Oversize permit country guide
Oversize load permit in Poland (2026): authority, thresholds, fees
This page summarises what the official sources listed below say about oversize (abnormal) load permits in Poland. Numbers link to their source. Values the sources do not confirm are marked “Not confirmed”.
Key facts
| Issuing authority | General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (Generalna Dyrekcja Dróg Krajowych i Autostrad, GDDKiA) — regional branches (16), categories III–V Generalna Dyrekcja Dróg Krajowych i Autostrad (GDDKiA), Oddział w … [Z1] |
|---|---|
| Level | National |
| Application channel | www.gov.pl [Z1] |
| Online application | Yes |
| Applicant from abroad may apply | Yes |
| Application language(s) | pl |
| Data status | Verified from official sources |
Issuing authority
From 01.07.2026, applications for categories III–V (domestic and foreign applicants) are submitted to one chosen branch out of the 16 GDDKiA branches; an application addressed to the Head Office is forwarded to the branch with the lowest number of cases in the given year; the branches are the first instance, the Head Office is the second instance (Z1). Other authorities by category (Z2): category I — the starosta (district head) competent for the applicant's seat or for the place where the journey starts (Art. 64b para. 3); category II — the starosta (Art. 64c para. 3 point 1); categories II and III also the head of the customs and tax office at the point of entry into Poland (Art. 64c para. 4); category V — the city mayor (prezydent miasta), where the route lies within the boundaries of a city with district rights and does not run along a motorway or expressway (Art. 64d para. 4). The text of the Act still names the General Director for National Roads and Motorways as the authority for categories III–V; the transfer of these tasks to the branches results from a GDDKiA announcement (Z1). [Z1]
Application channel
No portal and no application system — e-Doręczenia, post, fax, or in person at a GDDKiA branch [Z1]
Login / access: No account in an authority system. The electronic channel is e-Doręczenia to the electronic delivery (AE) address of the chosen branch (addresses in the Z1 table). From 01.01.2026 a document submitted via ePUAP may be considered ineffective; an e-mail is not an application within the meaning of the Code of Administrative Procedure (KPA) (Z1). Requirements on the side of the e-Doręczenia sender (address, signature) are not confirmed.
Some details are not confirmed in the official sources read.
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.
| Width | 2.55 m [Z3] |
|---|---|
| Height | 4.00 m [Z3] |
| Length, tractor unit + semi-trailer | 16.50 m [Z3] |
| Length, rigid vehicle + trailer | 18.75 m [Z3] |
| Gross combination weight (5 axles) | 40.00 t [Z3] |
| Single axle load | 10.00 t [Z3] |
| Drive axle load | 11.50 t [Z3] |
An abnormal (oversize) vehicle is one whose axle loads, dimensions or actual gross weight (with or without load) exceed the permissible values; its movement requires a permit (PoRD Art. 2 point 35a, Art. 64 para. 1 — Z2). Permissible values from Z3, the same for domestic and international traffic (the regulation makes no distinction, exception: §3 para. 1 point 15 — 34 t for 4-axle tippers/concrete mixers in domestic traffic only). Width 2.55 m: §2 para. 2 (2.60 m only for insulated (temperature-controlled) bodies). Height 4.00 m: §2 para. 4. Articulated vehicle 16.50 m: §2 para. 1 point 4 (+0.15 m in intermodal transport of containers up to 45 feet, §2 para. 16). Motor vehicle + trailer combination 18.75 m: §2 para. 1 point 5. Single vehicle and trailer (not a semi-trailer) 12.00 m: §2 para. 1 points 1–3. Weight 40 t: §3 para. 1 point 2 — combination with a total of at least 5 axles, towing vehicle being a motor vehicle; intermodal exceptions 42 t / 44 t (point 2 letters a–d); +1 t alternative fuel, +2 t zero-emission (para. 1a); 3-axle combinations 28 t, 4-axle 35–38 t (points 3–7); in addition not more than the maximum permissible weight (DMC) in the registration certificates (§3 para. 4–6). Axle load 10 t = single non-driven axle (§5 para. 1 point 1); 11.5 t = single drive axle (§5 para. 1 point 5); axle groups under §5 para. 1 points 2–9 (depending on the spacing d, an axle group means d ≤ 1.80 m, §4). On selected roads a ban may apply for a drive axle > 10 t or > 8 t (road sign or municipal resolution), and on unpaved roads a limit of 8 t (UDP Art. 41 para. 2, Art. 41b para. 1 — Z8). No permit is required, among others, for a vehicle whose width and length without load do not exceed the permissible values and which carries a projecting load under the rules of Art. 61 para. 6, 8 and 9 (Art. 64e para. 1 point 2 — Z2). [Z3]
Permit types
| Permit | Scope | Validity | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category I permit Zezwolenie na przejazd pojazdu nienormatywnego kategorii I |
