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) | 75 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 139,991 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,062 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 37,480 lbs | Heavier |
Alberta sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Alberta requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft 8 in wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft 7 in wide | 2 escorts |
| 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.
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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?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, 75 ft long (combination), or 139,991 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Alberta?
Alberta requires one escort over 12 ft 8 in wide (two over 14 ft 7 in).
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.
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 →.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Alberta?
Weekend travel is allowed within the same dimensional limits. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Heritage Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas, and Boxing Day; check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Alberta?
Alberta sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
Does Alberta require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 17 ft 4 in high or 24 ft wide. The survey checks every bridge, sign, signal and wire on the route and is filed with the permit; it usually takes longer than the permit itself, so start it first. What a route survey involves →
Does Alberta have spring thaw weight restrictions?
Yes. Seasonal axle weight limits apply roughly March through May, cutting posted limits by about 15%. Overweight permits on posted roads are limited or unavailable during the window, so schedule heavy deliveries around it. Spring thaw rules by state →
Does a Alberta permit cover British Columbia?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into British Columbia, Saskatchewan, or Montana needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.