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Alberta Oversize / Overweight Regulations

What is considered as "Oversized Load" in Alberta?

DIMENSIONS
Height:
All Categories: 4.15 m (13 ft 6 in.)
Width:
All Categories: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in.)
Length, including load, does not exceed:
Category 1: Tractor Semitrailer 23 m (75 ft)
Category 1A: Tridem Drive 23 m (77 ft)
Category 2: A-Train Double 25 m (82 ft)
Category 3: B-Train Double 27.5 m (90 ft)
Category 4: C-Train Double 25 m (82 ft)
Category 5: Straight Truck 12.5 m (41 ft)
Category 6: Truck - Pony Trailer 23 m (75 ft)
Category 7: Truck - Full Trailer 23 m (75 ft)

What is considered as "Overweight Load" in Alberta?

WEIGHTS Weight per Tire:
The lesser of 3650 kg (8,000 lb.) or tire cross section in mm, multiplied by 10.
Steering Axle: 3650 kg (12,100 lb. )
Twin Steer: 13,600 kg (30,000 lb.)
Single Axle: 9,100 kg (20,000 lb.)
Tandem Axle: 17,000 kg (37,000 lb.) (8 or more tires)
Tridem Axle: 24,000 kg (52,500 lb.) 12 or more tires
Tractor-Trailer: 55,300 kg (121,500 lb.)
A-Train: 55,300 kg (121,500 lb.)
B-Train: 63,5000 kg (140,000 lb.)
C-Train: 60,500 kg (130,000 lb.)

Alberta Oversize / Overweight Permits

Alberta Permit Department Contact Information

Fax:

Alberta Pilot Cars / Escorts

When a public vehicle is being operated under the authority of a special permit and the widest part of the vehicle or its load is more than:

(1) 2.6 meters (8 ft. 6 in.) in width, the vehicle must be equipped with warning flags, if operated during daylight, and warning lights, if operated during darkness or during adverse weather conditions, that are displayed on each side at the widest part of the vehicle or load.

(2) 3.05 meters (10 ft.) in width, the vehicle must, in addition to being equipped, be equipped with dimensional signs front and rear.

3) 3.35 meters (11 ft.) in width, the vehicle must, in addition to being equipped as required under (1) and (2) above, be equipped with one or more flashing lights;

(4) 3.85 meters (12 ft. 7 in.) ft in width, the vehicle must also be equipped as required under (1) to (3) above,

when on a 2-lane highway:

if it or its load is not more than 4.45 meters (9 ft. 9 in.) in width, be accompanied by a pilot vehicle, and
if it or its load is more than 4.45 meters (9 ft. 9 in.) in width, be accompanied by a pilot vehicle and a trail vehicle, and

when on a multi-lane highway,

if it or its load is not more than 5.5 meters (18 ft.) in width, be accompanied by a trail vehicle, and (II) if it or its load is more than 5.5 meters (18 ft.) in width, be accompanied by a pilot vehicle and a trail vehicle, unless the special permit provides otherwise, and
must not be operated on a highway - from 3 p.m. until midnight on a Friday or a day preceding a statutory holiday, or on Sunday or a statutory holiday.

Alberta Axle Regulations

Maximum Legal Weight Allowed

Tractor Semi-Trailer

WEIGHT LIMIT

Steering Axle Maximum 6000 kg (13,227 lb.)

Single Axle:

Single tires Maximum 7300 kg (16,093 lb.)

Super single tires Maximum 7700 kg * (16,975 lb.)

Dual tires Maximum 9100 kg (20,062 lb.)

Tandem Axle:

Single tires Maximum 13,600 kg (29,982 lb.)

Super single tires Maximum 15,400 kg (33.951 lb.)*

Dual tires Maximum 17,000 kg (34.478 lb.)

Tridem Axle:

Single and super single tires Maximum 19,000 kg ** (41,887 lb.)

Dual tires with axle spread from
2.4 m to less than 3.0 m Maximum 21,000 kg ** (46,297 lb.)

Dual tires with axle spread from
3.0 m to 3.7 m Maximum 24,000 kg ** (52,910 lb.)

Gross Vehicle Weight Limits

See Weight Calculator Cannot exceed the sum of the maximum
legal axle weights and is subject to minimum interaxle spacing.

