🚛 Oversize & Overweight Permits
Oversize Transport Permits
From single-trip permits to superload engineering review — Titanways handles every oversize and overweight permit across Canada and the USA.
From single-trip permits to superload engineering review — Titanways handles every oversize and overweight permit across Canada and the USA.
A single-trip permit authorizes one specific oversize or overweight load to travel a defined route within a set validity window — typically a few days. It's the most common permit type for one-off heavy hauls.
Each Canadian province issues its own single-trip oversize/overweight permit, valid for one specific move on a defined route. Requirements and fees vary significantly by province.
Each of the 48 contiguous states issues its own single-trip permit through its DOT or equivalent agency. Titanways files simultaneously across all states on your route.
When your route crosses the Canada–USA border, we coordinate Canadian provincial permits and U.S. state permits as one synchronized package — so your load is legal on both sides before it leaves the yard.
We confirm exact load specs against each jurisdiction's legal limits and bridge formula.
We map your route against known clearance restrictions, weight-limited bridges, and construction zones.
We submit to every jurisdiction on your route simultaneously through DOT/MTO portals.
Approved permits are sent directly to your driver's mobile device before departure.
An annual (blanket) permit covers unlimited trips within specified dimension and weight limits for a full 12-month period — ideal for carriers who haul oversize loads regularly rather than as a one-off.
Most provinces offer annual permits for carriers who regularly haul oversize loads within standard dimension ranges — eliminating the need to file a new permit for every trip.
Many states offer annual blanket permits for carriers with consistent oversize hauling needs, valid for unlimited trips within specified dimension limits for 12 months.
For carriers regularly crossing the border with similar load profiles, we coordinate matching annual permits in both countries so you're covered continuously without per-trip filing on either side.
Annual permits typically cover standard oversize configurations only — they do not cover superloads, loads requiring special routing, or moves through restricted corridors. We assess your typical load profile to confirm whether annual coverage fits.
Superloads are the largest and heaviest category of oversize shipments — typically exceeding standard width, weight, or length thresholds significantly enough to require individual engineering review of every bridge and structure on the route.
Loads exceeding a province's standard oversize thresholds (typically above 3.7m wide, 75,000+ kg, or requiring structural bridge analysis) are classified as superloads and require enhanced review.
Superloads in the U.S. (commonly 16+ feet wide, 150,000+ lbs, or requiring multiple bridge analyses) require state engineering review before approval — often taking 1–3 weeks.
Superloads crossing the border require synchronized engineering approval on both sides plus coordinated escort handoff. We manage the full timeline so neither country's approval delays the other.
Every bridge, overpass, and weight-restricted structure on the proposed route is individually analyzed for capacity.
State/provincial bridge engineers review and approve (or request route modification) based on the structural analysis.
We coordinate required pilot cars, high-pole vehicles, and police escorts based on jurisdiction requirements.
Superloads are often restricted to specific hours (commonly overnight) — we confirm and communicate exact windows to your dispatch.
An overweight permit authorizes a vehicle and load combination exceeding standard legal gross or axle weight limits to travel a specific route — required whenever a shipment's weight, not its physical dimensions, is the limiting factor.
Overweight permits in Canada are governed by each province's axle weight and gross vehicle weight regulations, with seasonal restrictions common in spring (frost law / reduced load periods).
U.S. states apply the Federal Bridge Formula to determine maximum legal weight based on axle spacing — overweight permits authorize loads exceeding these limits on specific routes.
Weight limits and bridge formulas differ between Canada and the U.S. We recalculate your load's compliance against both countries' formulas before filing, preventing rejected permits at the border.
Both Canada and the U.S. use a bridge formula to calculate the maximum weight a given axle configuration can legally carry — spreading weight over more axles and greater spacing increases the legal limit. Our specialists calculate your exact compliant weight before filing.
A wide load permit specifically authorizes loads exceeding standard legal width — the most common oversize permit type, required for everything from modular buildings to industrial equipment and pre-fabricated structures.
Width-specific permits in Canada typically trigger additional requirements at 2.6m (standard legal width) and again at higher thresholds requiring escort vehicles.
Width restrictions and escort requirements vary by state but generally follow similar thresholds at 8.5ft (legal), 12ft, and 14ft+ for escort requirements.
Escort requirements differ between Canada and the U.S. at the same width — we ensure your pilot car arrangement satisfies both countries' rules for the full route.
Most jurisdictions require a lead pilot car once width exceeds roughly 12 feet, and both lead and rear escorts above 14–16 feet. Titanways coordinates licensed pilot car operators as part of your permit package.
Before any oversize or overweight load departs, a thorough route survey identifies every clearance restriction, weight-limited structure, and construction zone along the path — preventing costly mid-route surprises.
For exceptionally tall, wide, or heavy loads — especially superloads — a physical drive-through survey by a route surveyor may be required in addition to desktop analysis, particularly for routes through urban areas or mountain passes.
We cross-reference your load dimensions against DOT/MTO clearance and weight databases for the proposed route.
If restrictions are found, we model alternate routes and compare total distance/time impact.
For superloads, a surveyor physically drives the route confirming real-world clearances.
You receive a turn-by-turn route package with all clearances confirmed, ready for permit filing.
Pilot cars (escort vehicles) are required for most oversize loads beyond standard dimension thresholds. Titanways coordinates licensed, insured pilot car operators matched to your route and jurisdiction requirements.
Requirements vary by jurisdiction and load dimensions, but generally:
The Bridge Formula determines the maximum weight a vehicle combination can legally carry based on axle count and spacing. Accurate analysis prevents permit rejections and ensures your configuration is genuinely road-legal.
The formula balances total vehicle weight against the distance between the first and last axle of any group, and the number of axles in that group — more axles spread over greater distance allows more total weight, protecting bridges from concentrated stress.
We map your exact trailer axle group spacing and weight distribution.
We run the bridge formula against both Canadian and U.S. standards depending on your route.
If your configuration doesn't comply, we recommend axle spacing or weight redistribution adjustments.
Many superloads and very wide loads are restricted to specific travel windows — commonly overnight or weekend hours — to minimize traffic disruption and improve safety. Titanways coordinates the scheduling and authorization for restricted-hours travel.
Tell us about your shipment. We respond within one business hour with a quote and timeline.
Our permit desk is staffed Mon–Fri 7am–7pm MT with a 24/7 emergency line for urgent moves.
Every quote request is answered within one business hour — or sooner for our 24/7 emergency line.