OS/OW permits in Ontario
280 facts, each with the passage it comes from, quoted from 4 official sources.
Where to apply
Where an application for OS/OW permits is submitted in Ontario.
Online · Ministry of Transportation
PRIO online permitting system
prio.mto.gov.on.ca (opens in a new tab)
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.
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.
Fax · Ministère des Transports de l'Ontario (MTO)
Bureau de délivrance des permis du MTO, par télécopieur
416 235-3924
Mail · Ministère des Transports
Bureau de délivrance de permis, par la poste
301, rue St. Paul, 3e Étage, St Catharines, (Ontario) L2R 7R4
Mail · Ministry of Transportation
Highway Operations Permits Office
Ministry of Transportation Highway Operations Permits Office 301 St. Paul Street, 2nd Floor St Catharines, Ontario L2R 7R4
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.
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 · Ministère des Transports de l'Ontario (MTO)
Bureau de délivrance des permis du MTO, par courriel
Use it when: Only with a prepaid payment account with the Ministry
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.
General
63 topics
Single trip permit fee (Fees)
Fee charged for a single trip special hauling permit, in the currency of the value.
- Oversized only, as of July 12, 2019$66.25CAD
- Overweight greater than 120,000 kg and unlimited travel distance, as of July 12, 2019$714CAD
- Overweight up to 120,000 kg and between 101 km and 500 km of travel on provincial highways, as of July 12, 2019$204CAD
- Overweight up to 120,000 kg and over 500 km of travel on provincial highways, as of July 12, 2019$265.25CAD
Permit required to exceed dimension limits (Yes or no)
Whether a vehicle or load exceeding any legal dimension or weight limit must obtain an oversize/overweight permit to operate.
Yesin 4 cases
- In general
- In general
- Valid for Ontario's King's highways only; municipal roads may require additional permits or permission
- Vehicles and/or loads in excess of HTA legal dimensions
Permit fee distance band (Measures)
The distance band used to determine the permit fee for a single-trip overweight or overweight-and-oversize permit, expressed as the maximum distance in kilometres for which the permit is issued.
- 100 km62.1 miSingle trip permit, overweight up to 120,000 kg
- 500 km310.7 miSingle trip permit, overweight up to 120,000 kg
- 100 km62.1 miSingle trip permit, overweight up to 120,000 kg
- 500 km310.7 miSingle trip permit, overweight up to 120,000 kg
Permit validity period (In words)
The period for which an oversize/overweight permit is valid, such as annual, seasonal, a maximum number of days, or a specific date range.
Annual permit
12 months from the date of issue
Project permit
up to, and including 6 months, depending on the duration of the contract
Permit validity period (Measures)
Number of permissible hauling days for which a permit is valid.
- 365 daysAnnual permit
- 7 daysSingle trip permit
Permit required for oversize and overweight (In words)
The type of permit required when a load is both oversize and overweight.
single trip permit
Maximum width (Measures)
Maximum overall width of the vehicle or combination, including load and equipment, permitted under the permit class.
2.6 m8′ 6.5″
In general
- 3.85 m12′ 7.5″Annual permit, multi-lane highways
- 3.7 m12′ 1.5″Annual permit, two lane highways
- 3.05 m10′Night moves, overlength/overwidth
- 4.3 m14′ 1.5″Project permit
Online permit management system name (In words)
Name of the online system the region provides for applying for and managing special hauling permits.
Permitting and Registration for International Registration Plan and Oversize/Overweight (PRIO)
Load eligibility
3 topics Open Load eligibility
Non-divisible load definition (In words)
The criteria used to determine whether a load is non-divisible for permit eligibility.
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
Overweight load of multiple items ineligible (Yes or no)
Whether a permit is unavailable when the vehicle, load or combination would be overweight and the load is made up of more than one item.
