Get an oversize/overweight permit

Overview

You will need an oversize/overweight permit if the dimensions or weight of your vehicle and load combined exceed the limits set out in the Highway Traffic Act. Oversize/overweight permits are valid for Ontario’s King’s highways only. If you want to drive on municipal roads, you may be required to get additional permits or permission directly from that municipality.

You are eligible to apply for a permit if your vehicle or load cannot be reduced because it:

• could not be used for its intended purpose or function
• would require more than eight work hours to dismantle using appropriate resources and equipment

There are four main types of oversize/overweight permits in Ontario, with different fees and specific conditions that you must follow to ensure your vehicle can operate safely:

1. annual permits
2. project permits
3. single trip permits
4. special vehicle configuration permits

You can apply and pay for an oversize/overweight permit online, by mail or fax.

Completed oversize/overweight permit applications that include credit card payment information will not be accepted by e-mail.

Read Ontario’s full oversize/overweight guide for more information.

Restrictions

You will not be eligible for a permit if your:

• vehicle, load or combination will be overweight and your load is made up of more than one item
• vehicle or load is overheight, overwidth or overlength because of the way you have loaded it. For example, items stacked in a way that creates unnecessary additional height, width or length.
• vehicle or load is overlength, your load is made up of more than one item and the overhang of your load to the rear exceeds 4.65 metres from the centre of the rear-most axle

Once you have a permit you must:

• operate at the lowest practical speed when crossing bridges if your vehicle is more than 45,000 kg gross weight
• continue to follow all posted bridge and/or load restriction signs and restrictions as described in the Highway Traffic Act

Types of permits

There are four main types of oversize/overweight permits:

Annual permits

Annual permits are used for repeat trips by oversize vehicles and/or loads. They are valid for 12 months.

Annual permits take up to 15 business days to be issued. To avoid delays, apply at least 30 days before your requested start date. If you registered for online access, you can apply for your annual permit and enhanced annual permit directly online.

There are two different annual permits available, with different vehicle and load limits:

Annual permit limits for vehicles and/or loads (subject to vehicle configuration)

• weight up to 63,500 kg
• width up to 3.85 metres on multi-lane highways and up to 3.7 metres on 2-lane highways
• length up to 25 metres
• height up to 4.26 metres

Enhanced annual permit limits for vehicles and/or loads (subject to vehicle configuration)

• weight up to 78,000 kg
• width up to 3.85 metres on multi-lane highways and up to 3.7 metres on 2-lane highways
• length up to 32 metres
• height up to 4.26 metres

If you have an annual permit or enhanced annual permit you can travel on toll highways if your vehicle has a valid transponder.

Project permits

Project permits are for carriers who are operating under a contract and moving similar loads, objects and structures multiple times over the same specified route.

Project permits are valid for up to 6 months, depending on the length of the contract. There are two different types of project permits available: regular project permits (printed original copy) and enhanced project permits (e-mailed electronic copy).

Project permit limits for vehicles and/or loads (subject to vehicle configuration)

• weight up to 70,000 kg
• width up to 4.3 metres (subject to clearance check)
• length up to 36.75 metres
• height limits are affected by route clearance, a float trailer must be used for height requests more than 4.26 metres

Enhanced project permit limits for vehicles and/or loads (subject to vehicle configuration)

• weight limits are subject to approval and cannot need a certified superload escort to accompany the move
• width up to 4.99 metres (subject to clearance check)
• length up to 45.75 metres
• height limits are affected by route clearance, float trailer must be used for height requests more than 4.26 metres

Project permits take up to 15 business days to be processed. To avoid delays, apply at least 30 business days before your requested start date.

Your application must include specifics about the size and weight of your load, and your permit conditions will be based on the information you provide. If your load does not match the information on your permit during an inspection you can face charges.

When you apply for a project permit, you must include a copy of the contract you are working on, written on the hiring company letterhead. The project documents must include:

• the name and address of the carrier
• the contract number (if available)
• the duration of the contract
• a description of the product being transported
• the origin and destination of the load, specifying the complete route (including municipal roads)

If you are applying for an enhanced project permit, your must also:

• include proof of the number of loads from the shipper such as bill of lading or mentioned within the contract
• subscribe to construction report e-mail distribution

Single trip permits

Single trip permits are for one-way trips along a specified route. They are valid for up to 7 days.  

You should apply for single trip permit at least 5 business days before your trip date to allow time for processing. Your permit may only be issued to you 3 business days before your start date.

The single-trip permit fees depends on the size and weight of your vehicle and load combination and the length of your trip.

