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Weights and Dimensions of Vehicles Regulations
made under Section 191 of the
Motor Vehicle Act
R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 293
O.I.C. 2001-526 (November 15, 2001), N.S. Reg. 137/2001
as amended up to O.I.C. 2007-406 (July 20, 2007), N.S. Reg. 347/2007
Text of Regulations
Allowable vehicle configurations
Interaxle spacing requirements
Operation of vehicle in designated highway construction area
Schedule A - Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Limits
Part 1 - Vehicle Weight and Dimension Limits
B. Dimensional Controls - Wheelbases, Interaxle Spacings, Overhangs, Setback and Track Width
D. Other Weight Related Limits
Part 2 - Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Limits by Configuration
Category 1: Tractor Semi-trailer
Category 6: Truck - Pony Trailer Combination
Category 7: Tandem Steering Axle Truck - Pony Trailer Combination
Category 8: Truck - Full Trailer Combination
Category 9: Tandem Steering Axle Truck - Full Trailer Combination
Category 10: Intercity Bus and Recreational Vehicles
Schedule C - Maximum Weight Roads
1 These regulations may be cited as the Weights and Dimensions of Vehicles Regulations.
2 In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires,
(a) “1992 regulations” means the regulations respecting the weights and loads of vehicles approved by the Governor in Council by Order in Council 92-1231 dated December 15, 1992;
(b) “1997 regulations” means the regulations respecting the weights and loads of vehicles approved by the Governor in Council by Order in Council 97-291 dated May 13, 1997;
(c) “Act” means the Motor Vehicle Act;
(d) “A-dolly” means a converter dolly that is towed from one hitch on the centre line of the towing vehicle;
(e) “amber warning light” means a warning light with a lens diameter of at least 12 cm and a flashing rate of 60 to 90 flashes per minute;
(f) “A-train double” means a combination of vehicles composed of a tractor, a semi-trailer and either an A-dolly and a semi-trailer or a full trailer attached to the foremost semi-trailer in a like manner as if an A-dolly were used;
(g) “axle” means an assembly of 2 or more wheels whose centres are in 1 transverse vertical plane and that transmits weight to the road;
(h) “axle group” means
(i) a single axle,
(ii) a tandem axle,
(iii) a tandem equivalent axle,
(iv) a tridem axle,
(v) a tridem equivalent axle, or
(vi) a triaxle;
(i) “axle group weight” means the total weight transmitted to the road by an axle group;
(j) “axle spread” means the longitudinal distance between the centres of extreme axles of an axle group;
(k) “axle weight” means the weight transmitted to the road by an axle;
(l) “box length” for a combination of vehicles, means the longitudinal distance from the foremost point of the cargo carrying unit(s) or cargo(s) to the rearmost part of the cargo carrying unit(s) or cargo(s), exclusive of any extension in the distance caused by auxiliary equipment or machinery at the front that is not designed or used for carrying cargo;
(m) “B-train double” means a combination of vehicles composed of a tractor, a semi-trailer, and a second semi-trailer towed by the lower half of a fifth wheel assembly mounted on the rear of the foremost semi-trailer;
(n) “C-dolly” means a converter dolly with a frame rigid in the horizontal plane that is towed from 2 hitches located in a horizontal transverse line on the towing unit, that precludes any rotation in the horizontal plane about the hitch points, and which satisfies all requirements of the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards applicable to such devices;
(o) “converter dolly” means a vehicle unit that is designed and normally used to convert a semi-trailer to a full trailer;
(p) “combination of vehicles” means 2 or more vehicles connected together;
(q) “C-train double” means a combination of vehicles composed of a tractor, a semi-trailer, a C-dolly and a second semi-trailer;
(r) “drawbar” means a structure connected to the chassis frame of a trailer or converter dolly that includes a device for coupling to a hitch on a towing vehicle;
(s) “drawbar length” for a pony trailer, a full trailer or a converter dolly, means the longitudinal distance from the centre of a device that attaches to a hitch on the towing vehicle to the centre of the lower half of a fifth wheel assembly or turntable;
(t) “drive axle” means the axle or axle group that is or may be connected to the power source of a motor vehicle and that transmits power to the wheels;
