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″
(2.6 m)
Height:13 ft
6 in. (4.15 m)
Length:
75 ft (23 m)
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.
Get Your Permit Today
Call: 224-998-3880
ESCORTS
Length: Varies by route and season
Width:
· Over 12’6″ – 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.