The proposed travel route on the permit will be verified to ensure that all provincial highways and municipal roads listed are correct and that construction activities will not impact the travel route including, width, height, length or weight restrictions. If you are unable to clear all the structures and/or construction restrictions along the proposed route,  you will have to provide a feasible alternate route. It is your responsibility to plan and provide the most feasible, complete and continuous direct route.

Single trip permits (non-Superload)

• weight up to 120,000 kg weight limits are subject to approval
• width up to 5 metres (subject to clearance check)
• length up to 45.75 meters (subject to clearance check)
• height limits are affected by route clearance only, a low-profile trailer must be used for height requests more than 4.26 metres

Superloads (Single Trip permit with a Superload dimension)

A “superload” is a vehicle and/or load that exceeds any of these limits:

• 120,000 kg gross vehicle weight
• 5 metres in width
• 45.75 metres in length

Getting a superload permit requires more steps and can take longer than other oversize/overweight permits (at least 5 business days and up to 6 months in some cases). These applications will be reviewed by weight and load engineers within the Ministry of Transportation as well as other ministry departments.

If you are considering applying for a superload permit, contact the Ministry of Transportation’s Oversize/Overweight Permit Issuing Office as early as possible.

Requirements for superload permits include:

• having valid Certified Superload Escorts to accompany the move
• submitting a current dated Traffic Management Plan (TMP) with the required information. Contact the Oversize/Overweight Permit Office for the template to follow.
• applications with a width of 6 metres or more and/or a gross weight more than 120,000 kg must include project justification documentation that demonstrates the need for transporting the loads on highways
• for gross vehicle weights exceeding 120,000 kg, you must have the bridges along your route evaluated by a qualified engineer and the report must be submitted to the Ministry of Transportation Oversize/Overweight Permit Issuing Office for approval

Special vehicle configuration permits

Special vehicle configuration permits are for vehicle and load combinations with unique configurations, weights or dimensions that differ from those in the Highway Traffic Act. They can be used:

• for trials and pilot projects
• by request from other jurisdictions to allow something that is permitted in those locations
• for vehicle combinations that need exemptions or need specific configurations, weights or dimensions for travel within specific municipal or other local regions
• to provide temporary accommodation when the Highway Traffic Act and regulations are updated

You may be required to provide safety, economic or infrastructure assessments to support your application.

Special vehicle configuration permits can take 15 business days or more to process and the costs vary.

Fees

Get a permit

Apply online

You can apply and pay online for:

• annual permits
• enhanced annual permits
• single trip permits

Before you apply online for the first time, you must register to use the online services by completing a user account form and emailing it to the Ministry of Transportation’s Oversize/Overweight Permit Office at oo.permits@ontario.ca.

Once your online services account has been set up, you can use it to apply for as many permits as you need.

Read the tutorial for step-by-step instructions on using the online permitting system.

Apply by mail or fax

To apply by mail or fax:

1. Download and complete an application form.
2. Include payment (Canadian funds only) by:
   • visa or Mastercard using an authorization form
   • cheque made out to the Ministry of Finance
   • bank draft, money order or certified cheque made out to the Ministry of Finance

3. Send your application and payment to:

Ministry of Transportation
Highway Operations Permits Office
301 St. Paul Street, 2^nd Floor
St Catharines, Ontario
L2R 7R4

Or

Fax: 905-704-2545

Application forms

• Single Trip Permit Application
• Annual Permit and Enhanced Annual Permit Application
• Application to Exercise Special Tow Truck Certificates
• Project Permit Application
• Enhanced Project Permit Application
• Prepaid Deposit Application - Pre-Paid Account / Registrant Acknowledgment
• Credit Card Authorization Form
• User Account Form
• Service Provider Authorization
• Letter of Clearance in Reference to the Application for Permit to Move Used Buildings on Kings Highway

Special vehicle configuration permits

• Long Combination Vehicle Permit Application
• Long Combination Vehicle Origin-Destination (O/D) Application
• Long Combination Vehicle Origin/Destination Location - Road Authority Consent

Permits to extend grandfathering for pre-SPIF vehicles

• Contact us for the Trucks, Trailers, Buses and Recreational Vehicles Permit application form
• Non-dump Semi-Trailers with 4 or more Axles or Double Trailers
• Hydrovac, Sewer Cleaner or Street Sweeper Permit Application

Contact us

For questions about the Oversize/Overweight Program, please contact the Ministry of Transportation’s permit office:

Email: oo.permits.review@ontario.ca

Telephone: 416-246-7166 or Toll-free: 1-800-387-7736

Fax: 905-704-2545

By mail:

Ministry of Transportation
Highway Operations Permits Office
301 St. Paul Street, 2^nd  Floor
St Catharines, Ontario
L2R 7R4