Ohio Oversize/Overweight Permits

OhioPERMITS: Ohio oversize permits are valid for five days. You must have a permit prior to entering the state.

OPERATING TIME: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, including weekends up to 12′ wide. Loads over 12′ wide are permitted until 3:00 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and on Fridays from April 1 through November 30. Loads that are overweight-only and do not exceed 53′ of load or trailer length can travel continuously as long as they can keep up with traffic.

OHIO TURNPIKE: To get clearance for the Turnpike, the driver must call from a pullover area. Permits are issued at the entering toll plaza. The maximum width is 10 feet for continuous travel. A pilot car and prior authorization are required for loads larger than 11′ wide or 112′ long. During the construction season, the maximum height is 13’6″. It is 14′ at all other times, though you should check ahead. The maximum length without pre-approval is 112 feet. The maximum gross weight allowed is 90,000 pounds without 2-day pre-approval. Toll charges are usually about $20 for the standard trip, plus $10 for overwidth and $10 for length over 75 feet. Overweight charges are additional, approximately $70.00 for up to 90,000 pounds traveling the length of the turnpike.

 

LEGAL DIMENSIONS

Width: 8’6″
Height: 13’6
Overhang: 53’ total length of the semi-trailer and load including rear overhang (overhang off the front of the trailer does not count).
Weight: 80,000 lbs. of gross weight

  • Single – 20,000 lbs.
  • Tandem – 34,000 lbs.
  • Tridem – 48,000 lbs.
Length: 53′ semi-trailer and load

PERMIT LIMITS

Height:
  • 14’6″
  • Ohio won’t permit a load over 14’6″ of overall height on a step deck when it could be on a lower trailer.
  • Any transport over 14’10” tall is required to coordinate the move with the owners of all overhead signs, signals, utilities, etc., which may obstruct safe, clear movement.
  • Heights over 15’6″ are not permitted in Ohio.
Weight:
  • Single – 29,000 lbs. with a distance of at least 16’ from an adjacent axle.
  • Tandem – 46,000 lbs. (4’0″ to 4’5″ spacing) to 47,000 (4’6″ to 5’5″ spacing)
  • Tridem – 60,000 lbs. (4’1″ spacing)
  • Quad – 80,000 lbs. (4’1” spacing)
Length: No set limit
Width: 14’

 Note: Loads that exceed these dimensions are considered “superloads.”

 

ESCORTS FOR WIDELOAD AND OVERSIZED SHIPPING

When Escorts are Needed:

Width:

  • over 13’
  • over 14’6″
  • over 16’
  • 1 escort (over 13′ and more than 120,000 lbs. GVW – needs police escort)
  • 2 escorts
  • Police escort required
Height:

  • over 14’6″
  • over 14’10″
  • 1 escort
  • 2 escorts
  • Note: Police escorts for height may be required, depending on the route
Length:

  • over 90’
  • 1 escort

 

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS

An “Oversize Load” sign is required on the front and rear of all oversized vehicles when the vehicle or load is over 10′ wide, over 14’6″ high, or over the legal length. Flags are to be displayed on all over-dimensional vehicles and loads. Overwidth loads should bear flags at each corner of the vehicle or load, and two flags at the widest extremities of the vehicle or load. Overlength vehicles or loads with a rear overhang of 4 feet or more must display a single flag at the extreme rear if the overlength or projecting part is two feet wide or less, and two flags if wider than two feet to indicate the maximum width. Any overhang should be lighted at night. Headlights must be on during the movement of any overdimensional vehicle or load.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL

Many counties prohibit the movement of vehicles and loads wider than 12 feet between 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For the list of counties, refer to the Ohio Provisions Form OS-1A, a required permit accompaniment. Overdimensional loads are usually not allowed to travel from noon on the weekday before major holidays until sunrise the following weekday. Note: Ohio does not allow for any access off the permitted route for fuel, food, etc. (see provision sheet). If you want to stop at a truck stop, you must indicate this on the permit.

You can also obtain any trip and fuel permits you may need with our sister site!