ALBERTA OVERSIZE PERMITS & ESCORTS INFORMATION

PERMITS: Permits valid for two consecutive days. Must have permit prior to entering Alberta.

OPERATING TIME: Most vehicles can travel 24/7, but when over 12’6″ wide, travel is not allowed after 3:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and no Sunday travel is allowed. Over 14’6″, travel is allowed during daylight hours only.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

Tractor Wheelbase: On legal sized loads, tractor wheelbase (from center of steer axle to center of drive axles) cannot exceed 244 inches without the Annual Permit for Long Wheelbase Tractors.  This still limits overall length to maximum of 75’6″. With an annual dimension permit and with a single trip oversize or overweight permit, tractor wheelbase is allowed to increase to a maximum of 267.7 inches.

Tridem Drive Tractor: Tridem drive tractors are not legal unless all axles drive and are evenly spaced. Lift axles are not allowed. If a lift axle is chained up, wheelbase rules apply.

Spread Axles: A spread axle group (6′ or more spread) is not allowed to carry more than 20,000 pounds total (10,000 pounds per axle).

Lift & Flip Axles: Alberta does not recognize lift axles unless they meet very specific guidelines outlines in the Annual Equipment Exemption Permit for Trailer Lift Axles.   Otherwise they must be chained up securely. Flip axles are allowed on double-drop trailers with an Annual Equipment Exemption, if they are evenly spaced and put up when trailer is not loaded, trailer kingpin to center of axle group does not exceed 50 feet, trailer length does not exceed 60 feet, and overall length does not exceed 82 feet.

LEGAL DIMENSIONS

Length: 53′ semi-trailer and load (lift axle must be up)75.5′ overall

Overhang: Center of rear axle group to end of trailer or load must not exceed 35% of trailer wheelbase (measured as Kingpin to center of rear axle group) or else it will need to be permitted.

Width: 8’6″

Height: 13’7″

Weight:

• Single – 20,020
• Tandem – 37,400
• Tridem – 46,200 (52,900 with minimum of 9.8′ spacings)
• Steer- 12,100 (can get more with wider tires)

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS

Length: Depends on routes and load

Width: Depends on routes and load

Height: 17′ normally, but may depend on routes

Weight:

• Single – 12,100
• Tandem – 55,000
• Tridem – 59,400

ANNUAL ALBERTA PERMITS: These permits are available and cover all our units:

• Annual Dimension Permit: Covers up to 14’6″ wide, 16’4″ high, 88’6″ long (or 100′ long with stretch rgn), 21′ rear overhang.
• Equipment Exemption for Trailer Lift Axle: Allows use of certain types of lift axle if very specific conditions are met.
• Equipment Exemption for Trailer Flip Axle: See Lift & Flip Axles section, above.
• Equipment Exemption for Long Wheelbase Tractors: see Tractor Wheelbase section.
• Equipment Exemption for use of “Oversize Load” signs.

ESCORTS

Length: Varies by route and season

Width:

• Over 12’7″ – 1 escort
• over 14’6″ – 2 escorts

Height: Not usually required

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: Flag widest point(s) of any load over 8’6″ wide or light at night. Over 10′ wide also requires signs front and rear – “D” warning signs or “Wide Load” signs, or you can use “Oversize Load” signs with a copy of the Annual Equipment Exemption Permit noted above.  Over 11′ wide requires a flashing beacon light on tractor cab, visible from all directions. If not visible from the rear, a second beacon should be mounted to the rear.

SEASONAL LOAD RESTRICTIONS: During spring thaw, overweight permits are not issued for any highways within the thaw zone.  Legal axle weights only are allowed on main highways, and some routes further restrict weights to 75% or 90% of legal. Spring thaw “road bans” last until about June 15th.