In British Columbia, 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 | British Columbia legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 7 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 75.5 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 63,500 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… | British Columbia requires |
|---|---|
| 12.6 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 12.5 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 14.5 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 90 ft long | 1 escort · 110 ft → 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high or 19.7 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, BC Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas, Boxing Day.
4Superloads in British Columbia
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 14.44 ft |
| Height | 16 ft |
| Length | 131 ft |
| Gross weight | 187,000 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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?British Columbia permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in British Columbia?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 7 in high, 75.5 ft long (combination), or 63,500 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in British Columbia?
British Columbia requires one escort at 12.6 ft wide (two at 12.5 ft), a height pole at 14.5 ft high.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in British Columbia?
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 British Columbia?
Over 14.44 ft wide, 16 ft high, 131 ft long, or 187,000 lbs gross. It requires a route survey and about 7 days of lead time.
How much does a British Columbia 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 British Columbia load with FreightDeck →.