Heavy Haulage

When a transport becomes a heavy or abnormal-load transport

The threshold is set by the standard dimensions of the StVZO. A transport becomes subject to permit as soon as the consignment together with the vehicle exceeds certain values — in simplified terms: more than 2.55 m wide (up to 3.00 m with a standing permit), 4.00 m high, 16.50 m long for a semi-trailer combination, or more than 40 t gross weight — or when the indivisible load projects beyond the loading bed. Typical goods are transformers, boilers and tanks, construction and agricultural machinery, precast concrete elements, structural-steel and bridge sections, wind-power components and complete plant modules. An overweight (for example a 30 t transformer) makes a transport subject to permit just as much as oversize does. As soon as one of these values is exceeded, a permit, a surveyed route and, where applicable, an escort are mandatory — we handle the classification based on your consignment dimensions.

Permits, route survey and escort in detail

The procedure depends on the type of excess. Abnormal use of the road is covered by the permit under Section 29 (3) StVO (German Road Traffic Regulations), deviations from the vehicle's construction and operating regulations by the exemption approval under Section 70 StVZO (German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations), supplemented by exemptions under Section 46 StVO; today the applications are submitted in a bundled form via the VEMAGS portal. The route survey comes before the permit: bridge loads, clearance heights and widths, roundabouts, turning radii and axle loads are assessed along the route, often with conditions such as night-driving windows. Depending on dimensions and weight, escort vehicles to BF2/BF3 standard or police escort are prescribed. We run with low-loaders, semi-low-loaders or platform vehicles, secured to VDI 2700 with lashing chains at defined lashing points. At both ends we check the access route right up to the yard and provide a mobile crane where needed.

Heavy haulage, abnormal load and machinery transport — the distinction

The terms are separated by the type of excess. Abnormal-load transport (Großraum) refers to oversize — too wide, too high or too long, but not necessarily too heavy (for instance a bulky, lightweight plant module). Heavy transport refers to overweight beyond the permissible gross weight, often for compact, dense goods such as transformers or presses. In practice the two frequently occur combined and are handled through the same permit procedure. Machinery transport, in turn, usually stays within the standard dimensions and is therefore permit-free — it requires technical securing but no permit. Where a machine becomes too large or too heavy, it moves seamlessly into the heavy-haulage category. We cover the entire range and classify every transport correctly, so that neither too much nor too little procedure is set in motion.

What does a heavy haulage transport cost?

Unlike standard traffic, there is no simple per-kilometre rule of thumb — the price is made up of the special vehicle, permit fees, the route survey, possibly several escort vehicles (BF3) or police escort, night-driving windows and crane provision. As a rough guide: a permit-required transport with one BF3 escort vehicle over a medium distance quickly reaches the four-figure range, while a multi-country run with several escort vehicles and police escort goes well above that. A 28 t transformer on the semi-low-loader from Mannheim to Hamburg, with escort and permit, for example lies clearly in the upper four-figure range. Once the consignment data and the route have been technically clarified, we quote a binding fixed price — the first quote within 30 minutes, with the detailed operational plan to follow.