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Vehicles, loads, and combinations of vehicles which exceed legal size and weight limits must secure special permits to operate on highways in Nova Scotia.
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.
There are two types of special permits: single trip permits and annual permits. Overdimensional permits will only be valid for non-divisible loads. Annual and trip permits are available for widths and/or heights up to 4.3 meters. Loads wider or higher than 4.3 meters are eligible for a trip permit only. Lengths up to 25 meters can move under an annual or trip permit. Lengths over 25 meters can move under a trip permit only. Overweight loads can travel under trip permits only. Overweight permits will only be valid for non-divisible loads.
SINGLE | ANNUAL | |
---|---|---|
Overwidth | ||
2.60-3.05 m 3.06-4.27 m 4.27-5.49 m >5.49 m |
$ 13.20 19.85 26.10 33.10 |
$133.25 133.25 N/A N/A |
Overheight | ||
4.15-4.27 m >4.27 m |
$19.85 33.10 |
$133.25 133.25 |
Overlength | ||
>23-25 m >25-30 m >30 m |
19.85 26.10 33.10 |
$133.25 133.25 N/A |
Overweight | ||
Up to 50,000 kg Up to 61,200 kg Up to 69,800 kg Over 69,800 kg |
$33.10 66.30 99.60 265.30 |
$ 265.30 796.10 1,326.95 N/A |
Front Overhang | ||
>1.0 m | $3.50 | $ 19.85 |
Rear overhang | ||
>2.00-3.05 m
>3.05-5.0 m >5.0 m |
$13.20 19.85 33.10 |
$133.25 133.25 133.25 |
Non-conforming vehicle | $33.10 | 133.25 |
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.
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.
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.
The maximum width under which a permit may be issued is 6.7 meters wide. Maximum height and length limits depend on the proposed route.
The maximum permitted weight that may be carried on a single axle is 11,340 kilograms; on two axles, 22,700 kilograms; on three axles, or more-weight determined by computer, based on overall dimensions.
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 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.
HIGHWAY CLASSIFICATION | WEIGHT LIMITATIONS | APPLICABLE CONDITIONS | TYPE OF PERMIT | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 a | 100 Series Divided, Hwy. 101 & 107 | GVW 69,800 kg | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 316, 317, 319 | Single Trip |
1 b | 100 Series Divided, Hwy. 101 & 107 | GVW> 69,800 kg
GVW 78,000 kg | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 23, 112, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 316, 317, 319 | Single Trip |
2 a | 100 Series Non-Divided, except Hwy. 101 & 107 | GVW 63,000 kg & Axle Group 29,500 kg | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 316, 317, 319 | Single Trip |
2 b | 100 Series Non-Divided, except Hwy. 101 & 107 | GVW > 63,000 kg
GVW 69,800 kg or Axle Group > 29,500 kg | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 19, 23, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 316, 317, 319 | Single Trip |
3 a | All other roads | GVW 53,400 kg & Axle Group < 29,500 kg | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 316, 317, 319 | Single Trip |
3 b | All other roads | GVW > 53,400 kg
GVW 60,200 kg or Axle Group 29,500 kg | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 19, 23, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 312, 316, 317, 319 | Single Trip |
3 c | All other roads | GVW > 60,200 kg
GVW 69, 800 kg | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 23, 112, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 316, 317, 319 | Single Trip |
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:
Overweight Move Conditions (Conditions listed refer to those noted in Summary Table.)
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:
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:
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.
HEIGHT | CONDITIONS APPLICABLE | TYPE OF PERMIT | |
Exceeding | Up to and including | ||
4.15 m (13 ft 6 in.) | 4.3 m (14 ft) | 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 | Annual or Trip |
4.3 m (14 ft) | 4.8 m (15.75 ft) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, 22 | Tip Permit Only |
4.8 m + (15.75 ft +) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 100, 115 | Trip Permit Only |
HEIGHT | CONDITIONS APPLICABLE | TYPE OF PERMIT | |
Exceeding | Up to and including | ||
2.6 m (8 ft 6 in.) | 2.75 m (9 ft) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | Annual or Trip |
2.75 m (9 ft) | 3.05 m (10 ft) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 | Annual or Trip |
3.05 m (10 ft) | 3.7 m (12 ft) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 23, 24, 25 | Annual or Trip |
3.7 m (12 ft) | 4.3 m (14 ft) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25 | Annual or Trip |
4.3 m (14 ft) | 5.5 m (18 ft) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 104 | Trip Permit Only |
5.5 m + (18 ft +) | 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 22, 23, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, plus other applicable conditions from Section 2 “Exceptional Moves Conditions” | Trip Permit Only |
LENGTH | CONDITIONS APPLICABLE | TYPE OF PERMIT | |
Exceeding | Up to and including | ||
23 m (75 ft) | 25 m (82 ft) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 16 | Annual |
25 m (82 ft) | 30 m (100 ft) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 23 | Trip Permit Only |
30 m (100 ft) | 40 m (130 ft) | 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 23, 100, 109, 112, 116 | Trip Permit Only |
40 m + (130 ft +) | 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 23, 100, 109, 112, 114* | Trip Permit Only |
*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.
OVER HANGS | CONDITIONS APPLICABLE | TYPE OF PERMIT | |
front | rear | ||
> 1 m | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 18 | Annual or Trip | |
> 2 to 3m | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13 | Annual or Trip | |
> 3 m | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 19, 23 | Trip Permit Only |
General Conditions - Special Move Permits
See Travel Restriction conditions as listed on each overdimensional permit table.