Convoi Exceptionnel in France — 2026 Practical Guide
The French "convoi exceptionnel" framework governs all oversize and overweight road transports. This English guide for cross-border logistics managers explains the three categories, the escort and police requirements, the 2026 lead times, and how to coordinate a France-bound transport from another EU country.
Three categories
- Catégorie 1 — up to 25 m length, 4 m width, 48 t. No escort required; permit at the prefecture of departure.
- Catégorie 2 — up to 30 m × 5 m × 72 t. Escort vehicle mandatory (voiture pilote). Permit by route.
- Catégorie 3 — beyond catégorie 2. Police accompaniment mandatory.
Permit lead times in 2026
- Catégorie 1: ~7 business days.
- Catégorie 2: ~10–15 business days.
- Catégorie 3: ~3–6 weeks.
Cross-border from Germany / Netherlands / Spain
A transport originating in Germany or the Netherlands enters France with an inbound "convoi exceptionnel" filing distinct from the origin-country §29 StVO or RDW ontheffing. InterCar Logistique coordinates the permit chain end-to-end on a single transport order.
Escort vehicles
Voitures pilotes are operated by certified providers with gyrophares orange. For catégorie 3, a police escort (motorcycles + lead car) is dispatched by the Gendarmerie or Police Nationale on the planned departure window. Plan a 2-hour window around the agreed start.
Tips for a smooth move
- Submit the dossier with technical drawings and trailer details — incomplete dossiers are returned and reset the lead time.
- Identify weekend bans (interdictions de circulation des poids lourds) and request a derogation when needed.
- For tractor and farm machinery transport, the catégorie often drops to 1 if the harvester or tractor fits within 4 m width.
For a single-contract quote covering France permits + escort + transport, see our convoi exceptionnel service.