(u) “effective rear overhang” means the longitudinal distance from the centre of the rear axle or axle group on a truck or the geometric centre of the rear axle or axle group on a trailer to the rearmost point of the truck or trailer, including cargo;
(v) “fifth wheel assembly” means a coupling device for the purpose of supporting and towing a semi-trailer, whose lower half is composed of a plate and locking jaws and is mounted on the rear portion of a vehicle frame or the frame of a converter dolly and whose upper half is composed of a plate and a kingpin fastened to the underside of the forward portion of the semi-trailer;
(w) “fifth wheel offset” for a tractor, means the longitudinal distance from the centre of the lower half of a fifth wheel assembly to the tractor turn centre;
(x) “flashing amber light” means a warning light with a lens diameter of at least 10 cm and a flashing rate of 60 to 90 flashes per minute;
(y) “front overhang” means the longitudinal distance from the front bumper, as installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle, to the foremost point on the vehicle or cargo, whichever is greater;
(z) “full trailer” means a vehicle designed and used so that its weight and load is carried on its own axles, and includes a combination of vehicles consisting of a semi-trailer and a converter dolly;
(aa) “gross axle weight rating” means the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the load-carrying capacity of a single axle system, as measured at the tire-ground interfaces;
(ab) “gross vehicle weight” means the total weight transmitted to the road by a vehicle or combination of vehicles and cargo;
(ac) “gross vehicle weight rating” means the value specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the load-carrying capacity of a single vehicle, as measured at the tire-ground interfaces;
(ad) “hitch” means a device attached to a vehicle or converter dolly for towing another vehicle or converter dolly, and includes the lower half of a fifth wheel assembly;
(ae) “hitch offset” for a truck or a semi-trailer equipped with a hitch for towing a trailer or converter dolly, means the longitudinal distance from the turn centre of the truck or semi-trailer to the articulation point of the hitch;
(af) “implement of husbandry” means a vehicle, with or without motive power, that is designed and used for agricultural purposes, and includes
(i) farm machinery,
(ii) a farm wagon,
(iii) a trailer when towed by a farm tractor or when towed unloaded by any other motor vehicle to or from a farm equipment dealer or repair facility or to or from a field or farm, and
(iv) a farm tractor;
Clause 2(af) replaced: O.I.C. 2006-547, N.S. Reg. 228/2006.
(ag) “interaxle spacing” means the longitudinal distance between the centre of the rearmost axle of an axle group and the centre of the foremost axle of the next axle group to the rear, within a vehicle or combination of vehicles;
(ah) “intercity bus” means a vehicle designed to carry more than 10 passengers and equipped with washroom facilities to allow extended travel without stopping;
(ai) “kingpin” means the pin that couples a semi-trailer to the lower half of a fifth wheel assembly;
(aj) “kingpin setback” means the horizontal distance from the vertical axis through the centre of the kingpin to the furthest point on the semi-trailer or cargo ahead of the kingpin;
(ak) “length” means
(i) for a full trailer, the external longitudinal distance from the foremost point of the cargo-carrying section of the full trailer or cargo to the rearmost point of the full trailer or cargo, exclusive of any extension in distance caused by equipment or machinery at the front that is not designed or used for carrying cargo,
(ii) for a pony trailer, the external longitudinal distance from the front foremost point of its drawbar or the foremost point on its cargo to the rearmost point of the pony trailer or cargo,
(iii) for a semi-trailer, the external longitudinal distance from the front foremost point of the cargo-carrying section of the semi-trailer or cargo to the rearmost point of the semi-trailer or cargo, exclusive of any extension in distance caused by equipment or machinery at the front that is not designed or used for carrying cargo, and
(iv) for a truck, the external longitudinal distance from the foremost point of the truck to the rearmost point of the truck, including cargo;
(al) “lift axle” means an axle fitted with a device operated by the vehicle operator that may adjust the amount of support provided to the load and may enable the axle to be removed from contact with the ground;
(am) “load equalization” means the weight on axle groups does not vary by more than 1000 kg between adjacent axles;