* Super single tires require “New Generation, Wide Base” tires with a minimum tire width of 445 mm. Available by permit only. Super single tires do not apply to the steering axle.

** These weights for tridem axles apply to provincial highways only. The maximum weight for a tridem axle on a municipal road is 17,000 kg (34.478 lb.). Permits may be available to achieve heavier weights.

Alberta also has maximum permit tables for A-Train, B-Train and C-Train and other truck-trailer combinations.

Maximum Permit Weight Allowed

Maximum Allowable Registered Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) – 63,500 kg (139,993 lb.)

Alberta Trip and Fuel (IRP / IFTA) Permits

In-Transit Permits (Temporary Permits)

In-Transit Permits are intended to allow a person to transport a vehicle or trailer which is not currently registered from one location in Alberta to another location within Canada.

We can only provide an In Transit Permit for clients in our office. We cannot do this over the phone or online. Please contact your local Registry Office for more information specific to your situation and location.

In Transit Permits are valid for up to 7 days if for the purpose of transporting the vehicle to another province, to allow a prospective buyer to test drive the vehicle, or for inspection or mechanical services. If you are getting an In Transit Permit to move the vehicle from Point A to Point B within Alberta, the permit will be valid for a maximum of 3 days. If the In-Transit Permit is for a Salvage Vehicle, the permit is valid for only 24 hours. The cost is $24.45.

To obtain an In-Transit Permit, provide proof of insurance (digital or paper) as well as your own driver’s license. For travel outside of Alberta, we will also require Proof of Ownership (bill of sale or certificate of title).

Temporary Permits (Fuel Permits)

For situations where IFTA credentials are required more urgently, TRA may issue a 30-day temporary permit for an additional fee of $10 per vehicle.

Existing registrants may contact TRA and provide the make, model and vehicle identification number (VIN).
New carriers must include the above information and the IFTA Registration form.

Temporary permits will not be processed until payment has been received.

Temporary permits can take 7-10 business days to process under normal circumstances. Contact the jurisdictions you will be traveling to if you need to travel immediately to arrange for a trip permit.

Temporary permits and a copy of the IFTA license will be faxed to the carrier.

Alberta Overweight / Oversize Fines

No person shall operate a vehicle that exceeds the legal dimensions allowed in Alberta. Except as otherwise permitted under this Act, a person shall not drive or operate a vehicle on a highway unless that vehicle complies with the vehicle and equipment standards set out in the regulations in respect of that vehicle.

Example if a vehicle is violating the permit issued and if it is overweight; three rear axles 5,048 over the maximum the fine you could face is $575.00.

HEIGHT FINE

More than 19 feet but less than 29 feet $1.00 + $0.20 for every 3,9 inches over 19 feet high

29 feet or greater $6.80

Source: https://demo.oversize.io/regulations/oversize-overweight-fines-by-state/alberta

Running Hours and Holiday Restrictions

Warning Lights

All Oversize Vehicles Daytime only, must have warning lights displayed on each side at the widest part of the load during darkness or during adverse weather conditions.

"Oversize Load Banner

A red and white "D" Banner sign on the front of the power unit and on the back of the load: Measuring 2.45 m (8 ft) by 0.3m (10 in.) high, the letter "D" in the center, 20 cm (8 in.) high, Series E.
The white portions must have good reflective quality.
The red portions must be painted with the transparent red paint used for stopsigns. Alternate "Wide Load"" Sign for oversize Loads:
Size: The panel must be 1.5 meters by 0.3 meters.
Letters: Must be black on a yellow background and the “Wide Load” letters must be 20 centimeters high, Series C.
4 The panel must have a 9.5 mm black border at the panel’s edge.

Flag Requirements

All Oversize Vehicles Daytime only, must have rectangular warning flags of red or orange color with sides that are at least 400 millimetres in length displayed on each side at the widest part of the load.

Flags, Lights and Banners

Daylight travel (1/2 hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset).

Travel on Fridays until 3 pm for loads that exceed 3.85 meters in width (12′ 7″).

Night travel is permitted on multiple lane roads for over-length loads (1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle required.

For loads in excess of 42 meters (137′ 10″) long on a single lane road pilot cars are required in front and rear.

