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Ohio Oversize and Overweight Permits

Here are the maximum load limits in Ohio before a trucking permit is required:

  • Length: 53 feet

  • Height: 13'6"

  • Width: 8'6"

  • Weight: 80,000 pounds GVW

  • Overhang: 53 feet (maximum length)

When Are Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Required in Ohio?

Heavy haul or oversize loads must be accompanied by an escort vehicle or pilot car in the following cases:

Length:

  • Loads with a combined overall length of 90 feet require a lead pilot car on 2-lane roads and a chase pilot car on 4 or more lane roads. Overhang requirements are not specified (see: All heavy-haul shipping laws).

Width:

  • 2-lane roads:

    • 13 feet wide: 1 pilot car required.

    • 14 feet 6 inches wide: 1 pilot car and 1 escort vehicle required.

    • 16 feet wide: 1 pilot car, 1 escort vehicle, and 1 police escort required.

  • 4-lane roads:

    • 13 feet wide: 1 pilot car required.

    • 14 feet 6 inches wide: 1 pilot car and 1 escort required.

    • 16 feet 6 inches wide: 1 pilot car, 1 escort, and in some cases, 1 police escort required.

Height:

  • Over 14 feet 6 inches: 1 pilot car with a high pole required.

  • Over 14 feet 10 inches: 1 pilot car with a high pole and 1 rear chase required. Some routes may require 1 police escort.

NOTE: If your shipment is only 13 feet wide and requires only 1 pilot car/escort, but also exceeds 90 feet in length, you are considered a “combination” shipment and will need both 1 front and 1 rear pilot car/escort vehicle.

How Much Do Trucking Permits Cost in Ohio?

Permit Fees:

  • Oversize Single Trip Permits:
    $65 one way, $100 return

  • Oversize and Overweight Single Trip Permits:
    $135 one way, $200 return

  • Oversize Superload Permits:
    $135 one way, $200 return

  • Oversize and Overweight Superload Permits:
    $135 one way, $200 return

  • Steel/Aluminum Coil Single Trip Permit:
    $65

  • Multi-State Oversize Single-Trip Permit:
    $65

  • Multi-State Oversize and Overweight Single-Trip Permit:
    $135

  • Emergency Single Trip Permit:
    $250 one way, $365 return

  • 90-Day Oversize Permits:
    $250 one way, $375 return

  • 90-Day Oversize and Overweight Permits:
    $500 one way, $750 return

  • 90-Day Steel/Aluminum Coil Permit:
    $125

  • 90-Day Michigan Legal Permit:
    $125 one way, $125 return

  • Continuing Annual Oversize Permit:
    $970 one way, $1,170 return

  • Continuing Annual Oversize and Overweight Permit:
    $1,970 one way, $2,970 return

  • Continuing Annual Steel/Aluminum Coil Permit:
    $470 one way, $470 return

  • Continuing Annual Michigan Legal Permit:
    $470 one way, $470 return

  • Continuing 45-Day International Sealed Container Permit:
    $250

  • Annual Boat Blanket Permit:
    $100 round trip

  • Annual Construction Equipment Blanket Permit:
    $100 round trip

  • Annual Farm Equipment Blanket Permit:
    $100 round trip

  • Annual Manufactured Building Blanket Permit:
    $100 round trip

  • Annual Marina Blanket Permit:
    $100 round trip

  • Revisions:
    $10 for all permits, $50 for superload permits

Ohio Turnpike:

  • Oversize Permits (overlength, overwidth, or overheight):
    $25

  • Overweight Permits (up to 120,000 pounds):
    $135

  • Overweight Permits (over 120,000 pounds):
    $135 + $1 per ton/mile

  • Ohio State Highway Patrol Escort Inspection Fee (per patrolman):
    $60

Ohio Oversize and Overweight Permit Limits

Here are the maximum weight and dimension limits for loads in Ohio, even with a permit:

Weight Limits:

  • Single Axle Weight Permit: 29,000 pounds

  • Tandem Axles Weight Permit: 36,000 pounds

  • Tridem Axles Weight Permit: 60,000 pounds

  • Quadem Axles Weight Permit: 120,000 pounds

  • Five Axle Weight Permit: 121,000 pounds

  • Six Axle Weight Permit: 128,000 pounds

  • Seven Axle Weight Permit: 135,000 pounds

  • Eight Axle Weight Permit: 174,000 pounds

Dimension Limits:

  • Max Length with Permit: 90 feet

  • Max Width with Permit: 14 feet

  • Max Height with Permit: 14’6 feet

Notes:

  • As long as the GVW does not exceed 120,000 lbs, a tridem or quadem axle setup is allowed, with a minimum of 4′ 1″ axle spacing.

  • For a 7, 8, or 9 axle configuration, you can reach up to 132,000 lbs, including 2 tridem or quadem axle groups. Please refer to the Superloads section for more information.

Definitions of Weights:

  • Overall Spacing: The distance, to the nearest foot, from the center of the front-most axle to the center of the rear-most axle of the vehicle or vehicle combination, or any internal axle grouping.

  • Spacing: The distance, to the nearest foot, between the center of one axle and the center of an adjacent axle.

Learn More About Super Load Permits in Ohio 

A load is considered a superload in Ohio when it exceeds the following limits:

  • Superload Weight: Over 120,000 pounds gross weight

  • Superload Length: Over 160 feet long

  • Superload Width: Over 18 feet wide

  • Superload Height: Over 14’6 feet tall

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