Exceptional load transport

Exceptional load vehicles are divided into five categories (which are outside the normal total mass/weights, dimensions and axle loads usually allowed).

One-off permit is issued for each single exceptional load transport of vehicles in Categories I, II, III or IV, and is valid for 30 days after the date of issuance.

Depending on characteristics of a vehicle and the load, the permit may be issued for exceptional load movement in a convoy of vehicles including a maximum of 3 vehicles or 3 groups of vehicles.

Likewise, the permit may be issued for a vehicle procession by vehicle categories II and III, given the advance route, loads and number of each single transport within an exceptional transport procession.

Annual permit is issued to a haulier for exceptional transports in categories I, IV and V, if those transports exceed dimensions, overall weight/mass and axle loads determined for Category I of exceptional load transport. Annual permit will remain valid for 365 days and shall provide all data on all vehicles included in transporting exceptional loads.

NOTE: The authorities may determine the time sequence for exceptional transport in Category II and III, in cases of very complex exceptional load transports. In such cases the permit will not be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.

In compliance with the Road Transport Act, the application for issuance of exceptional load transport permit has to be submitted by a road transport agent. The authority addressed shall be a road operator or a concessionaire, depending on the public road included in the intended route of such transport.

If a transport route includes public roads operated by several operators/road authorities (including annual permit) or if the permit needs to be issued to a haulier from the EU or any foreign country, the exceptional load transport permit will be issued by Hrvatske ceste d.o.o.

The application and supporting documents must be written in Croatian. The application for permit issuance may be submitted via APPLICATION, as of 30 March 2021.

Within the procedure of issuance of exceptional load transport permit it is required to obtain approvals and requirements from operators of public roads or concessionaires who operate public roads that will be included in the planned route for such transport. If exceptional load transport may cause interaction on other infrastructure or assets, in the procedure of obtaining the permit it will be necessary to obtain also approvals and requirements from operators of such infrastructure or assets.

Exceptional load transport applications are made through a NEW APPLICATION based on the issued IPR license.

Note: In accordance with Art. 16 para. 2 of the Ordinance on extraordinary transport (OG 92/18), the application for issuance of exceptional load transport permit has to be submitted by the Head of exceptional load transport. Only the person (or persons) listed on the permit as the Head of IPR has the right to apply transport under an individual permit.

Additionally, and pursuant to Chapter 3.4 of the Instructions for using exceptional load transport, it is obligatory to log in/activate all users or heads of exceptional load transport and assign them at least minimum rights (template) of the Head of exceptional load transport in order to be able to use their profile to apply exceptional load transport.

A properly and fully completed exceptional load transport application is a mandatory attachment to any exceptional load transport permit (the permit is not valid without it).

• Vehicle signage
• List of roads serving as priority routes for exceptional transport
• Escort vehicle signage
• Template Form on compliance to special conditions for escort vehicles
• Template Statement on haulier’s competence for exceptional transport
• Template shipping certificate
• Template Decision on appointment of an attendant for exceptional transport
• Template Statement of responsibility of the applicant

Escorting requirements, the type and number of escort vehicles, and requirements for traffic police are determined on a case-by-case basis, in order to arrange safe movement of exceptional loads.

The escort of exceptional transport is required only for the route segment strictly identified in the permit, and is conducted by at least one escort vehicle positioned to the front of the exceptional load, or to the rear of the exceptional load vehicle if it moves along a motorway.

On motorways and dual carriageways carrying one-way traffic:

• a single simple escort vehicle is required for exceptional load transports exceeding 3-3.5 m width maximum and/or 23-30 m length or for those transports that will move below the speed of 50 km/h
• a single simple escort vehicle is required for exceptional load transports exceeding 3.5-4.5 m width maximum and/or 30-40 m length
• one escort vehicle with the roof sign and one single simple escort are required for exceptional load transports exceeding 4.5 m width and/or 40 m length, and if it is expected that the traffic will be stopped during the movement of exceptional transport.

