Permits Canada obtains oversize and overweight permits for Alberta for trucks and loads over the legal width, height, length or weight.
Alberta legal dimensions and weight
A truck and load within these limits needs no oversize or overweight permit in Alberta.
| Width | 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) |
|---|---|
| Height | 4.15 m (13 ft 7 in) |
| Length | 23 m (75 ft 6 in) overall for a tractor-semitrailer (23.5 m (77 ft 1 in) with a tridem-drive tractor); semitrailer max 16.2 m (53 ft 2 in) |
| Gross weight | 40,000 kg (88,185 lb) for a 5-axle tractor-semitrailer (6,000 kg steer + 17,000 kg tandem drive + 17,000 kg tandem trailer), subject to interaxle spacing |
Alberta oversize permit rules
| Permits offered | Single trip overdimension, Multi-trip overdimension, Single trip overweight, Multi-trip overweight, Annual steering axle overweight |
|---|---|
| Escorts | Loads over 3.85 m (12 ft 8 in) wide need escorts unless the permit states otherwise: on 2-lane highways one pilot vehicle up to 4.45 m (14 ft 7 in) and a pilot plus a trail vehicle above that; on multi-lane highways one trail vehicle up to 5.5 m (18 ft 1 in) and a pilot plus a trail vehicle above that. |
The pilot vehicle runs 300 to 1,000 m ahead of the load and the trail vehicle 100 to 300 m behind, with two-way radio contact at all times.
Getting your permit with Permits Canada
- Send us the online oversize / overweight application with your truck, trailer, load dimensions and route.
- A permit agent applies for your Alberta permit and checks the route conditions.
- Your permit arrives by email with its travel conditions. Oversize and overweight permits can take longer, since the authorities review each application.
Our fee is $40 to $50 CAD per permit, plus the Alberta provincial fee, which depends on the dimensions, weight and route.
Also need temporary registration or fuel tax coverage? See Alberta trip & fuel permits.
Alberta oversize permit questions
When is an oversize permit required in Alberta?
When the truck or load exceeds the Alberta legal limits: width 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in), height 4.15 m (13 ft 7 in), length 23 m (75 ft 6 in) overall for a tractor-semitrailer (23.5 m (77 ft 1 in) with a tridem-drive tractor); semitrailer max 16.2 m (53 ft 2 in).
What is the legal gross weight in Alberta?
The legal gross weight in Alberta is 40,000 kg (88,185 lb) for a 5-axle tractor-semitrailer (6,000 kg steer + 17,000 kg tandem drive + 17,000 kg tandem trailer), subject to interaxle spacing. A heavier truck needs an overweight permit.
When are pilot or escort vehicles required in Alberta?
Loads over 3.85 m (12 ft 8 in) wide need escorts unless the permit states otherwise: on 2-lane highways one pilot vehicle up to 4.45 m (14 ft 7 in) and a pilot plus a trail vehicle above that; on multi-lane highways one trail vehicle up to 5.5 m (18 ft 1 in) and a pilot plus a trail vehicle above that.
How much does an Alberta oversize permit cost?
Permits Canada charges $40 to $50 CAD per permit, plus the Alberta provincial fee, which depends on the dimensions, weight and route.
Last reviewed October 2026. Rules change; your permit agent confirms them for each move. All provinces and states