Oversize load permit in Germany (2026): authority, thresholds, fees

Key facts

Issuing authority

The Erlaubnis under § 29 Abs. 3 StVO is issued by the Straßenverkehrsbehörde in whose district the journey requiring a permit begins, or the one in whose district the operator has its seat or a registered branch; where the seat is abroad — the authority in whose district the permit is used for the first time (§ 47 Abs. 1 StVO, Z4). In VEMAGS (V9): the application is addressed to the EGB at the seat of the company performing the transport or to the EGB at the place where the transport starts in Germany (Z2). The EGB carries out a hearing (Anhörverfahren) of the road authorities, railways and police; where the journey crosses other federal states — the consent of their authorities is required (VwV Rn. 105–107, Z1). A map of EGB competence (which authority for which place) was not found in the sources read. [Z4]

Application channel

VEMAGS® (Verfahrensmanagement für Großraum- und Schwertransporte) — Verfahrens-Modul [Z2]

Login / access: VEMAGS user account (registration as Antragsteller via the link under VEMAGS Login — Z7). Submitting an application from one's own account = einfache elektronische Signatur; a qualified electronic signature has been neither offered nor required since Release 7.5 (Z2). Xvemags-AB API: for software vendors after concluding a cooperation agreement and completing the „Siegelung” process; specification and costs only on request (Z5, Z6).

Thresholds above which a permit is needed

Values for a typical combination: tractor unit with semi-trailer or rigid vehicle with trailer, 5 axles, standard width.

A permit (Erlaubnis § 29 Abs. 3 StVO) is required for vehicles and combinations that need a fahrzeugtechnische Ausnahmegenehmigung under § 70 StVZO and actually exceed the limits on dimensions, axle loads or weights in §§ 32 and 34 StVZO (VwV Rn. 79–80, Z1). The texts of §§ 32 and 34 StVZO were not among the sources read — the figures are not confirmed. No Erlaubnis under § 29 Abs. 3 is required, among others: where only the load exceeds the dimensions (an Ausnahmegenehmigung under § 46 Abs. 1 Nr. 5 StVO is then required); where a structural widening/extension is not used and the vehicle complies with § 32 StVZO; where a vehicle with a § 70 exemption actually stays within § 34 StVZO in terms of weights (Rn. 82–84). NOTE: the „anhörfreier Bereich” values (height 4 m, width 3 m, length 15/20/23 m, single axle 11.5 t, combination with > 4 axles 41.8 t — Rn. 109–113) are the limits for exemption from the hearing procedure, NOT thresholds below which no permit is needed. [Z1]

Permit types

Processing time

„In der Regel zwei Wochen” from submission of a complete and error-free application; longer where static recalculation of bridges or other particularly time-consuming procedures are needed; the authority points out deficiencies without delay, at the latest within this period (VwV Rn. 93a). The time limit is given in calendar weeks, not in working days. Applications concerning cable drums (repairs) and large transmission-grid transformers are handled with priority with a Dringlichkeitsbescheinigung (Rn. 118b). [Z1]

Fees

Escort

Private escort vehicle

On planned sections where no police decision is needed, a police escort may be replaced by a private escort vehicle with a variable message sign (Wechselverkehrszeichen-Anlage) acting as Verwaltungshelfer of the road traffic authority (Rn. 122–123). An escort vehicle with a rear-facing sign is mandatory where the overall width exceeds: 4.50 m on motorways (≥ 2 lanes + hard shoulder per direction), 4.00 m on motorways (2 lanes without a hard shoulder), 3.50 m outside motorways; also where a 10 cm clearance cannot be maintained under overpasses, and for a length > 27.00 m if there are roundabouts on the route (Rn. 133). Equipment according to the „Merkblatt über die Ausrüstung von privaten Begleitfahrzeugen” (Rn. 131). [Z1]

Police escort

Only where escort vehicles are not sufficient, among others: stopping traffic on the opposite carriageway of a motorway; on other roads a width > 3.50 m under special conditions, where escort vehicles cannot ensure safe passing; other difficult conditions requiring a police decision on site (Rn. 134–137). A journey with police escort/measures is notified to all police units named in the Bescheid at least 48 h before the start (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) (Rn. 138). A Dauererlaubnis is not available where police are needed (Rn. 98). [Z1]

