FAQ – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here, you’ll find out what the procedures involve, how to choose the right semi-trailer, and how we plan safe routes step by step at PANAS TRANSPORT. Select the topic you’re interested in and quickly find what you need.

 

Oversized transport – questions and answers

1. What is oversized transport and when do you need to report it?

Oversized transport refers to the carriage of loads whose dimensions or weight exceed the standard limits permitted on public roads. These limits cover the width, height and length of the vehicle, as well as its weight. In Poland and the European Union, the notification procedure must be initiated when the dimensions exceed 2.55 metres in width, 4 metres in height and 16.5 metres in length for a tractor-trailer combination (or 18.75 metres for a configuration with a trailer). The weight limit is 40 tonnes for vehicles with five or more axles. This type of logistics is essential for the transport of construction machinery, industrial tanks or wind turbine components. It requires special permits from the road authority or GDDKiA, professional piloting and, often, a police escort. PANAS TRANSPORT has been organising oversized transport since 1990 in Poland, Europe and Asia. The company has a fleet adapted for non-standard loads and full documentation of international permits.

2. How much does oversized transport cost?

The cost of oversized transport depends on several variables and cannot be set out in a fixed price list. Standard per-kilometre rates do not apply here. The cost of the service is primarily influenced by the exact dimensions and weight of the load, which determine the choice of specialist equipment. The length and complexity of the route are also of key importance , including the need to navigate around architectural barriers. Added to the base rate are fees for official permits, the costs of a civilian pilot or police escort, as well as any expenses for modifying road infrastructure (e.g. removing road signs or raising power lines). Our quotation is always tailored to your specific needs, transparent and free from hidden costs.

3. What should you look out for when choosing a company for oversized transport?

When choosing a carrier, it is worth checking their experience in providing escorts and the scope of their permits, certificates and licences, especially if the route covers several countries in Europe or Asia. A reputable company has its own logistics department, which independently obtains permits and plans safe detours. Vehicle roadworthiness tests are also essential, as are the carrier’s third-party liability insurance and additional policies for oversized loads. PANAS TRANSPORT meets these criteria as a member of the International Road Transport Union in Geneva. We organise transport operations in the most challenging conditions, including in the Caucasus Mountains and beyond the Arctic Circle. We provide qualified drivers and escorts, real-time cargo monitoring and timely order fulfilment.
 

Questions about low-loader transport and semi-trailer selection

1. How does low-loader transport differ from standard tarpaulin-covered transport?

The main difference lies in the design of the semi-trailer, which determines how tall and heavy a load can be carried. A standard curtain-sided semi-trailer has a floor height of approximately 1.3 metres. It works well for standard palletised goods or parcels, but prevents the transport of taller and heavier machinery that would not fit under overpasses or would exceed legal limits. Loading such a semi-trailer requires the use of a forklift or a crane. For low-loader transport, we use specialised platforms suspended just a few dozen centimetres above the road surface. This provides additional vertical space, allowing us to safely transport tall structures beneath power lines or overpasses. Furthermore, these semi-trailers have a much sturdier construction, enabling the safe transport of extremely heavy loads. They are also equipped with special folding ramps, allowing wheeled or tracked machinery to drive onto the platform unaided. The low centre of gravity makes the entire combination exceptionally stable and safe on the road.

2. What types of loads are transported using low-loader transport?

At PANAS TRANSPORT, we use low-loader semi-trailers to transport construction and agricultural machinery, as well as other loads requiring a low loading point. Low-loader semi-trailers are ideal for transporting heavy construction machinery, excavators, mobile cranes, agricultural equipment and tall industrial machinery. They are also used to transport overhead cranes, industrial boilers and components of production lines. The lowered platform allows the load to be accommodated within the permitted height limits without the risk of collision with road infrastructure. We always select the appropriate type of low-loader semi-trailer for a specific load after analysing its weight, dimensions and method of securing. This eliminates the risk of damage during loading and guarantees the stability of the entire structure whilst in transit, regardless of the conditions along the route.

 

Oversize transport – permits, procedures and conceptual differences

1. How does non-standard transport differ from oversized transport?

Both terms relate to the transport of loads exceeding standard parameters, but they are not synonymous. Oversized transport is a formal term used in regulations and permits issued by the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA), covering cases where the permissible gross weight, axle load or dimensions of the vehicle with its load are exceeded. Oversized transport refers primarily to the dimensions themselves, i.e. width, height and length. In practice, the two terms often overlap and refer to the same type of transport. PANAS TRANSPORT organises both types of transport, including the necessary permits, piloting and police escort in Poland and abroad.

2. What permits are required for over-regulation transport in Poland?

The type of permit required depends on the category of non-compliance, determined on the basis of the vehicle’s dimensions, weight and axle load. In Poland, there are seven categories of permits issued by road authorities or the Chief Road Transport Inspector. The greater the deviation from the standard limits, the more detailed the procedure becomes, involving route planning, escort services and, in some cases, bridge assessments or changes to traffic management. PANAS TRANSPORT independently compiles all the necessary documentation, plans the route and organises the escort using its own vehicles, meaning the client does not have to deal with the formalities associated with oversized transport.

