Abnormal transports permits

What is an abnormal transport?

An abnormal transport is a transport of a vehicle or vehicle combination, having either no load or an indivisible load, which exceeds at least one authorized dimension or weight allowed in normal road traffic in Finland.

An indivisible load cannot be divided, for road transport, into two or more loads without unreasonable cost or risk. Due to its weight or dimensions, an indivisible load cannot be transported on any type of vehicle or vehicle combination without exceeding an authorized weight or dimension allowed in normal traffic in Finland.

NOTE!! In Finland the authorized dimensions and total weights are partly bigger than in the rest of Europe. See more detailed information in separate appendices about the maximum authorized dimensions and weights allowed in normal traffic in Finland.

Who issues permits for abnormal transports in Finland?

The Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Pirkanmaa is the only organisation that issues permits for abnormal transports in Finland, with the exception of Åland Islands. On Åland, the abnormal transport permit is issued by the provincial government of Åland.

When permit is required?

Vehicles or vehicle combinations registered in an EU or EEA country

Finland allows the same dimensions and weights for all vehicles and vehicle combinations registered in EU and EEA countries as to Finnish vehicles and vehicle combination.

In Finland abnormal transport vehicle or vehicle combination registered in an EU or EEA country have so called "free dimension limits". This means that although the transport exceeds the authorized dimensions allowed in normal traffic, it doesn't necessarily require an abnormal transport permit. However, the transport must always comply with all the rules and regulations concerning abnormal transports (such as marking of transport, the amount of escort vehicles and traffic directors).

In Finland, a vehicle or vehicle combination registered in an EU or EEA country requires an abnormal transport permit from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Pirkanmaa if:

• the dimensions of the transport exceed the free dimension limits (see Free dimension limits appendix)
• axle, bogie or total weights exceed the authorized weights allowed in normal traffic in Finland (see Maximum weight in normal traffic appendix).

Vehicles or vehicle combinations registered in other countries

Vehicles or vehicle combinations registered outside EU or EEA countries always require an abnormal transport permit if the dimensions or weights of the transport exceed the authorized dimensions or weights allowed in normal traffic in Finland (see Other countries in separate appendices).

If only either the towing vehicle or trailer is registered outside EU or EEA country, rules concerning vehicles registered outside EU or EEA countries are adapted to the whole transport.

Applying for abnormal transport permit

Permit is applied by sending filled permit application form to the Centre for Economical Development, Transport and Environment for Pirkanmaa by e-mail or mail. The application form and the contact information are found on the right side of this page.

An abnormal transport permit is issued only between the start and end location(s) specified in the permit application. The transport route is specified by means of road numbers, road names as well as the names of junctions and places.

The permit is granted either to the transport company, the client ordering the transport, or the manufacturer of the load being transported. The permit cannot be transferred to another company or private person.

Permit procedure

An abnormal transport permit on road may be issued if

• the object cannot be transported at all using another mode of transport (rail, sea, etc.), or it cannot be transported without unreasonable costs, or without causing danger;
• the transport vehicle is approved and registered for traffic, and also suitable for the transport in question; and
• there are no obstructions and the capacities of bridges are sufficient along the transport route.

What appendices are required?

A copy of registration documents must always be affixed to the application form.

A copy of a coupling inspection certificate, issued by Finnish authorities, must be affixed to the application form if:

• the empty vehicle combination exceeds the maximum authorized dimensions or weights allowed in normal traffic in Finland 
• the loaded vehicle combination, excluding the load, exceeds the maximum authorized dimensions allowed in normal traffic in Finland (e.g. extendable trailers)
• the loaded vehicle combination (including load) exceeds the maximum authorized weights allowed in normal traffic in Finland.

All towable machinery that is coupled to road-use cars must be registered starting in 2015. All abnormal transport permits issued to towable machinery based on their identification number will, however, remain valid throughout their effective periods despite this registration requirement.  It is however required that the abnormal transport is carried out within the weight and dimension limits of both the permit and the registration.

