Oversize and Overweight Permits in British Columbia
Hauling an oversize or overweight (OSOW) load in British Columbia means permits, escort vehicles, and travel rules set by BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure – CVSE. Here is what applies, and how Trusted Dispatch handles it for you.
A permit is required above these limits:
Max width
2.6 m
8 ft 6 in
Max height
4.15 m
13 ft 7 in
Max length
14.65 m
48 ft 1 in (kingpin to rear)
Legal limits (permit required above these)
| Dimension | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 2.6 m | 8 ft 6 in |
| Height | 4.15 m | 13 ft 7 in |
| Length (kingpin to rear) | 14.65 m | 48 ft 1 in |
Permits and fees
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single-trip oversize (oversize) | $15 CAD (~$11 USD) one-way ($30 CAD (~$22 USD) round-trip) |
| Term oversize (oversize) | $30 CAD (~$22 USD) per month |
| Single-trip overweight (overweight) | By overload weight tier, per 10 km (min $25 CAD). |
| Term overweight (overweight) | $100 CAD (~$72 USD) per month |
| Extraordinary Load (special) | See permit office. |
USD is approximate (about 1.39 CAD to 1 USD, Aug 2026); provinces charge in Canadian dollars.
Pilot car and escort requirements
- Width 0-2.6 m (0 ft-8 ft 6 in) and 31-36 m (101 ft 8 in-118 ft 1 in) long on two-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 0-2.6 m (0 ft-8 ft 6 in) and 36-40 m (118 ft 1 in-131 ft 3 in) long on two-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 0-2.6 m (0 ft-8 ft 6 in) and 40-46 m (131 ft 3 in-150 ft 11 in) long on two-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 0-2.6 m (0 ft-8 ft 6 in) and 40-46 m (131 ft 3 in-150 ft 11 in) long on multi-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 2.6-3.2 m (8 ft 6 in-10 ft 6 in) and 27.5-31 m (90 ft 3 in-101 ft 8 in) long on two-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 2.6-3.2 m (8 ft 6 in-10 ft 6 in) and 31-36 m (101 ft 8 in-118 ft 1 in) long on two-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 2.6-3.2 m (8 ft 6 in-10 ft 6 in) and 31-36 m (101 ft 8 in-118 ft 1 in) long on multi-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 2.6-3.2 m (8 ft 6 in-10 ft 6 in) and 36-40 m (118 ft 1 in-131 ft 3 in) long on multi-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 2.6-3.2 m (8 ft 6 in-10 ft 6 in) and 36-40 m (118 ft 1 in-131 ft 3 in) long on two-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 2.6-3.2 m (8 ft 6 in-10 ft 6 in) and 40-46 m (131 ft 3 in-150 ft 11 in) long on two-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 2.6-3.2 m (8 ft 6 in-10 ft 6 in) and 40-46 m (131 ft 3 in-150 ft 11 in) long on multi-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 3.2-3.8 m (10 ft 6 in-12 ft 6 in) and 0-27.5 m (0 ft-90 ft 3 in) long on two-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 3.2-3.8 m (10 ft 6 in-12 ft 6 in) and 27.5-31 m (90 ft 3 in-101 ft 8 in) long on two-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 3.2-3.8 m (10 ft 6 in-12 ft 6 in) and 31-36 m (101 ft 8 in-118 ft 1 in) long on multi-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 3.2-3.8 m (10 ft 6 in-12 ft 6 in) and 31-36 m (101 ft 8 in-118 ft 1 in) long on two-lane highways: 2 escorts.
- Width 3.2-3.8 m (10 ft 6 in-12 ft 6 in) and 36-40 m (118 ft 1 in-131 ft 3 in) long on two-lane highways: 2 escorts.
- Width 3.2-3.8 m (10 ft 6 in-12 ft 6 in) and 36-40 m (118 ft 1 in-131 ft 3 in) long on multi-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 3.2-3.8 m (10 ft 6 in-12 ft 6 in) and 40-46 m (131 ft 3 in-150 ft 11 in) long on multi-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 3.2-3.8 m (10 ft 6 in-12 ft 6 in) and 40-46 m (131 ft 3 in-150 ft 11 in) long on two-lane highways: 2 escorts.