On all other roads:

• a single simple escort vehicle is required for exceptional load transports exceeding 3 m – 3.5 m width maximum and/or 23 m – 25 m length or for those transports that will move below the speed of 30 km/h
• a single simple escort vehicle and an escort vehicle with the roof sign is required for exceptional load transports exceeding 3.5 m – 4 m width maximum and/or 25 m – 30 m length
• at least two escort vehicles with a roof sign are required for exceptional load transports exceeding 4 m –  4.5 m width maximum and/or 30 m – 35 m length
• at least two escort vehicles with a roof sign are required for exceptional load transports exceeding 4.5 m width maximum and/or 35 m length.

The type of exceptional load and the specific route/stretches of the road may require more complex escort and the police escort vehicles as demanded by individual police department responsible for the route. The scope and manner of traffic police escorts shall be determined by the police department, based on the written consent issued, and within 5 days after the submission of such request by the authority which issued the permit.

Escort vehicle signage

Vehicle route (itinerary) must include the following information:

• exceptional load transport itinerary with identification of public roads included in the route and all parking and other road surfaces along the planned route that may serve as stopping points, with a corresponding map included
• timeline/schedule of the planned transport with a list of vehicle stops on parking and other road surfaces along the route
• the description, the location and scheduled time of special manoeuvring of a vehicle or handling of vehicle loads
• description of special measures to be taken during the transport (partial or total closure of a public road because of exceptional transport with scheduled time of transit; planned accommodation of devices and utility lines within the area above the pavement and similar actions required to prepare the route ahead)
• traffic management plan in cases of alternate traffic flows controlled by traffic lights and similar, diversion of traffic to detour roads and similar.

LIMITATIONS OF ABNORMAL LOAD TRANSPORT – INTERRACTIVE MAP

The permit may be issued only if the following costs have been paid prior to issuance:

• the costs of technical processing of the application
• the charge for exceptional load transport
• other costs related to the permit issuance.

The administrative fee for issuing a decision on the application for exceptional loads permit in international road traffic is paid in revenue stamps in the amount of HRK 85.00 / EUR 11.28, and, according to the same decision, an additional HRK 35.00 / EUR 4.65 per tariff code 17 of the Regulation on the Administrative Fee Tariff (OG 92/2021) for each additional towing vehicle or trailer. The fee can also be paid through payment order and is attached to the Conclusion on the collection of administrative costs and exceptional loads fees.

Payment information

• State Budget – IBAN: HR12 1001 0051 8630 00160 
• Model: HR64 
• Reference number: 5002-38108 – OIB (personal identification number) of the administrative fee payee
• Remittance information: enter the Conclusion number from the application

The criteria for calculation of charges for exceptional load transport and costs of technical processing of the application for individual category of exceptional load transport are shown in the following table:

The overall cost of the exceptional load transport and all the components in the cost will be shown in the Decision.

If all conditions for issuance of the permit have been met, the permit will be issued within 30 days after the receipt of the application and shall be delivered through the application. 

The carrier or intermediary is obliged to register through the IPR system for each exceptional road transport before the transport starts. The key information for the transport application are those that were not available at the time of submission of the request for the exceptional transport permit issuance, namely:

• the exact start time of the exceptional transport
• the planned end time of the exceptional transport in accordance with the provided itinerary
• initial vehicle mileage
• planned final mileage.

In case incorrect information is entered in the application, the transport application will be considered invalid.

In case it is determined through control that the exceptional transport is carried out with incorrect data entered (place and time of departure - day, hour and minute, initial mileage), or without entered data on the time and final mileage of the previously performed exceptional transport, the permit is revoked and returned to the permit issuer. The permit issuer performs the final calculation of the revoked permit.

The determined irregularity shall be considered the performance of exceptional transport without a permit.

When in extraordinary situations it is necessary to extend the duration of the transport application, it is necessary to notify the permit issuer, the road managers on the itinerary, the traffic inspection and the police by e-mail and request the issuer to change the transport application/permit in accordance with the deviation of the exceptional transport from the transport application.

If a certain road is closed, a change of route is possible only with the approval of the issuer or manager of the alternative route.

If the transport of 2 containers mentioned in the question does not lead to an additional increase of the legally permitted dimensions, the transport can be carried out on one transport unit.

If it is determined by inspection of the transport assembly that the containers are of identical dimensions, i.e. none of them exceeds the permitted length according to a special regulation and there are conditions for transporting them without additional coupling, it will be considered that exceptional transport is carried out without a permit.

