Section 633 of the Highway Safety Code

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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.

Normative framework

The Ministère may issue a special permit authorizing the operation of a road vehicle or combination of road vehicles to an applicant who does not meet the requirements of a regulation (subparagraph 20 of the first paragraph of section 621) provided it is justified by exceptional circumstances. A permit can also be issued if it authorizes:

  • highway transportation without compromising highway safety;
  • the application of a regulatory relief measure agreed on as part of a Canadian intergovernmental agreement on vehicle weight and dimension regulations;
  • tests or trials of a vehicle, of a combination of vehicles or of equipment installed on a vehicle;
  • the operation, in a region or on an established route, of a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a configuration or a weight or dimension limit that is different from what is enacted for the purposes of this Code.

Target clientele

The operator, owner, distributor and driver of an oversized road vehicle or combination of oversized 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.

General information

Permits

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. For further information, an email can be sent to the following address: permis.633@transports.gouv.qc.ca​.

Types of special permits issued by the MinisterSelect a permit to view a copy.
Permit name Cost in 2025
​Crane with trailer​ (111 KB) [in French only]
$799.20
​​Delestable axle, fork lift, cars carrier, tractor wheelbase, B train length, tractor tri​dem​​ (49 KB) [in French only​]​
​$0.00
Farm vehicle (5.1 m wide), dealer or recycler, other than on a freeway​ (24 KB) [in French only]
$303.20
Long combination vehicle, A train, 12.2 ​m semi-trailer (88 KB) [in French only]
​$0.00
​​Long combination vehicle, car carrie​r (148 ​KB) [in French only​]​
$353.20
Saddle mount, 30 m long, annual​ (233 KB) [in French only​]
​$353.20
Semi-trailer 18.45 m, highway​ (65 KB) [in French only]$353.20
Stinger steer car carrier, 27.4 ​m long, freeway​ (90 KB) [in French only]
​$353.20
Straight truck with a rear-facing lifting system (186 KB) [in French only] ​$0.00
Truck with a tridem in the rear (128 ​KB​) [in French only​]
​$0.00​

Legal references

Frequently asked questions

Can I transfer a 633 ​permit to another vehicle or to another carrier?

No.

If I sell my vehicle, does the permit follow?

No, the permits are non-transferable.

What are the consequences I might face if the information is wrong or if I change vehicle?

The permit could be considered as non-existent or non-applicable, and you might get fined.