Alberta Transport Regulations, Permits, Limitations, Rules, and Laws for Trucking of Oversize and Overweight Loads
Oversize Legal Load Limits in Alberta
Below are the legal load limits by Alberta DOT
- Length: The maximum length allowed in Alberta without a permit is 23 meters (75′ 3″).
- Width: The maximum width allowed is 2.6 meters (8′ 6″‘).
- Height: The maximum height allowed in Alberta is 4.15 meters 13′ 7″.
- Weight: 6,000 kg maximum on the steer axle. Tandem axles: 17,000 kg. Tridem axels is 17,000 kilograms (37,478.6 lbs) as well. All axle weights are subject to the size of the tire.
- Overhang: We have no information on allowed overhangs in Alberta. Please share your knowledge with others below.
NOTES
* Super single tires require “New Generation, Wide Base” tires with a minimum tire width of 445 mm. Available by permit only. Super single tires do not apply to the steering axle.
** These weights for tridem axles apply to provincial highways only. The maximum weight for a tridem axle on a municipal road is 17,000 kg. Permits may be available to achieve heavier weights.
*** All axle weights are subject to minimum tire size. The maximum weight per tire shall not exceed the lesser of the tire manufacturer’s weight rating or the width of the tire stamped on the sidewall multiplied by 10 kg/mm.
Routine Trucking Permits in Alberta
Here are oversize and overweight trucking permits routinely issued by the Alberta DOT:
- Length: 52 meters (170′ 8″) is about the maximum length you can get on a routine permit.
- Width: 14′ 7″ wide depending on routing for routine trucking permits.
- Height: 5.3 meters (17′ 5″) in height is the cut-off point for routine permits of course contingent on routing.
- Weight: Weight is where you run into a problem. Alberta wants to know every single detail down to the size of the tire you are running. Routing is a huge issue we can’t state a “routine” weight as it all depends on your axle spacings, combinations, and tire sizes. Just for a safe number, we’re going to say a routine permit caps out at 43,359.2 kilograms (100,000 lbs).
- Overhang: 6.09 meters is about the most you can get on routine depending on routing.
Transportation of Superloads in Alberta
The maximum width normally allowed is 7.32 meters (24′) so anything over this width is a superload. We are researching information pertaining to shipping superloads in the province of Alberta Canada. If you happen to have expertise or knowledge of trucking superloads in this province please share your information with our other viewers below. Thank you.
Permitted Oversize Load Travel Times and Restrictions in Alberta
Alberta DOT travel times and restrictions for oversize and overweight trucking:
The rule of 1/2 hour before sunrise until one full hour after sunset is observed in Alberta. Travel is allowed on Fridays until 3 pm in the afternoon for loads that exceed 3.85 meters in width (12′ 7″) (WE WILL NEED TO DOUBLE CHECK THIS AS IT WAS LEFT AS A CORRECTION COMMENT BELOW). Travel is otherwise allowed and unrestricted on Saturdays unless stated on your permit. Night travel is permitted for loads that are over length as long as you have 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle and are on multiple lane roads. If your shipment is no longer than 42 meters (137′ 10″) on a single-lane road you will be required to have 1 front pilot car/escort vehicle and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle. Weekend travel is permitted for loads that are over length only. If your shipment is in excess of 4.45 meters (14′ 7″) in width you will be permitted to travel only during daylight hours. If over 3.85 meters (12′ 7″) in width you may not travel on Sundays. There is no travel permitted on the following holidays:
- New Years’ Day
- Provincial day
- Good Friday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Family Day
- Labour Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
Adverse weather conditions: If adverse weather conditions are reported you may not proceed with your shipment and are required to remain where ever you are. If adverse weather conditions interrupt your shipment you are required to pull over at the nearest suitable location even if it is on the side of the road unless you are over width. Overwidth loads must continue until they are able to completely turn off of the road and remain until adverse weather conditions stop. If your shipment is over 4.45 meters (14′ 7″) in width or 5.32 meters (17′ 5″) in height you are not permitted to travel with snow or fog visibility less than 150 meters (492′), if the road is covered with snow or ice or sleet or any other conditions that may affect the driver from proceeding with the absolute safety in mind first and foremost.
Frost laws: Alberta does have frost laws but when they are in effect changes every year based on testing with a heat flow model that measures 30 cm below the surface. So, if you are shipping during the spring months you will need to call the number below for the exact frost law restriction dates. There are exemptions which include milk and bread trucks, farm machinery, water, fuel, fertilizer, mail, and buses.
