In Ontario, any load that exceeds the legal size or weight limits requires an oversize/overweight permit before it moves. Below are the legal limits and the requirements that apply at each threshold.
1When you need a permit
A load is oversize or overweight once it passes any of these:
| Dimension | Ontario legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 7 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 75 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 139,991 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 18,740 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 37,480 lbs | Heavier |
Ontario sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Ontario requires |
|---|---|
| 13 ft 1 in wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 15 ft 1 in wide | 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 120 ft long | 1 escort · 150 ft → 2 escorts |
| 14 ft 1 in high or 16 ft wide | Route survey required |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset.
- Weekend travel allowed within dimensional limits.
- <3.05m wide, <25m long on multi-lane highways with median.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Boxing Day.
Get the full cost of your load
FreightDeck estimates every cost on an oversize move — permits, escorts, police, route survey, engineering, and the truck rate — for your exact load and route, across all 48 states and Canada, up to superload size.
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?Ontario permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Ontario?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 7 in high, 75 ft long (combination), or 139,991 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Ontario?
Ontario requires one escort over 13 ft 1 in wide (two over 15 ft 1 in), and a height pole over 16 ft high.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Ontario?
Daylight only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Under 3.05m wide, under 25m long on multi-lane highways with median. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
How much does a Ontario oversize permit cost?
The state permit fee depends on the load's size and weight. The full cost of a move also includes escorts, police, route surveys, engineering, and the truck rate, which vary by route. FreightDeck estimates all of it for your exact load — price your Ontario load with FreightDeck →.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Ontario?
Weekend travel is allowed within the same dimensional limits. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Boxing Day; check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Ontario?
Ontario sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
Does Ontario require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 14 ft 1 in high or 16 ft wide. The survey checks every bridge, sign, signal and wire on the route and is filed with the permit; it usually takes longer than the permit itself, so start it first. What a route survey involves →
Does Ontario have spring thaw weight restrictions?
Yes. Seasonal axle weight limits apply roughly March through May, cutting posted limits by about 10%. Overweight permits on posted roads are limited or unavailable during the window, so schedule heavy deliveries around it. Spring thaw rules by state →
Does a Ontario permit cover Manitoba?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Manitoba, Quebec, or Minnesota needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.