Navigating the regulations for oversize and overweight (O/O) vehicles can be complex. A frequent question is: Can Wide Loads Travel At Night? This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the rules and restrictions surrounding oversize and overweight permits, with a particular focus on nighttime travel in Ontario, Canada, drawing primarily from the Highway Traffic Act (HTA).
Understanding Overweight and Oversize Permits
An oversize/overweight permit is essential when a vehicle’s dimensions or weight exceed the standard limitations set by law. These permits ensure that O/O vehicles move safely and efficiently while minimizing risks to infrastructure and other road users. When planning a move that exceeds the allowable limits set out in the HTA, alternative transport modes such as rail, air or water should be considered.
Maximum Legal Limits Without a Permit:
- Maximum Width: 2.6 m (exceptions exist for raw forest products and road service vehicles)
- Maximum Length (Single Vehicle): 12.5 m (exceptions exist for fire apparatus and semi-trailers)
- Maximum Length (Combination): 23 m
- Maximum Height: 4.15 m
- Maximum Weight: Determined by axle configuration and spacing.
When is a Permit Required?
A permit is generally required for indivisible loads that cannot be easily reduced in size or weight without compromising their intended use or value, or requiring significant time and resources to dismantle.
Permits are issued when:
- The load’s intended use would be compromised by separating it.
- The value of the load or vehicle would be destroyed by separating it.
- Dismantling the load would require more than 8 work hours using appropriate resources and equipment.
Night Moves: The Rules and Restrictions
The ability to move oversize loads at night depends on several factors, including the dimensions of the load, the type of highway, and weather conditions.
General Guidelines for Night Moves:
Night moves are permitted for all permit types with certain restrictions, provided all conspicuity requirements are met. These include proper lighting and signage to ensure the load is visible to other drivers.
Criteria 1: Overlength/Overwidth
- Moves Allowed: Vehicles and loads up to 3.05 m wide and 25 m long are permitted for night moves.
- Routes: Restricted to multi-lane controlled access highways with a median, where the lane width is typically 3.75 m.
Criteria 2: Overheight/Overweight
- Moves Allowed: Vehicles and loads up to 4.26 m high and 63,500 kg are permitted for night moves.
- Routes: Allowed on all King’s highways.
Conditions for Both Criteria:
- Conspicuity Requirements: Extremities must be marked with solid amber lamps visible in the front and rear, conforming to SAE Code P2 or P3. A retro-reflective “D” sign must also be present.
- Weather Conditions: Night moves are strictly prohibited during inclement weather. This includes conditions such as partly snow-covered, fully snow-covered, snow-packed, or icy roads, as well as road closures or reduced visibility (500 m or less). Travel is also disallowed if continuous use of windshield wipers is required.
If inclement weather is encountered en route, the operator must proceed to the nearest safe stopping point, away from traffic, or as directed by a police officer.
Statutory Holiday and Weekend Moves
Understanding restrictions on statutory holidays and weekends is crucial for planning O/O moves.
Statutory Holidays
Oversize/overweight moves are generally permitted on statutory holidays and the preceding day, with specific restrictions on dimensions and timing.
- Moves Allowed (Statutory Holiday): Between ½ hour before sunrise and noon for dimensions not exceeding 3.70 m width on two-lane highways (3.85 m on multi-lane), 25 m length for combination vehicles (12.50 m for single vehicles), 4.26 m height, and 63,500 kg weight.
- Restrictions: Movement exceeding the above dimensions is not permitted on statutory holidays.
The following are statutory holidays:
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New Year’s Day
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Family Day
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Good Friday (Easter)
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Victoria Day
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Canada Day
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August Civic Holiday
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Labour Day
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Thanksgiving
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Christmas Day
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Boxing Day
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Moves Allowed (Preceding Day): All day for dimensions not exceeding 3.70 m width on two-lane highways (3.85 m on multi-lane), 25 m length for combination vehicles (12.50 m for single vehicles), 4.26 m height, and 63,500 kg weight.
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Restrictions: Vehicles exceeding the above dimensions are only allowed to travel between ½ hour before sunrise and noon on the preceding day.
Weekend Moves
Weekend moves are allowed with specific restrictions on dimensions and additional limitations during summer months.
