SPECIAL HAULING PERMIT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) the same?
If I have an ODOT Permit and it routes me onto the Ohio Turnpike do I need another permit?
Do I need an ODOT Permit if I will only be on the Ohio Turnpike and not on Ohio State Roads?
What is the maximum amount of weight allowed?
Can over-dimensional or overweight vehicles travel on the turnpike?
Can I get an overweight permit to carry more than one steel coil?
What weights are allowed for Short Doubles?
Can B-Trains travel on the Ohio Turnpike?
Can Rocky Mountain Doubles travel on the Ohio Turnpike?
What is considered an overweight axle?
What is the maximum rear overhang allowed?
Can I travel at night if my vehicle is over-dimensional?
When can I get an over-dimensional/overweight permit at the entering toll plaza?
How do I get an over-dimensional permit at the entering toll plaza?
When do I have to apply in advance for an over-dimensional/overweight permit?
How do I get an over-dimensional/overweight permit in advance?
Do I have to fill out an application for every trip?
What will my toll fare be if I travel on the Ohio Turnpike?
What is the cost of an over-dimensional/overweight permit?
Can I travel on the Ohio Turnpike with Hazmat loads?
Do I need a permit for Hazmat loads?
If there is a high wind ban in effect, what vehicles are prohibited from traveling?
Where can I find information for hauling Long Doubles or Triples on the Ohio Turnpike?
Can I get a refund for an unused over-dimensional or overweight permit?
What is the standard requirement for the rear signage for trucks exceeding 112 feet in length or 10 feet in width on the Ohio Turnpike?

Q. Is the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) the same?
A. No, they are operated separately. ODOT is run by the state and issues special hauling permits for the state routes in Ohio except for the Turnpike. OTIC is run by an appointed Commission. Special hauling permits for the Ohio Turnpike are issued only by the Ohio Turnpike.

Q. If I have an ODOT Permit and it routes me onto the Ohio Turnpike do I need another permit?
A. Yes: In most cases you will need a separate permit. The state may route you onto the Ohio Turnpike but, the ODOT permit is only valid for state routes and does not include approval to travel on the Ohio Turnpike. The ODOT permit will only advise you to contact the proper authorities prior to travel on the Ohio Turnpike. Depending on the dimensions, weight of the vehicle and load, you may be required to obtain an Ohio Turnpike permit. Click here to view Special Hauling Permit Information.

Q. Do I need an ODOT Permit if I will only be on the Ohio Turnpike and not on Ohio state routes? 
A. No.

Q. What is the maximum amount of weight allowed on the Ohio Turnpike?
A. The maximum gross weight allowed, without a special hauling permit, is 90,000 lbs. as long as the axle weights are legal. Click here to view Special Hauling Permit Information.

Q. Can over-dimensional or overweight vehicles travel on the Ohio Turnpike?
A. Yes, with special hauling permits. Some dimensions and weights require prior approval by the Traffic Engineer.Click here to view Special Hauling Permit Information. There may be Holiday or construction restrictions in place that would prevent certain over-dimensional and/or overweight vehicles from traveling on certain days or during certain time periods. Click here for Holiday and Construction Restrictions.

Q. Can I get an overweight permit to carry more than one steel coil?
A. No, overweight permits are not issued for divisible loads.

Q. What weights are allowed for Short Doubles?
A. The maximum gross weight for a Short Double is 90,000 lbs. as long as the allowable axle weights are not exceeded. If the weight exceeds 90,000 lbs., it would be a divisible load and one trailer would have to be dropped.Click here to view Special Hauling Permit Information.

Q. Can B-Trains travel on the Ohio Turnpike?
A. Yes, B-Trains are treated the same as Short Doubles.

Q. Can Rocky Mountain Doubles travel on the Ohio Turnpike?
A. Yes, but they need to be in the Long Combination Vehicle Program (LCV) and they are limited to box trailers only.

Q. What is considered an overweight axle?
A. Any axle exceeding the following allowable weights:

• Single axles (axles spaced 8 ft. and over) – 21,000 lbs.
• Tandem axles (spaced 4 ft. or less) – 24,000 lbs. for the tandem (12,000 per axle)
• Tandem axles (spaced over 4 ft. but less than 8 ft.) – 34,000 lbs. for the tandem (17,000 per axle)

(Tri-axles: same as for tandems, depending on the axle spacing, either 12,000 or 17,000 per axle). Click here to view Special Hauling Permit Information.

