Oversize/overweight permits - Saskatchewan

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 provincial highways in Saskatchewan. Normally, permits are not issued to cover the transportation of any commodity or vehicle when the overall dimensions and the gross weight can be reduced to legal limits.

Farm equipment is exempt from some of the legal size and weight limits on some roads. Check with Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation for details.

Application procedure

Non-divisible load permits may be applied for in person or by telephone prior to moving. Collect calls are not accepted.

A divisible load permit may be granted under emergency situations or under a partnership program.

Fees

The fee for an overlength or overwidth vehicle is $15 plus the fees as provided below.

The fee for an overlength or overwidth vehicle permit is $15 for moving a grain bin or a vehicle transporting a load of hay or straw, of any size. The same fee applies to permits for vehicles towing, operating, or transporting farm equipment of any size, including the load or contents, or for towing, operating, or transporting, a vehicle or machinery of any size on a provincial highway for no more than 10 kilometres.

Insurance requirements

The permit holder is responsible for any damage to the highway, or to any public improvement, person or property caused by the operations covered by the permit. The operations must be carried out with a minimum of interference to traffic on the highway and the holder of the permit must compensate the Department of Highways and Transportation for any claims in connection with traffic accidents which may occur as a result of the operations.

There is a specific insurance requirement with regard to single trip overweight moves. The insurance amount is the difference between the actual weight and the registered or legal weight and multiplying this times the kilometres traveled times $0.005, with a basic insurance fee of $5.

The insurance fee for exceeding the allowable axle weight permit is a basic charge of $2.

Permitted vehicle limitations

A permit is only valid on the public highway that is specified on the permit form. Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation reviews each application and looks at routings and traffic conditions before a permit is issued.

Sign requirements

The “D” sign consists of red vertical stripes on a white background with a white letter “D” in the center of the sign. It must measure 30 centimetres high and 244 centimetres long. There also are specific requirements with regard to the materials used in the sign. ( i.e., reflective material must be used).

Width — A vehicle or load exceeding 3.05 metres in width must display a “D”, WIDE LOAD, or OVERSIZE LOAD sign at the front and rear of the vehicle. The vehicle must also be equipped for night travel with a lamp that illuminates the sign at the rear of the vehicle or an amber beacon mounted at the centre of the rear of the vehicle with the “D”, WIDE LOAD, or OVERSIZE LOAD sign.

Any vehicle, including its load, that exceeds 3.3 metres in width must also display a minimum of one flashing amber beacon mounted on cab of the towing unit.

Length — On a two-lane highway, a sign is required at the rear when the length exceeds 23 metres. Signs are required at the front and rear when the length exceeds 30 metres. On a multi-lane highway, a sign is required at the rear when the length exceeds 36 metres.

During daylight, red flags are required on the extremities of any load that extends beyond the extremities of the vehicle. During darkness, clearance lights are required on the extremities of the vehicle including its load.

Any vehicle, including its load, that exceeds 36 metres long on four-lane highways, shall have two amber flashing lights mounted on the roof of the cab. On two-lane highways, a vehicle and load exceeding 27.5 metres long shall have two amber flashing lights mounted on the roof of the cab.

Flags and lighting requirements

The only particular flag specification is the color, orange or red. During daylight, red flags are required on any load that extends beyond the extremities of the vehicle.

When transporting loads exceeding 3.3 metres, a minimum of one amber flashing or rotating beacon is to be centered on the cab of the truck and must be at least four inches in height and visible in all directions for 125 metres.

If the amber beacon is not visible to the rear of the load because the load is blocking the light emitted to the rear, a second amber flashing or rotating light that is a minimum of four inches in height is to be mounted in the center at the rear of the vehicle and visible for 125 metres.

In addition, as an alternative to having the rear reflectorized dimensional sign, lighted for night travel up to 3.7 metres wide, a flashing or rotating amber light may be used in conjunction with the reflectorized dimension sign. This flashing or rotating amber light is to be a minimum of four inches in height, located at the rear of the overdimensional load, centered on the load and 2.6 metres above the road surface. It also must be visible for 125 metres.

