Lorry exemption permits

Guidance about weight limit exemption permits for lorry access.

Please note: all permit applications should be sent electronically if possible. Once assessed and, if approved, your permit will returned to you via email. We would advise that should we require a fee, the best method of payment is for Suffolk County Council to invoice you for the amount, as a cheque may take significant time to process.

We issue permits to enable hauliers to use 7.5 tonnes weight restricted roads for journeys which start and finish within a short distance of the weight restriction.  

We currently issue permits for the following:

  • A1088 between Elmswell and Ixworth - Download a map of the extent of the weight restriction A1088 (PDF, 630KB)
  • C408/C409 Saxham Street 
  • C634 Barham 
  • B1106 Fornham 

Permits are issued only for local journeys and must be placed in a visible and prominent position on the nearside of the front windscreen of the vehicle at all times when using the restricted road.

Cost

From 1 April 2024, the cost of each 7.5 tonnes weight restriction permit is £50.

There are currently no fees for A1088 permits whilst the structural restriction is in place but will commence upon the completion of planned works.

Apply for a lorry exemption permit

To apply, download and complete the 7.5 tonnes weight restriction permit application form below. 

Once complete, send it with confirmation of an address for an invoice, or a cheque made payable to "Suffolk County Council" to the address shown below.

Please note, we are unable to process applications until we receive full payment of the £50 fee for each requested permit.

If for any reason your application is refused, we will return the cheque to you if received.

Further information

You can find information on the most suitable routes for lorries travelling around Suffolk on our Lorry Route Network Map (PDF, 347KB).

Please use our heavy goods vehicle incident report to tell us about any problems caused by lorries on a Suffolk highway.