Q. What is the maximum rear overhang allowed?
A. We don’t have a maximum rear overhang. Toll Collectors are authorized to deny any vehicle that has a rear overhang that is deemed too long or unsafe. Rear overhangs beyond 4 ft. are restricted to daylight travel only .Rear overhangs exceeding 15’0” are also restricted to daylight travel only and require one (1) rear escort. Click here to view Special Hauling Permit Information.

Q. Can I travel at night if my vehicle is over-dimensional?
A. Vehicles exceeding 10 feet in width and 90 feet in length or with a rear overhang exceeding 4 feet are restricted to daylight travel only. Rear overhangs exceeding 15’0” are restricted to daylight travel only and require one (1) rear escort. Click here to view Special Hauling Permit Information.

Q. When can I get an over-dimensional/overweight permit at the entering toll plaza?
A. Permits for vehicles 11 feet wide or less, 112 feet long or less, and 14 feet high or less will be available at the toll plaza; however permits issued at the plaza will incur an additional $25 processing fee. All overweight permits need to apply in advance. Click here to view Special Hauling Permit Information.

Q. How do I get an over-dimensional permit at the entering toll plaza?
A. All over-dimensional vehicles need to pull over to the right side, prior to the tollbooths and use the intercom phone by the ‘Park Here’ sign. A toll collector will advise what lane to enter. Click here to view Permit Fee Schedule.

Q. When do I have to apply in advance for an over-dimensional/overweight permit?
A. Vehicles exceeding 11 ft. width, 112 ft. length, over 90,000 lbs. gross weight or with overweight axles must apply in advance.

Q. How do I get an over-dimensional/overweight permit in advance?
A.  Click here to view Special Hauling Permit Information. To order a permit in advance, Click here to access the online Special Hauling Permits page.

Q. Do I have to fill out an application for every trip?
A. Yes, special hauling permits are issued per (one-way) trip only. Annual or blanket permits are not issued.

Q. What will my toll fare be if I travel on the Ohio Turnpike?
A. Toll fees are calculated based on height and number of axles and mileage between entering and exiting toll plazas.

Click here for the Fare Calculator

Over-dimensional/Overweight vehicles or vehicles with overweight axles click here to view Permit Fee Schedule.

Q. What is the cost of an over-dimensional/overweight permit?
A. Click here to view Permit Fee Schedule.

Q. Can I travel on the Ohio Turnpike with Hazmat loads(explosives, compressed gasses, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidizers, poisons, radioactive materials, corrosive liquids, and/or miscellaneous)?
A. Yes, the Ohio Turnpike is a designated Hazmat route

Q. Do I need a permit for Hazmat loads?
A. Proper placards on the vehicle are required for all Hazmat loads. Per Ohio Administrative Code section 5537-5-02 (C) a permit is required for Radioactive shipments that meet the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Order EA-05-006 (Shipment of Radioactive Materials Quantities of Concern (RAMQC)) licensing requirements.

Q. If there is a high wind ban in effect, what vehicles are prohibited from traveling?
A. Click here for High Wind Ban information.

Q. Where can I find information for hauling Long Doubles or Triples on the Ohio Turnpike?
A. The ‘Provisions’ and an ‘Application to Operate’, for Long Doubles and Triples, may be reviewed or printed from our web site. After reading those documents please contact the Traffic Engineer’s office with any questions and to enroll in the program.

Q. Can I get a refund for an unused over-dimensional or overweight permit?
A. No, refunds will not be issued for unused or duplicate over-dimensional or overweight permits.

Q.What is the standard requirement for the rear signage for trucks exceeding 112 feet in length or 10 feet in width on the Ohio Turnpike?
A. Warning signs, shall be in good repair, shall read "OVERSIZE LOAD" and shall be at least 7 feet long and 18 inches high. The sign's background shall be yellow with black lettering. Letters shall be at least 10 inches high with a 1.41-inch brush stroke. If series E Modified is used, the brush stroke is to be two inches.