Escort and flagperson requirements

Width - On a two-lane highway, one escort vehicle is required if the width is more than 2.6 metres and the load protrudes over the centerline. If the width is between 4.3 and 5 metres, an escort vehicle is required if the load protrudes over the centerline. If the load is 5 metres or more wide, two escort vehicles are required.

On a multi-lane highway, an escort vehicle is required at the rear if the width is less than 5 metres but the load protrudes into the inside driving lane. (No. 11 southbound, Hanley to Chamberlain, escort vehicle required for loads over 4.2 metres.) If the load is 5 metres or more wide, an escort vehicle is required at the rear.

Length - On a two-lane highway, an escort vehicle is required at the rear of a load that is 30 metres or more long. On a multi-lane highway, an escort vehicle is required at the rear of a load that is more than 36 metres long.

Escorts - All escort vehicles must be equipped with two-way radios (not cellular phones) that allows communication with the towing vehicle.

Escort operators must carry the following equipment:

• One stop/slow paddle or red flag per crew member for the purpose of controlling traffic;
• One brightly colored vest, shirt, or jacket, not covered by other clothing, that must be worn while flagging traffic;
• A 5BC fully charged fire extinguisher approved by Underwriters’ Laboratory; and
• Flares, reflectors, and lanterns that are used to mark hazards that would be visible for 150 metres.

Escort vehicles that precede the permitted load must precede by at least 300 metres but not more than 1,000 metres.

Escort vehicles that follow a permitted load must follow at a distance of no more than 300 metres.

Escort vehicles may not tow other vehicles or carry loads that obscure required lights, signs, or the view of the escort vehicle operator.

Escort Car Signs - Escort vehicles must display on the roof a “D” sign or a WIDE LOAD, LONG LOAD, or OVERSIZE LOAD sign. The sign must be capable of displaying the symbol or sign when escorting a load and being folded flat when not in use.

The sign box must be assembled of a durable material suitable for use in all weather conditions, be 180 centimetres by 35 centimetres in size, and be illuminated to provide lighting of the sign message to ensure the sign is visible from 300 metres at night. The sign must also protect wire connections, switches, and flashers, and must have a protected and sealed interior.

“D” signs must have a white background with vertical red bars and meet the “D” sign requirements in The Vehicle Weight and Dimension Regulations, 2010, Appendix C.

WIDE LOAD, LONG LOAD, or OVERSIZE LOAD signs must have a yellow background with black lettering. Signs must be 35 centimeters in height and 180 centimetres in length, with a 20-centimeter “D” or lettering.

Signs must be clean and legible at all times.

For exact sign dimensions and diagrams, refer to The Vehicle Weight and Dimension Regulations, 2010, Appendix C, available at publications.gov.sk.ca/freelaw/documents/English/Regulations/Regulations/H3-01R8.pdf.

Escort Car Lighting - Escort vehicles must be equipped with amber lights for the symbol or sign. The lights must appear according to The Vehicle Weight and Dimension Regulations, 2010, Appendix C, available at publications.gov.sk.ca/freelaw/documents/English/Regulations/Regulations/H3-01R8.pdf.

Travel restrictions

Unless otherwise specified on the permit, no travel is permitted for loads exceeding 3.35 metres wide or 25 metres long:

• On Sundays or statutory holidays;
• When visibility is reduced to 1,000 metres or less or when highways are slippery; and
• On December 24, 26, 27, 31, and January 2 when Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a Sunday.

No travel will be permitted from 3 p.m. until midnight for loads exceeding 3.35 meters wide or 25 meters long:

• On any day prior to a Statutory Holiday or on any Friday when the following Monday is a Statutory Holiday;
• On any Friday during the summer from the Friday prior to Canada Day until Labour Day;
• December 23 when Christmas Day falls on Sunday, December 24 and December 31; and
• Direct crossing of a Provincial Highway is allowed on Sundays and statutory holidays if a flagperson is used.