Weekend travel is permitted for loads that are over length only. Loads greater than 4.45 meters (14′ 7″) in width are permitted to travel only during daylight hours.

Loads more than 3.85 meters (12′ 7″) wide may not travel on Sundays.

Travel is not permitted on: New Years day, Provincial day, Good Friday, Victoria day, Canada day, Family day, Labor day, Thanksgiving day, Remembrance day, Christmas day, and on Boxing day.

Alberta Tire Regulations

Tires must be matched in size and type on each axle. Tread depth minimum is .32 cm (1/8”) above wear bars, no baldness showing on adjacent treads is allowed.

No part of the vehicle shall come within 2.54 cm (1 in.) of any part of the tire in any position of travel or turn. The minimum tread depth you should have on your tires at the commencement of winter is approximately 6/32" (or 4.8mm).

There are no studded tire restrictions in Alberta. Also, the province of Alberta does not make it mandatory for vehicles to be equipped with winter tires during the winter months. However, Alberta Transportation does recommend that driving in severe winter conditions that vehicles are equipped with four winter or all-weather tires for improved traction and control.

Alberta Frost Laws

The Alberta Ministry of Transportation offers a subscription service on its website to drivers who wish to stay up-to-date with road ban orders and seasonal weight changes. According to the website, seasonal weights for heavy haul are set according to the following schedule:

Spring: weather dependent, subject to thaw depth readings and begins at same time as Period 1 (weather dependent, subject to thaw readings of at last 25 cm.

Post-Thaw: June 16 (may begin one week earlier or one week later)

Summer: July 1

Fall: September 1

Winter: weather dependent, subject to frost depth readings of one meter or more. In winter, trucking weights can be greater because the pavement is less vulnerable when the ground beneath it is frozen, providing support.

Alberta also publishes a "Road Ban List" of major highways. Typically, the document lists weight restrictions of 90% or 75% of permitted axel weights. Access to the bans list (a PDF file) can be accessed from: http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/522.htm.

Current frost or thaw line:

Thaw/Contour Map (pdf)

Alberta Annual Permits

Annual Permits cover up to 14’6″ wide, 16’4″ high, 88’6″ long , 21′ rear overhang.. Please click on the link above to look at this in detail.

Alberta Road Conditions

Alberta appears to take construction zone safety very seriously, with tiered construction zones, significant fines for violations, and points (demerits) on the operator’s driving record. When driving through a construction zone in Alberta, drivers will generally pass through three zones:

Zone One: Is an advanced warning area that tells traffic what to expect ahead.
Zone Two: Is a transition area that typically moves traffic out of its normal path and advises drivers to reduce speed and not pass other vehicles.
Zone Three: Is a buffer area that typically uses traffic cones and barricades that are meant to protect road workers and equipment, just before the work area begins.

Drivers convicted of speeding through construction zones will be subject to double the fine. When workers are present, fines for speeding in construction zones are doubled as well. Demerit points will also be applied to the driver’s record if convicted, but will not be doubled. For example:

Speed Demerit Fine Range (includes surcharge)

1 – 15 km over 2 $57 – $89
$114 – $178 doubled

16 – 30 km over 3 $103 – $177
$206 – $354 doubled

31 – 50 km over 4 $187 – $351
$374 – $702

Over 50 km 6 Mandatory Court appearance.
Fines are at the discretion of the Court.

Tips for Driving in Construction Zones

Check road reports ahead of time and use an alternate route if possible.
Construction or road maintenance zones will have roadway signs in advance to warn motorists that road work is being done.
When approaching a construction zone, use extra caution, and slow down where people are working on or near the road.
Obey all directions by flag people. Treat flag people working on roads with respect and remain calm if traffic is delayed.
Be patient with construction speed limits and road markers. Expect delays and be aware that your trip will take a little longer.
Obey all warning signs, traffic control devices and posted speed limits within the zone.
Avoid changing lanes, look well ahead, and be ready for sudden stops.
Vehicles ahead of you may stop unexpectedly so keep lots of space and be prepared to stop.

Alberta Manufactured Houses and Mobile homes

No specific information in regards to Manufactured and mobile homes. It seems like they are treated like normal oversized/weight shipments.