Oversize Load Permit Requirements — Mexico — Federal (NOM-012 / NOM-040, SICT)

Legal Maximum Dimensions (no permit required)

Width

8.5ft (102in)

Height

13.9ft (167in)

Length

75ft

Gross Weight

119,050 lbs

Single Axle

20,000 lbs

Tandem Axle

34,000 lbs

Escort / Pilot Car Thresholds (see glossary for terms, certification requirements for the driver)

Front escort required over

10.8ft wide

Both escorts required over

12.2ft wide

Height escort required over

13.9ft tall

Escort/pilot-car rules come from NOM-040-SCT-2-2012 (transporte de objetos indivisibles de gran peso y/o volumen), which governs loads exceeding NOM-012 legal maxima. Pilot vehicles ('carro piloto') are required by WIDTH: up to 2.60 m = none; over 2.60 m up to 3.30 m = permit-conditioned; over 3.30 m (~130 in) up to 3.70 m = ONE pilot vehicle; over 3.70 m (~146 in) = TWO pilot vehicles (front + rear) AND the combination must make full stops and coordinate with the Guardia Nacional. Loads over 30.0 m (~98 ft) in LENGTH also require two pilot vehicles. Loads over 4.25 m (~167 in) HEIGHT fall into the strictest class (Type 5) and require two pilots plus verified bridge/tunnel clearance. SCHEDULE OVERRIDE: on regional/lower-spec roads (ET2, A2, B2, C, D), ONE pilot suffices in daylight (06:00-18:30) but TWO pilots are mandatory at night regardless of width. A yellow warning sign (1.20 m x 0.60 m) reading EXCESO DE DIMENSIONES / ANCHO / LARGO is required front and rear.

Travel Restrictions

Night travel

Generally allowed

Weekend travel

Generally allowed

Sunday travel

Generally restricted

Per NOM-040-SCT-2-2012 seccion 5.5: on high-spec federal highways (types ET4, A4, B4) oversize transport may circulate Monday-Friday 00:00-23:59. On lower-spec roads (ET2, A2, B2, C, D) daytime travel (06:00-18:30) needs one pilot vehicle and nighttime needs two. Saturdays: circulation ONLY 06:00-14:00 (all road types). Sundays and obligatory rest/holiday days: circulation must stop completely. Bridge crossing speeds are capped by weight: up to 70 t = 30 km/h, 71-90 t = 20 km/h, over 90 t = 10 km/h. Night travel is permitted but conditioned (two pilots on regional roads), NOT unrestricted.

Holiday blackouts: Full circulation suspension on Sundays and Mexican obligatory rest/holiday days ('dias de descanso obligatorio', Ley Federal del Trabajo Art. 74 - e.g. Jan 1, first Mon of Feb, third Mon of Mar, May 1, Sep 16, third Mon of Nov, Dec 25, and presidential transition day). Saturday circulation limited to 06:00-14:00.

See how Mexico — Federal (NOM-012 / NOM-040, SICT) compares to every state ›

Superload Thresholds

The special-analysis ('dictamen de ruta') threshold under NOM-040-SCT-2-2012 is defined by USEFUL/PAYLOAD weight, not gross: loads with 'carga util' over 90 tonnes (~198,416 lb of PAYLOAD, NOT gross vehicle weight) require a route dictamen/structural study from SICT, minimum 24-hour advance written notice ('Aviso') to SICT and the Guardia Nacional, two pilot vehicles, and reduced bridge speeds. Administered as tramite SCT2539. NOTE: because this threshold is payload (not GVW), superload_weight_lbs is left NULL so the tool never wrongly compares it against a load's gross weight; the rule lives in this note. Widths over 3.70 m and heights over 4.25 m also trigger strictest escort/police handling.

Get a Permit

Online portal

https://micrs.sct.gob.mx/transporte-y-medicina-preventiva/autotransporte-federal/tramites-y-servicios

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