France

Offer / France

Oversize Transport Permits

Standard Dimensions (Transport Without Permit):

Permissible dimensions and weight for passage without the need to obtain a permit:

  • Tractor unit + semi-trailer: 16.50 m (+3 m overhang) × 2.55 m × 4.00 m; 40 t or 44 t 
  • 40 tonnes – standard maximum authorized total weight for a vehicle combination (tractor unit + semi-trailer) in international traffic within France without special permits. 
  • 44 tonnes – increased maximum authorized total weight, allowed in certain cases; the vehicle must have at least 5 axles (e.g. a 3-axle tractor unit + 2-axle trailer).
  • Transport must meet the requirements of intermodal transport (combined road/rail/sea transport) or concern specific types of cargo (e.g. agricultural products, food).
  • Axle loads must not exceed permitted limits.
  • truck + trailer: 18.75 m × 2.54 m × 4.00 m; 44 t

Mandatory conditions: 

  • Axle loads: Permitted values must not be exceeded. 
  • Nature of the cargo: The transported load must be indivisible, meaning that dividing it into smaller parts is impossible or impractical for technical or economic reasons.
  • A load overhang of up to 3 m is permitted, but it must be marked (with a red flag or reflective marker).

If any of the parameters are exceeded, it is necessary to obtain a permit for oversized transport.

France offers several categories of permanent permits that define the maximum parameters and the road network on which vehicles may operate: 

  • Category 1 (Cat. 1): Permanent permit for the basic road network. 
  • Category 2 (Cat. 2): Permanent permit for an extended road network (wider coverage than Cat. 1).
  • Special networks: There are also permits for special, precisely defined road networks for heavy loads:
    • 72-ton network 
    • 94-ton network 
    • 120-ton network 
  • Category 3 (Cat. 3): Single permits – issued for the period specified directly in the document, according to the decision of the relevant authority. They apply to transports exceeding:
    • 25 m in length
    • 4 m in width
    • 72.01 t gross vehicle weight.

Conditions for access to the 72, 94, and 120-ton networks
To use permits for these networks, the following technical conditions must be met: 

  • The minimum distance between axles must be at least 1.35 meters
  • The maximum load on a single axle must not exceed 12 tonnes. 

Number of trips and permit validity 

  • Depending on the type of permit, it is possible to apply for a specific validity period (rather than a fixed number of trips).
  •  Exception: For certain highly specific or critical routes, the authority may require the exact number of trips to be specified. In such cases, route study costs (administrative fees) may differ and be higher.

Territorial scope of the permit: single route or regions? 

  • It depends on the dimensions and weight of the transport.
  • For larger oversized transports, the permit is most often issued for a specific, single route.

For smaller oversized transports: Permanent permits (Categories 1 and 2) are available and apply to the road network marked on the official map of the approved road network. The map is attached to the permit.

The time needed to obtain a permit varies greatly.

  • Shortest time: about 2 working days – for simple category 1 permits (for the basic road network).
  • Longest time: several months – for very complex routes.

Yes, it is possible, but only under strict conditions:

  • This option applies only to permits for which a specific number of journeys has been specified.
  • Each authority that issued the original approval (each department through which the route runs) must give its consent again for the extension. 
  • The process is complex, because the validity of these new permits depends on the individual responses and decisions of each of these authorities.

The basis is detailed technical data of the vehicle and the load:

  • Dimensions of the vehicle without load and with load (length, width, height).
  • Weights (kerb weight, gross weight, axle weight).
  • For transports over 48 tonnes, additional, detailed information is required:
    • Axle spacing (distance between all axles). 
    • Exact loads on all axles (in tonnes). 
    • Number of wheels per axle (e.g. single or twin). 

The hours during which transit is allowed depend on the specific route. 

  • Each department, city or motorway operator may have its own individual regulations on the permitted hours of movement for abnormal transport.
  • The permit will clearly state whether driving is allowed only during the day or also at night. 

Summary:
The procedures for obtaining permits in France are very flexible and depend on local regulations. The key is an individual approach to each route and close cooperation with the authorities of each department. 

Cancellation costs depend on the stage of order processing and the timing of the cancellation in relation to the planned start of the escort operation.

The same principle applies to permit cancellations — the later the cancellation is made, the higher the potential costs, resulting from preparatory work already completed, submitted applications, and allocated resources.

Organization of Oversize Transport Operations

Oversize transport is a complex logistics operation that requires precision, experience, and excellent coordination.

???? Professional Route Planning
We analyse every kilometre of the route: bridge load capacity, turning radii, roundabouts, overpasses, detours, as well as both temporary and permanent roadworks. Planning begins well before the vehicle’s first movement.  

???? Transport Escort  
Specialised escort vehicles, equipped in accordance with applicable regulations, ensure a smooth and safe passage, responding dynamically to real-time road conditions.  

???? Documentation and Formalities 
Permits, approvals, and agreements with road authorities and other institutions — we take care of every document required for a safe and legal transport operation.

????️ Detailed Logistics Planning 
We select optimal transit times, plan alternative routes, monitor weather conditions, and consider all external factors that may impact execution.

Result? 

