Warning lights, signs and flags in Ontario
Required warning equipment and load markings, including applicability thresholds, placement, technical standards, exemptions, and removal rules.
9 facts, each with the passage it comes from, quoted from 2 official sources.
Where to apply
Where an application for Warning lights, signs and flags 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.
When must a signalling arrow board be used?Nothing on file for Ontario answers this yet.
Facts
6 topics
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
Flag minimum dimension (Measures)
Minimum required side length of each warning flag displayed on the vehicle or load, in metres.
0.4 m1′ 3.5″
Flag placement (Choices)
Position on the vehicle or load where warning flags must be displayed, as specified by the applicable permit condition.
What the rules state
- Extreme ends
Not stated here: Front left, Rear left, Front and rear left, Front, Rear, and Both sides.
Warning sign removal required (Yes or no)
Whether warning signs must be removed or covered when the vehicle or combination is not being operated under the permit or when the signs are not required.
Yes
Where these facts come from
- Guide to oversize/overweight vehicles and loads(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 6 facts
- O. Reg. 215/18: Over-dimensional Vehicle Escorts(opens in a new tab)
www.ontario.ca, web page, 3 facts