Great Britain

In Great Britain regulations on the movement of abnormal indivisible loads are contained in The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003.  http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1998/contents/made

Further information can be obtained from https://www.gov.uk/esdal-and-abnormal-loads/abnormal-loads

Abnormal transports above certain dimensions require a permit to move, either a VR1 or Special Order which is obtainable through the Highways England (HE) abnormal loads team. For those below the threshold a permit is not needed but notification of the movement is required where loads or vehicles do not comply with The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (commonly known as C&U).

The UK government provides an Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads (ESDAL) system that helps to plot a route when transporting abnormal loads. Available at https://esdal.dft.gov.uk/

Permit required for:

Weight                                                            Action required

Gross weight of vehicle carrying the load exceeding 150,000 kgs

Highways England Special Order plus 5 clear days notice to Police and 5 clear days notice with indemnity to Highway and Bridge authorities

Width                                                              Action required

Width exceeding 5.0m up to 6.1m

3.0m up to 5.0m for other loads

Highways England form VR1 plus 2 clear days notice to Police

Width exceeding 6.0m

Highways England Special Order plus 5 clear days notice to Police and 5 clear days notice with indemnity to Highway and Bridge authorities

Length                                                            Action required

Length exceeding 30.0m rigid

Note: For some very light loads that are moved on conventional motor vehicles not exceeding 12 tonnes gross weight or trailers not exceeding 10 tonnes gross weight, a Highways England Special Order will be required if the rigid length exceeds 27.4m

Highways England Special Order plus 5 clear days notice to Police and 5 clear days notice with indemnity to Highway and Bridge authorities

Special Order 

Special Order applications should be submitted to the Highways England abnormal loads team at least 10 weeks prior to the planned date of movement(s) in order for the necessary approvals to be obtained from Police and highway and bridge authorities. The applicant must supply information on axle weights and spacings along with net and gross dimensions of the load. The route and a description of the load are also required. When a route is agreed it may include special conditions such as the lowering of the load when passing under a bridge, the removal of street furniture, the requirement for a self or police escort.

VR1 

VR1 applications should be submitted to the team at least 2 weeks prior to the planned date of the movement(s). Route clearance with the authorities is not required.

Approval for both application types is not automatic and is at the discretion of the team acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport.

No permit required for:

Weight                                                            Action required

Gross weight or axle weights of vehicle carrying the load exceeding C&U limits up to 80,000 kgs

2 clear days notice with indemnity to Highway and Bridge authorities.

Gross weight of vehicle carrying the load exceeding 80,000 kgs up to 150,000 kgs

2 clear days notice to Police and 5 clear days notice with indemnity to Highway and Bridge authorities

Width                                                              Action required

Width exceeding 2.9m (for C&U loads)

3.0m up to 5.0m for other loads

2 clear days notice to Police

Length                                                            Action required

Length exceeding 18.65m up to 30.0m rigid

2 clear days notice to Police

Vehicle combination exceeding 25.9m

2 clear days notice to Police