When the size or load of a vehicle exceeds those permitted under the Vehicle Load and Size Limits Regulation, a special permit can be issued on request, as applicable.
In the event that a special permit cannot be issued under the Regulation respecting special permits or the Special Road Train Operating Permits Regulation, the Minister can issue a special permit by virtue of the powers conferred on him under section 633 of the Highway Safety Code (HSC) since 1986.
This type of permit is intended for the transportation industry as a whole. This list of the different types of permits is available in the “General Information” section.
The Minister may issue a special permit when a road vehicle or a combination of road vehicles is non-compliant with the regulation (paragraph 20 of section 621 of the HSC).
To grant the permit, the Minister must consider it justified by exceptional circumstances and consult the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). He shall fix the conditions attached to the permit, the fee exigible and the amount and nature of the security.
The operator, owner, distributor and driver of an outsized road vehicle or combination of outsized road vehicles, both heavy and light, must comply with the standards of the permit. However, this permit does not absolve the obligation to comply with any other legislative or regulatory requirement.
Certain permits concern the transportation industry as a whole. A few examples of permits are presented in the table below. They indicate the requirements and limits attached to these permits. Costs, if applicable, include administration fees.
The Departmental Permit Management (GPM) application allows you to choose the permit validity start date. However, the start date may not exceed three months from today’s date.
Your safety rating will be checked before you are issued a special permit.
Heavy vehicle owners (from Québec or the United States) who are listed on the Commission des transports du Québec registry must have a satisfactory or conditional safety rating in order to submit permit applications online. If your rating is conditional, your request will be reviewed within three working days. To know your safety rating, visit the Commission des transports du Québec website (in French only).
Heavy vehicle owners who are listed on another Canadian registry or on the National Safety Code may also submit permit applications online.
You can pay for your permit using one of the following credit cards:
MasterCard
At the time of payment, you will automatically be redirected to the Online P@yment® government service.
Amendments are free of charge. Simply send a copy of the special permit with the desired changes by email at permis633@transports.gouv.qc.ca or by fax at 418-528-5670.
Simply send a copy of the invoice and of the special permit with the word “cancel” by email at permis633@transports.gouv.qc.ca or by fax at 418-528-5670. There are no refunds after seven days of the special permit being in effect. Exigible administration fees for each permit issued are non-refundable.
The Minister reserves the right not to renew expired special permits.
Holders of a special permit with a validity period of one year may submit a new permit application within 30 days before the permit expires. A notice of expiry is generally sent to permit holders as a reminder.
The Financial Administration Act provides for the adjustment of rates fixed by the government, one of its organizations or a ministry on January 1st of each year. The cost of permits renewed in December for the following year is the one for the current year.
When an expiration notice is sent to the permit holder in December and the payment at the established rate for the current year is received by the Ministère in January, this payment is accepted if the post-mark confirms it. Otherwise, the documents are returned to the holder.
Important
For help filling out your permit application, dial 511 in Québec, or 1-888-355-0511 from anywhere in North America.
Since October 24, 2022, special permits listed in the General Information section must be requested via the Departmental Permit Management (GPM) application.
No.
No, as permits are non-transferable.
The permit could be considered as non-existent or non-applicable, and you might get fined.
© Gouvernement du Québec, 2023
