Ohio oversize load rules
Legal limits, pilot car requirements, travel restrictions, superload thresholds and permit fees for oversize and overweight loads in Ohio.
Legal limits without a permit
| Width | 8′6″ (102 in) |
|---|---|
| Height | 13′6″ |
| Length | 53′ semitrailer · 65′ other combinations · 50′ single vehicle |
| Weight | 80,000 lb gross |
At a glance
| Escorts | 5 escort rules, starting at 13′ wide |
|---|---|
| Superload | 3 review triggers (height, weight, width) |
| Travel | 4 restrictions (curfews, night, holidays) |
| Fees | 5 published fee lines |
Escort (pilot car) requirements
- 5 width, height and length thresholds with the escort count for each
- Overhang and route-type conditions
Travel restrictions
- 4 restrictions: curfews, night travel, weekends and holidays
- Which ones apply to a given load size
Superloads
- Exact thresholds and what the state requires past them
- Lead times, route surveys and police escort conditions
Permit fees
- 5 published fee lines with links to the fee schedule
- Validity periods and add-on charges
Common questions
When does a load need a pilot car in Ohio?
Over 13′ wide, over 14′6″ high or over 90′ long needs one escort. Over 14′6″ wide or 14′10″ high, or any two triggers together, needs a lead and a rear escort.
Can oversize loads move on weekends in Ohio?
Loads over 12′ wide cannot move from 3 PM Saturday and 3 PM Sunday until the next morning, and from 3 PM Friday during April through November. Narrower loads follow the daylight rule.
What is a superload in Ohio?
Ohio has no formal definition. Loads over 14′ wide, 14′6″ high or 160,000 lb cannot be self-issued and go to ODOT review.
Sources
- Ohio Form OS-1A permit provisions (escorts, travel)
- OAC 5501:2-1-04, conditions on permitted movements
- OAC 5501:2-1-05, schedule of fees
- ORC 5577.05 (size) and 5577.04 (weight)
- Ohio Hauling Permit System FAQ (self-issue limits)
Planning reference. Permits carry their own conditions, and city and county roads have separate rules. Confirm with the Ohio DOT Special Hauling Permits before moving a load. Found an error? Report it.
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