Oversize/overweight permits - Manitoba | J. J. Keller® Compliance Network

When a permit is required

Operators of any vehicle, load, or combination of vehicles that exceeds the legal maximum size or weight limits must obtain an oversize/overweight permit before operating in Manitoba.

Application procedure

Permits are issued for nonreducible loads only and may be obtained by writing to the Department of Highways and Transportation or by phone. Any special requirements for overlength, overwidth, overheight or overweight permits are outlined at the time of application.

Fees

Fees are as follows:

Type	Range	Single Trip	Annual
Width	2.61 m to 3.05 m	$6.00	$20.00
	3.06 m to 3.70 m	15.00	45.00
	3.71 m to 4.30 m	36.00	95.00
	4.31 m and up	72.00	195.00
Length	20.10 m to 23.00 m	6.00	20.00
	23.10 m to 30.00 m	8.00	80.00
	30.10 m and up	12.00	160.00
Projection over front	(unlimited length)	6.00	20.00
Height	4.16 m and up	NO CHARGE	NO CHARGE

NOTE: The above stated fees are additive, e.g., a house trailer move with total dimensions 3.7 metres by 26 metres will pay $15 overwidth fee and the $8 over length fee for a total of $23. These fees do not apply to vehicles registered as Farm Trucks.

Overweight Permits: $0.036/kilometre for each 1,000 kilograms of excess gross weight, and $75/metric tonne overweight for cranes and drilling equipment covered by an annual permit.

Insurance requirements

There are no special insurance requirements for oversize or overweight movements in the province of Manitoba. Standard insurance requirements apply.

Permitted vehicle limitations

Oversize

Width - Operators of vehicles or combinations exceeding 2.6 metres must obtain an Oversize Permit before movement in the Province of Manitoba. Issuance of any such permit is at the discretion of the Traffic Authority of the province. Movement is allowed in most cases before receipt of the actual permit, if operator has the valid permit number available. There is also provision for single trip permits (in lieu of vehicle licensing).

Additional requirements apply to vehicles that exceed 3.05 metres and 4.60 metres - see sign and flag requirements and escort and flagperson requirements.

Height - Operators of vehicles that exceed 4.15 metres must obtain an oversize permit to move in the province of Manitoba. Issuance of any such permit is at the discretion of the Traffic Authority. Overhead clearances on bridges and signs determine maximum height allowed on a permit.

Length - Any vehicle or combination exceeding the legal length limits prescribed earlier in this section must obtain an Oversize Permit before moving in Manitoba. Issuance of such permits is at the discretion of the Traffic Authority. Permits are not issued for overlength loads carried on trucks other than semitrailer and other types of combination vehicles. However, overlength permits may be granted to house trailer movers if their overall length exceeds 21.5 metres.

Overweight

Operators of vehicles or combinations which exceed legal weight limits as prescribed earlier in this section must obtain Overweight Permits before moving in Manitoba. Overweight permits will be granted only if requested weights will not damage roads or bridges to be traversed - route must be carefully checked before any permit will be issued. The applicant must be licensed for a minimum of 36,500 kilograms to obtain any overweight permit. No axle overloads will be allowed during spring road restrictions unless approved and issued by the Head Office.

Sign requirements

When width exceeds 3.05 metres, “D” signs or “Wide Load” or “Long Load” signs are required on the front of the vehicle and at the end of the load. Either version of the sign can be used when a sign is required for an overwidth load.

NOTE: Unless required as a condition of the permit, these signs are not to be displayed.

Specifications:

The overall dimensions of the sign shall be 30 centimetres by 245 centimetres.
The dimensions and position red stripes must be vertical.
The letter “D” (Series E) shall be 20 centimetres high.
The sign substrate and method of mounting shall be such that not more than 4 centimetres deflection will occur across the sign face when travelling at highway speeds. (Suggested substrate is 1.2 centimetres high density plywood or 0.20 centimetre aluminum sheet.)
Level 2 white retro-reflective sheeting will be used in accordance with C.G.S.B. (62-6P-11) May 1975.
Red transparent ink shall be used for legend (3M #812 or equivalent).
The sign shall be mounted in a manner such that all lights required on the vehicle remain clearly visible to approaching or following traffic.

Sign Description

Sign must be 30 centimetres by 245 centimetres and made of material like that described above for the “D” sign.
Lettering “Wide Load” must be black on either a white or yellow background and be 20 cm high, Series “C” with a three centimetre stroke.

Flags and lighting requirements

Flags

There are no particular specifications concerning flags for oversize loads in the Manitoba regulations. The following requirements apply, however, if transporting a load that extends more than one metre beyond the rear of the vehicle or combination.

