	7250 kg¹
	Tractor	N/A	5500 kg¹
Tandem Steering ²	Straight Truck	1.2 m to 1.85 m	16 000 kg
Tandem (single tires) (including tandem equivalent axle)	Straight Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Semitrailer	less than 1.2 m	9100 kg
		1.2 m to 1.85 m	12 000 kg
		greater than 1.85 m	12 000 kg
Tandem (single tires and dual tires) (including tandem equivalent axle)	Straight Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Semitrailer	less than 1.2 m	9100 kg
		1.2 m to 1.85 m	15 000 kg
		greater than 1.85 m	15 000 kg
Tandem (dual tires) (including tandem equivalent axle)	Straight Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Semitrailer	less than 1.2 m	9100 kg
		1.2 m to 1.85 m	18 000 kg
		greater than 1.85 m	18 000 kg
Tridem (single tires) (including tridem equivalent axle)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	12 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	12 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	12 000 kg
		3.6 m to 3.7 m	12 000 kg
		greater than 3.7 m	12 000 kg
Tridem (lead axle with single tires and 2 axles with duals) (including tridem equivalent axle)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	18 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	18 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	18 000 kg
		3.6 m to 3.7 m	18 000 kg
		greater than 3.7 m	18 000 kg
Tridem (dual tires) (including tridem equivalent axle)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	18 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	18 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	18 000 kg
		3.6 m to 3.7 m	18 000 kg
		greater than 3.7 m	18 000 kg
Triaxle (single tires)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	9100 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	12 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	12 000 kg
		3.6 m to 4.9 m	12 000 kg
Triaxle (lead axle with single tires and 2 axles with duals)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	9100 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	18 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	18 000 kg
		3.6 m to 4.9 m	18 000 kg
Triaxle (dual tires)	Semitrailer	less than 2.4 m	18 000 kg
		2.4 m to less than 3.0 m	18 000 kg
		3.0 m to less than 3.6 m	18 000 kg
		3.6 m to 4.9 m	18 000 kg
¹ Steering axle loads can be as a high as 9100 kg for a vehicle or combination of vehicles if the load carrying capacity of the axles, tires, and all other components is not exceeded, and the tire loading does not exceed 10 kg/mm of tire width; however, no increase in the specified maximum gross vehicle weight limit for the configuration will be permitted with higher steering axle loads.
²Both axles in a tandem steering axle must be actively controlled by the driver; passive or self-steering axles are not permitted.
⁴This weight limit is increased to 21 000 kg for a semitrailer model year 2002 and earlier.
⁵This weight limit is increased to 24 000 kg for a semitrailer model year 2002 and earlier.
⁶This weight limit is increased to 26 000 kg for a semitrailer model year 2002 and earlier.
¹¹This weight limit is increased to 18 000 kg for a semitrailer model year 2002 and earlier.
¹²This weight limit is increased to 20 000 kg for a semitrailer model year 2002 and earlier.
¹³This weight limit is increased to 22 000 kg for a semitrailer model year 2002 and earlier.
¹⁴This weight limit is increased to 23 100 kg for a semitrailer model year 2002 and earlier.
¹⁵This weight limit is increased to 23 324 kg for a semitrailer model year 2002 and earlier.
¹⁶This weight limit is increased to 23 700 kg for a semitrailer model year 2002 and earlier.
¹⁷This weight limit is increased to 25 034 kg for a semitrailer model year 2002 and earlier.

Other weight-related limits
Axle Groups - Load Equalization	Maximum 1000 kg greater or less than the weight of an adjacent axle in the same tandem, tridem, tandem equivalent, or tridem equivalent axle group
Tire Loading
- per mm of tire width	Maximum 10 kg/mm
- per tire (except steering axles)	Maximum 3000 kg

Weight-related tolerances

There shall be no automatically applied tolerances associated with axle or vehicle weight limits.

Vehicle Weights and Dimension Limits by Configuration

Visit http://tinyurl.com/NSsizeandweight for the Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Regulation. Refer to Schedule A for the weights and dimensions by configuration.

B-Train Routes, Maximum Weight Roads, and Intermediate Weight Roads

The listing of B-train routes, maximum weight roads, and intermediate weight roads can be found in Nova Scotia’s Road Lists Regulation, Schedules B, C, and D. Visit http://tinyurl.com/NSroadlistreg for the regulation.

Frost Laws

For information on Nova Scotia’s road conditions and spring weight restrictions, go to http://tinyurl.com/NSspringweights.

Law

Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act

Regulation

Nova Scotia Regulation 137/2001, Weights and Dimensions of Vehicles Regulation

Nova Scotia Road Lists Regulation, 201/2011

View agency contacts

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Weights and dimensions']

...