Finnish vehicle inspection stations carry out coupling inspections and issue the required certificates for abnormal transports and towed machinery. See contact information on the right side of this page.

Permit conditions

Permit conditions include the relevant sections of the statutes and other conditions laid down for abnormal transports. Permit conditions are same for all abnormal transports. Permit conditions can be printed from these internet pages.

How long does the permit procedure take?

The processing of a permit for very heavy transports (>100 tonnes) takes usually about one week. It may take longer if the capacity of bridges must be calculated. The procedure of other permits takes about five workdays. If the permit includes several routes, the permit may take longer to process.

Permit language

The permit can be written in Finnish or Swedish.

Prices and effective periods of abnormal transport permit

Prices of abnormal transport permit from 1.1.2025

Abnormal transport permit when transports weights doesn´t exceed weights allowed in normal
traffic in Finland:

• Transports height doesn´t exceed 7 m or width doesn´t exceed 6 m: 60 €.
• Transports height exceeds 7 m or width exceeds 6 m: 100 €.

Abnormal transport permit when axle, bogie or total weight exceeds the authorized weights
allowed in normal traffic in Finland:

• Total weight of the transport doesn't exceed 120 tons: 120 €.
• Total weight of the transport exceeds 120 tons, but is 200 tons at most: 180 €.
• Total weight of the transport exceeds 200 tons: 510 €.
• Pre-decision of transportpossibility: half the price of the permit.
• Supervised bridgecrossing, in addition to price of the permit 200 €.
• Commission fee, if supervised bridgecrossing is cancelled or unused (The difference between the paid supervision fees for unused bridge crossings and the commission fee will be returned to the customer): 50 €
• Permit not admitted: 70 €

Validity of abnormal transport permit from 1.1.2025

The validity of abnormal transport permits ranges from one week to one year depending on the total weight and width, and the country where the vehicle or vehicle combination is registered. If either the towing vehicle or the trailer is registered outside EU or EEA countries, the rules and regulations concerning vehicles registered outside EU or EEA countries are adapted to the whole transport.

• Vehicle or vehicle combination is registered outside EU- or EEA-region: 1 week
• Permit contains a special condition (other than supervised bridgecrossing ): 3 months
• Permit contains a special condition (supervised bridgecrossing): 6 months
• Total weight of the transport exceeds 120 tons: 3 months
• Total weight of the transport doesn't exceed 120 tons: 6 months
• Transport has no overweight/ width of transport is 7.0 m or less: 12 months 
• Pre-decision of transportpossibility: 3 months

Traffic directing

Who takes care of directing other traffic during an abnormal transport in Finland?

Only a person who has completed the Abnormal Transport Traffic Director course and has an Abnormal Transport Traffic Director license has the right to direct traffic during an abnormal transport in Finland. An Abnormal Transport Traffic Director (ATTD) escorting an abnormal transport has the same authority in traffic directing as the police in Finland.

The police direct traffic quite rarely, only in certain special cases. For example when the width of the transport is more than 7.0 metres police direct traffic if the police regard supervision necessary.

When is a traffic director required?

An ATTD is required to stop and direct other traffic if the abnormal transport moves on the road against traffic rules and/or in the cases laid down in the permit conditions due to the dimensions of the load. Traffic directing is usually necessary at junctions, on bridges and other narrow sections of the road.

See the Permit Conditions 2023 for detailed information about the requirements and number of traffic directors and escort vehicles.

Charges and services of traffic directing in Finland

In Finland, ATTDs charge on their services and the charge depends, for instance, on the Traffic Director’s qualification, as well as the standard of their services and equipment. Abnormal transport traffic directing by the police is also chargeable in Finland. The charge depends on the time and amount of personnel and vehicles used in traffic directing.

The range of services is wide. Some traffic directors offer just traffic directing services, others also offer route planning, assist in applying for the permits, and hire marking equipment for the transport vehicle.