2021 Manitoba DOT shipping laws, regulations, and limitations, for oversize and heavy-haul trucking over the roads and highways of Manitoba Canada.
Please share your expertise of knowledge with our other visitors below.
Legal limits.
Length: The overall maximum length without a permit is 23 meters.
Width: The maximum width allowed without a permit is 2.6 meters.
Height: 4.15 meters is the maximum height allowed by Manitoba DOT without a permit.
Weight: 9,100 kg on steer (seems high to us so NOT a confirmed number – use reference link below), tandem axles: 17,000 kgs, tridem: 17,000 kgs, or 3 axle combination with proper spacing of a 23,700, quadem: 31,600 kgs, 5 axle: 39,500 kgs and 6 axles: 46,500 kgs. Let me refer you to our reference on this for clarification from Manitoba DOT as there are different weight classes.
Overhang: 3′ 3″ (1 meter) in front or rear.
Routine heavy-haul and oversize trucking permits.
Length: 30 meters in length is about all you are going to get.
Width: 5 meters wide for routine permits depending on routing.
Height: Depending on routing as Manitoba DOT has designated routes the maximum height is 4.8 meters.
Weight: We were unable to get a solid figure. Manitoba DOT has different zones for weight restrictions so it all depends on which zone you need to travel in. See Manitoba DOT zone map.
Overhang: Manitoba is overhang laws with permits.
Travel times and restrictions.
Daylight travel times are defined as from sunrise to sunset in Manitoba. No travel is permitted after 3 PM on Fridays during the summer months for shipments in excess of 3.4 meters (11′ 2″) wide on seasonal restricted roads. In the spring shipments in excess of 4.6 meters (15′) in width are not allowed to travel on roads during the spring restriction times. On routes that are not seasonally restricted you may proceed (multiple lane roads) until 3 PM as long as you are no wider than 3.7 meters in width (12′ 2″) on Friday and resume travel on Saturday at sunrise however if you are in excess of 25 meters in length (82′) you are not permitted to travel after 3 PM on Fridays during the summer months if you are on a seasonally restricted highway and resume on Saturday at sunrise – you are allowed however to travel on holidays. Sunday travel is permitted for loads up to 3.85 meters (12′ 7″) in width on all roads that have no seasonal restrictions. On a single lane highway on holidays you can not exceed 3.4 meters (11′ 2″) in order to travel. On multiple lane roads, you can travel only if you are less than 3.7 meters (12′ 2″). This is very confusing so always refer to your permit for final verification but to help the matter lets go over the restricted routes:
- Highway 1 from Falcon Lake to the Manitoba/Ontario border.
- Highway 6, 8, 9, 15, 16, 44, 307, 313, 317.
- Highway 10 from the US border to Riding Mountain National Park.
- Highway 11 but only north of highway 44.
- Highway 12 but only north of highway 15.
- Highway 59 from the west boundary line of Brokenhead to Grand Beach and the South perimeter of St. Malo
Here is the Manitoba link for spring road restrictions with zones to help you with interpretation. Holidays observed are New years day, Provincial day, Good Friday, Victoria day, Canada day, Family day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing day.
Superload information.
We will do more research on superloads in Manitoba in the future. The Manitoba DOT documentation does not cover or mention much about them so we will need to speak with someone on the phone. We are able to see that they are well versed in shipping superloads as they mention in their online documentation that there will make arrangements to remove roadside signs and replace them for shipments that are in excess of the road width. We will get back to this section soon but in the meantime appreciate any comments you may be able to leave for other visitors below.
Pilot car are escort vehicle information.
Manitoba DOT requires you to have a pilot car if your shipment is in excess of any of the following regulated limits:
Length: Shipments that are in excess of 30 meters (98′ 5″) long require 1 pilot car/escort vehicle on the rear of the shipment on all roads. For shipments that include a booster of a jeep that is over 31 meters (101′ 9″), you are required to have 1 rear pilot car vehicle on all roads.
Width: If your shipment is in excess of 4.6 meters (15′) wide then you are required to have 1 front pilot car on single lane roads and 1 rear pilot car/escort on multiple lane roads. If your load is in excess of 3.66 meters (12′) but less than 4.55 meters ( 14′ 7″) then you are permitted to travel at night as long as you have 1 front and 1 read pilot car/escort vehicle on all roads and highways. Mobile homes can travel at night on multiple lane roads as long as it does not exceed 5 meters wide (16′ 4″) but are required to have 1 pilot car on the rear.
Height: If you are approved for a shipment that is over the legal limits Manitoba DOT has designated routes and you are not required to have a pilot car.
Weight: As long as your shipment is able to maintain the minimum speed requirements you will more than likely not be required to have a pilot car as long as your shipment is overweight only.
Overhang: Overhang is approved on a case-by-case basis. Check with the Manitoba DOT for further information to see if your shipment will require a pilot car due to excessive overhang.
Pilot car and escort vehicle requirements.
Pilot car/escort vehicle operators are required to take a Manitoba DOT certification course in order to operate in this province. The certification program is recognized by all US jurisdictions that require PEVO except for New York state. 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″), 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 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.
To operate in Manitoba you must obtain a light permit. More information is available by calling: 204-985-0920
Shipment, truck, and trailer markings.
Truck, trailer, and shipment required signs, banners, and flags in Manitoba:
All trucks that are 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 in color 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.
Manitoba DOT contact and other information.
Manitoba DOT – Central Permit Office
Telephone help line, Winnipeg; 877-812-0009 or 204-945-3961 (compliance: 204-945-3890)
Fax line: 204-945-3961
Hours of service: 7:30 AM until 6 PM Monday thru Friday – CENTRAL TIME ZONE.
Manitoba DOT oversize and overweight trucking permits website.
Manitoba spring thaw road restrictions information.
Manitoba DOT axle and axle group weight definitions and restrictions.
Manitoba province current road conditions and closure information.
See also:
Manitoba frost and thaw laws.
Frost law introduction.
Manitoba road closures and reports.
How to start a pilot car company.
Manitoba heavy-haul trucking companies.
Manitoba pilot cars and truck escorts.