- Width 3.8-4.4 m (12 ft 6 in-14 ft 5 in) and 0-27.5 m (0 ft-90 ft 3 in) long on multi-lane highways: 1 escort.
- Width 3.8-4.4 m (12 ft 6 in-14 ft 5 in) and 0-27.5 m (0 ft-90 ft 3 in) long on two-lane highways: 2 escorts.
- Width 3.8-4.4 m (12 ft 6 in-14 ft 5 in) and 27.5-31 m (90 ft 3 in-101 ft 8 in) long on multi-lane highways: 2 escorts.
- Width 3.8-4.4 m (12 ft 6 in-14 ft 5 in) and 27.5-31 m (90 ft 3 in-101 ft 8 in) long on two-lane highways: 2 escorts.
- Width 3.8-4.4 m (12 ft 6 in-14 ft 5 in) and 31-36 m (101 ft 8 in-118 ft 1 in) long on multi-lane highways: 2 escorts.
- Width 3.8-4.4 m (12 ft 6 in-14 ft 5 in) and 31-36 m (101 ft 8 in-118 ft 1 in) long on two-lane highways: 2 escorts.
- Width 3.8-4.4 m (12 ft 6 in-14 ft 5 in) and 36-40 m (118 ft 1 in-131 ft 3 in) long on two-lane highways: 2 escorts.
- Width 3.8-4.4 m (12 ft 6 in-14 ft 5 in) and 36-40 m (118 ft 1 in-131 ft 3 in) long on multi-lane highways: 2 escorts.
- Width 3.8-4.4 m (12 ft 6 in-14 ft 5 in) and 40-46 m (131 ft 3 in-150 ft 11 in) long on two-lane highways: 3 escorts.
- Width 3.8-4.4 m (12 ft 6 in-14 ft 5 in) and 40-46 m (131 ft 3 in-150 ft 11 in) long on multi-lane highways: 3 escorts.
Load markings (flags, signs, lamps)
- Flag: Red/orange flags on all four corners.
- Flag: Red/orange flag on front projection over 1 m.
- Flag: Red/orange flag on rear projection over 1.2 m.
- Lamp: Amber lamps forward, red rear, on extremities.
- Lamp: One/two amber beacons on truck, or min one pilot vehicle.
- Sign: Wide/D/oversize load signs front and rear.
- Sign: Long/D/oversize load signs front and rear (except B-Trains).
Travel restrictions
- No travel on General Holidays (CTPM Ch 3), with limited Lower Mainland windows.
- No travel when visibility under 100 m due to atmospheric conditions.
- Weekday rush-hour bans west of Abbotsford and south of Squamish.
- Category B travel permitted any time any day in the Peace.
Corridor restrictions
- First Narrows (Lions Gate) Bridge (Hwy 99/1A): no travel
- George Massey Tunnel (Hwy 99): height 4.15 m
- Hwy 1 west of Abbotsford (Hwy 1): height 4.3 m
- Pattullo Bridge (Hwy 1A/99A): no travel
- Waneta Bridge (Hwy 22A): width 2.6 m
- Warfield Underpass eastbound (Hwy 3B/22): height 4.13 m
Oversize permits in other provinces
- Oversize and overweight permits in Alberta
- Oversize and overweight permits in Manitoba
- Oversize and overweight permits in New Brunswick
- Oversize and overweight permits in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Oversize and overweight permits in Nova Scotia
- Oversize and overweight permits in Ontario
- Oversize and overweight permits in Prince Edward Island
- Oversize and overweight permits in Quebec
- Oversize and overweight permits in Saskatchewan
See all Canada oversize and overweight permit guides.
Move your British Columbia heavy haul with Trusted Dispatch
Trusted Dispatch handles the permits, pilot cars, and routing for oversize and overweight loads across Canada. Get an instant estimate that already includes the permit and escort cost for your lane.
Rules current as of July 2026. Always confirm with BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure – CVSE before travel.