Ohio Trucking Laws and Regulations

The federal government restricts the size and weight of trucks that can travel on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Trucks are limited to:

• 80,000 pounds for the gross weight of a vehicle,

• 20,000 pounds for a single axle, or

• 34,000 pounds for a tandem axle.

However, states have the option to issue permits allowing overweight or oversized vehicles to travel on these highways or any other roads.

In Ohio, all vehicles that are wider than 8 feet 6 inches, higher than 13 feet 6 inches or longer than 40 feet (with some exceptions for tractor-trailers, vehicle transporters, semi-trailers and buses) must obtain an oversize permit. All vehicles weighing more than 20,000 pounds for one axle, or 34,000 pounds for tandem axles, must obtain an overweight permit. In addition, oversize trucks that plan to travel on the Ohio Turnpike, county routes, or township routes must obtain permits from authorities in each.

The following vehicles are exempt from the need for oversize permits: fire trucks and fire engines, vehicles and pole trailers transporting wooden and metal poles or pipes, well drilling equipment and farm machinery.

Trucks that are only overweight have no travel hour restrictions. Trucks that exceed limitations on width, length or height can travel only from sunrise to sunset and cannot travel on certain holidays (New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). Trucks whose width is greater than 12 feet also cannot travel during rush hour in certain counties (Butler, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Delaware, Fairfield, Geauga, Hamilton, Lake, Licking, Lorain, Lucas, Madison, Medina, Montgomery, Pickaway, Stark, Summit, Union, Warren and Wood).

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration mandates that all oversized trucks carry $750,000 in liability insurance, $500,000 in cargo insurance, and a $10,000 bond. In Ohio, proof of financial responsibility must be provided to the Ohio Department of Transportation Central Permit Office before any permit will be issued. Tandem trailer combinations must carry insurance of $500,000 for each person injured, $2,000,000 for each occurrence of bodily injury, and $1,000,000 for property damage. Endorsements or surety of bond in confirmation is not acceptable.

Has a Trucking Accident Occurred?

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, PC accepts and successfully resolves major trucking injury cases nationwide. Our lawyers, paralegals, and other professionals are specially trained to evaluate, develop, and negotiate these difficult cases to protect and benefit our clients. You do not pay any fee unless we win money damages for you. That means you can get the most experienced legal help and it won't cost one dime more than you would pay any other firm -- and we get RESULTS!

The goal of Munley, Munley & Cartwright is simple and direct: To Successfully Resolve the Legal Problems of our Clients.

If you have questions about an accident involving a tractor trailer, let us go to work for you.

You can contact the trucking attorneys of Munley, Munley & Cartwright for a free consultation by completing our online accident evaluation form -or- calling toll-free at 877-421-9175.