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Special transport permits and the related obligations

  • Permit or other obligation
  • Nationwide except the Åland Islands
  • Public service

A transport that exceeds the dimension and mass limits permitted for normal traffic is a special transport. Not all special transports require a permit, however, because 'free dimension limits' apply to transport with vehicles registered in EU or EEA countries. If the special transport is within these limits and does not exceed normal mass, a special transport permit is not required.

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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. Emailadress: specialtransport@ely-keskus.fi or mail Pirkanmaan ELY-keskus, Abnormal transport permits, PO Box 297, FI-33101 Tampere, 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.

If you are renewing an old route or road network permit, include the number of the old permit or a copy of the old permit in the application.

Fill in the application form carefully. You can make changes to the application or cancel it before it is taken under processing.

If the transport requires any modifications of road structures or roadside equipment, a permission must be obtained from the appropriate road keeper to work in a road area.

To speed up processing, applicants can themselves obtain a permission of the road keeper for the use of the road network.

To whom and on what terms

Permits can be issued in Finnish or in Swedish.

The conditions for special transport permits are the same for everyone. The permit conditions include the key parts of the regulations and other conditions set for special transport. The permit can also include special conditions that concern notifications and police or bridge control, for example.

For a more detailed description of the special transport conditions, see Traficom’s order concerning special transport.

The special transport permit is only valid for transport defined in the permit and only on the route(s) indicated in it. The special transport permit or its copy together with any appendices must accompany the transport.

A special transport permit can be cancelled temporarily or permanently if special transport regulations or the conditions are neglected or if the permit conditions are no longer valid.

If the transport requires any modifications of road structures or roadside equipment, a permission must be obtained from the road keeper before the transport. Such modifications include, for example, lifting portals, detaching electrified traffic control devices and lampposts, removing railings, making changes to intersections, constructing ramps to cross traffic islands, and strengthening the road structure. Work permit applications related to state-managed highways are sent centrally to the Pirkanmaa ELY Centre.

Traffic signs and traffic control installations that are not electric can be temporarily removed without the permission of the road keeper, provided that they are immediately returned to their place and the work does not require the use of machinery.


Processing time

Check the average processing time on the ELY Centre website (Special transport/current topics). The processing time typically varies from four to ten working days. Please note this when planning your transport. Check the current queue on the ELY Centre’s website. An incomplete application will slow down its processing. Processing can take longer, if the permit includes several routes. The processing time of permits for very heavy transport is longer.

Period of validity

The permit will be valid from one week to a year, depending on the mass and dimensions of the transport and the registration nation of the means of transport. The period of validity is permit-specific and is announced in the decision.

The service is provided by

ELY Centre for Pirkanmaa

Other responsible organisations

ELY Centre for North Ostrobothnia, ELY Centre for Pirkanmaa, ELY Centre for Varsinais-Suomi, ELY Centre for Southeast Finland, ELY Centre for Uusimaa, ELY Centre for Häme, ELY Centre for South Savo, ELY Centre for North Savo, ELY Centre for Lapland, ELY Centre for Kainuu, ELY Centre for South Ostrobothnia, ELY Centre for Satakunta, ELY Centre for Ostrobothnia, ELY Centre for North Karelia, ELY Centre for Central Finland

Responsible for the service

ELY Centre
Text edited by: ELY Centre
Updated: 29/8/2022