Government of Nova Scotianovascotia.ca
novascotia.caGovernment of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia, Canada
 
Access Nova Scotia
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Why do special circumstance permits require 7 days notice?

Service Nova Scotia (SNS), that issue the permits, is required to get authorization from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal for special circumstance permits. Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal has requested the extra time to consult and obtain approval from all of the parties/areas affected by the special circumstance move. Once that approval has been granted SNS is contacted and the permit is issued.

 

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What is a Special Move Permit?

A Special Move Permit is a permit issued to allow the movement of loads that are outside the legal weight and/or dimension limits. They have conditions attached that must be met in order for the move to take place.

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How do I measure axle spread?

Axle spread on a tandem axle group is determined by measuring from the center of one axle to the center of the adjacent axle. On a tri-dem group the axle spread is determined by repeating the above at the two spaces and adding together.

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How do I determine the length?

Length is measured form the furthest point ahead to the furthest point to rear including, at both ends, any load or projection.

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How do I determine the width?

Width is determined by measuring the widest dimension. For example you would measure any protrusion on one side, the width of the vehicle and any protrusion of the second side then add the figures together.

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How do I determine wheelbase?

Wheelbase on a truck is the distance from the center of one axle group to the center of the adjacent axle group. (For example the wheelbase of a tandem truck is measured from the center of the steering axle to a point half way between the two drive axles). The wheelbase on a trailer is measured from the center of the axle group to the coupling device.

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What is inter-axle spacing?

Inter-axle spacing means the distance between the center 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.

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Where can I obtain a Temporary Permit for my vehicle?

A temporary permit for a vehicle may be obtained through Access Nova Scotia. (See attached policy on 30 Day Permits and list of Access Nova Scotia locations and numbers).

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Where can I find my Master Number?

Your Master Number can be found on your driver's licence.

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Where can I find my company Master Number?

Company Master Number can be found on on the right hand side of a company vehicle permit. If you do not have a vehicle permit RMV staff can determine your company master number using the licence plate number of a company vehicle (Registry of Motor Vehicles).

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Can I get a replacement Special Move Permit?

You can get a replacement Special Move Permit from the Business Registration Unit.

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Can I get a Special Move Permit at the scales?

Special Move Permits are not available from Vehicle Compliance Officers. Their responsibility is to enforce the Permits.

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Can I get a Special Move Permit from a Mobile Officer?

Special Move Permits are not available from Vehicle Compliance Officers. Their responsibility is to enforce the Permits.

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I do not have a credit card. How can I get a Permit?

By contacting a Permit Company and having them obtain one on your behalf. You first must register the permit company as your agent with the Business Registration Unit, SNS. You make payment arrangements with the permit company.

 

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My load is over height. How do I determine the right route?

You need to survey the proposed route. If you find problems the local Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Office may be able the provide alternatives.

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My load is over weight. How do I determine the proper route?

You need to survey the proposed route. If you find problems the local Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Office may be able the provide alternatives.  

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How, or where, do I find out if my load is over weight?

There are no public scales in Nova Scotia. You could try a trucking company or a pit (gravel) they may allow you to weigh.

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Do I need a permit for a plow on my truck in winter?

No you do not need a special move permit for a snowplow.

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Must I tell Service Nova Scotia if I use a Permit Company?

You need to register so the Business Registration Unit, SNS, is aware that a particular permit company is acting on your behalf. Otherwise we would not have any way of regulating who was getting what permits. It is your company's best interest that we require this registration otherwise someone could be ordering permits in your name and you might not know.

 

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How can I find out if I have an annual permit for my vehicle?

You can call SNS. The administrative staff can search the data base to determine if you have a valid permit or not.

 

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What conditions will apply to my move?

This depends on how much you know beforehand. You can examine the permit conditions.

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What are the specifications for a "D" sign?

1.1 Specification for Over-dimensional Load Sign

  • General Description: the sign consists of red vertical stripes on a white background, having a white letter D in the center of the sign. The layout is to conform to the drawing below.
  • Dimension: 300 mm. high and 2450 mm. long.
  • Material: The sign is made of ½" (or metric equivalent) GIS Douglas Fir plywood with a medium density overlay.

If the medium density overlay is not used the plywood must be painted with two (2) good coats of exterior enamel. The paint or overlay is to ensure the plywood surface is properly sealed. The plywood is then covered, on the side which was sealed, with white reflective sheeting with a minimum Level II reflectance (as per Canadian General Standards Board Specification 62-GP-11M). The sign message is then silk-screened on the sheeting using #712 Stop Sign Red (3M-Corp) paint or equivalent.

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Where can I buy a "D" sign?

  • Truck stops
  • Larger auto supply stores
  • Sign shops
  • Safety equipment suppliers

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How do I add a new tractor plate?

If the Tractor Plate number does not appear in the drop down list, the plate information must be added by a SMP Administrator. Please contact Service Nova Scotia at 1-800-898-7668 (Toll-free in NS) or 902-424-5851.

 

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