Rules of circulation in Ontario
61 facts, each with the passage it comes from, quoted from 3 official sources.
Where to apply
Where an application for Rules of circulation 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.
General
24 topics
Permit amendment allowed (Yes or no)
Whether an active permit may be amended, under the applicable conditions.
Yes
Night travel allowed (Yes or no)
Whether a vehicle or combination of vehicles is permitted to travel at night under the applicable permit or exemption.
Yesin 2 casesNoin 1 case
- If continuous use of windshield wipers is required
- Vehicles and loads up to, and including, 3.05 m wide and 25 m long; multi-lane controlled access highways with a median; all conspicuity requirements are met
- Vehicles and loads up to, and including, 4.26 m high and 63,500 kg; All King's highways; all conspicuity requirements are met
Escort vehicle required (Yes or no)
Whether one or more escort vehicles are required to accompany the over-dimensional vehicle or combination, including load and equipment, under the applicable 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
Escort vehicle minimum distance (Measures)
Minimum distance, in metres, to be maintained between the escort vehicle and the escorted vehicle or convoy, as specified by the applicable permit condition or signalling annex.
60 m196′ 10″
Road types annual permit is valid on (Choices)
The classes of highway on which the annual permit authorizes travel.
Annual permit or enhanced annual permit; vehicle has a valid transponder
- Toll highways
Annual Permits
- King's highways
- Toll highways
Oversize/overweight permits
- King's highways
Transponder required for annual permit travel on toll highways (Yes or no)
Whether the annual permit authorizes travel on toll highways only if the commercial vehicle has a valid transponder (true if the region states this requirement).
Yesin 2 cases
- Annual permit or enhanced annual permit
- Annual Permits
Convoy travel allowed (Yes or no)
Whether vehicles or combinations of vehicles whose registration numbers are listed on the permit may travel in convoy.
No
Minimum distance between oversize vehicles (Measures)
The minimum distance that must be maintained between a vehicle or combination of vehicles and another oversize vehicle whose registration number is listed on the permit, while travelling.
10 km6.2 mi
When on route
Warning lights, signs and flags
6 topics Open Warning lights, signs and flags
Warning sign required (Yes or no)
Whether the vehicle or combination must display warning signs or rigid surfaces meeting the prescribed standards when its dimensions exceed the specified thresholds, or when required by a permit condition.
Yesin 2 cases
- In general
- In general
Warning light required (Yes or no)
Whether the vehicle or combination must be equipped with a yellow warning light meeting the prescribed visibility, flash frequency and lens dimensions.
Yesin 2 cases
- In general
- Night move
Flag required (Yes or no)
Whether the vehicle or combination must display warning flags meeting the prescribed dimensions and placement when its dimensions exceed the specified thresholds, or when required by a permit condition.
Yesin 2 cases
- In general
- In general
Travel hours and calendar restrictions
Sunday and holiday travel allowed (Yes or no)
Whether the permit authorizes circulation on Sundays and the named public holidays, for the vehicle or combination, including load and equipment.
Yesin 1 caseNoin 1 case
- Saturdays and Sundays
- Sunday travel in summer months, overweight vehicles and/or loads
Night travel allowed (Yes or no)
Whether the permit authorizes circulation at night, defined as the period between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, for the vehicle or combination, including load and equipment, under the applicable conditions.
Yes
Rush hour travel prohibited (Yes or no)
Whether circulation is prohibited during specified rush-hour time windows on the named roads or areas, as set out in the applicable permit condition.
Yes
Single trip and project permits exceeding specified dimensions, GTA
Where these facts come from
- Guide to oversize/overweight vehicles and loads(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 49 facts
- Get an oversize/overweight permit(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 9 facts
- O. Reg. 215/18: Over-dimensional Vehicle Escorts(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 3 facts