British Columbia Oversize and Overweight Permits
Contact (877) 792-5056 for Oversize Permits in British Columbia.
Wide Load Shipping has dedicated specialists ready to help you ship your oversize or overweight load anywhere in BC and other provinces while observing the shipping regulations.
British Columbia Oversize Load Restrictions and Limits
British Columbia legal load limits before a permit is required:
NOTES: No matter what a permit states, if a sign posted on a highway or road contradicts it, it will take precedence over the permit, so you must immediately stop traveling and get clarification.
- Length: 14.65 meters (48.06 feet) from the kingpin to the rearmost portion of the trailer. No combinations in length over 23 meters (75.45 feet) overall without a permit. A 53-foot semi-trailer is allowed provided the lift axle is raised.
- Width: No shipment may travel if more than 2.6 meters in width (without a permit) unless it is a shipment of hay, which is limited to 3.1 meters (122 feet) or rearview mirrors, which are limited to 30 cm (11.81 inches) on each side, additional auxiliary devices are allowed 30 cm (11.81 inches) and tires are allowed an additional 10 cm.
- Height: 4.15 meters (163 feet).
- Weight: Single axle: 9,100 kg (20,062 lbs).
- Overhang: 1m in front and .061 in the rear.
NOTES: No matter what a permit states, if a sign posted on a highway or road contradicts it, it will take precedence over the permit, so you must immediately stop traveling and get clarification.
Routine Trucking Permits in British Columbia
Oversize and overweight trucking permits that the British Columbia DOT routinely issues:
- Length: 27.5 meters.
- Width: 4.4 meters.
- Height: The British Columbia DOT permit office wants to assess every over-height load based on intended routing.
- Weight: This is the same as the height. They will not give you a solid number for routine.
- Overhang: 6.5 meters for routine permits for overhang.
NOTES: If your shipment is oversized and overweight, you must have two permits. Oversize loads are required to have safety flags no less than 16″ x 16″ (46.64 cm) square and be red.
Superload Transport in British Columbia – Extraordinary Loads
British Columbia superload information:
- Superloads in British Columbia or “extraordinary loads” are defined by the DOT as any shipment over 85,000 kilograms GVW in weight, 4.4 meters in width, and 4.88 meters in overall height.
- Depending on your route, you may not be classified as a “Superload” as the British Columbia DOT has pre-approved designated routes.
Permitted Oversize and Overweight Load Travel Times and Restrictions in British Columbia
British Columbia DOT travel times and restrictions for oversize and overweight trucking:
- The rule of daylight is defined as 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset in B.C.
- Travel is not allowed after 2 p.m. Friday until 12:01 a.m. Monday for any load over 3.8 meters (12′ 6″) in width.
- If your shipment is over 3.5 meters (11′ 6″) in width, you can only travel during daylight hours except for the Peace River region.
- For holiday travel restrictions, you may not travel after 2 p.m. on the day before and after 12:01 p.m. on the day after the holiday. These holidays are New Year’s Day, Provincial Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Family Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
When Are Pilot Cars Required in British Columbia?
British Columbia DOT requires a pilot car (escort vehicle) to accompany your shipment if you are more than any of the following dimensions or weights:
- Length: For shipments over 27.5 meters (90′) in length, you must have 1 rear pilot car (escort vehicle) on all roads. For shipments over 27.5 meters (90′) in length, 1 front pilot car/escort and 1 rear pilot car/escort are required.
- Width: For shipments over 3.5 meters (11′ 6″) wide, you must have 1 front pilot car on two-lane roads or 1 rear pilot car/escort on multiple-lane roads. In some cases, a beacon light may be substituted. Night travel is often granted at 304.8 cm (10′ wide). If granted night travel you may be required to have 1 pilot car/escort in the front of your shipment, which is over 3.2 meters in width. Shipments over 3.5 meters wide up to 4.4 meters require 1 front pilot car/escort vehicle. Shipments over 3.5 meters wide are permitted to travel at night only.
- Height: Depending on your route, the BC DOT permit office will determine whether you are required to have a pilot car or escort vehicle.
- Weight: Weight is on a case-by-case basis. 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 British Columbia DOT permit office.
- Overhang: If your overhang is more than 6.5 meters, you must have one rear pilot car or escort.
Pilot Car Certifications in British Columbia
Pilot car (escort vehicle) certifications and requirements for operating in British Columbia:
- Pilot car/escort vehicle operators are currently only required to have a valid driver’s license and be over 18 years old.
- Your vehicle is required to have a lighted sign box that is a minimum of 180 cm x 35 cm x 10 cm (72″ x 14″ x 4″) and has 2 – flashing lights mounted on the top of the sign box on each side with 2 amber strobe or rotating lights a minimum of 203 mm (8″) mounted between the flashing lights on top of the box as well.
- The minimum acceptable size for a rotating amber light is 15 cm in diameter, and for strobe lights, 11 cm in diameter. Either type of lamp must emit light flashes at 360 degrees.
- The sign box must light up and be visible from a minimum distance of 200 meters.
- The signed 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 at least 20 cm (8″) thick and have a 4 cm line thickness.
- The sign box must be mounted on the vehicle’s top and covered when not in operation.
- You’re 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 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 British Columbia
Truck, trailer, and shipment required signs, banners, and flags:
- All trucks hauling oversize or overweight loads must have a strobe, flashing, or rotating amber light mounted to the roof. The light must be visible from 360 degrees and 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.
- The front and rear of the overall shipment must have signs. ” stating the nature of the load, such as “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.
Request a Quote for Oversize Loads in British Columbia Today
Wide Load Shipping is the go-to pilot car and permit-acquiring company in British Columbia. Let us haul your load and ensure it’s accompanied by the right paperwork and pilot cars.
Get a quote today or call us at (877) 792-5056 for more information.
