This article focuses on what is new in 2026. You will find the complete process – application, costs and duration – in our foundational guide Heavy Haulage Permits in Germany.
Anyone planning a heavy transport in Germany in 2026 is dealing with three realities: permits are a matter for the federal states, the bridge infrastructure sets tighter limits than it did a few years ago, and without a sound digital route survey every application becomes a shot in the dark. This guide summarises what dispatchers and project managers currently need to know – from the permit levels via BF3/BF4 escorting to GIS-supported route planning.
When does a transport require a permit?
A permit is required for any transport that exceeds the limits of standard traffic: over 2.55 m width, over 4.00 m height, over 16.50 m length (articulated vehicle) or 18.75 m (drawbar combination), or over 40 t gross weight. The basis is the permit under StVO §29; for the vehicle itself, exemption permits under the German vehicle licensing regulations (StVZO) are added. Applications are made to the road traffic authorities – on routes crossing several federal states, all affected states are involved, coordinated via the nationwide online application procedure. This is exactly where the complexity arises: each federal state assesses its own section of the route, with its own processing times and conditions.
The permit procedure in five steps
- 1. Preliminary route survey: matching the cargo data against bridge capacities, headroom, roadworks and pinch points – before the application is filed.
- 2. Application: permit application with vehicle and cargo data, route course and desired time window, submitted to all authorities concerned.
- 3. Assessment of conditions: the authorities set escort classes (BF2/BF3/BF4), police escort, driving times (frequently night travel) and, where applicable, route conditions.
- 4. Detailed planning: escort vehicles, crane/loading appointments and – if necessary – temporary measures such as dismantling traffic signs or coordinating with roadworks.
- 5. Execution: transport within the permitted time window, on a documented route and with agreed escorting.
BF3 and BF4: who secures the transport?
In 2026, escort vehicles are the normal case for larger excesses. BF3 vehicles carry a variable message sign system and secure the transport to the rear. BF4 vehicles can additionally take on traffic control duties – which relieves the police and makes dates more predictable, because fewer transports have to wait for scarce police capacity. Whether escorting is prescribed, and in which combination, is decided by the authority according to dimensions, weight and route profile; on very large transports, police escort remains part of the conditions.
GIS route planning: bridges, headroom, pinch points
The most critical factor is the infrastructure. Many motorway bridges are closed to high gross weights or passable only under conditions (e.g. centre-lane travel, walking pace, sole occupancy of the bridge). Sound route planning therefore checks digitally and in detail:
- Bridge capacities along the entire route, including current closures,
- Headroom under bridges, tunnels, sign gantries and power lines,
- Pinch points: roundabouts, curve radii, village throughroads, level crossings,
- Roadworks situations, which can change between application and run.
On critical sections we supplement the data with a physical route inspection. The result feeds directly into the permit application – and prevents the most expensive situation in heavy haulage: a permitted route that cannot actually be driven.
Planning costs and conditions realistically
The permit fees alone are rarely the largest item – depending on the federal state and scope, they usually range from around 50 to several hundred euros per permit. What gets more expensive are the conditions: escort vehicles charged by hours in service, police escort where applicable, individual bridge structural calculations and temporary measures such as dismantling signage. Night-travel requirements also affect costs, because they change standing times and personnel deployment. For budgeting this means: always view total costs as a package of transport, permit and escorting – depending on route, weight and permit situation. Another common planning error is basing the permit on provisional cargo data: if dimensions or weight change after the application is filed, the procedure starts again from the beginning, including all deadlines.
Calculating lead times realistically
For straightforward individual permits within one federal state, one to two weeks is often enough. Multi-state routes with escort conditions typically need two to six weeks. For transports requiring individual bridge structural calculations – beyond 100 t, for instance – you should allow several months of lead time. Oversize Transports handles the complete permit management, plans the route digitally and, after the feasibility study, delivers a fixed-price quotation – depending on route, weight and permit situation. Give us a call or send us the cargo data: we will come back to you promptly with an assessment.