Periodic (time-limited) | 12 months (Art. 64b para. 4); names the operator and the vehicle | Only a slow-moving vehicle, an agricultural tractor or a combination with a special trailer (Art. 64b para. 1); length, height, axle loads and weight ≤ permissible values, width ≤ 3.5 m; public roads except expressways and motorways (Annex No. 1) [Z2] |
| Category II permit Zezwolenie na przejazd pojazdu nienormatywnego kategorii II |
Periodic (time-limited) | 1, 6, 12 or 24 months (Art. 64c para. 1); issued to the operator without naming a vehicle (Art. 64c para. 8) | Axle loads and weight ≤ permissible values; width ≤ 3.2 m; length ≤ 15 m (vehicle) / 23 m (combination); height ≤ 4.3 m; public roads (Annex No. 1) [Z2] |
| Category III permit Zezwolenie na przejazd pojazdu nienormatywnego kategorii III |
Periodic (time-limited) | 1, 6, 12 or 24 months (Art. 64c para. 1); without naming a vehicle (Art. 64c para. 8); also covers the scope of category II (Art. 64c para. 5) | Weight and axle loads ≤ permissible values; width ≤ 3.4 m; length ≤ 15 m (vehicle) / 23 m (combination) / 30 m (combination with steered axles); height ≤ 4.3 m; national roads (Annex No. 1) [Z2] |
| Category IV permit Zezwolenie na przejazd pojazdu nienormatywnego kategorii IV |
Periodic (time-limited) | 1, 6, 12 or 24 months (Art. 64c para. 1); without naming a vehicle (Art. 64c para. 8) | Width ≤ 3.4 m (single-carriageway road) / ≤ 4 m (dual-carriageway road of class A and S); length ≤ 15 / 23 / 30 m; height ≤ 4.3 m; actual gross weight ≤ 60 t; axle loads ≤ permissible values; public roads (Annex No. 1). Crossing a bridge/viaduct on roads other than national roads with a weight > permissible value — written notice to the road authority 7 working days in advance (Art. 64c para. 9) [Z2] |
| Category V permit — single journey Zezwolenie na przejazd pojazdu nienormatywnego kategorii V (jednokrotny przejazd) |
Single trip | 14 days from the date stated in the application (Art. 64d para. 10 point 1); a return journey = a new application (Z1) | Dimensions/weight > categories I–IV or axle loads > permissible values; route set in the permit; indivisible load only; consent of the road authorities (Art. 64d para. 1–2, Annex No. 1). The application states one registration number of the tractor unit and one of the semi-trailer (several modules/tractor units are joined with the sign „+”) (Z1) [Z2] |
| Category V permit — multiple journeys Zezwolenie na przejazd pojazdu nienormatywnego kategorii V (wielokrotny przejazd) |
Multiple trips | 30 days from the date stated in the application (Art. 64d para. 10 point 2) | As for the category V single-journey permit; the permit specifies the number of journeys (Art. 64d para. 9 point 3) [Z2] |
Processing time
Category I: 3 working days from submission of the application (Art. 64b para. 3). Categories II–IV: 3 working days from submission of the application, after payment of the fee (Art. 64c para. 7). Category V: 14 working days (Art. 64d para. 4); up to 30 days where the scope of infrastructure adaptation has to be determined — the authority notifies within 7 days of submission of the application (Art. 64d para. 6). The permit is issued once the fee has reached the branch's bank account (Z1). [Z2]
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Category I — 12 months (§1 point 1) | 100 PLN [Z4] |
| Category II — 1 / 6 / 12 / 24 months: 200 / 400 / 1200 / 2000 zł (§1 point 2) | 200–2,000 PLN [Z4] |
| Category III — 1 / 6 / 12 / 24 months: 500 / 1000 / 2000 / 3000 zł (§1 point 3) | 500–3,000 PLN [Z4] |
| Category IV — 1 / 6 / 12 / 24 months: 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 4800 zł (§1 point 4) | 800–4,800 PLN [Z4] |
| Category V single journey — dimensions > categories II and III, axle loads and weight ≤ permissible values (§1 point 5 letter a) | 500 PLN [Z4] |
| Category V single journey — other cases (§1 point 5 letter b) | 1,600 PLN [Z4] |
| Category V multiple journeys — On = pj + (n − 1) × 0.7 × pj, where pj = fee for a single journey, n = number of journeys (PoRD Art. 64d para. 11) | See description [Z2] |
| Stamp duty on a power of attorney (does not apply to the closest family), paid to the account of the municipal/city office competent for the place where the document is submitted | 17 PLN [Z1] |
Escort
Private escort vehicle
Escort by pilot vehicles (motor vehicle with a maximum permissible weight up to 3.5 t, marked „PILOT”, §3): 1 pilot vehicle where at least one of the following values is exceeded: length 23.00 m, width 3.20 m, height 4.50 m, actual gross weight 60 t (§2 para. 1); 2 vehicles (front and rear) where at least one of the following is exceeded: 30.00 m, 3.60 m, 4.70 m, 80 t (§2 para. 2); convoy — 2 vehicles at the beginning and at the end (§2 para. 3). Does not apply to category I (PoRD Art. 64b para. 5). The manner of escort is set out in the category V permit (PoRD Art. 64d para. 9 point 6). [Z5]
Police escort
Not confirmed in the sources read. [Z5]
Some details are not confirmed in the official sources read.