When a vehicle or combination of vehicles if a part of the vehicle or combination, or its equipment or load, projects more than one metre beyond the rear of the vehicle or combination, at the end of the projection there must be displayed:

If the vehicle or combination is operating between sunrise and sunset, a red flag at least 30 centimetres square, visible at a distance of 60 metres; or
If the vehicle or combination is operated between sunset and sunrise:
- A clearly visible red light; or
- A red reflector.

Lights

If night travel of an oversize vehicle or load is allowed, the vehicle or load must be equipped with and display clearance lamps near the top of the vehicle or load:

Two amber or green lamps, one located on the left and one on the right side of the front of the vehicle or load;
Two red lamps, one located on the left and one on the right side of the back of the vehicle or load; and
Two amber or green lamps, visible to the front, and a red light visible to the rear, positioned that one is on that portion of the vehicle or load that projects furthest to the right and one is on that portion of the vehicle or load that projects furthest to the left.

Escort and flagperson requirements

Escort vehicles are required under certain specified conditions. For example, an escort is required when overall length of the vehicle or combination exceeds 30.0 metres. And escorts are generally required both front and rear when width exceeds 4.6 metres during daylight hours or 3.70 metres at night. However, in some geographic areas of the province, escorts may be required for loads over 3.70 metres wide for daylight travel - check with the permit issuing authority for details on this requirement. If loads nine metres wide or greater are permitted to move, a Highways Department representative may be required.

On most highways when width exceeds 4.6 metres, escort vehicles are required both front and rear. However, on four-lane divided highways the lead escort is not required if width does not exceed 6.10 metres. If several vehicles requiring escort are traveling together, there must be an escort vehicle in front (except on divided highways), one to travel between units and one at the rear. Such vehicles traveling in convoy must maintain minimum spacing of 300 metres between units.

When an escort vehicle is required by the Highway Special Permit issued for the load, this vehicle must also be equipped with a symbol “D” or “Wide Load” or “Long Load” sign accompanied by four warning lights. This sign shall be mounted in a box and displayed on the roof of the escort vehicle. Specifications for the sign box are as follows:

Box size shall be 180 centimetres by 34 centimetres by 10 centimetres
Box shall be made of mild steel with white baked enamel inside and outside surfaces
For good reflective quality
Box shall house eight lamps (lights), spaced to give even lighting of the sign background
Box must also shelter all wire connectors, switches, flashers, etc.
“D” or “Wide Load” sign must be made of three millimetre-plexiglass - other specifications are exactly as described previously for such signs.

When escort vehicles are required for an overdimensional move, warning lights are required to be displayed on the escort vehicle. Four amber warning lamps are to be mounted on top of the sign box. Each set of lamps described must have a separate circuit and be controlled by a three-way on-off switch. A dash mounted indicator lamp should also be incorporated into the warning system. Two of the warning lights are to be outboard lamps that flash 60-90 times per minute. They should be 175 millimetres minimum in size with reflectors, rated at 12.5 volts, three amperes and 50 candela and have a rated life of 300 hours. These lamps are the recommended warning system when normal atmospheric and highway conditions prevail.

The other two are to be inboard lamps, standard 203 millimetres rotating amber lamps with two sealed beam units per lamp. The inboard rotating lamps should be designed to provide maximum conspicuity when adverse weather and highway conditions are encountered. Be aware that you need a permit from the Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles to use revolving lamps on escort vehicles.

Flagpersons

Flagging is required at exits and entrances to highways when escort vehicles are required to accompany a permitted vehicle.

Travel restrictions

Effective July 1999 Manitoba issued new travel restrictions for all Overdimensional permit holders. The new regulations, however, did not relieve the carrier from complying with any other conditions contained within the existing permit they have been issued. If you have any questions on the new restrictions, please contact the Permit Service Section at (204) 945-8030.

Travel is not allowed on the following days:

Good Friday	Thanksgiving Day
Victoria Day	Christmas Day
Canada Day	New Years Day
Labour Day

The following restrictions apply for Fridays and days preceding statutory holidays:

Width:

No restriction on travel, except for the following during summer months only:

Loads greater than 3.4 metres must be off the highways by 3 p.m. on seasonally restricted routes.
Loads up to 3.7 metres are permitted on 4-lane divided highways after 3 p.m.

Length:

In summer months, loads greater than 25 metres must be off the road by 3 p.m. on seasonally restricted routes.

The following restrictions apply for Sundays and statutory holidays: