The KGM (General Directorate of Highways, Karayolları Genel Müdürlüğü) special permit for out-of-gauge cargo is obtained through the Special Load Transport Permit / Special Permit Application service on e-Devlet (Türkiye's e-Government portal). The application includes the vehicle plates and technical data, the dimensions and weight of the cargo and the route, and a fee is paid. If KGM approves, it issues a document stating the route, timing and safety conditions.
Which document is needed in which case?
Article 128 of the Highway Traffic Regulation (Karayolları Trafik Yönetmeliği) defines two separate documents:
- Special Load Transport Permit (Özel Yük Taşıma İzin Belgesi): For a vehicle carrying an indivisible load that, when loaded, exceeds at least one of the width, height, length or weight limits.
- Special Permit (Özel İzin Belgesi): For a vehicle, combination or construction machine that exceeds these limits even when unladen to travel on the road.
The same article provides for two different arrangements: for a vehicle that needs to be on the road continuously when unladen, a time-limited Special Permit stating the route and period; for laden transport, a Special Load Transport Permit issued separately for each trip, stating the route, transport conditions and timing. Which loads fall within this scope is explained in the entry on out-of-gauge cargo.
Who applies?
The application is made by the operator of the vehicle that will perform the transport, or by the freight forwarder handling the procedure on its behalf. The permit is issued for the vehicle or combination assigned to the transport; it therefore cannot be transferred to a vehicle with a different plate. The e-Devlet service is also open to public institutions, sole proprietorships and foreign companies. The cargo owner is responsible for the accuracy of the dimension, weight and centre of gravity data; incorrect information results in a breach of the permit conditions at a roadside check.
How is the application made, step by step?
- Finalise the cargo data: Length, width, height, weight and centre of gravity in packed condition.
- Determine the vehicle combination: Tractor and trailer plates, number of axles and axle spacing, and axle loads when laden. The calculation method is in the entry on axle load calculation.
- Prepare the route: Departure and arrival points and intermediate crossings; a route survey done in advance reveals bridge and overpass problems from the start.
- Apply via e-Devlet: Enter the information in KGM's special load system. Filling in the fields of the form is explained in the guide to the out-of-gauge cargo declaration.
- Pay the fee: For 2026, the fee for each permit document is 18,813.80 TL.
- Wait for the assessment: KGM examines the route, engineering structures and traffic safety; for very heavy transports it may request a bridge check or additional information.
- Receive the document and apply the conditions: The document is kept in the vehicle, and the specified markings and escort conditions are met in full.
How long does it take, and how long is it valid?
The service standards of KGM regional directorates state a completion time of 2 days for the application. Transports with very large dimensions, requiring bridge calculations or involving more than one regional directorate may take longer. Since in laden transport the document is obtained separately for each trip, its validity is limited to that trip and the timing written in the document. The application should therefore be made before the vehicle goes to the loading point, and the loading schedule should not be finalised before the document is approved.
The document is tied to the route. Deviating from the permitted road, setting off outside the specified hours or failing to comply with the escort condition results, under the regulation, in the vehicle being taken off the road.
Common mistakes
- Measuring the cargo unpacked and applying on that basis; a dimension discrepancy shows up at a roadside check.
- Applying for one trailer and carrying out the transport with a trailer with a different plate.
- Giving the correct total weight but entering the axle distribution incorrectly.
- For cargo coming from abroad, requesting the permit for the Turkish section after arrival at the border.
How does Voltim Global help with this?
Voltim Global obtained the KGM special permit in one day for an out-of-gauge shipment from Voronezh to Mersin. In out-of-gauge and heavy cargo transport, collecting the cargo, vehicle and route information in full before the application reduces KGM's requests for additional information and the lead time.