Permit travel conditions in Ontario
Operational restrictions and precautions imposed on vehicles travelling under an OS/OW permit.
16 facts, each with the passage it comes from, quoted from 2 official sources.
Where to apply
Where an application for Permit travel conditions 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.
What speed or isolation rules apply when crossing bridges?Nothing on file for Ontario answers this yet.
What vehicle-use, load-positioning or separation conditions apply during travel?Nothing on file for Ontario answers this yet.
Facts
7 topics
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
Convoy travel allowed (Yes or no)
Whether the permit authorizes travel in a convoy with other oversize or overweight vehicles whose registration numbers are listed on the permit, as specified in the permit conditions.
No
Police escort required (Yes or no)
Whether the permit requires the vehicle to be escorted by a police-identified emergency vehicle, as specified in the permit conditions.
Yesin 3 cases
- Highway 144, width between 4.00 and 4.56 metres
- Highway 144, width greater than 4.57 metres
- Superload permits
Minimum distance from other oversize vehicle (km) (Measures)
The minimum distance, in kilometres, that must be maintained from another oversize or overweight vehicle whose registration number is listed on the permit, as specified in the permit conditions.
10 km6.2 mi
Low speed on bridges over weight (kg) (Measures)
The gross vehicle weight, in kilograms, above which the vehicle must be operated at the lowest practical speed when crossing bridges.
45,000 kg99,208 lb
In general
- 45,000 kg99,208 lbIn general
Where these facts come from
- Guide to oversize/overweight vehicles and loads(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 13 facts
- Get an oversize/overweight permit(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 3 facts