What is Limited Access Delivery and How Do Truckers Get Around it?

What is Limited Access Delivery?

Limited access delivery (LAD) is a delivery made to a location that cannot take drop-offs during regular business hours or does not have a dock for unloading cargo. These types of deliveries can make it difficult for truckers to reach their destination, as they may be unable to drive through these areas.

However, with proper planning and knowledge of the local area, truckers can find ways to get around limited access deliveries. In this article, we will discuss limited-access delivery, how truckers can get around it, and the importance of planning.

What Happens if My Transport Requires Limited Access Delivery?

“Limited access” refers to any shipment bound for a location that requires more effort and time to navigate. Oversize load transporters, such as trucking companies, impose a limited access fee on cargo delivered to limited access areas.

Limited access fees can vary widely between shipping companies. These costs typically range from $100 to $400 but can go higher based on factors like location and delivery requirements. Limited access fees may appear as a fixed rate or a per-hundredweight charge on your invoice.

Locations that may incur a limited access fee include high-traffic regions, places that require special security measures, and those that require delivery drivers to go off-road. Telling your broker about a limited access delivery is crucial to avoid added costs, delays, reroutes, and redeliveries.

Limited access fees can vary widely between shipping companies.

These costs typically range from $100 to $400 but can go higher based on factors like location and delivery requirements.

Loading and Unloading at Limited Access Locations

Loading and unloading at these places typically take more time and planning. Some reasons a drop-off or pickup location may be considered a limited access location include the following:

• The area is closed to the public during normal business hours.

•Shippers are not on hand to help with pickup or delivery.

•A loading dock or platform is not available.

•A smaller truck is required for delivery or pickup.

•Delivery or pickup involves navigating through gated or secure areas.

•The location is very remote and requires the driver to go far from their regular route.

•A high-traffic location that is hard to service.

•There isn’t enough room for a full-size truck in that location.

Examples of Limited Access Locations

Limited access locations refer to various places where access is restricted for security, privacy, or safety reasons. These include nursing homes, universities and colleges, hospitals, libraries, hotels, military bases, casinos, construction sites, places of worship, refineries, shopping malls, mining sites, airports, fairs and carnivals, farms or estates, and storage units.

Each location has its unique set of restrictions and protocols to ensure the security of people, properties, and information. You can use Google Maps to determine whether an area is a limited access location and why it is considered so. Be aware that even if the site is accessible and they have the appropriate tools for unloading, it may still be classified as a limited access area.

Avoiding Unnecessary Limited Access Fees

Unfortunately, limited access fees are unavoidable most of the time. These fees are intended to reimburse the carrier’s out-of-pocket expenses incurred during a pickup or delivery, so LTL carriers are unlikely to waive them. The best way to avoid unnecessary or unexpected fees is to convey the specifics of a pickup or delivery location to the carrier before obtaining a quote. This is better than challenging rebill charges after the invoice has been altered and billed to you.

Heavy Haulers Final Thought

Limited access fees allow carriers to compensate for the additional time and effort required for limited access hauling. The best way to avoid incurring unexpected fees is to conduct thorough research and communicate with your carrier if you believe the drop-off or pickup location may be a limited access location. Doing so will save you a lot of time and effort.

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