Ohio Oversize & Overweight Permit Rules
What a load can be in Ohio without a permit, where the permit and escort tiers start on 2-lane roads and multi-lane roads, when it can move, and who to call. Every figure is the JaloPermit Atlas entry for Ohio, shown as the app shows it.
Rules as of Jul 31, 2026 · Links checked Jul 13, 2026
Read this before you trust a number. Rules change. The issued permit, posted signs and the state permit office always win over this page. JaloPermit is a reading aid, not a permit-filing service. Guests get 3 free decodes a day with no account and no card, logged-in users get 10 a day, and extra decodes are $3.50 each with no subscription.
What moves in Ohio without a permit
Legal limits are the dimensions and gross weight a vehicle may run at without an oversize or overweight permit. Ohio publishes its length limit as semitrailer, so compare it against that measurement on your permit, not the overall rig.
Where the permit and escort tiers start
| Dimension | Legal without permit | Permit tier starts | First escort on 2-lane roads | First escort on multi-lane roads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 8'6" | 8'7" | 13'1" · Front escort | 13'1" · Rear escort |
| Height | 13'6" | 13'7" | 14'7" · Front + High pole | 14'7" · Front + High pole |
| Length | 53'0"semitrailer | 53'1" | 90'1" · Rear escort | 90'1" · Rear escort |
| Weight | 80,000 lbs | 120,001 lbs | No escort tier (permit only) | No escort tier (permit only) |
"Permit tier starts" is the lowest size in the Atlas ladder that needs a permit. "First escort" is the lowest size that adds a private or police escort on that road class; the full ladder with each tier's rule and source is below.
Ohio escort ladder, tier by tier
Open a tier to read the rule behind it, quoted with its source. Amber tiers add a police escort or a superload review; grey tiers are permit-only with conditions.
On 2-lane roads
Escorts begin at 13'1" wide
Width
Permit only up to 13'
Front escort13'1" – 14'6"
In excess of 13' wide: lead escort on two-lane highways. Two escorts if another trigger is also met. When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Front + Rear14'7" – 16'
In excess of 14'6" wide: one lead and one rear. When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Front + Rear + Police16'1"+
In excess of 16 ft wide: a law enforcement escort is required in addition to the private escorts. Source: ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit, "When an Escort is Required". When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Height
Permit only up to 14'6"
Front + High pole14'7" – 14'10"
In excess of 14'6" high: lead escort with height sensing device. Coordinate overhead utilities above 14'10" When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Front + Rear + High pole14'11"+
In excess of 14'10" high: lead escort keeps the height sensing device, plus a rear escort. Above 18 ft, this row's escorts are the minimum; the permit sets any more. When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Length
Permit only up to 90'
Rear escort90'1"+
In excess of 90' overall: one rear escort at any length. Two escorts if another trigger is also met. Above 150 ft, this row's escorts are the minimum; the permit sets any more. When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Weight
Permit required120,001 lbs+
Superload review over 120,000 lbs. Weight alone requires no escort; escorts and travel times are set on the permit
On multi-lane roads
Escorts begin at 13'1" wide
Width
Permit only up to 13'
Rear escort13'1" – 14'6"
In excess of 13' wide: rear escort on multiple-lane highways. Two escorts if another trigger is also met. When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Front + Rear14'7" – 16'
In excess of 14'6" wide: one lead and one rear. When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Front + Rear + Police16'1"+
In excess of 16 ft wide: a law enforcement escort is required in addition to the private escorts. Source: ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit, "When an Escort is Required". When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Height
Permit only up to 14'6"
Front + High pole14'7" – 14'10"
In excess of 14'6" high: lead escort with height sensing device. Coordinate overhead utilities above 14'10" When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Front + Rear + High pole14'11"+
In excess of 14'10" high: lead escort keeps the height sensing device, plus a rear escort. Above 18 ft, this row's escorts are the minimum; the permit sets any more. When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Length
Permit only up to 90'
Rear escort90'1"+
In excess of 90' overall: one rear escort at any length. Two escorts if another trigger is also met. Above 150 ft, this row's escorts are the minimum; the permit sets any more. When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
Weight
Permit required120,001 lbs+
Superload review over 120,000 lbs. Weight alone requires no escort; escorts and travel times are set on the permit
When more than one size needs an escort
When a load meets more than one escort condition, Ohio requires two escorts, one lead and one rear (ODOT Operational Guide for Vehicles Operating with a Special Hauling Permit).