Required documents

• Application in VEMAGS (blocks V1–V12) with the data under VwV Rn. 102–103: Fahrtweg, length, width, height, actual gross weight, axle loads, number of axles, axle spacings, number of wheels per axle, type and indivisibility of the load, dimensions and weight of the load, design speed, registration numbers and VIN; an Achsbild is not needed where weight, axle loads and spacings do not exceed § 34 StVZO (Rn. 104) [Z2]
• Fahrzeugtechnische Ausnahmegenehmigung under § 70 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 or 2 StVZO covering the dimensions, scope and period (Rn. 79–80, 115; VEMAGS V2) [Z1]
• Written declaration of the applicant on Sondernutzung (§ 8 FStrG, covering the road authority's costs) and on the absence of any guarantee/liability of the road authority (Rn. 94; in VEMAGS — „Erklärungen”) [Z1]
• Justification (Begründung) where the requested axle load is > 12 t (Rn. 95; VEMAGS V7) [Z1]
• Proof that rail / combined rail-road transport is impossible or disproportionately expensive — route > 250 km, Anhörverfahren required, width ≤ 4.20 m and height ≤ 4.80 m (Rn. 116); proof for inland waterway — route > 250 km and width > 4.20 m or height > 4.80 m or weight > 72 t (Rn. 117); the authority may also require it below 250 km (Rn. 118); VEMAGS V10 [Z1]
• Proof that rail transport is not possible where the consignor and consignee have sidings (Rn. 93) [Z1]
• Multi-part load treated as indivisible — confirmation by an expert (Rn. 88; VEMAGS V5) [Z1]
• Weight > 100 t or axle ≥ 12 t (except cranes, self-propelled machinery, Eichfahrzeuge and other vehicles without load): a certificate of the dimensions and weight of the load attached to the application; before the journey an expert's Gutachten carried with the transport (Rn. 127–128; VEMAGS V12) [Z1]
• Kenntnisnahmebescheinigung — where the transport is performed by an entity other than the holder of the Bescheid (kept for at least 1 year, copy in the vehicle) (Rn. 121) [Z1]

Traffic restrictions

Driving time restrictions apply only to transports requiring an Anhörverfahren where traffic disruption is expected (Rn. 139). Motorways and roads of motorway standard: ban from Sat. 6:00 to Sun. 22:00; with heavy commuter traffic Mon–Fri 6:00–9:00 and 16:00–19:00; from Maundy Thursday 22:00 to the Tuesday after Easter 6:00 and from Friday 22:00 before Whitsun (Pentecost) to Tuesday 6:00; normally permitted 20:00–6:00 (Rn. 140). Other roads: Sat. 6:00 to Sun. 22:00 and, with heavy commuter traffic, normally also Mon–Fri 6:00–9:00 and 16:00–19:00 (Rn. 141); transports of considerable dimensions exceptionally also during the day, by arrangement (Rn. 142). Closure of a motorway/carriageway normally only 20:00–6:00 (Rn. 143). For cranes, self-propelled machinery and Eichfahrzeuge up to 54 t — no time restrictions (Rn. 147). The journey must be interrupted in poor visibility and on slippery road surfaces (Rn. 124). The Erlaubnis does not replace an Ausnahmegenehmigung under § 46 (e.g. Sunday driving ban) (Rn. 81). Crossing a level crossing within the anhörfreier Bereich — conditions in Rn. 146. [Z1]

Official sources

1. [Z1] VwV-StVO, „Zu § 29 Absatz 3 Großraum- und/oder Schwerverkehr”, Rn. 79–149 (Legal act, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de/bsvwvbund_26012001_S3236420014.htm
2. [Z2] VEMAGS Nutzerinformationen für die Antragserfassung und -änderung, Release 7.5, Stand 28.07.2026 — blocks V1–V12, electronic signature, V9 EGB (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.vemags.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Verfahrens-Modul/VEMAGS-Nutzerinformationen-Antragserfassung-aenderung-7-5--20260728.pdf
3. [Z3] GebOSt, Anlage — Gebührennummer 263.1 (Großraum- und Schwertransporte) (Legal act, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stgebo_2011/anlage.html
4. [Z4] § 47 StVO — Örtliche Zuständigkeit (local competence for the Erlaubnis under § 29 Abs. 3, including where the seat is abroad) (Legal act, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvo_2013/__47.html
5. [Z5] VEMAGS Verfahrens-Modul — Informationen: user types (Antragsteller, including Dienstleistungsunternehmen „quasi als Bescheidbeschaffer”), the interface (Schnittstelle) requires a cooperation agreement and the „Siegelung” process, operator: Projektleitung at Hessen Mobil (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.vemags.de/verfahrens-modul/informationen/
6. [Z6] VEMAGS — Schnittstelle Xvemags: Xvemags-AB (transmission of applications by applicants), Xvemags-EGB; details on request (contact form) (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.vemags.de/verfahrens-modul/schnittstelle/
7. [Z7] VEMAGS — Registrierung: registration as Antragsteller via the link under VEMAGS Login (https://applikation.vemags.de) (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.vemags.de/verfahrens-modul/registrierung/
8. [Z8] VEMAGS — home page: nationwide product for GST applications of all 16 federal states and the Federal Government (Bund); eGovernment led by Hesse (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
   https://www.vemags.de/

Rules and fees change. Check the official source before you file an application.