The transport of 2 trucks, if it does not lead to an additional increase in the legally permitted masses and dimensions, can be carried out on one transport assembly without obtaining a permit, as it does not constitute exceptional transport.

The transport that, due to the location of the trucks being transported, does not comply with the permitted weight and dimensions (it is too high), cannot be considered exceptional transport, since it includes 2 pieces of load (it is not indivisible load).

When creating an itinerary that crosses the border of the Republic of Croatia and returns to the Republic of Croatia, it is not necessary to obtain two permits, but it is necessary to enter two routes.

Example of an itinirary with BIH border crossing at Neum:

Route 1: Ston – Zaton Doli border crossing

Route 2: Klek border crossing – Opatija

• For the first (initial) route, enter the starting point Ston, and for the ending point Zaton Doli border crossing
• Create new route with ''+new route''

• On the second route, enter the starting point – Klek border crossing, and the ending point – Opatija

The basic conditions for exceptional transport are prescribed in Article 2 paragraph 1 of the Ordinance on exceptional transport, which reads:

"Transport by a vehicle or a group of vehicles that alone or together with indivisible load exceed the prescribed dimensions (width, length, height) or total weight, i.e. the prescribed axle loads can only be carried out on the basis of an exceptional transport permit".

Furthermore, in accordance with Article 2 paragraph 3 item 1 of the Ordinance, it is prescribed that a permit for exceptional transport can be issued if the vehicle or load is structurally indivisible in such a way that by simply dismantling parts of the vehicle or load it is not possible to harmonize the total mass, axle loads or dimensions with the prescribed amounts or limitations marked with a traffic sign for the road or its part, i.e. if it is not possible to transport the vehicle or load in its entirety by another means of transport or if the costs of organizing and carrying out the transport by other means of transport are complex and disproportionately high.

Since crane transport mentioned in the example represents regular load, in this particular case the mentioned exception cannot be applied because the cost of using an additional truck certainly does not represent a disproportionately high cost compared to the transportation of regular load.

Transport of the crane, given that it is a work machine and is not intended for transporting loads, but for moving from various work locations, is classified under exceptional transport category IV.

If the weights are transported separately on a trailer, the transport cannot be carried out on the basis of a category IV permit because it is used to transport load and such a set of vehicles is subject to the provisions of the Road Transport Act and the Ordinance on the technical conditions of vehicles in road traffic.

When it comes to the transport of specific loads such as sheet metal, if it cannot be adjusted individually and transported safely in accordance with the dimensions prescribed by the Ordinance on the technical conditions of vehicles in road traffic, then there are conditions for issuing a permit for exceptional road transport. In addition, if several sheets are transported, the maximum permissible mass of a set of vehicles and the maximum permissible axle loads should be in accordance with the Ordinance on the technical conditions of vehicles in road traffic (Official Gazette 85/16, 24/17, 70/19 and 60/20).The aforementioned should be clearly indicated in the permit, as well as the obligation to clearly mark all peripheral parts of the load and to secure the load.

Once the Application has been submitted, it is not possible to cancel it. By submitting the Application, the Permit is considered consumed. Before the final submission, the system always generates a working version of the Application that can be prepared at any time and edited an unlimited number of times before the final submission.

The application for exceptional road transport is entered into the system when it is determined that all elements of exceptional road transport, especially the transport assembly (vehicle with cargo), escort vehicles and professional staff, are ready for the start of exceptional road transport in accordance with the issued permit and road conditions.

It is recommended to make an application for exceptional road transport immediately before the start of the transport in order to avoid unforeseen situations such as changes in the route's passability (weather conditions), vehicle breakdowns, etc., and the costs of issuing a new permit.

The label with the text "exceptional road transport" is placed outside the vehicle cabin, and not behind the glass, because it creates a glare and reduces the necessary visibility. The correctness of the label also depends on several factors such as age, type and quality of the foil, storage and maintenance. A visual inspection can determine visibility of the label in daytime, i.e. it should have clear contrasts and a completely preserved foil (no scratches). As for proper visibility at night, experienced persons can recognize reduced reflection while accurate reflection can be measured with a retro reflection measuring device.