Escort operating duties and traffic control in Ontario
Rules for conducting an escort operation, including spacing, communication, traffic management, protective clothing, incident reporting, and post-operation duties.
33 facts, each with the passage it comes from, quoted from 4 official sources.
Where to apply
Where an application for Escort operating duties and traffic control is submitted in Ontario.
Phone · Ministère des Transports
Bureau de délivrance de permis, par téléphone
Contact the permit issuing office during business hours if the route indicated on your permit needs to be changed.
Phone · Ministère des Transports
Bureau de délivrance de permis, par téléphone (sans frais)
Contact the permit issuing office during business hours if the route indicated on your permit needs to be changed.
Mail · Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Permit Issuing Office
Permit Issuing Office, by mail
301 St. Paul Street, 3rd Floor, St Catharines, Ontario, L2R 7R4
Application forms must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will be returned.
In person · Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Permit Issuing Office
Permit Issuing Office
301 St. Paul Street, 3rd Floor, St Catharines, Ontario, L2R 7R4
Email · Ministry of Transportation
Oversize/Overweight Permit Office, by email
Use it when: For Permitting and Registration for International Registration Plan and Oversize/Overweight (PRIO) online permitting system account set up, tow truck certificate applications, special vehicle configuration permits or project permits
Fax · Ministry of Transportation
Highway Operations Permits Office, by fax
905-704-2545
Use it when: Until January 1, 2026
Download and complete an application form. 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.
Start with a question
Open a question to read the facts on file that bear on it.
What spacing, radio-contact, document-carrying, and lighting-use rules apply during an escort operation?Nothing on file for Ontario answers this yet.
When must an escort facilitate passing or help the load pull off the roadway to release following traffic?Nothing on file for Ontario answers this yet.
When may an escort direct traffic or close a highway, and what procedures and flagging distances apply?Nothing on file for Ontario answers this yet.
Facts
19 topics
Escort vehicle communication required (Yes or no)
Whether the escort vehicle driver must be able to communicate by two-way radio with the escorted vehicle, police, and other escort vehicles.
Yesin 3 cases
- In general
- In general
- In general
Escort vehicle documents required (In words)
Documents that the escort vehicle driver must carry, such as a written copy of the permit information, the escort operator's certificate of nomination, or proof of certification.
certificate of appointment
Escort vehicle operator high-visibility garment required (Yes or no)
Whether the escort vehicle operator must wear a high-visibility garment meeting specified colour, stripe and reflectivity requirements while performing escort duties.
Yes
Escort vehicle hand-held stop sign required (Yes or no)
Whether the escort vehicle operator must use a hand-held stop sign meeting specified size, colour and lettering requirements when directing traffic.
Yes
If an escort uses a hand-held sign to direct traffic
Escort vehicle road closure authorization required (Yes or no)
Whether the escort vehicle operator may close a highway only when the permit issued for the escorted vehicle or combination authorizes the escort to close highways.
Yes
Minimum distance between escort and escorted vehicle (Measures)
Minimum distance, in metres, that must be maintained between an escort vehicle and the escorted vehicle or convoy.
60 m196′ 10″
In general
- 60 m196′ 10″In general
- 60 m196′ 10″In general
Maximum distance between escort and escorted vehicle (Measures)
Maximum distance, in metres, that may be maintained between an escort vehicle and the escorted vehicle or convoy.
150 m492′ 1.5″
In general
- 150 m492′ 1.5″In general
- 150 m492′ 1.5″In general
Escort vehicle operator may direct traffic (Yes or no)
Whether the driver of an escort vehicle is authorized to direct traffic while accompanying an oversize or overweight vehicle or combination.
Noin 2 cases
- In general
- In general
Where these facts come from
- Guide to oversize/overweight vehicles and loads(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 11 facts
- Guide sur les véhicules et charges de dimensions/poids exceptionnels(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 8 facts
- O. Reg. 215/18: Over-dimensional Vehicle Escorts(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 8 facts
- Guide to oversize/overweight vehicles and loads(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 6 facts