(an) “model year” means the year used to designate a discrete vehicle model irrespective of the calender year in which the vehicle was actually produced, as indicated by the vehicle manufacturer in the vehicle identification number;
(ao) “overall height” means the vertical distance between the highest point on the vehicle or combination of vehicles, including cargo, and the surface of the road;
(ap) “overall length” means the longitudinal distance from the foremost point of a vehicle or a combination of vehicles to the rearmost point of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including cargo;
(aq) “overall width” means the greatest transverse dimension of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including cargo;
(ar) “pony trailer” means a vehicle with one axle group close to the centre of its chassis that carries the preponderance of its weight and load, and that is towed by a drawbar that is rigidly attached to the structure of the trailer;
(as) “rear overhang” means the longitudinal distance from the rearmost point of the bed or body of a vehicle to the rearmost point of the cargo;
(at) “self-steering axle” means an axle whose wheels can steer in response to forces generated between its tires and the road, or through mechanisms and linkages that operate independently of the driver, regardless of whether the self-steering mechanism may be rendered inoperative;
(au) “semi-trailer” means a vehicle of the trailer type so designed and used in conjunction with a motor vehicle that some part of its own weight and that of its own load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle;
(av) “single axle” means 1 or more axles whose centres are included between 2 parallel transverse vertical planes up to but not including 1.2 m apart and that have the same number and size of tires on each side of the axle(s);
(aw) “special permit” means any special endorsement relating to dimensions or weight on a permit issued pursuant to the Act or on a temporary permit issued pursuant to the Act;
(ax) “steering axle” means an axle whose steering is controlled by the driver of a vehicle in order to control the direction of travel of the vehicle;
(ay) “tandem axle” means an axle group containing 2 consecutive axles that does not include any liftable or self-steering axles, and that has the same number and size of tires on each axle;
(az) “tandem equivalent axle” means an axle group of 2 consecutive axles within a vehicle, one of which is a lowered lift axle, that has the same number and size of tires on each axle;
(ba) “tandem steering axle” means a tandem axle whose axles are both steering axles;
(bb) “tire” means that part of a wheel, roller or other contrivance for the moving of any object upon a highway that comes into direct contact with the surface of the road;
(bc) “tire load rating” means the maximum load that a tire is rated to carry at a given inflation pressure, as determined by the manufacturer and stamped on the side of the tire at the time of manufacture;
(bd) “tire loading” means the weight transmitted to the road by a tire;
(be) “tolerance” means an axle weight that is permitted by these regulations in addition to other permitted axle weights;
(bf) “track width” means the overall width of an axle across the outside faces of the tires;
(bg) “tractor” means a motor vehicle designed and normally used to pull a semi-trailer, a semi-trailer and a full trailer or a semi-trailer and another semi-trailer;
(bh) “tractor semi-trailer” means a combination of vehicles composed of a tractor and a semi-trailer;
(bi) “tractor wheelbase” means the longitudinal distance from the centre of the steering axle to the geometric centre of the drive axle;
(bj) “trailer” means a semi-trailer, a full trailer or a pony trailer;
(bk) “trailer wheelbase” means the longitudinal distance from the centre of
(i) the kingpin of a semi-trailer,
(ii) the turntable of a full trailer, or
(iii) the hitching device on a pony trailer,
to the trailer turn centre;
(bl) “triaxle” means an axle group of 3 or more consecutive axles, 1 of which is a lowered lift axle, that has the same number and size of tires on each axle;
(bm) “tridem axle” means an axle group of 3 consecutive, equally spaced axles within a vehicle that does not include any liftable or self-steering axles, and that has the same number and size of tires on each axle;
(bn) “tridem equivalent axle” means an axle group that is made up of 3 consecutive, equally spaced axles within a vehicle and that has
(i) all lift axles lowered,
(ii) the same number and size of tires on each axle, and
(iii) each of its axles attached to the vehicle by identical pneumatic suspensions that automatically provide load equalization;
Clause 2(bn) replaced: O.I.C. 2006-547, N.S. Reg. 228/2006.