Required documents
- Application on the form in Annexes No. 1–3 to the regulation (category I / II–IV / V), in electronic or paper form (§7); GDDKiA DOCX forms: Z9 (category V), Z10 (categories II–IV); all fields completed, signature of the applicant (Z1) [Z6]
- Proof of payment of the permit fee to the account of the chosen GDDKiA branch (PoRD Art. 64b para. 2, 64c para. 2, 64d para. 3; accounts: Z11) [Z2]
- Original power of attorney + proof of payment of the stamp duty of 17.00 zł — where the application is signed by a proxy; exemption if the proxies are disclosed in CEIDG/KRS (Z1) [Z1]
- Authorisation to collect the permit (original or certified copy) — where the permit is collected by a person other than the applicant (Z1) [Z1]
Traffic restrictions
Category V: the route is set by the authority after consultation with the road authorities; the conditions of the journey (including infrastructure adaptation and escort) are stated in the permit (PoRD Art. 64d para. 4–5, 9). A route is set, among others, where the clearance gauge of the road/structure is at least 0.1 m higher than the height and at least 1.0 m wider than the width of the vehicle with its load, and the condition rating of the bridge structure is ≥ 3 (Z1). GDDKiA publishes a list of engineering structures with limited load-bearing capacity (Z1). Bans on drive axles > 10 t / > 8 t on designated roads (UDP Art. 41 para. 2 — Z8). General time-based traffic bans (days, hours) for abnormal vehicles are not confirmed. [Z1]
Some details are not confirmed in the official sources read.
Official sources
- [Z1] GDDKiA — Przejazdy nienormatywne (abnormal vehicle movements): authorities from 01.07.2026 (16 branches, Head Office = second instance), submission channels, power of attorney, time limits for categories III–V, conditions for setting the route, e-Doręczenia addresses of the branches (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
https://www.gov.pl/web/gddkia/przejazdy-nienormatywne3 - [Z2] Act — Prawo o ruchu drogowym (Road Traffic Act), consolidated text Dz.U. 2024 item 1251 — Art. 2 point 35a, Art. 64–64g, Annex No. 1 (permit categories I–V) (Legal act, read 2026-10-04)
https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2024/1251/text.pdf - [Z3] Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure w sprawie warunków technicznych pojazdów oraz zakresu ich niezbędnego wyposażenia (technical conditions of vehicles and the scope of their necessary equipment), consolidated text Dz.U. 2024 item 502 — §2 dimensions, §3 weights, §4 axle groups, §5 axle loads (amendments Dz.U. 2024 items 983 and 1417 do not concern §2–§5) (Legal act, read 2026-10-04)
https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2024/502/text.pdf - [Z4] Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 16.02.2021 w sprawie wysokości opłat za wydanie zezwolenia na przejazd pojazdu nienormatywnego (fees for issuing an abnormal vehicle permit), Dz.U. 2021 item 315 — §1 (Legal act, read 2026-10-04)
https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2021/315/text.pdf - [Z5] Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 08.11.2023 w sprawie pilotowania pojazdów nienormatywnych (escorting abnormal vehicles), Dz.U. 2023 item 2487 — §2–§5 (Legal act, read 2026-10-04)
https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2023/2487/text.pdf - [Z6] Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure w sprawie zezwoleń na przejazd pojazdów nienormatywnych (abnormal vehicle permits), consolidated text Dz.U. 2024 item 126 — §7 (application in electronic or paper form on the forms in Annexes 1–3), §8 (Legal act, read 2026-10-04)
https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2024/126/text.pdf - [Z7] GDDKiA — Table of permit categories and fees (PDF) (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
https://www.gov.pl/attachment/da7d5119-70a1-410d-a267-aa334bebc374 - [Z8] Act — Ustawa o drogach publicznych (Public Roads Act), consolidated text Dz.U. 2025 item 889 — Art. 41, 41a, 41b (permissible drive axle load on roads, 10 t / 8 t bans) (Legal act, read 2026-10-04)
https://api.sejm.gov.pl/eli/acts/DU/2025/889/text.pdf - [Z9] GDDKiA — Application form, category V (DOCX) (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
https://www.gov.pl/attachment/81bd9382-1cba-4709-8fb1-1a9b65aa5bdd - [Z10] GDDKiA — Application form, categories II–IV (DOCX) (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
https://www.gov.pl/attachment/a1c26a3f-6c13-41c0-a749-9d5cbd94ac29 - [Z11] GDDKiA — Bank account numbers, permit fees (DOCX) (Official website, read 2026-10-04)
https://www.gov.pl/attachment/3bde5cbd-f7c0-4c3a-b57c-0d7d50c8a7c3
Rules and fees change. Check the official source before you file an application.