When Are Pilot Cars Required in Alberta?
If your shipment is in excess of any of the following dimensions, you will be required to have a pilot car escort you.
- Length: If your shipment is in excess of 34 meters (111′) in overall length you are required to have 1 rear pilot car on single lane roads. For shipments in excess of 38 meters (124′ 8″) you are required to have 1 front pilot car/escort and 1 rear pilot car/escort.
- Width: If your shipment is in excess of 3.85 meters (12′ 7″) wide you are required to have 1 front pilot car/escort on a single lane road or one rear pilot car/escort on multiple lane roads. For shipments over 4.45 meters (14′ 7″) wide require 1 front pilot car/escort and 1 rear pilot car/escort on single lane roads. If your shipment is in excess of 5.5 meters (18′) you are required to have 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle on all roads.
- Height: Alberta does not normally use pilot cars with high poles as they have designated routes for shipments that are over-height. You can view the routes on the Alberta DOT high load corridor page located here.
Weight: As long as your shipment can maintain the minimum required speed limit you will probably not be required to have a pilot car/escort by the Alberta DOT. - Overhang: If you have an overhang that is over 6.5 meters (21′ 4″) you will be required to have 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle. If your shipment overhang is in excess of 9 meters (29′ 6″) you will be required to have 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle.
Pilot Car Requirements in Alberta
Pilot car (escort vehicle) requirements for operating in Alberta province are as follows:
Pilot car/escort vehicle operators are NOT required to take any sort of DOT certification course in order to operate in Canada. Your vehicle is required however to have a lighted sign box that’s a minimum of 180 cm x 35 cm x 10 cm (72″ x 14″ x 4″), 2 – 175 mm (7″) diameter flashing lights mounted on the top of the sign box on each side with 2 amber strobing or rotating lights a minimum of 203 mm (8″) mounted between the flashing lights on top of the box as well. The sign box must light up and be visible from a minimum distance of 200 meters (656′). The sign box must have either a red and white D sign or a yellow with black lettering stating “OVERSIZE LOAD”, “WIDE LOAD”, OR “LONG LOAD”. If you have the “D” sign your letter must be no less than 20 cm (8″) in height with a 4 cm (1 5/8″) line thickness. If you have the yellow sign your lettering must be no less than 20 cm (8″) with a 4 cm (1 5/8″) line thickness. The sign box must be mounted on the top of the vehicle and covered when not in operation. You are also expected to have the following items inside of the vehicle: CB radio or high powered 2-way radio, first aid kit, fire extinguisher type A, B & C of at least a 2 liters, 3 reflective road triangles, 3 traffic cones, reflective vest (worn while working), slow/stop sign, 3 red or orange safety colored flags no less than 40 x 40 cm (16″ x 16″), nose cone flashlight and a hard hat.
Shipment, Truck, and Trailer Markings in Alberta
Truck, trailer, and shipment signs, banners, and flags in Alberta
All trucks hauling oversize or overweight loads must have a strobing, flashing, or rotating amber light mounted to the roof that is visible from 360 degrees at a minimum distance of 200 meters (656′). All 4 outermost corners of the overall shipment and any obtrusive points must have flags mounted to them that are safety red or orange no less than 40 cm x 40 cm (16″ x 16″) and have the flags exchanged for lighting if moving during the night. A sign stating the nature of the load, “OVERSIZE LOAD,” “WIDE LOAD,” or “LONG LOAD,” must be mounted to the front and rear of the overall shipment. Signs must be a minimum of 12′ in height and 6′ in width with a yellow background and black letting with lettering thickness no less than 4 cm (1 5/8″) thick.
Alberta DOT and Other Information
Alberta DOT contact and other information are below:
Alberta DOT & Central Permit Office
Telephone helpline: 403-342-7138 toll-free (all of North America): 800-662-7138
Fax: 403-340-5278
Road ban information: Current road bans. Toll-free (all of North America): 855-762-3226
6 AM until 12 Midnight Monday – Friday
7 Am until 10 PM on weekends and holidays – MOUNTAIN TIME ZONE
MORE USEFUL RESOURCES
Alberta’s Current Road Restrictions
Alberta Canada road and Weather Conditions.
Alberta DOT Permit Office
The information contained in these pages is research information primarily for use by oversize and overweight trucking company drivers, dispatchers, and pilot car companies. While every effort is put into maintaining the accuracy of this information you must absolutely verify this information with the Alberta Province DOT Permits office before commencing movement.