(bo) “truck” means a motor vehicle, other than a bus,
(i) that is designed and normally used to carry cargo, and
(ii) that may operate as a single unit or may pull a trailer other than a semi-trailer;
(bp) “truck full trailer” means a combination of vehicles composed of a truck and a full trailer;
(bq) “truck pony trailer” means a combination of vehicles composed of a truck and a pony trailer;
(br) “turn centre” means the geometric centre of the axle group on a semi-trailer or pony trailer or the geometric centre of the rear axle group on a truck, tractor or full trailer;
(bs) “turntable” means a device at the front of a full trailer that permits articulation of the front axle or axle group on the full trailer;
(bt) “vehicle identification number” means a number consisting of arabic numerals, letters of the English alphabet, or both that the manufacturer assigns to a vehicle for identification purposes;
(bu) “warning flag” means a square flag of red or orange colour with sides that are at least 400 mm in length; and
(bv) “width of tire” means the width of a tire as customarily measured and rated by manufacturers of motor vehicles and tires, and stamped on the tire at the time of manufacture.
Allowable vehicle configurations
3 (1) Unless a special permit has been issued pursuant to Section 11, no person shall operate or cause to be operated upon a highway, a truck, a tractor, a semi-trailer, a full trailer, a pony trailer or any combination of these vehicles, or an intercity bus, either unladen or with load, that is not represented in Schedule A.
(2) Despite subsection (1), a person may operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a B-train double with a tridem axle group on the second semi-trailer.
(3) Despite subsection (1), a person may operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a truck, a tractor, a semi-trailer, a full trailer, a pony trailer or any combination of these vehicles represented in Schedule A, either unladen or with load, with an additional axle provided
(a) the additional axle is a lift axle;
(b) the lift axle is not in the lowered position; and
(c) all other requirements set out in Schedule A are met.
(4) Unless a special permit has been issued pursuant to Section 11, no person shall operate or cause to be operated upon a highway
(a) an A-train double;
(b) a B-train double;
(c) a C-train double;
(d) a 3 axle pony trailer; or
(e) a 16.2 m semi-trailer,
that is equipped with a lift axle other than in a tandem equivalent axle group or in a tridem equivalent axle group.
(5) Despite subsection (4), a person may operate or cause to be operated upon a highway
(a) a vehicle described in subsection (4), with an axle group weight and a gross vehicle weight that does not take into consideration the lift axle, but conforms to all other requirements as outlined in these regulations;
(b) until December 31, 2009, a 3 axle pony trailer, model year 2002 and earlier, that is equipped with a lift axle other than in a tridem equivalent axle group, as long as it
(i) conforms to the dimensional limits, axle spreads and interaxle spacings specified in the 1997 regulations,
(ii) was registered in the Province prior to coming into force of these regulations, and
(iii) has an axle group weight and a gross vehicle weight that take into consideration the lift axle; or
(c) until December 31, 2009, a 16.2 m semi-trailer, model year 2002 and earlier, that is equipped with a lift axle other than in a tandem equivalent axle group or in a tridem equivalent axle group, as long as it
(i) conforms to all other requirements set out in these regulations;
(ii) was registered in the Province prior to coming into force of these regulations, and
(iii) has an axle group weight and a gross vehicle weight that take into consideration the lift axle.
Subclause 3(5)(c)(iii) amended: O.I.C. 2002-504, N.S. Reg. 140/2002.
4 (1) Unless a special permit has been issued pursuant to Section 11, or otherwise specified in this Section, no person shall operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a vehicle or combination of vehicles that has, including any load thereon,
(a) an overall width greater than 2.6 m;
(b) an outside rear-vision mirror extending more than 300 mm on each side of the vehicle or combination of vehicles;
(c) auxiliary equipment or devices that are not designed or used to carry cargo extending more than 100 mm on each side of the vehicle or combination of vehicles;
(d) an overall height greater than 4.15 m;
(e) an overall length greater than 12.5 m;
(f) a front overhang greater than 1.0 m;
(g) a rear overhang greater than 1.0 m, unless red warning flags are affixed to the end of the cargo; and
(h) a rear overhang greater than 2.0 m.
