Special permits

The Motor Vehicle Act requires that operators of any vehicle, with or without a load, or any combination of vehicles with or without a load, which is not in conformance with the weights and dimensions set out in regulations, must obtain a special permit to operate on New Brunswick highways.

Oversize Permits are required for a vehicle or vehicle combination transporting indivisible loads that exceeds:

• overall width of 2.60 meters (8'6")
• overall height of 4.15 meters (13'7")
• overall length or overhangs prescribed under NB Regulation 2001-67.
• restrictions to the conditions of movement and the maximum dimension limits apply.

Oversize permits are available as a seven-day (single-trip permit), or extended periods of three-months or one year, subject to dimension limits.

Oversize permits for pre-manufactured homes and modular units are available as a:

• trip permit: extreme width including eaves not exceeding 5.50 m; overall length not exceeding 32.0 m; maximum height on chassis not exceeding 4.88 m
• annual and quarterly permit: Extreme width including eaves not exceeding 4.72 m; overall length not exceeding 32.0 m; maximum height on chassis not exceeding 4.5 m

Over-mass/Oversize Permits are issued for vehicles transporting single piece loads that exceed the axle group or gross masses prescribed under NB Regulation 2001-67:

• Restrictions and limits apply to the authorized weights and dimensions.
• Over-Mass/Oversize permits are available as seven-day (single-trip permits), longer periods of three-month or one year are available, subject to permit limits regarding the requested mass, dimensions, cargo and routes.

Nonconforming Permits are available for specific vehicle configurations that are not included in Regulation 2001-67, which are approved at this time to operate in New Brunswick (under special permit). Non-conforming vehicle permits are valid for a one-year period.

The unit providing the power for the move must be a licensed and insured road vehicle, i.e. a licensed truck or truck-tractor with sufficient power to not unduly delay traffic when the load is being transported.

Farm tractors, backhoes, forklifts, loaders and any other off-highway machinery will not be allowed for this purpose.

If the large building is transported on a chassis consisting of an assembly of beams and axles that is specifically used to move large buildings, this chassis is not considered a vehicle and therefore does not require a Provincial Motor Vehicle inspection, registration or license. This chassis must be equipped with brakes on all axles; it must have lights and must have a secondary means of attachment to the towing vehicle, such as safety chains, if the connection to the towing vehicle is a ball hitch or a pintle hitch.

If the large building is transported on a trailer that may be normally used to haul items other than a large building, that trailer requires a Provincial Motor Vehicle inspection, registration and license.

Maximum dimensions are, at the discretion of the district engineer, based upon several factors including but not restricted to:

• RCMP consultation, the distance of the move and accessibility of pull-off areas to alleviate traffic congestion and to allow the passing of emergency vehicles
• interference of adjoining lanes near turns, and swing-out of load at intersections
• underpass height, and utility line constraints (power, telephone, cable and any others)

Maximum weight will be dependent on the configuration using the following guidelines:

• the maximum tire loading shall not exceed 10 kg per mm of tire width
• the maximum weight on a single axle with single tires shall not exceed 6000 kg
• all other axle weights, spacing and configurations shall be as set out in Regulation 2001-67, Vehicle Dimensions and Mass, Motor Vehicle Act

Maximum travel distance of large building moves within one or more districts is 30 km.

The Special Permit office issues permits for:

• oversize and/or overweight vehicles
• new mini, mobile, and modular homes
• vehicle configurations that do not conform to Regulation 2001-67

The district offices issue permits for oversize:

• standard Oversize Permit (4.27 m in width, 30.00 m in length, and/or 4.50 m in height)
• large building moves originating in that district (buildings exceeding 5.5 m in width)

The Special Permits Office is the contact and application center for the following trucking programs:

• Long Combination Vehicle Operations
• Forestry - Winter Weight Program
• Highway Uprating Program
• Spring Weight Restrictions
• Harmonization of Vehicle Weights and Dimensions
• Road Builders contracted by the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure- Temporary Increased Mass Program

• Application for NB Special Permits
• Modify an existing permit
• Special permits fee schedule (publication)
• Conditions for movement of oversize loads (publication)
  
• Large building move application form (PDF 186 KB)
• "D" Sign specifications (publication)
• Guidelines for long combination vehicles (publication)
• Application For A Special Permit To Transport Truck-Tractor Units In "Saddlemount" Configuration (Piggyback) Up To A Maximum Of Four Units (Including Hauling Unit). NC-PB (PDF 260 KB)
  
• Application For A Special Permit To Operate a Semi-Trailer Having a Wheelbase Less Than 6.25 M (Model Years 2002 and Earlier) NC-SWT (PDF 306 KB)
• Application for a Closed Road Permit (PDF 100 KB)
• Application to transport an indivisible oversize and/or overweight load (Quarterly or Annual Permit) (PDF 221 KB)
• Application to transport an indivisible oversize and/or overweight load (Single Trip Permit) (PDF 241 KB)