Oversize/overweight permits - Northwest Territories

When a permit is required

Vehicles, loads, and combinations of vehicles which exceed legal size and weight limits must secure special permits to operate on highways in the Northwest Territories.

If a vehicle has a front projection exceeding 3.0 metres, measured from the extreme axle centre of the most forward axle, an overdimension permit is required.

Application procedure

Temporary permits must be obtained by contacting the weigh scales prior to entering the Northwest Territories. Each application for oversize and overweight movement will be considered on an individual basis.

Scale of fees

The fees for permits are as follows:

• Overdimension permit, $38
• Pole trailer permit, $144
• Special permit, $268
• Annual permit, $144
• Replacement of a lost, damaged, or defaced permit, $31

Overweight permits are calculated according to the following:

A = $10
B = Amount of overweight ÷ 1,000 kilograms
C = Distance in km that the vehicle travels in a trip ÷ 100
D = $20

Insurance requirements

There are no special insurance requirements for oversize or overweight movements in the Northwest Territories. Standard insurance requirements apply.

Permitted vehicle limitations

The Department of Transportation will consider each oversize or overweight application individually. The maximum permitted limit may vary depending on the type of movement to be made.

For specific information, contact the Department of Transportation or one of the weigh scales.

Sign requirements

WIDE LOAD, LONG LOAD, OVERSIZE LOAD, and “D” signs are recognized in the Northwest Territories. Sign specifications, including colouring, wording, and size, can be found in section 14 and Schedule M of the Large Vehicle Control Regulations (http://tinyurl.com/NTsizeandweight).

Signs are generally required when vehicle width is 3.2 metres or greater or the vehicle length is more than 26.0 metres. When overwidth, signs are displayed on the front of the vehicle or mounted on the cab, and on the rear of the vehicle or the load. When overlength, signs are displayed on the top of the vehicle’s cab and the rear of the vehicle.

Signs must be kept clean and must be in good condition. Signs are to be removed when no longer needed.

Flags and lighting requirements

Warning flags must be fluorescent orange, at least 41 centimetres square, and attached by at least two corners to its mounting.

Flags and lights must be clean and in good condition. Flags and lights are to be removed when no longer needed.

Vehicles over 2.6 metres wide must display lights or warning flags mounted on the extremities of the vehicle or load. Flags may be used during daylight hours.

On the rear of the widest part of the vehicle, two red warning lights must be mounted during darkness or during adverse weather.

On the front of the widest part of the vehicle, two amber warning lights must be mounted during darkness or during adverse weather.

Vehicles over 3.85 metres in width must also display up to two flashing amber lights on top of the vehicle’s cab.

If a vehicle has a projection that is more than 15 centimetres from the side of the vehicle, or more than 1.5 metres from the front or rear, the vehicle must display:

• During darkness or adverse weather, two red and amber warning lights mounted on the projection and have the red part of the light face to the rear and the amber part of the light face to the front; or
• During daylight, either the amber and red lights or warning flags on the projection.

If a vehicle has a length between 26.0 metres and 29.0 metres in length, two amber flashing lights are must be displayed on top of the vehicle’s cab. If the vehicle exceeds 29.0 metres in length, in addition to the amber lights on the cab, two red warning lights must be mounted on the rear of the vehicle or load during hours of darkness. During the day, red warning lights may be used or flags may be used.

Pole trailers must display the following:

• Up to two amber flashing lights mounted on top of the tractor’s cab and lit at all times when the tractor and pole trailer is on the highway;
• Red or orange sheaths on the bunk stakes;
• During daylight, at least 10 red or orange streamers that are at least 1.0 meter long and 2.5 centimetres wide and mounted at the rear of the load and clearly visible to approaching vehicles; and
• During darkness, two red warning lights mounted on the rear of the load.

Escort and flagperson requirements

An escort vehicle cannot be an overdimension vehicle and must have a gross weight under 9,000 kilograms. Any person operating an escort vehicle must ensure that if the escort vehicle precedes or follows the permitted vehicle, it must remain within 100 and 800 metres of the permitted vehicle. The escort operator must maintain two-way radio communication with the permitted vehicle.

Escort requirements are as follows:

Travel restrictions

Travel restrictions will depend on the nature of the movement. The scale officer may restrict overdimensional movement in adverse weather conditions.