Everything you need to know about transporting oversized and overweight vehicles in Romania: legal limits, obtaining permits, and rules for civil and police escorts.
What does oversized transport mean and when does CNAIR intervene?
Oversized transport is the branch of logistics that manages the movement of goods whose dimensions or weights exceed the standard limits set by road legislation. According to Romanian regulations, any vehicle that exceeds the maximum legal limits must hold a Special Transport Authorization (AST) issued by the National Road Infrastructure Administration Company (CNAIR).
For a standard road unit (tractor truck and 5-axle semi-trailer), the limits that define the transition to the oversized regime are strict. A total weight greater than 40 tons requires a special regime. In terms of dimensions, exceeding a length of 16.5 meters, a width of 2.55 meters (or 2.60 meters for temperature-controlled vehicles) or a height of 4.00 meters transforms the transport into an oversized one. An error of just a few centimeters in the measurement can result in the cancellation of the authorization and the immobilization of the vehicle by ISCTR inspectors.
WHY THE INDIVISIBLE CARGO RULE IS CRITICAL
CNAIR issues the Special Transport Authorization exclusively for indivisible goods. These are defined as goods that cannot be dismantled or divided into multiple shipments without generating disproportionate costs or the risk of equipment damage. It is not allowed to load two standard machines on the same trailer if, together, they exceed the legal weight or dimensions.
How to Get a Special Transport Authorization (AST) in 2026
The authorization process has become digital, but remains extremely technically rigorous. Obtaining an AST involves precise steps that leave no room for interpretation.
| Stage | Procedure description |
|---|---|
| Submitting the application | The exact data of the road assembly, dimensions, weight of the cargo and technical drawings are transmitted, along with the loading, unloading and border transit points. |
| Route setting | CNAIR calculates and imposes a mandatory route to avoid bridges with tonnage restrictions, low passages or inadequate roads. Deviation from the route attracts major fines. |
| Tariff calculation | The AST rate is determined based on the distance traveled and the degree to which the legal weight and size limits are exceeded. |
| Route study | Mandatory for extreme weights, it involves a detailed technical expertise of the bridges and viaducts on the selected route. |
Escort Rules: When You Need Traffic Police
The dimensions of the cargo dictate the additional safety measures that the carrier must ensure along the route. Not all oversized transports require the same escort resources.
For a width between 2.55 meters and 3.20 meters, the transport only requires AST, reflective panels and yellow rotating beacons. If the width exceeds 3.20 meters, the presence of an authorized civilian escort becomes mandatory, with one or two accompanying vehicles, depending on the specifics of the road.
The rules become even stricter for exceptional dimensions. When the width exceeds 5.00 meters or the length of the assembly exceeds 30.00 meters, the transport must be accompanied by both a civilian escort and a Traffic Police crew. The costs for the police escort are borne by the client, based on a contract and a rate per kilometer or hour.
The Crystal Logistics Services approach
Organizing an oversized transport requires perfect coordination between engineers, drivers, authorities and escorts. A simple measurement error during loading can invalidate the AST obtained, blocking the transport at the first weigh-in.
At Crystal Logistics Services, we take full responsibility for the bureaucratic and operational process. From the initial measurements and obtaining CNAIR permits, to contracting escorts and monitoring the route, we ensure that industrial equipment reaches its destination safely and in full legality.