Overview
Established maximum vehicle weight and dimension limits help preserve highway infrastructure and the safety of the public. This includes legal limits for any registered vehicle for travel on any public road, as well as the provision for movement of oversize loads under permit.
Establishing maximum weight and dimension limits also:
- minimizes the inconvenience to the public
- minimizes damage to the roadway infrastructure
- facilitates the movement of commodities which are non-divisible, deemed impractical to divide, or uneconomical to transport at legal dimensions
- establishes and communicates to the carrier, a set of conditions for the safe movement of the load
How to apply
Online applications
Web enabled permit applications must be submitted by entering your application directly on TRAVIS Web or by contacting one of a network of TRAVIS agents. TRAVIS Agents charge a fee for their services and fees may vary.
A list of web enabled permits and accredited agents is available in the Obtaining Permits for Overweight and Over-dimensional Vehicles document.
You can also obtain this information by contacting the Central Permit Office at [email protected] or by phone at 1-800-662-7138.
Application instructions
To get instructions for entering your application:
- Go to TRAVIS Web.
- Click on the link for 'Application User Guides' on the left side.
- Click on ‘TRAVIS Routing User Guide’.
Help with your application
If you experience difficulty using TRAVIS Web, contact the Central Permit Office at [email protected] or by phone at 1-800-662-7138 and a Permit Program Delivery Representative will help you get your permit(s).
Email or phone applications
For permits that are not available online, please contact the Central Permit Office by phone at 1-800-662-7138 or email [email protected].
Cost
The permit fees are regulated by the Commercial Vehicle Dimension and Weight Regulation AR 315/2002.
This electronic service is meant to be a simplified guide to certain parts of the acts and regulations, and not a substitute for them. We are not responsible for any omissions in the following documents. It is the responsibility of the transporter to consult the regulations for the exact requirements before moving shipments.
Resources
- New Weight Allowances for Commercial Vehicles with Alternative Fuel Sources
- Escort vehicle operator's handbook
- Notice to Manufacturers of Oversized Commodities
- Transportation of Modular Construction Components: pre-approval process
- Emergency Movement of Equipment
Seasonal Axle Weight Program
We have updated the Seasonal Axle Weight Program. Historically, Alberta has had heavier winter haul weights for industry when frost penetrates the ground to one metre.
In winter, trucking weights can be greater because the pavement is less vulnerable when the ground beneath it is frozen, providing support. Industry relies on this seasonal axle weight increase to maximize their payloads throughout the winter.
After conducting research into the impact of frost depth on pavement integrity, we have approved a new Seasonal Axle Weight Program which will set the winter weight frost depth at .75 m, versus one metre.
This will provide significant benefit to industry allowing them to haul heavier loads for a longer period, reducing trucking trips, while still protecting our roads from damage.
Amended weights on overweight permits
Carriers may now lower their weights on single trip, overweight permits when they have been weighed at a government vehicle inspection station or mobile inspection stations without providing a weigh ticket provided they meet the requirements of the Amended Weights on Single Trip Permits Procedure. Weights can be lowered without following this procedure if a government weigh scale ticket is provided to the Central Permit Office.
Amended Weights on Single Trip Overweight Permits
Weight allowances for alternative fuel types
We support the use of alternative fuels such as electricity, compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, and hydrogen/diesel dual fuel. These alternative fuel systems have heavier components than diesel engines and may exceed maximum legal weights. To encourage broader use of these fuel types, we provide additional axle weight allowances on these types of vehicles.
Carriers will require a special permit allowing the extra weight to be distributed between the steering axle and drive axle group for a combined maximum axle weight increase of 1,000 kg, as shown in the table below. The overall Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) remains unchanged, and vehicles must not exceed the maximum allowable for the vehicle configuration in accordance with the Commercial Vehicle Dimension and Weight Regulation. This allowance applies to buses, trucks, truck tractors, semi trailer combinations and truck and pony trailer combinations that are powered by alternative fuels.
Table 1. Commercial vehicle maximum regulated weights (kilograms)
| Regulated maximum1 | Permitted allowance1,2,3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Truck – Steering axle | 7,300 | 8,300 |
| Truck tractor – Steering axle | 6,000 | 7,000 |
| Truck/truck tractor – Drive axle | 17,000 | 18,000 |
Seasonal restrictions apply and travel on banned roads is prohibited for vehicles operating with drive axle weights that exceed the ban percentages. Operation on municipal roads requires approval from the municipality. Overweight permits for alternative fuels cost $84 per commercial vehicle and are valid for one year from the date issued.
Contact
Connect with the Central Permit Office:
Toll free: 1-800-662-7138
Phone: 403-342-7138
Email: [email protected]