Permits Canada obtains oversize and overweight permits for the Northwest Territories for trucks and loads over the legal width, height, length or weight.
Northwest Territories legal dimensions and weight
A truck and load within these limits needs no oversize or overweight permit in the Northwest Territories.
| Width | 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) |
|---|---|
| Height | 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in) |
| Length | 25 m (82 ft) overall for a tractor-semitrailer; semitrailer max 16.2 m (53 ft 2 in) |
| Gross weight | 39,500 kg (87,082 lb) for a 5-axle tractor-semitrailer (5,500 kg steer + 17,000 kg tandem drive + 17,000 kg tandem trailer) |
Northwest Territories oversize permit rules
| Permits offered | Single trip oversize, Single trip overweight, Annual over width, Annual over height, Annual extended length, Annual winter road |
|---|---|
| Escorts | Over 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) wide: one front escort, except loads up to 3.85 m (12 ft 8 in) on enhanced-visibility highways (Hwy 1 from the Alberta border to Hwy 3, Hwy 2 and Hwy 3) showing amber flashing lights. Over 4.45 m (14 ft 7 in) wide: front and rear escorts. Over 29 m (95 ft 2 in) long: one rear escort, except up to 31 m (101 ft 8 in) on enhanced-visibility highways. |
Seasonal weight restrictions can cut allowable axle weights to 75% on some highway sections, and ferry and ice-road limits apply seasonally.
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 Northwest Territories 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 Northwest Territories territorial fee, which depends on the dimensions, weight and route.
Also need temporary registration or fuel tax coverage? See Northwest Territories trip & fuel permits.
Northwest Territories oversize permit questions
When is an oversize permit required in the Northwest Territories?
When the truck or load exceeds the Northwest Territories legal limits: width 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in), height 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in), length 25 m (82 ft) overall for a tractor-semitrailer; semitrailer max 16.2 m (53 ft 2 in).
What is the legal gross weight in the Northwest Territories?
The legal gross weight in the Northwest Territories is 39,500 kg (87,082 lb) for a 5-axle tractor-semitrailer (5,500 kg steer + 17,000 kg tandem drive + 17,000 kg tandem trailer). A heavier truck needs an overweight permit.
When are pilot or escort vehicles required in the Northwest Territories?
Over 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) wide: one front escort, except loads up to 3.85 m (12 ft 8 in) on enhanced-visibility highways (Hwy 1 from the Alberta border to Hwy 3, Hwy 2 and Hwy 3) showing amber flashing lights. Over 4.45 m (14 ft 7 in) wide: front and rear escorts. Over 29 m (95 ft 2 in) long: one rear escort, except up to 31 m (101 ft 8 in) on enhanced-visibility highways.
How much does a Northwest Territories oversize permit cost?
Permits Canada charges $40 to $50 CAD per permit, plus the Northwest Territories territorial 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