Exceptions to Permit Conditions

Mobile/modular homes (including office and construction trailers, and portable schoolhouse)

Maximum overall width in Ontario is five metres (16’5”), and overall length (including tractor and home) is 31.09 metres (102’).

Mobile/modular homes greater than 29.25 metres (96’) and up 31.09 metres (102’) in length are not permitted to travel in convoy, and require two private-escort warning vehicles to accompany each load. The towing commercial motor vehicle must be equipped with dual drive axles.

Two mobile/modular homes less than 29.25 metres (96’) that require a private-escort warning vehicle for width of four metres (13’) or greater are permitted to travel in convoy (maximum two).

Overhang

The overhang allowed from the centre of the rearmost axle to end of the load under permit is 4.65 metres (15’).  An overhang greater than 4.65 metres (15’) under permit requires a private-escort warning vehicle to follow the authorized load.

Night moves

Overall height of 4.26 metres (14’) and/or weight of 63,500 kilograms (140,000 lb.) are allowed night travel between a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise on single- and multi-lane highways.

Overall length of 25 metres (82’) is allowed night travel between a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise on single- and multi-lane highways. Also includes conditions as in box 2 in the table.

Additional conditions will accompany the requirements, depending on the specifics of the permit request. Prior to travel, the operator is responsible to read and understand all conditions of the permit.

Super load

When applying for a permit with exceptional dimensions over six metres in width, and/or 45.75 metres or greater in length, and/or over 120,000 kilograms, an operator should submit their application to the St. Catharines permit-issuing office at least five days prior to the proposed move date, due to the more-involved approval process.  The approval process requires a minimum of 72 hours, and may take up to 14 days prior to processing.

Loads in excess of 120,000 kilograms, gross vehicle weight, and/or six metres in width intending to travel on two-lane highways; or seven metres in width to travel on multi-lane highways, and/or 45.75 metres in length, are considered to be "super loads."  These are not considered to be routine permit applications, and will require additional time for consideration and processing.  Applications for super loads will require supplementary documentation, and be subject to a thorough review by the MTO's weight-and-load engineer, as well as various senior ministry management personnel as circumstances may warrant.

Long-wheelbase tractors

Ontario Regulation 413/05 has reaffirmed Ontario’s preference in restricting the wheelbase of tractor units to the 6.20-metre national standard. The wheelbase dimension is measured from the centre of the steer axle to the centre of the drive-axle group (typically the middle of the drive axles). Operators specialized in the transportation of oversize/overweight, indivisible loads will frequently operate over-length tractors to accommodate additional axles, heavier duty suspensions and/or sliding fifth-wheel assemblies for proper weight distribution.

These requirements are generally acknowledged by MTO, and these operators are routinely authorized to operate this fleet of specialized vehicles for routine "permitted” transportation of lighter oversize/overweight loads. However, this accommodation is not intended to inadvertently authorize operation of over-length tractors equipped with large sleeper berths or living quarters, frequently utilized in other jurisdictions.

Permit-issuing staff have been instructed to verify tractor wheelbase dimensions, and if they suspect that a carrier is unnecessarily utilizing an over-length tractor, they are to ask for clarification and/or support documentation defining the requirements for this over-length tractor. Rationale, such as on-board generators, is frequently unjustified due to their compact size and abundant availability of portable rental units suitable for most applications. Operators should expect to provide a photograph of the combination in support of their justification.

Long-combination vehicles (LCV) permits and routes

In Canada, any combination of vehicles over 25 metres overall length is considered to be an LCV. Ontario LCVs are made up of a tractor pulling two full-length semi-trailers up to 40 metres in overall length.

LCV Program has established stringent program conditions governing operators, drivers, special LCV equipment and LCV operations. The conditions are specific, and structured to achieve safety, environmental and economic objectives for the program.

Participating operators are responsible for verifying that drivers and instructors meet the specified qualifications, training and experience, and have obtained an Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) issued certificate. This includes ensuring that:

• LCV drivers are proven safe and reliable tractor trailer operators with a minimum of 5 years experience.
• All LCV drivers successfully complete specified LCV driver training that includes classroom, yard and on-road training and evaluation including at least 1,000 km of practical LCV experience.
• LCV instructors have at least 10,000 km of LCV experience.

	Existing tractor trailer (Max. Weight 63,500 kg)
	Existing double trailer (Max. Weight 63,500 kg)
	LCV (Max. Weight 63,500 kg)

Operators are required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Transportation signifying that the operator accepts responsibilities as outlined in the program conditions. All approved operators must maintain a satisfactory Carrier Safety Rating, not just in their LCV operations, but in all their operations.

Strict guidelines detailing the vehicle configuration, dimensions and weight allowances are specified in the permit conditions. LCVs cannot be heavier than single tractor-trailers. LCVs are required to have special equipment including horsepower minimums, on-board speed recording devices, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), additional lighting, rear signage and electronic stability control (ESC).

LCV permits have specific and detailed operating restrictions that outline where and when participants may operate these vehicles. Permit conditions outline that LCVs may only operate on approved routes, must not detour off approved routes for any reason, including for road closures, and must not operate on any routes on the evening preceding and the last evening of long weekends.

LCVs must not exceed a speed of 90 km/h, and must not travel in the Greater Toronto Area during morning and afternoon rush hours. LCVs are not permitted to carry livestock or dangerous goods requiring a placard. LCVs must not operate during the winter months of December, January and February and must not operate during inclement weather, poor visibility or poor road conditions.

Information on this program can be found at: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/LCV-Pilot-Program-Review-Mar-1-2011-Final.pdf