- Moves Allowed (Saturdays and Sundays): All day for dimensions not exceeding 4.99 m width and 45.75 m length for combination vehicles (12.5 m for single vehicles). Weight is determined by the weight and load engineer.
- Sunday Restrictions (Summer Months): Travel is not permitted between noon and midnight during June, July, and August in Southern Ontario, and July and August in Northern Ontario for overweight vehicles/loads.
- Moves Allowed (Fridays): All day for all dimensions except during summer restrictions.
- Friday Restrictions (Summer Months): Travel is not permitted between 3:00 pm and midnight during June, July, and August in Southern Ontario, and July and August in Northern Ontario.
- Exceptions: Travel may be permitted for vehicles up to 4.26 m height and 63,500 kg overall weight.
Types of Permits
Ontario offers several types of permits to accommodate various O/O transport needs.
- Annual Permits: Valid for 12 months, allowing travel on all King’s highways and toll highways with a transponder, within specified dimensions and weight limits.
- Project Permits: Issued to contractors for moving similar loads over the same route for up to 6 months, subject to traffic and construction assessments.
- Single Trip Permits: Facilitate a one-way O/O move along a specified route within a limited time, with dimensions and weight determined by the permit.
- Superload Permits: Required for loads exceeding 120,000 kg gross vehicle weight, 5 meters in width, or 45.75 meters in length, subject to rigorous review and additional documentation.
Key Considerations for Permit Issuance
Permit issuers consider several critical factors before granting an O/O permit, including:
- Application completeness and accuracy.
- Impact on the safety and convenience of other road users.
- Physical characteristics of the proposed route.
- Bridge restrictions and traffic conditions.
- Special events and potential weather conditions.
- Distance to be traveled and duration of the move.
- Feasibility of alternative transportation methods.
- Potential for reducing the load’s size or weight.
Navigating Congested Traffic
Vehicles traveling under single trip or project permits in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) face specific restrictions to mitigate traffic congestion.
Permits are invalid during peak hours in the GTA for vehicles exceeding 3.70 m width (single highways) or 3.85 m width (multi-lane highways), 25 m length, 4.26 m height, or 63,500 kg weight.
- Inbound Traffic (7:00 am – 9:30 am): Restricted in areas west of Thickson Rd (Hwy 401), south of King Road (Hwy 400) or Stouffville Road (Hwy 404), and east of Trafalgar Road (Hwy 401) or Hwy 8 (Hwy 403) to the junction 403/407ETR/QEW (QEW).
- Outbound Traffic (3:30 pm – 6:30 pm): Restricted in the same areas as inbound traffic.
- Outbound Traffic (7:00 am – 9:30 am): Restricted in areas west of Whites Road (Hwy 401), south of King Road (Hwy 400) or Stouffville Road (Hwy 404), and east of Hwy 10 (Hwy 401) or Bronte Road (QEW).
- Inbound Traffic (3:30 pm – 6:30 pm): Restricted in the same areas as outbound traffic.
Permit Conditions and Requirements
Adhering to all permit conditions is mandatory. Violations can lead to permit termination and prosecution. Key conditions include:
- Security of Loads: Loads must be firmly secured to prevent dislodgement.
- Flags, Signs, and Lighting: O/O vehicles require specific flags, signs (“OVERSIZE LOAD” or “D” sign), and lighting, especially during night moves.
- Escort Requirements: Depending on the load’s dimensions, private escort warning vehicles or Certified Superload Escorts may be required.
Certified Superload Escorts
Certified Superload Escorts (CSEs) are essential for managing superload movements, ensuring safety and compliance. They must complete an MTO-approved training course and meet specific requirements for licensing, vehicle signage, clothing, and communication devices.
Finding Additional Information
This guide aims to provide a clear understanding of the regulations governing oversize and overweight loads, with a focus on night moves. For detailed information, always refer to the official documentation and resources provided by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
For more information, contact:
Permit Issuing Office
301 St. Paul Street, 3rd Floor St Catharines, Ontario, L2R 7R4
Tel: 416-246-7166 or Toll-free: 1-800-387-7736 (Ontario residence only)
Email: [email protected]
