Exceptional Transport in France

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permits for exceptional transportation in France

Dimensions unloaded:
Length (m) > 16,50 / 18,75*
Width (m) > 2,55
Height (m) > nvt**
Mass (t) > 40,00
Dimensions loaded / indivisible load:
Length (m) > 16,50 / 18,75*
Breedte (m) > 2,Width (m)55
Height (m) > nvt
Mass (t) > 40,00

* truck + trailer / draw-bar
** height is initially free
Permitted (m) load overhang divisible load : 1,00
Permitted (m) load overhang indivisible load : 1,00

In France, exceptional transports divide into three categories:

Categorie 1 Categorie 2 Categorie 3
Length (m) ≤ 20,00 > 20,00 – ≤ 25,00 > 25,00
Width (m) ≤ 3,00 > 3,00 – ≤ 4,00 > 4,00
Total weight (Kg) ≤ 48.000 > 48.000 – ≤ 72.000 > 72.000
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Transportation escort

Width(m) Length (m) Transport CAT 1 Transport CAT 2 Transport CAT 3
for dimensions and total weight
≤ 72.000 Kg
Transport CAT 3
for total weight or axle load, totalling
≤ 120 000 kg
Transport CAT 3
for total weight or axle load, totalling
> 120 000 kg
≤ 3,00 ≤ 20 none 1 escort 2 escorts
20,01 – 25,00 none
25,01 – 30,00 1 escort 2 escorts 2 escorts + Motard
30,01 – 40,00 2 escorts
3,01 – 4,00 ≤ 25,00 1 escort 2 escorts 2 escorts
25,01 – 30,00 1 escort 2 escorts + Motard
30,01 – 40,00 2 escorts
4,01 – 4,50 ≤ 25,00 1 escort 2 escorts 2 escorts + Motard
25,01 – 30,00 2 escorts
30,01 – 40,00 2 escorts 2 escorts
4,51 – 5,00 ≤ 40,00 2 escorts 2 escorts + Motard
> 5,00 > 40,00 2 escorts + Motard

Motard = escort by private escorts on motorbikes

Exceptional transport throughout Europe

countries & regulations

Driving restrictions

Driving restrictions can vary by department and motorway; this overview only gives the most common driving restrictions.

Weekends: Saturday 12h00 until Monday at dawn ( motorways 12h00 )
Public holidays: between 12h00 on the day prior to the holiday until dawn on the holiday
January 1st – Easter – May 1st – May 8th – Ascension – Pentecost – July 14th – August 15th – November 1st – November 11th – December 25th
Summer holiday: on several Saturdays in July and August in the whole of France

During the summer, there is a total driving ban for exceptional transports on many of France’s motorways. ( Information can be found in the motorway index of your Category 1 long-term permit. )