OVERVIEW
PERMITS: Ohio oversize permits are valid for five days. Must have 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. Overweight only and not over 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. (see
provision sheet). If you want to stop at a truck stop, it is supposed to 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 (check ahead). Maximum length without pre-approval is 112 feet. Maximum gross weight allowed is 90,000 pounds without 2-day pre-approval. Toll charge 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: 80,000 Gross
- 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 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)
Signs, Flags, and Ligths: “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, located 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.