PERMITS
Ohio oversize permits are valid for five days. A permit must be obtained prior to entering the state.
OPERATING TIME
Travel is allowed from 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. Overweight vehicles and vehicles not exceeding 53' trailer and load length can have continuous travel provided they can keep up with traffic.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL
Movement of vehicles/loads over 12 feet wide is prohibited within many counties between 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For the list of counties, refer to the Ohio Provisions Form OS-1A, a required permit accompaniment. O/D loads are usually not allowed to travel from noon the weekday before major holidays until sunrise the following weekday. Note: Ohio does not allow for any access off permitted route for fuel, food, etc. If you want to stop at a truck stop, it must be included on the permit.
OHIO TURNPIKE
Driver must phone from pullover area to get clearance for the Turnpike. Permits are issued at the entering toll plaza. Maximum width is 10 feet for continuous travel. Over 11′ wide or over 112′ long requires pilot car and prior authorization. Maximum height is 13’6″ during construction season, 14' at other times. Maximum length without pre-approval is 112 feet. Maximum gross weight allowed is 90,000 pounds without 2-day pre-approval. Toll charges usually about $20 for standard trip, $10 for overwidth, $10 for length over 75 feet. Overweight charges are additional, approximately $70.00 for up to 90,000 pounds to travel the length of the turnpike.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS
Length
53' semi-trailer and load
Overhang
53' semi-trailer and load including rear overhang (overhang off front of trailer does not count)
Width
8’6"
Height
13’6"
Weight
Gross - 80,000
Single - 20,000
Tandem - 34,000
Tridem - 48,000
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS
Length
No set maximum
Width
14'
Height
14’6"
Ohio won’t permit over 14’6" overall height on a step deck when it could on a lower trailer
Any move over 14’10" high shall be required to coordinate the move with the owners of all overhead signs, signals, utilities, etc., which may obstruct safe, clear movement
Moves over 15’6" are not permitted in Ohio
Weight
Single – 29,000 (distance of 16' or more from an adjacent axle)
Tandem – 46,000 (4’0" to 4’5" spacing) to 47,000 (4’6" to 5’5" spacing)
Tridem – 60,000 (axle spacing at least 4’1")
Quad – 80,000 with at least 4’1” spacings
Note: All axles must be down on overweight loads. Lift axles must carry within 2,000 pounds of the amount of weight of adjacent fixed axles. Ohio has eliminated the requirement that lift axle controls must be outside the truck cab.
Loads exceeding these dimensions are considered superloads.
ESCORTS
Length
Over 90' - 1 escort
Width
Over 13' - 1 escort
Over 14’6" - 2 escorts
Over 16' - police escort
Over 13' and over 120,000 pounds GVW - police escort
Height
Over 14’6" - 1 escort
Over 14’10" - 2 escorts
Police escort for height depends on routes. Two escorts required if more than one of these conditions exist (for example, over 90' long and over 13' wide)
MISCELLANEOUS
Dozer with blade over 12' wide is restricted to within a 25 mile radius of the point of origin unless a traffic protector device is used. Without protector, the blade must be removed and hauled separately. Blades over 14' wide not permitted to move unless a traffic protector is used, or blade must be removed and hauled separately. Utility poles and steel pipe are exempt from permit for length, but not beams and other materials.
SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS
"Oversize Load" sign is required on front and rear of all oversized vehicles when vehicle or load is over 10' wide, over 14’6" high, or over legal length. Flags are to be displayed on all overdimensional 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/loads and loads with a rear overhang of 4' or more shall display a single flag at the extreme rear if the over length or projecting part is two feet wide or less, and two flags if wider than 2 feet to indicate the maximum width. Overhang should be lighted at night. Headlights must be on during the movement of any O/D vehicle or load.