3. What is the process for ordering oversized transport?

Ordering an oversized load transport service begins with providing basic information about the load: the destination, weight and dimensions. To obtain a preliminary quote, you can use the form available on our website. The next step is to determine how the freight will be secured and to plan the route, along with calculating the rate. For more complex loads, the company carries out an on-site inspection of the collection and delivery points, and then prepares the equipment and load for transport. The final stage involves a route reconnaissance, which includes measuring the height of bridges and viaducts, identifying problematic areas, and the transport itself. PANAS TRANSPORT manages the entire process from the initial contact right through to the delivery of the load to its destination.

4. International logistics – what do you need to watch out for?

The main challenge is the lack of uniform legal regulations and differing administrative procedures across various countries in Europe and Asia. Each country has its own axle load limits, separate criteria for granting permits, and restrictive requirements regarding the time slots in which such vehicles may travel. International oversized transport requires perfect coordination of activities, knowledge of the local topography, and awareness of architectural barriers such as roundabouts or low tunnels. Our company successfully overcomes these challenges thanks to our long-standing presence in foreign markets. We have an extensive network of partners and a proven risk management system for international routes.

 

Oversized transport of non-standard cargo – frequently asked questions

1. What is oversized transport and what types of cargo does it cover?

Oversized transport involves the carriage of cargo of large dimensions or weight that does not fit within standard road transport parameters. This includes aeroplanes, helicopters, trams, railway carriages, multi-tonne bridge structures, ship components and museum exhibits, including military vehicles. This type of transport requires specialised trailers, permits and expertise in planning routes that bypass infrastructure obstacles. PANAS TRANSPORT has carried out oversized transport operations in extremely challenging conditions, including the transport of ship components from a shipyard located 600 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle.

2. How do you prepare a load for oversized freight transport?

Preparing the load begins with a precise measurement of its dimensions and weight, as this data determines the choice of semi-trailer, route and permits. The load must be properly secured to prevent it from shifting whilst in transit, and if it contains protruding or fragile parts, it requires additional marking. It is also important to determine the loading and unloading locations in terms of access for heavy equipment. PANAS TRANSPORT supports clients at this stage by providing freight forwarding and transport consultancy, helping to select the optimal mode of transport from among lorries, barges, ferries, ships or rail.

3. What does specialised transport involve at PANAS TRANSPORT?

Specialist transport at PANAS TRANSPORT combines the carriage of oversized loads with additional services, which together form a comprehensive project service. The company offers escort services using its own vehicles, the organisation of police escorts, bridge assessments, changes to traffic management, and transport under a TIR carnet. The range of services also includes crane services and the relocation of structures, available in Zamość, Biłgoraj, Tomaszów Lubelski, Hrubieszów, Chełm and Lublin, amongst other locations. This means the client does not need to engage several different subcontractors, but can entrust the entire project to a single company.

4. How is the route planned for the specialised transport of non-standard cargo, such as aeroplanes or monuments?

Oversized loads require a bespoke approach to securing, loading and route selection, as standard transport procedures are often unsuitable for them. The process begins with a thorough analysis of digital maps and a physical site survey of the planned route by our logistics specialists. We must accurately measure the height of power lines, the load-bearing capacity of viaducts, the turning radius at junctions and the width of motorway gantries. It is often necessary to devise alternative access routes or temporarily dismantle elements of the surrounding infrastructure. We then coordinate the transport schedule with the police and overhead line operators. The oversized transport operations we organise usually take place at night to minimise disruption to public traffic. One of PANAS TRANSPORT’s most challenging projects was the removal of a Boeing 767 from the airport tarmac following an emergency landing in 2011. The company has also transported monuments, tanks and museum exhibits, including military fighter jets, as well as yachts and ship components. Each such project requires a separate analysis of the load’s weight, shape and support points, which is why the carrier’s experience is of crucial importance here.

5. For which sectors do we provide specialised transport?

This type of service goes far beyond the scope of ordinary freight transport, requiring the use of technologically advanced vehicles and special operational procedures. This applies to the transport of cargo that is highly valuable, fragile, military in nature or requiring specific environmental conditions. Our specialist transport services are dedicated to the energy sector, the aviation industry, the mining industry and infrastructure construction. We have modular semi-trailers, extendable configurations and modern hydraulic systems at our disposal. These enable us to transport non-standard wind turbine blades, transformers and production line components. We provide a comprehensive service, from technical consultancy through to installation on the foundation.

6. What qualifications must the staff carrying out specialised transport have?

The transport of oversized loads requires our staff to possess the highest level of technical skills and an excellent knowledge of international transport law. Our drivers hold certificates authorising them to operate complex hydraulic platforms and regularly undergo training in the safe securing of heavy loads. The escort drivers accompanying the convoy hold official authorisations to direct road traffic. Each project is overseen by certified freight forwarders with engineering expertise . As a result, our specialist transport services meet rigorous safety standards, enabling us to execute logistics orders flawlessly on difficult and demanding routes across Europe and Asia.