Ohio Oversize & Overweight Permits

When Ohio needs a permit

Ohio issues OS/OW permits under Ohio Rev. Code 4513.34 (limits in 5577.01-.09; rules in Ohio Adm. Code 5501:2-1). Single-trips start at $75, public-project moves just $10. You can run to 10' wide continuously; over 11' wide or 112' long needs prior authorization. Wide loads over 12' stop at 3 p.m. on weekends. Superload once you top 120,000 lb, 14' wide or 14'6" high, which triggers engineering review.

Thresholds, escorts, and curfews

• Legal max before a permit: Permit needed over 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, 80,000 lb gross, or a 53' trailer / the legal overall length. With a permit you can run to 10' wide for continuous travel; over 11' wide or over 112' long needs prior authorization from ODOT.
• Escort / pilot car: Escorts are triggered by width, length or height as set on the permit: one over 13' wide, two over 14'6" wide, and a police escort over 16' wide (two escorts also apply when more than one trigger is met, for example over 90' long and over 13' wide). A required rear escort follows 500' behind the load. Superloads add ODOT coordination and possible law-enforcement escort.
• Superload: Superload over 120,000 lb gross, over 14' wide, or over 14'6" high (also when axle or group weights top the routine permit limits). That leaves the routine desk for engineering review, structure analysis and longer lead time.
• Travel curfew: Travel runs a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset, weekends included up to 12' wide. Over 12' wide stops at 3:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (and Fridays April 1-November 30). No oversize movement on the six major holidays, from noon the day before. Watch Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati rush hours.
• Permit fee: Single-trip oversize starts at $75, a $20 basic processing charge plus a $55 outbound surcharge. Single-trip overweight to 120,000 lb is $145, and above 120,000 lb add four cents per ton over 60 tons for each mile traveled. Moves tied to a bona fide public construction project for a federal, state or local government pay only the $20 basic processing fee plus any revision fees (Ohio Adm. Code 5501:2-1-05). Annual permits available.

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