Oversize/overweight permits - Nova Scotia

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 Nova Scotia.

Application procedure

The Department of Transportation and Public Works may grant a written permit for the movement of overdimensional or overmass loads, objects, or structures. Applications for such a permit may be made in person, in writing or by phone or fax. You can also use the self-serve online permit service.

Scale of fees

Permits issued as “Single” are for a specified date of movement by a vehicle or combination of vehicles, whereas an “Annual” permit is valid from the date of issue of the special permit until end of month following year.

Insurance requirements

Every person who operates a vehicle or combination of vehicles, object or structure over any highway shall be liable for any damage caused to the highway.

Permitted vehicle limitations

Every special permit shall be carried in the appropriate vehicle or combination of vehicles and shall be produced at the request of any peace officer.

Sign requirements

The “D” sign consists of red vertical stripes on a white background with a white letter “D” in the center. It must measure 300 millimetres high and 2450 millimetres long. There also are specific requirements with regard to the materials used in the sign.

Flags and lighting requirements

Flags are to be red fluorescent in color. Whenever the load of a vehicle extends more than one metre beyond the rear of the bed or body thereof, there shall be displayed at the end of the load in such position as to be clearly visible at all times from the rear of the load a red flag not less than 300 millimetres both in length and width, except that between one half hour after sunset and one half hour before sunrise there shall be displayed at the end of any such load a yellow or red light plainly visible under normal atmospheric conditions at least 60 metres from the rear of the vehicle or a reflector.

Move conditions for overweight loads

Note: Axle Group is any combination of axle(s) within a distance of 6.0 metres General Conditions - Special Move Permits (Conditions listed refer to those noted in Summary Table.)

The following general conditions are taken from procedure #PR5033 Overdimensional Moves:

1. A valid permit, obtained from Service Nova Scotia must be in the possession of the driver of the vehicle and is subject to revocation at any time.
2. For roads that are not owned by TPW, prior to the move, the mover must contact the Municipality who owns the road.
3. The vehicle is not permitted on any highway during adverse road and weather conditions, or when visibility is reduced as to create a hazard.
4. A following distance of 600 metres must be maintained when a special move- permitted vehicle is preceded by another special move-permitted vehicle.
5. The vehicle must observe traffic and must, when traffic begins to accumulate behind the movement, pull off the road and allow traffic to pass.
6. The mover will be held responsible for all damages caused as a result of the moving of the special move-permitted vehicle.
7. The vehicle must display an amber warning light on the top of the towing vehicle visible for a distance of 150 metres.
8. The vehicle must be followed by a pilot vehicle displaying D-signs front and rear, and an amber warning light on top of the pilot vehicle visible for a distance of 150 metres.
9. Pilot vehicle and laden vehicle drivers must be in radio contact at all times during the move. Cellular phones are not acceptable.
10. Pilot vehicles, displaying D-signs front and rear and an amber warning light on top of the pilot vehicle visible for a distance of 150 metres, are required to precede and follow the move.

Overweight Move Conditions (Conditions listed refer to those noted in Summary Table.)

1. Steering axle not to exceed 6,500 kilograms, but can be as high as 8,000 kilograms, provided the combined weight with other tractor axles does not exceed 36,000 kilograms.
2. Single axle (non steering) not to exceed 11,340 kilograms.
3. Two axle group, or any two adjacent axles in a group, not to exceed 22,700 kilograms.
4. Tractor drive three axle group (overall axle spread of 2.4 metres or greater) not to exceed 29,500 kilograms.
5. Trailer three axle group not to exceed: Axle spread 2.4 to < 3.0 metres 29,500 kilograms Axle spread 3.0 to < 3.6 metres 32,000 kilograms Axle spread 3.6 m or greater 34,000 kilograms
6. Trailer four axle group not to exceed: Axle spacing equal to or greater than 4.88 metres* 36,000 kilograms *for equipment built prior to 1999, axle spacing equal to or greater than 4.3 metres applies
7. Permit is not valid on steel truss bridges except those on 100 Series highways.
8. Permit is not valid if the vehicle is not registered to maximum weight as outlined in Nova Scotia’s Weights and Dimensions of Vehicles Regulations.
9. Permit is not valid if any of the following are exceeded:
   1. Manufacturer’s tire weight rating,
   2. Manufacturer’s axle weight rating,
   3. Manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating.
10. All axles to have four tires per axle except steering axle(s).
11. Vehicle to reduce speed to 45 kilometres/hour at bridges.
12. Reduce speed to 10 kilometres/hour at bridges.
13. Only vehicle on bridge.
14. Vehicle must travel along centerline of bridge.
15. Vehicle to avoid crossing of bridges where interchange ramps allow such alternative routing.
16. Jeep dolly single in combination with drive axles, not to exceed 29,500 kg.
17. Jeep dolly double in combination with drive axles, not to exceed: Axle group spread 3.6 to < 4.8 m 34,000 kilograms Axle group spread 4.8 to < 6.6 m 36,000 kilograms Axle group spread 6.6 metres or greater 38,000 kilograms
18. Permit is not valid during Spring Weight Restrictions.
19. Permit is valid for transporting indivisible loads only. The load is considered indivisible if the load is not composed of more than one article, and all reasonable measures have been taken to minimize the extent to which the vehicle or load exceeds the legal weight limits.

