Ohio (OH) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

Escort requirements, travel restrictions, and signage rules for oversize/overweight loads in Ohio.

Legal Dimensions — Ohio

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
13'6"
Max Length
53'0"
Gross Weight
80,000 lbs
Front Overhang
3'0"
Rear Overhang
4'0"

Interstate Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 13'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
13'1" 14'6" 1 Rear Rear on multi-lane highways
14'7" 16'0" 2 Front + Rear
16'1" 20'0" 2 Police Front + Rear Law enforcement escort required

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'6" 0 Permit required, no escort
14'7" 14'10" 1 Front Height sensing device required on escort
Height pole required
14'11" 18'0" 2 Front + Rear Height sensing device required on lead escort
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 90'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
90'1" 120'0" 1 Rear
120'1" 150'0" 2 Front + Rear Configuration dependent

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
4'1" 15'0" 0 Flags required at rear overhang 4'+

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
120,001 lbs 200,000 lbs 0 Permit required, may need police escort if also over 13' wide
120,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Police Front + Rear Police escort required when over 13' wide AND over 120,000 lbs
Route survey required

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 13'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
13'1" 14'6" 1 Front Lead escort on 2-lane roads
14'7" 16'0" 2 Front + Rear
16'1" 20'0" 2 Police Front + Rear Law enforcement escort required

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'6" 0 Permit required, no escort
14'7" 14'10" 1 Front Height sensing device required
Height pole required
14'11" 18'0" 2 Front + Rear Height sensing device required on lead escort
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 90'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
90'1" 120'0" 1 Rear
120'1" 150'0" 2 Front + Rear

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
4'1" 15'0" 0 Flags required at rear overhang 4'+

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
120,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Police Front + Rear Police escort required when over 13' wide AND over 120,000 lbs
Route survey required

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Sunrise to sunset
Night Travel
Not permitted for oversize loads
Weekend Travel
Saturday travel until noon only. No Sunday travel.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
Loads over 12' wide prohibited 6:30-9:00 AM and 4:30-6:00 PM weekdays. Friday (Apr 1 - Nov 30): 12'+ wide loads permitted until 3:00 PM only.

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required front and rear for loads over 10' wide, over 14'6" high, or over legal length
Flags
Red/orange flags at extremities
Additional Notes
Amber lights on escort vehicles, headlights required during movement
Disclaimer: These regulations are for informational purposes only. Always verify with the Ohio Department of Transportation before moving any oversize/overweight load. Regulations change frequently.

Moving an Oversize Load Through Ohio?

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