???? Oversize transport is carried out safely, legally, and on time, with full control at every stage — from initial planning to final unloading.  

Escort of Oversize Transport Operations

Civil escort

  • The need to use escort vehicles, as well as their number, depends on the transport and route parameters. 
  • Detailed guidelines are defined in the official tariff and regulations (they will be indicated for you in the permit you receive). 

French requirements regarding escort for abnormal transports – division by category

The following rules define the number and type of required escort vehicles (véhicules guideurs) in France.

Explanation of categories:

  • Category 1: Transports meeting the basic, minimal oversize criteria.
  • Category 2: Transports allowed conditionally, depending on specified axle loads (escort requirements are set individually by the authorities when issuing the permit). 
  • Category 3: Transports with the largest parameters, where requirements depend on the gross vehicle weight:
  • 3a: Weight ≤ 72 tonnes (requirements based on dimensions)
  • 3b: Weight > 72 tonnes and ≤ 120 tonnes
  • 3c: Weight > 120 tonnes 

Requirements for CATEGORY 1 

  • No mandatory escort for all dimensional configurations covered by this category (i.e. up to 3.00 m width and up to 25.0 m length).

Requirements for CATEGORY 2

  • The need for escort and its type (number of vehicles) is determined individually, provided that the specified permissible axle loads are met, and is subject to the decision of the authority issuing the permit.

Requirements for CATEGORY 3 

The table below shows how escort requirements increase with the mass and dimensions of the load.

A. A. Vehicles up to 3.00 m wide:

  • Length up to 20.0 m:
    • Category 3a (≤ 72 t): No escort (dimensions only, falling within Cat. 1)
    • Category 3b (≤ 120 t): 1 escort vehicle 
    • Category 3c (> 120 t): 2 escort vehicles 
  • Length from 20.0 to 25.0 m: 
    • Category 3a (≤ 72 t): No escort (dimensions only, falling within Cat. 1)
    • Category 3b (≤ 120 t): 1 escort vehicle 
    • Category 3c (> 120 t): 2 escort vehicles 
  • Length from 25.0 to 30.0 m:
    • Category 3a (≤ 72 t): 2 escort vehicles (dimensions decisive) 
    • Category 3b (≤ 120 t): 2 escort vehicles
    • Category 3c (> 120 t): 2 escort vehicles + 2 private motorcycles 
  • Length from 30.0 to 40.0 m:
    • Category 3a (≤ 72 t): 2 escort vehicles (dimensions decisive)
    • Category 3b (≤ 120 t): 2 escort vehicles 
    • Category 3c (> 120 t): 2 escort vehicles + 2 private motorcycles 

B. B. Vehicles with a width from 3.00 to 4.00 m: 

  • Length up to 25.0 m:
    • Category 3b (≤ 120 t): 2 escort vehicles 
    • Category 3c (> 120 t): 2 escort vehicles + 2 private motorcycles
  • Length from 25.0 to 30.0 m:
    • Category 3b (≤ 120 t): 2 escort vehicles 
    • Category 3c (> 120 t): 2 escort vehicles + 2 private motorcycles
  • Length from 30.0 to 40.0 m: 
    • Category 3b (≤ 120 t): 2 escort vehicles 
    • Category 3c (> 120 t): 2 escort vehicles + 2 private motorcycles

C. Vehicles with a width from 4.00 to 4.50 m: 

  • Length from 25.0 to 30.0 m:
    • Category 3b (≤ 120 t): 2 escort vehicles 
    • Category 3c (> 120 t): 2 escort vehicles + 2 private motorcycles 
  • Length from 30.0 to 40.0 m:
    • Category 3b (≤ 120 t): 2 escort vehicles
    • Category 3c (> 120 t): 2 escort vehicles + 2 private motorcycles 

D. Vehicles with a width from 4.50 to 5.00 m: 

  • Length from 25.0 to 30.0 m:
    • Category 3b (≤ 120 t): 2 escort vehicles 
    • Category 3c (> 120 t): 2 escort vehicles + 2 private motorcycles 
  • Length from 30.0 to 40.0 m:
    • Category 3b (≤ 120 t): 2 escort vehicles
    • Category 3c (> 120 t): 2 escort vehicles + 2 private motorcycles 

E. Vehicles with a width over 5.00 m and/or a length over 40.0 m:

  • All subcategories of Category 3: Requirements are not standardised. Direct consultation and an individual decision by the authorities are necessary.

Police escort – when is it required? 

A police escort is required in two main cases:

  1. When it is required by the road manager (department, city or motorway operating company) – their internal regulations may impose it for certain routes or parameters.
  2. When the manoeuvre requires temporarily blocking oncoming traffic (the so‑called “occupation of the opposite lane”) – this is the standard requirement to ensure safety.

Important additional notes:

  1. Police escort: The authorities (prefecture) may order an additional police escort on specific sections of the route and in “exceptional circumstances”.
  2. Local regulations: Some departments (e.g. 26, 38, 84, 90) require 2 escort vehicles as standard for combinations wider than 4.50 m, regardless of weight. Before the journey, the requirements of each department along the route must be checked without fail.