Alberta Oversize & Overweight Permit Requirements & Rules (2026)

In Alberta, any load that exceeds the legal size or weight limits requires an oversize/overweight permit before it moves. Below are the legal limits and the requirements that apply at each threshold.

1When you need a permit

A load is oversize or overweight once it passes any of these:

Dimension	Alberta legal limit	Permit if over
Width	8 ft 6 in	Wider
Height	13 ft 7 in	Taller
Length (combination)	82 ft	Longer
Gross weight	139,991 lbs	Heavier
Single axle	18,740 lbs	Heavier
Tandem axle	37,480 lbs	Heavier

Rear overhang is limited to 6.56 ft and front overhang to 3 ft before it counts toward length, and any overhang must be flagged.

2Escort & pilot car requirements

When the load reaches…	Alberta requires
12.67 ft wide	1 escort (pilot car)
14.58 ft wide	2 escorts
999 ft high	Escort with a height pole / pole car
111 ft long	1 escort · 125 ft → 2 escorts
17 ft 4 in high or 24 ft wide	Route survey required

3When you can travel

Daylight only — 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset.
Weekend travel allowed within dimensional limits.
Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Heritage Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas, Boxing Day.

4Superloads in Alberta

A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:

Superload trigger	Threshold
Width	16.4 ft
Height	17 ft 5 in
Length	118 ft
Gross weight	265,000 lbs

Superloads require a route survey and roughly 7 days of lead time for approval.

5Permit timing

Standard single-trip: ~3 business days to issue.
Superload: ~7 days (route survey + review).
Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~7 days.

Get the full cost of your load

FreightDeck estimates every cost on an oversize move — permits, escorts, police, route survey, engineering, and the truck rate — for your exact load and route, across all 48 states and Canada, up to superload size.

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Note: these requirements are for planning and are verified as of May 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the provincial transport authority before dispatch.

?Alberta permit FAQ

When do I need an oversize permit in Alberta?

Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 7 in high, 82 ft long (combination), or 139,991 lbs gross.

When do I need a pilot car in Alberta?

Alberta requires one escort at 12.67 ft wide (two at 14.58 ft), a height pole at 999 ft high.

Can you drive an oversize load at night in Alberta?

No — oversize loads move daylight-only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.

What counts as a superload in Alberta?

Over 16.4 ft wide, 17 ft 5 in high, 118 ft long, or 265,000 lbs gross. It requires a route survey and about 7 days of lead time.

How much does a Alberta oversize permit cost?

The state permit fee depends on the load's size and weight. The full cost of a move also includes escorts, police, route surveys, engineering, and the truck rate, which vary by route. FreightDeck estimates all of it for your exact load — price your Alberta load with FreightDeck →.