Spring Weight Restrictions

Roads are subject to Spring Weight Restrictions each year, requiring a reduction in axle weights to protect weakened pavement structure during spring thaw. Also, during Spring Weight Restrictions, the transporting of over-weight commodities is restricted. Special move permits are available under the following limits:

1. The move can be completed on 100 Series highways (Hwy 101, TCH 104, etc.)
2. Maximum GVW of 62,500 kilograms includes tolerances
3. Legal axle weights apply, and shall include:
   1. Three axle drive group, 21,000 kilograms.
   2. Four axle trailer group, 27,500 kilograms.
   3. Single axle dolly in combination with tandem drive axle group, 21,000 kilograms.
   4. Tandem jeep dolly in combination with tandem drive axle group:
      1. Axle group spread 4.8 to < 5.4 metres 26,000 kilograms
      2. Axle group spread 5.4 to < 6.0 metres 32,000 kilograms
      3. Axle group spread 6.0 m or greater 36,000 kilograms

Requests that exceed the above limits or for travel on highways other than 100 Series highways will be considered based on the circumstances of the situation.

Annual Permits

Special move permits (over-weight) may be issued on an annual basis, but are not valid during Spring Weight Restrictions with the exception of fire trucks responding to emergency situations. Annual permits may be issued for the following:

1. Fire trucks
2. Self-contained, indivisible vehicles (well drillers, mobile cranes, etc.) which do not exceed GVW of 45,400 kilograms.
3. Mobile cranes which travel regularly between their base and a given location, and vice versa
4. Self-contained, indivisible units that are towed as a semi-trailer which do not exceed GVW of 59,500 kilograms (chippers, crushers, asphalt plant, etc.).

To be eligible for an annual permit for a self-contained unit, the applicant must provide accurate weights for axle groups and gross vehicle weight which will be stated on the permit. Move conditions will be stated on the permit, which are to be adhered to during travel.

Move conditions for overheight loads

Move conditions for overwidth loads

Move conditions for overlength loads

*Note: (114) Depending on circumstances surrounding the move, TPW may require the mover to obtain police/RMV escort for a portion or all of the moving route.

General move conditions

General Conditions - Special Move Permits

1. A valid permit, obtained from Service Nova Scotia must be in the possession of the driver of the vehicle and is subject to revocation at any time.
2. For roads that are not owned by the Department of Transportation and Public Works, prior to the move, the mover must contact the Municipality who owns the road.
3. The vehicle is not permitted on any highway during adverse road and weather conditions, or when visibility is reduced as to create a hazard.
4. A following distance of 600 metres must be maintained when a special move permitted vehicle is preceded by another special move permitted vehicle.
5. The vehicle must observe traffic and must, when traffic begins to accumulate behind the movement, pull off the road and allow traffic to pass.
6. The mover will be held responsible for all damages caused as a result of the moving of the special move permitted vehicle.
7. If the view to the rear is obstructed or interfered with by a trailer (either loaded or unloaded) attached to the vehicle, or by the loading of the vehicle, an outside rear vision mirror must be attached to each side of the vehicle to afford the driver a clear view to the rear of at least 61 metres.
8. The vehicle is not permitted on any highway on any Sunday.
9. The vehicle must display an amber warning light on the top of the towing vehicle visible for a distance of 150 metres.
10. The vehicle must display red fluorescent flags on the extremities of the load, not less than 45 centimetres square, visible to the front and rear for a distance of 150 metres.
11. The vehicle must move during daylight hours.
12. The vehicle must display ‘D Over-dimensional Load’ signs (D-sign), front and rear, in contrasting colors visible from a distance of 120 metres, conforming to the size and specifications given in Appendix “A” (Specification for Over-dimensional Load Sign).
13. D-signs must not be displayed unless the vehicle is actually operating in a special permitted situation.
14. The vehicle is not permitted on any highway after 3 p.m. on Fridays, on any Saturday, or any Sunday, or any public holiday.
15. When being moved on a highway, other than 100 Series, the vehicle must be preceded by a pilot vehicle displaying D-signs front and rear, and an amber warning light on top of the vehicle visible for a distance of 150 metres.
16. The vehicle is not permitted on any highway between the hours of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6:00 p.m.
17. The vehicle must be preceded by a pilot vehicle, unless being moved on a divided highway at which time the pilot vehicle will revert to the rear, displaying D-signs front and rear, and an amber warning light on top of the pilot vehicle visible for a distance of 150 metres.
18. The extension of the vehicle and/or load must display along its sides retroreflective tape as specified in Appendix “B”.
19. The vehicle must be followed by a pilot vehicle displaying D-signs front and rear, and an amber warning light on top of the pilot vehicle visible for a distance of 150 metres.
20. The mover must contact Nova Scotia Power (NSP), MTT and local cable companies prior to the move.
21. The vehicle must stop before entering all underpasses; safe clearance must be confirmed before proceeding at creep speed.
22. If crossing the Canso Causeway, the mover must contact the RCMP to determine the time of the move.
23. Pilot vehicle and laden vehicle drivers must be in radio contact at all times during the move. Cellular phones are not acceptable.
24. If the move takes place after daylight hours, pilot vehicles, displaying D-signs front and rear and an amber warning light on top of the pilot vehicle visible for a distance 150 metres, are required to precede and follow the move.
25. If the move takes place after daylight hours, load must be equipped at the width extremities with flashing amber lights visible for a distance of 150 metres to the front, outside and rear.

Travel restrictions

See Travel Restriction conditions as listed on each overdimensional permit table.