(2) Unless a special permit has been issued pursuant to Section 11, or otherwise specified in this Section, no person shall operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a vehicle or combination of vehicles set out in Schedule A having axle spreads or interaxle spacings other than those set out in Schedule A, and, including any load thereon, having dimensions that exceed the maximum dimension limits or are less than the minimum dimension limits set out in Schedule A.
Interaxle spacing requirements
(3) Subject to subsection 7(2), a person may operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a vehicle or combination of vehicles set out in Schedule A, except a truck and a tractor, that does not meet the minimum interaxle spacing requirements set out in Schedule A, if the vehicle or combination of vehicles conforms to all other dimensional limits set out in Schedule A.
(4) For a passenger vehicle, no load shall extend beyond the line of the fenders on the left side of the vehicle or extend more than 150 mm beyond the line of the fender on the right side thereof.
(5) An implement of husbandry temporarily propelled or moved upon a highway is exempt from the dimensional limits set out in this Section.
Subsection 4(5) amended: O.I.C. 2006-547, N.S. Reg. 228/2006.
(6) Despite subsection (5), no person shall operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a farm tractor exceeding 4 m in overall width.
(7) A person may operate or cause to be operated on a highway snow clearing equipment that has an overall width greater than 2.6 m, an overall height greater than 4.15 m and an overall length greater than 12.5 m.
(8) Road building machinery operating within a construction area is exempt from the dimensional limits set out in this Section.
(9) Until December 31, 2009, a person may operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a vehicle or combination of vehicles set out in Schedule A, model year 2002 and earlier, that does not conform to the maximum dimension limits or the minimum dimension limits or the axle spreads or the interaxle spacings set out in Schedule A, but conforms to the maximum dimension limits, the minimum dimension limits, axle spreads and interaxle spacings specified in the 1997 regulations, and if the vehicle is
(a) a truck-3 axle pony trailer combination; or
(b) a tandem steering axle truck-pony trailer combination; or
(c) a tandem steering axle truck-full trailer combination,
the vehicle must have been registered in the Province prior to coming into force of these regulations.
(10) After December 31, 2004, no person shall operate or cause to be operated upon a highway, a combination of vehicles, model year 2002 and earlier, consisting of a tractor and a semi-trailer with an end dumping mechanism, that has an interaxle spacing dimension, between the tractor axle group and the semi-trailer axle group of less than 2.6 m.
(11) No person shall operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a combination of vehicles, model year 2002 and earlier, consisting of a tractor and a semi-trailer with an end dumping mechanism, that has been modified, after the coming into force of these regulations, to increase the number of axles on the semi-trailer, and, as a result, has an interaxle spacing dimension, between the tractor axle group and the semi-trailer axle group, less than 2.6 m.
(12) Until December 31, 2009, a person may operate or cause to be operated upon a highway, a 5 axle tractor-semi-trailer combination, a 6 axle tractor-semi-trailer combination or a 5 axle truck-pony trailer combination, except for the truck or the tractor, model year 2002 and earlier, that does not conform to the maximum dimension limits or the minimum dimension limits or the axle spreads or the interaxle spacings set out in Schedule A, nor to the interaxle spacings specified in the 1997 regulations, but conforms to the dimension limits and axle spreads specified in the 1997 regulations, provided the gross vehicle weight is not greater than the gross vehicle weight as determined under subsection 7(2).
(13) Until December 31, 2002, a person may operate or cause to be operated upon a highway, a semi-trailer, full trailer or a pony trailer that does not conform to the minimum interaxle and wheelbase dimension requirements specified in the 1992 regulations but was registered in the Province prior to December 15, 1993.
5 (1) Unless a special permit has been issued pursuant to Section 11, or otherwise specified in this Section or Section 7, no person shall operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a vehicle or combination of vehicles, either unladen or with load, and equipped with pneumatic tires, having
Subsection 5(1) amended: O.I.C. 2002-504, N.S. Reg. 140/2002.