Yes
Maximum work hours to dismantle non-divisible load (Measures)
The maximum number of work hours, using appropriate resources and equipment, that it would take to dismantle the load; a load requiring more than this number of hours to dismantle is considered non-divisible for permit eligibility.
8 hours
In general
- 8 hoursIn general
Permitted dimensions
5 topics Open Permitted dimensions
Maximum rear overhang (m) (Measures)
The maximum distance by which the load or equipment may project rearward beyond the rear of the vehicle.
- 4.65 m15′ 3″Annual permit, combination vehicles
- 4.65 m15′ 3″Annual permit, single vehicle
- 4.65 m15′ 3″Overlength load made up of more than one item
- 4.65 m15′ 3″Project permit, combination vehicles
Maximum height (m) (Measures)
The maximum overall height, including load and equipment, allowed under the permit.
- 4.26 m13′ 11.5″Annual permit
- 4.26 m13′ 11.5″Annual permit
- 4.26 m13′ 11.5″Enhanced annual permit
- 4.26 m13′ 11.5″Enhanced project permit, float trailer required above this height
Maximum width (m) (Measures)
The maximum overall width, including load and equipment, allowed under the permit.
- 3.7 m12′ 1.5″Annual permit, 2-lane highways
- 3.85 m12′ 7.5″Annual permit, multi-lane highways
- 3.85 m12′ 7.5″Annual permit, multi-lane highways
- 3.7 m12′ 1.5″Annual permit, two lane highways
Permitted weights and axle configuration
Maximum gross weight (kg) (Measures)
The maximum total mass of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load and equipment.
- 63,500 kg139,993 lbAnnual permit
- 63,500 kg139,993 lbAnnual permit, combination vehicles
- 78,000 kg171,960 lbEnhanced annual permit
- 70,000 kg154,323 lbProject permit
Validity and trip coverage
7 topics Open Validity and trip coverage
Permit validity extension allowed (Yes or no)
Whether the permit validity period can be extended after issuance.
Yesin 1 caseNoin 1 case
- In general
- In general
Maximum permit validity (days) (Measures)
The maximum period, in days, for which a permit of this category or class is valid.
7 days
Single trip permits
Permit validity (months) (Measures)
The duration for which a permit is valid, in months.
- 12 monthsAnnual permit
- 12 monthsAnnual permits
- 6 monthsProject permit
- 6 monthsProject permits
Applications and amendments
4 topics Open Applications and amendments
Permit application requires signature (Yes or no)
Whether the permit application must be signed and dated by an authorized representative of the company.
Yes
Application processing maximum business days (Measures)
The maximum number of business days within which the government commits to process a permit application requiring in-depth analysis, provided the file is complete, accurate, and compliant.
14 days
Superload permits
Amendment allowed (Yes or no)
Whether an active permit can be amended after issuance.
Yes
Permit travel conditions
7 topics Open Permit travel conditions
Toll highway travel allowed (Yes or no)
Whether the permit authorizes travel on toll highways, subject to the vehicle having a valid transponder.
Yesin 2 cases
- Annual permit holders with valid transponder
- Annual permit or enhanced annual permit with valid transponder
Continuous travel allowed (Yes or no)
Whether the permit authorizes continuous travel without the usual restrictions on permissible hauling days or hours.
No
Single trip and project permits exceeding specified dimensions, GTA
Escort vehicle required (Yes or no)
Whether one or more escort vehicles are required to accompany the oversize or overweight vehicle under specified conditions, as specified in the permit conditions.
Yesin 6 cases
- Height 4.87 m and greater
- Length from 36.76 m to 45.74 m
- Rear overhang greater than 4.65 m
- Width from 4 m to 4.59 m on two lane highways
Where these facts come from
- Guide to oversize/overweight vehicles and loads(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 169 facts
- Get an oversize/overweight permit(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 74 facts
- Guide sur les véhicules et charges de dimensions/poids exceptionnels(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 23 facts
- Guide to oversize/overweight vehicles and loads(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 14 facts