When a permitted load can move
- Standard hours
Oversize loads may move daylight hours, Sunday through Saturday, defined as one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. Overweight loads at legal dimensions are not restricted as to hours or days if they move without obstructing normal traffic flow.
- Night travel
Not permitted for over dimension loads unless the permit specially authorizes night movement, in which case extra clearance and side marker lights must be displayed. Overweight-only loads at legal dimensions may move at night if they do not obstruct normal traffic flow.
- Weekend travel
Loads over 12' wide may not move 3:00 PM Saturday to 30 min before Sunday sunrise, 3:00 PM Sunday to 30 min before Monday sunrise, or 3:00 PM Friday to 30 min before Saturday sunrise April 1 through November 30. Other permitted loads may move daylight hours any day.
- Holiday restrictions
No movement New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas, from noon the day before until one-half hour before sunrise the day after. Overweight-only loads exempt. ODOT's Operational Guide also bans Good Friday/Easter - verify.
- Urban restrictions
Loads over 12' wide prohibited 6:30-9:00 AM and 4:30-6:00 PM Mon-Fri in Butler, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Geauga, Hamilton, Lake, Licking, Lorain, Lucas, Madison, Mahoning, Medina, Montgomery, Pickaway, Stark, Summit, Union, Warren and Wood counties.
Signage Ohio expects
- Oversize load sign
"OVERSIZE LOAD" sign front and rear, at least 7' long by 18" high, yellow with black letters at least 10" high and a 1.41" brush stroke. Required at an overall width of 10' or greater, height over 14'6", or over the legal length in ORC 5577.05.
- Flags
Red or orange flags, 18" square. Overwidth loads carry two flags at the widest extremities plus one at each corner. Overlength loads, or a rear overhang of 4' or greater, carry one flag at the extreme rear, two if the projection is over 2' wide.
- Beacons
No amber beacon is required on the permitted vehicle itself, though ODOT may prescribe one. Every private escort vehicle must carry at least one roof-mounted rotating or flashing amber light visible at 1,000 feet in daylight.
Ohio permit office
The permit office is the authority on every number on this page. Call it, or open the official site, before you rely on a threshold for a load that is close to a line.
Already have your permit?
Decode it into a route card: authorized route, escorts, curfews, weigh stations, truck stops and low-bridge alerts along the way.
3 free decodes a day · no account · no cardBefore you ask dispatch.
What are the legal limits in Ohio without an oversize or overweight permit?
In Ohio, the legal limits without an oversize or overweight permit are 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, 53'0" long (semitrailer) and 80,000 lbs gross. Legal overhang is 3'0" front and 4'0" rear. Anything over those figures needs a permit from the Ohio permit office before it moves.
When does an oversize load need an escort or pilot car in Ohio?
On 2-lane roads in Ohio, escorts begin at 13'1" wide. On multi-lane roads, escorts begin at 13'1" wide. The first escort tier is "Front escort" at 13'1" – 14'6" wide. Every tier on this page quotes its rule and source.
Can oversize loads travel at night, on weekends or on holidays in Ohio?
Night travel: Not permitted for over dimension loads unless the permit specially authorizes night movement, in which case extra clearance and side marker lights must be displayed. Overweight-only loads at legal dimensions may move at night if they do not obstruct normal traffic flow. Weekend travel: Loads over 12' wide may not move 3:00 PM Saturday to 30 min before Sunday sunrise, 3:00 PM Sunday to 30 min before Monday sunrise, or 3:00 PM Friday to 30 min before Saturday sunrise April 1 through November 30. Other permitted loads may move daylight hours any day. Holidays: No movement New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas, from noon the day before until one-half hour before sunrise the day after. Overweight-only loads exempt. ODOT's Operational Guide also bans Good Friday/Easter - verify.