(a) a weight in excess of the weight represented upon the permit issued in respect of a vehicle or combination of vehicles by the jurisdiction;
(b) an axle weight in excess of the manufacturer’s gross axle weight rating;
(c) an axle weight in excess of the lesser of
(i) the sum of the tire load ratings of all tires installed on the wheels of any axle,
(ii) the sum of 10 kg per mm of tire width of all tires installed on the wheel of an axle for tires in excess of 150 mm in width, and
(iii) the following weights, as applicable:
(A) 9100 kg, in the case of an axle equipped with 4 tires,
(B) 9100 kg, in the case of an axle equipped with 2 tires that is a steering axle,
(C) 6000 kg, in the case of an axle equipped with 2 tires, other than a steering axle,
(D) 7700 kg, in the case of an axle equipped with 2 tires, other than a steering axle, that has tire widths of 445 mm or greater and is installed on a vehicle that is operated on a Maximum Weight Road listed in Schedule “C”;
Clause 5(1)(c) replaced: O.I.C. 2007-406, N.S. Reg. 347/2007.
(d) a weight in excess of the maximum axle weight limits specified in Schedule A for an axle group;
(e) a weight on any axle of an axle group that is 1000 kg greater or less than the weight of an adjacent axle in the same axle group;
(f) a weight in excess of 4500 kg on any axle of an assembly of 2 or more consecutive axles that is not an axle group;
(g) a gross vehicle weight in excess of the manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating; or
Clause 5(1)(g) amended: O.I.C. 2002-504, N.S. Reg. 140/2002.
(h) a gross vehicle weight in excess of the maximum gross vehicle weight limits specified in Schedule A for a specified vehicle configuration and for a specified class of highways.
(2) No person shall move or cause to be moved over or upon a highway a vehicle or object on wheels, rollers or otherwise, other than a motor vehicle, having a weight in excess of 9100 kg.
(3) No person shall operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a vehicle, either unladen or with load, and equipped with solid rubber tires, having a weight in excess of the weight in kilograms represented upon the permit issued in respect of the vehicle or having an axle weight in excess of 75% of the vehicle weight that would otherwise apply to the vehicle.
(4) No person shall operate or cause to be operated upon any highway a vehicle, either unladen or with load, having a wheel weight in excess of 55% of the weight prescribed for any axle upon which the wheel is mounted.
6 (1) Except as otherwise permitted in these regulations, the axle weights to be used by the Registry of Motor Vehicles for calculating the maximum registered weight and issuing a permit for a vehicle or combination of vehicles set out in Schedule A are the axle weight limits set out in Schedule A.
Subsection 6(1) amended: O.I.C. 2002-504, N.S. Reg. 140/2002.
(2) The maximum gross vehicle weight set out in Schedule A shall be the maximum weight for which a vehicle or combination of vehicles described therein may be registered.
(3) The Registry of Motor Vehicles shall calculate the maximum registered weight of a truck or an intercity bus using a steering axle weight of 5500 kg unless the owner of the truck or the intercity bus has provided the Registry of Motor Vehicles with a certificate respecting the gross axle weight rating of the steering axle and such other information as may be required by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to determine a safe registered weight.
(4) The Registry of Motor Vehicles shall calculate the maximum registered weight of a tractor using a steering axle weight of 5500 kg.
Original subsection 6(4) renumbered as subsection (6), subsection 6(4) added: O.I.C. 2002-504, N.S. Reg. 140/2002.
(5) Until December 31, 2007, the Registry of Motor Vehicles shall calculate the maximum registered weight of a tractor, model year 2002 and earlier, using a steering axle weight greater than 5500 kg but not more than 8000 kg, if the owner of the tractor has provided the Registry of Motor Vehicles with a certificate respecting the gross axle weight rating of the steering axle and such other information as may be required by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to determine a safe registered weight.
Subsection 6(5) added: O.I.C. 2002-504, N.S. Reg. 140/2002; amended: O.I.C. 2006-547, N.S. Reg. 228/2006.
