Poland

Offer / Poland

Oversize Transport Permits

Free dimensions (transport allowed without permit)

1.  Rigid truck (single unit)

  • Length: not exceeding 12,0 m (including any rear overhang)
  • Width: not exceeding 2,55 m (for refrigerated bodies: 2,60 m)
  • Height: not exceeding 4,0 m
  • Gross weight: not exceeding the vehicle’s permitted gross vehicle weight (GVW) in accordance with road traffic regulations, and axle load limits

2. Tractor unit + semi-trailer

  • Length: not exceeding 16,5 m (including any rear overhang)
  • Width: not exceeding 2,55 m (for refrigerated bodies: 2,60 m)
  • Height: not exceeding 4,0 m
  • Gross weight: not exceeding 40 t (and axle load limits)
  • Rear overhang: max 2 m of load allowed beyond the rear of the vehicle combination

3. Truck + trailer

  • Length: not exceeding 18,75 m (including any rear overhang)
  • Width: not exceeding 2,55 m (for refrigerated bodies: 2,60 m)
  • Height: not exceeding 4,0 m
  • Gross weight: not exceeding 40 t (and axle load limits)
  • Rear overhang: max 2 m of load allowed beyond the rear of the combination

NOTE: A total width of up to 3.0 m is permitted only if the semi-trailer has a standard width of 2.55 m, and the load does not extend more than 23 cm on each side.

Key summary conditions:

  • The vehicle must comply with permitted gross weight (GVW) and axle load limits
  • Width up to 3,0 m is only allowed if it results from symmetrical load overhang (max. 23 cm on each side) from a 2,55 m platform
  • A permit is required immediately if any limit is exceeded (length, width over 3 m, height over 4 m, 40 t weight, or axle load limits)

 Category I 

  • Vehicle parameters:
    • Length, height, axle loads and actual gross weight not exceeding permitted limits.
    • Width not exceeding 3,5 m.
  • Permitted roads: All public roads except motorways and expressways
  • Validity: 12 months

Category II 

  • Vehicle parameters:
    • Axle loads and actual gross weight not exceeding permitted limits
    • Width not exceeding 3,2 m
    • Length not exceeding: 15 m (single vehicle) or 23 m (vehicle combination) 
    • Height not exceeding 4.3 m
  • Permitted roads: All public roads
  • Validity: 1, 6, 12 or 24 months (choice available)

Category III 

  • Vehicle parameters:
    • Gross weight and axle loads not exceeding permitted limits
    • Width not exceeding 3,4 m
    • Length not exceeding: 18 m (single vehicle), 23 m (vehicle combination) or 30 m (combination with steering axles)
    • Height not exceeding 4,3 m
  • Permitted roads: National roads
  • Validity: 1, 6, 12 or 24 months (choice available)

Category IV 

  • Vehicle parameters:
    • Axle loads not exceeding permitted limits
    • Gross weight not exceeding 60 t
    • Width not exceeding: 3,4 m (single carriageway roads) or 4 m (dual carriageway A and S class roads) 
    • Length not exceeding: 15 m (single vehicle), 23 m (vehicle combination) or 30 m (combination with steering axles)
    • Height not exceeding 4,3 m. 
  • Permitted roads: All public roads
  • Validity: 1, 6, 12 or 24 months (choice available)

Category V 

  • Vehicle parameters:
    • Dimensions and gross weight exceeding Categories I–IV
    • Axle loads exceeding permitted limits
  • Permitted roads: Strictly defined route specified in the permit
  • Validity: 
    • 14 days – single trip
    • 30 days – multiple trips
  • Application requirements:
    • Only one tractor unit registration number and one semi-trailer registration number may be specified
    • Transport period must be indicated (14 or 30 days)

IMPORTANT for ALL categories: 

  • The original permit must be kept in the vehicle with the driver and presented during inspection throughout the transport operation.

Required documents

For all permit categories (I–V), the following are required:

  • A scanned copy of the vehicle/vehicle combination registration certificate (tractor unit, semi-trailer, trailer).

Additional requirements for Category V only:

  • In addition to the standard documents, an application for a Category V permit must include the following detailed technical data for each vehicle in the combination (tractor unit, semi-trailer, modules):
    • Axle spacing: distances between individual axles of the vehicle (in meters or centimeters)
    • Axle load: maximum load per axle (in tonnes) for each axle of the vehicle
    • Number of wheels per axle: exact number of wheels mounted on each axle (e.g. single, dual, twin)

Why are these data required?
This information is essential for the road authority to carry out a structural load analysis of bridges and to verify whether the road surface along the planned route can safely withstand the axle loads generated by the vehicle.

Category I: 

Permits in this category are issued for the following period:

  • 1 year (12 months)

Categories II, III and IV: 
Permits in these categories may be issued for one of the following validity periods: 

  • 1 month
  • 6 months
  • 1 year (12 months)
  • 2 years (24 months)

Category V: 
Permits in this category are issued for significantly shorter, strictly defined periods, depending on the type of transport operation: 

  • 14 calendar days – valid for a single journey along the specified route.
  • 30 calendar days – valid for multiple journeys along the specified route within this period.

Categories I–IV: up to 7 business days

Category V: from 2 to 4 weeks

The processing time may be extended if a detailed bridge assessment is required along the transport route (applicable to exceptionally heavy transports).

There is no possibility to extend the validity of an already issued permit. In such cases, a new permit application must be submitted.

Categories I, II, III and IV:

  • Transport operations may be carried out normally, in accordance with the general provisions of the Road Traffic Act.
  • There are no additional restrictions regarding specific driving hours (such as night-time or weekend driving bans), unless such restrictions result from general regulations (e.g. heavy vehicle traffic bans on Sundays and public holidays).

Category V:

  • The permitted driving hours are strictly specified in the permit.
  • The issuing authority determines the allowed operating hours based on factors such as traffic intensity on the route, safety considerations, time of day, etc.
  • The driver is strictly required to comply with the driving hours stated in the permit.

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

Mandatory Civil Escort Requirements for Abnormal Transport

The following regulations define the required number of civil escort vehicles during the transport of abnormal loads, depending on the exceeded parameters:

???? 1 escort vehicle is required when any of the following parameters are exceeded:

  • Length: over 23 m
  • Width: over 3,2 m 
  • Height: over 4,5 m 
  • Gross vehicle weight: over 60 t 

???? ???? 2 escort vehicles are required when any of the following parameters are exceeded:

  • Length: over 30 m
  • Width: over 3,6 m
  • Height: over 4,7 m 
  • Gross vehicle weight: over 80 t 

Police and Substitute Service Escort

  • Within the territory of Poland, there is no escort service provided by the police or any substitute emergency services.