Oversize / Overweight Permits in Maine

Maine Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Maine law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversize/overweight load:

Legal Size Limit:

Width: 8′ 6″ (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
Height: 13′ 6″ (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
Overall length: 74′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
Semi-trailer length: 53′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)

Legal Weight Limit:

Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load)
Single axle: 20,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
Tridem axle: 54,000 lb.

Maine Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits

A general single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversize and overweight loads exceeding the legal limits. It covers one movement from point A to point B during the running times specified in the permit. You may require a round-trip permit to be brought back to the original location. The cost varies depending on the type of permit.

More details:
https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/commercial/olpermits.html

Maine Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

This permit allows unrestricted movement for up to 365 days, allowing a particular vehicle and approved load to repeatedly travel between two points on designated routes.

General requirements:

width: 8′ 6”
height: 14”
length: 65′

The permit fee varies from $25 for oversize-only permits to $250 for both oversize and overweight ones.

More information:

https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/commercial/olpermits.html

Maine Wide Load Requirements

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Maine Department of Transportation.

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All extremities of oversized vehicles and loads must be marked with 18″ red square flags(at least four flags).

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

All non-escorted oversize vehicles must be equipped with “oversize load” banners(signs).

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

7′ long and 18″ high signs with 10″ high letters on the yellow background.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Keep the headlights set to their lower intensity
Turn on the flashing, rotating light bar with amber lights positioned on the roof of the cab
When the vehicle is not larger than the standard size, make sure to turn off the lights mentioned in point 2

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

Required if over 80′ long or wider than 12′ (divided highway – rear, undivided highways – front)
Special amber lighting: flashing, rotating lights, or a light bar on top corners
Signage: “Oversize load” in black 8-inch letters on yellow background, 5′ wide by 12″ high
Rear bumper for trailing, front bumper for leading

Note: There can be additional escort requirements by the Commissioner based on the permit.

Maine Wide Load Restrictions

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Maine wide load permits, state highway permits exclude oversized loads on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, as well as weekends in July and August.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Travel with oversized vehicles/loads is generally allowed only during daylight hours, within 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, Monday through Friday.

Note: Maine Turnpike limits: max height 13’6″, max width 14’6″.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Maine adheres to the Federal Bridge Formula that provides specific bridge restrictions. As for the oversize road restrictions, they include but are not limited to the following:

driving through work zones that are under construction
neglecting warning signals when driving through work zones
not giving traffic priority to law enforcement, emergency vehicles, etc

Oversize Seasonal Weight Restrictions:

Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada. Specific restrictions may appear for Maine oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Every spring, Maine DOT assesses road damage risks from freeze/thaw. Weight limits may be placed to prevent harm. Local areas also do this. Thus, a road open to 15 tons in cold weather might only handle 5 tons during thaw. State road limit: 23,000 pounds. Posting is brief, shielding vulnerable roads.

Maine Wide Load Limits

Maine sticks to the Federal legal width limit of 8′ 6″. Everything wider requires a permit to be moved on public roads.

Maximum Load Limits Until a Trucking Permit Is Required:

8′ 6″ (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)

Axle Weight Limits:

Legal axle weight limit:

Single axle: 20,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 34,000 lb.
Tridem axle: 54,000 lb.
Four axles: 69,000 lb.

Note: You should rely on the Federal Bridge Formula to determine the maximum legal weight.

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

The maximum permitted axle weight varies depending on the permit type.

Single axle: 20,000 lb.
Tandem axle: 39,100 lb.
Tridem axle: 62,100 lb.
Four axles: 73,000 lb.

For more information:

https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/

Oversize Tire Regulations:

Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum legal tread depth of 2/32 inches.

Tread depth checked with 1/32 inch gauge. Readings needed in major grooves, 2 points at least 15 inches apart. Tread design across tires measured at the center.

Studded tires allowed Oct 2 – Apr 30 during icy conditions.

Maine evaluates spring highway damage and imposes weight limits. Municipalities do similar for local roads. Summer/winter 15-ton roads might drop to 5 tons in thaw. State road max: 23,000 lbs; temporary posting protects vulnerable roads.

Maine Trip Permits

The state of Maine allows out-of-state operators and carriers (in excess of 26,000 pounds) to obtain a 72-hour IRP permit (temporary trip permit) for $25. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Maine Fuel Permits

The state of Maine allows out-of-state operators and carriers (in excess of 26,000 pounds) to obtain a 72-hour IFTA permit for $50. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Maine Specialty Permits

The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight.

Mobile Home and Modular Home Permits:

Homes measuring 11′ 6” or wider require:

a truck with a weight rating of 26,001 lbs or more with dual rear wheels on the drive axle as a power unit

Homes measuring 13′ 6” or wider, along with the details mentioned above, require:

flashing or rotating amber lights on the mobile home or modular unit
the lights must be positioned high on the far left rear, above the oversize sign and high on the far right rear, above the oversize sign

Amber Light Permits:

Vehicles escorting oversize loads shall be equipped with roof-mounted amber warning lights.

Loading Zone Permits:

A loading zone permit may be issued for using commercial loading zones by non-commercial delivery vehicles.

For more information about specialty permits:

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Maine

Oversize and overweight fines in Maine depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight.

Minimum fines:

Interstate highways: $60 (cannot be waived), plus court costs.
Other highways: $30, plus court costs.

Progressive fine system:

1-10% overweight: $10 per each percent
11-20% overweight: $100 + $65 per each percent over 10%
21-30% overweight: $750 + $75 per each percent over 20%
31-40% overweight: $1,500 + $105 per each percent over 30%
41-50% overweight: $2,550 + $180 per each percent over 40%
over 50% overweight: $3,950 + $180 per each percent over 50%

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Maine

The cost of Maine OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $25 for a single-trip permit and can reach over $250 for an annual one.

You may also be charged an application fee for processing and handling your permit request.

Trucking Permit Service

Express Permits provides a full spectrum of trucking permit services, assisting motor carriers in obtaining the appropriate oversize and overweight permits, coordinating with authorities, and ensuring compliance with state regulations, saving valuable time, effort, and potential penalties. You can rely on us regardless of your load’s type, nature, and destination.