(6) Despite any other provision of these regulations, if a vehicle registered under the laws of another province or state may be legally operated within the Province without being registered in the Province, no person shall operate the vehicle within the Province with a weight in excess of the maximum axle and gross vehicle weights set out in Schedule A for a similar vehicle registered within the Province.
Original subsection 6(4) renumbered (6): O.I.C. 2002-504, N.S. Reg. 140/2002.
7 (1) A person may operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a vehicle or combination of vehicles set out in Schedule A with a maximum single steering axle weight of 9100 kg, but with no increase in the maximum gross vehicle weight provided evidence is available to ensure the load carrying capacity of the steering axle and all other components is not exceeded.
(2) The maximum gross vehicle weight of a vehicle or combination of vehicles set out in Schedule A that does not conform to minimum interaxle spacings requirements shall be reduced by 1000 kg for each 0.5 m, or part thereof, shortfall in the minimum required interaxle spacing.
(3) Effective January 1, 2010, the determination of an axle group weight and a gross vehicle weight shall not take into consideration a lift axle, other than as part of a tandem equivalent axle group or a tridem equivalent axle group.
8 (1) No tolerances shall be allowed for the weights determined in accordance with Sections 5, 6 and 7, unless permitted by this Section.
(2) If the axle weight exceeds the axle weight limit determined in accordance with Sections 5, 6 and 7, the charge and penalty shall be based on the weight that is in excess of the axle weight limit.
(3) If the vehicle weight exceeds the weight represented on the permit issued in respect of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, the charge and penalty shall be based on the weight that is in excess of the weight represented on the permit issued by the jurisdiction having authority to do so.
(4) Until December 31, 2007
(a) in addition to the weight determined in accordance with Sections 5, 6 and 7, there shall be a tolerance of 500 kg for each axle of an axle group, and the tolerance shall be cumulative; and
(b) the axle weight limit and the weight represented on the permit shall include the tolerance when determining the charge and penalty pursuant to subsections (2) and (3).
Subsection 8(4) amended: O.I.C. 2006-547, N.S. Reg. 228/2006.
9 (1) The classes of highways upon which a vehicle or combination of vehicles may be operated at the specified maximum gross vehicle weights set out in Schedule A are
(a) maximum weight roads, as listed in Schedule C;
(b) B-train routes, as listed in Schedule B; and
(c) all other highways.
(2) Despite this Section, the Department may determine and fix a lesser maximum load that may be carried over any bridge or section of highway and may erect and maintain signs giving notice of the lesser maximum load.
(3) Where signs have been erected and maintained pursuant to subsection (2), no person shall drive or move or cause to be driven or moved over the bridge or section of the highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles having a weight, unladen or with load, in excess of the maximum load stated on the sign.
10 (1) If a permit has been issued in respect of 1 vehicle of a combination of vehicles but not in respect of the other vehicle of the combination of vehicles that is required to be registered under the Act, no person shall operate or cause to be operated the combination of vehicles upon a highway when the combination of vehicles has a weight, either unladen or with load, in excess of the weight represented on the permit issued in respect of the vehicle of the combination for which a permit has been issued, except as provided in Section 3 of the regulations respecting special permits and fees respecting self-propelled machinery, equipment or tractor used for agricultural purposes (Order in Council 72-533, N.S. Reg. 35/72) made under the Act.
(2) No person shall operate or cause to be operated upon a highway a vehicle or combination of vehicles that is required to be registered under the Act, in respect of which no permit has been issued, having a weight, either unladen or with load, in excess of 1500 kg.
11 (1) The Registry of Motor Vehicles may issue a special permit authorizing any person to operate or move a vehicle, combination of vehicles, object or structure
(a) of any dimension, or with its load placed in any manner; or
(b) that exceeds the maximum weight specified in these regulations or does not meet the specifications of Schedule A for maximum axle weight or maximum gross vehicle weight; or
(c) that is not represented in Schedule A.
(2) A special permit issued in respect of a vehicle or combination of vehicles may specify the maximum axle weights of any or all axles or of a combination of axles of the vehicle or combination of vehicles either in addition to or in lieu of specifying the total maximum gross vehicle weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles.