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    1. Home
    2. Travel, transport and roads
    3. Traffic management

    Transporting abnormal loads by road

    If you want to move an abnormally large load by road in Northern Ireland, there is a straightforward process to follow. There are only two authorities you need to tell: the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

    DfI

    Anyone wishing to move an abnormal load must tell DfI by sending an Abnormal Loads (AL1) Application Form for:

    • all loads more than 38 tonnes on four axles
    • all loads more than 40 tonnes on five axles
    • all loads more than 44 tonnes on six axles
    • all loads more than five metres in width

    Two clear working days' notice is required for all of the above.

    Five clear working days' notice is required for:

    • all loads more than 80 tonnes
    • all loads more than 6.1 metres in width
    • all loads more than 27.4 metres in length

    A special permit is required for:

    • all loads more than 150 tonnes
    • all loads more than 6.1 metres in width
    • all loads more than 27.4 metres in length

    You can download the application form from this link:

    • Abnormal Loads (AL1) application form

    Although there is no legal requirement, it is advisable to tell DfI about all loads more than 4.3 metres in width, due to width restrictions on certain routes throughout the province.

    For further information, contact DfI Roads Abnormal Loads Office.

    Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)

    You must give the PSNI two days notice to arrange movement of an abnormal load.

    You have to fill out a 'Notification of movement of abnormal loads' form.

    You can find the form, and contact details for where to send it, at this link:

    • Abnormal loads

    More useful links

    • Low and weight-restricted bridges
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    Traffic management

    • Bus lanes
    • Consents and licences for roads
    • Low and weight-restricted bridges
    • Puffin crossing
    • Report an issue with roadworks
    • Road closures and diversions in your area
    • Speed limits - how they are set
    • Traffic calming
    • Transporting abnormal loads by road

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