Canada: 2024 Spring Road Restrictions

March 8, 2024

Some spring road restrictions for oversize load travel through Canada are in effect with more coming.

When the Spring Road Bans are in place, only legal weights for axle groupings will be allowed. Note, each province is a little different on what they deem legal, so always check with the permit office and see what they will allow on your truck/trailer combination / inter axle spacings and tire sizes. Often load diagrams with all required information is required for the Engineers to make a final decision.

Bans always start in the southern part of the province and work their way north until the whole province is affected. This usually take 2-3 weeks from the first spring road ban being put in place.

Here is a list of provinces with more specific info on each for spring road oversize load restrictions:

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Weather Dependent, Spring road bans are on now for the central and southern part of the province. Including Hwy 16 and south to the USA border.

More info: https://www.th.gov.bc.ca/bchighways/loadrestrictions/loadrestrictions.htm

ALBERTA

Bans are very weather dependent, and once issued stay on until June. This map shows where the bans are effective and how much of the province is affected.

Currently there are no Spring Bans in place for Alberta.

More info: https://www.transportation.alberta.ca/content/doctype260/production/tr-lhp-frost-thaw-contour-map.pdf

SASKATCHEWAN

Spring road restrictions are dependent on weather. Typically, these road restrictions start in the first week of March in the southwest of the province, and the remainder over a two-three week period. They are lifted towards the end of May. Again, weather dependent.

Official spring restriction orders are issued every Tuesday and Friday (with the exception of Good Friday) by 12:30 p.m. (CST) during the ban period.

More info: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/transportation-and-road-construction/information-for-truckers-and-commercial-trucking-companies/regulations-and-road-restrictions/increased-weights-and-road-restrictions

MANITOBA

Road Bans start this Friday in areas, March 8, 2024

PDF attached as well.

More info: https://www.gov.mb.ca/mti/srr/index.html

ONTARIO

Where and when the spring restrictions are implemented on the first day of the month.

March and April in Southern Ontario
March, April and May in Northern Ontario

More info: https://511on.ca/list/seasonalloads

QUEBEC

The Ministère reminds users of heavy vehicles and shippers that the authorized load limits are reduced during the thaw period on all public roads. This is done every year to account for the road network’s lower bearing capacity during this period.

For the thaw period of 2024, the official dates of the load restriction period for each of the thaw zones are indicated below.

Official dates for 2024

Zone 1

From Monday, March 4th (00:01) to Friday, April 26th (23:59)

Zone 2

From Monday, March 18th (00:01) to Friday, May 10th (23:59)

Zone 3

From Monday, March 18th (00:01) to Friday, May 10th (23:59)

Depending on changes in weather conditions, the start and end of the load restriction period can be moved ahead or postponed.

STATE	CA
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE IRP REQUIREMENTS	>26k GVW, >2 axles, or with trailer
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE IFTA REQUIREMENTS	>26k GVW, >2 axles, or with trailer
RV/SME IRP REQUIREMENTS	Purchase if RV/SME towed. W/dealer tag, IRP not required.
RV/SME IFTA REQUIREMENTS	None
SPECIAL WEIGHT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS	None
HUNTER’S PERMIT AVAILABLE?	No
IRP/IFTA RE-ENTRY PERMIT REQUIRED?	No
EXCEPTIONS	None
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
TRIP & FUEL STATE FEE	$31

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