Oversize / Overweight Permits in Maryland

Maryland Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Maryland 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)
Length of a semi-trailer: 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)
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)
Front overhang: 3′
Rear overhang: 6′

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: 42,500 lb.

Maryland Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits

A general 72-hour 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.

For more details:

https://www.roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/index.aspx?PageId=58

Maryland Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

To obtain an annual permit, a load must meet the following requirements:

maximum length – 75′
maximum width – 12′
maximum height – 14′
maximum GVW – 80,000 lbs.

The cost of a monthly permit is $50. An annual permit costs $500.

Maryland Wide Load Requirements

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles.

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All extremities of oversized vehicles and loads must be marked with red or fluorescent orange 18″ square flags.

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

Maryland trailers, vehicles, or loads wider than 9′ to be equipped with “oversize load” or “wide load” banners.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

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

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Two red lights must be shown on the rear extension that extends more than 4′, indicating its widest part. Additionally, one red light should be displayed on each side of the load.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

One escort vehicle:

13′ up to 14′ wide loads (excluding mobiles homes and manufactured houses)
85′ long or greater
14′ 6″ high or greater (plus pole vehicle)
over 60 tons of GVW
poor weather conditions

Two escort vehicles:

14′ wide or greater
140′ long or greater

Police escort:

16′ wide or greater
over 75 tons of GVW
moving against traffic (two vehicles)

Note: Escort vehicles must feature an “oversize load” banner on both front and rear and a roof-mounted rotating yellow light.

Maryland Wide Load Restrictions

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

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Maryland wide load permits, oversize loads are not allowed to be transported on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

All loads not exceeding 150,000 lbs of GVW, 13′ in width, 14′ 6” in height, and 90′ in length can be transported 24/7. All other oversized loads can be transported from half an hour before sunrise till half an hour after sunset from Monday through Saturday.

Between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., the individual or entity with the permit is allowed to transport any vehicle and load that, when combined, exceeds a total weight of 45 tons, or has a length of 100 feet or more, or a width of 12 feet or more, across the following highways: I-495 and I-95 (Capital Beltway), or I-695 (Baltimore Beltway).

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Maryland 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:

While the Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada, no specific seasonal restrictions are provided by the state of Maryland. However, they may appear in Maryland oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Maryland Wide Load Limits

Maryland 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:

gross weight: 80,000 lbs (including the weight of the load)
single axle: 20,000 lbs
tandem axle: 34,000 lbs
tridem axle: 42,500 lbs

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

single axle – 27,000 lbs
tandem axle – 52,000 lbs
tridem axle – 63,000 lbs
quadrum axle (at least 40″ between axles) – 70,000 lbs
gross weight: 150,000 lbs (engineering structural analysis is required if exceeding 150,000 lbs)

Note: If the GVW does not exceed 110,000 lbs, the max weight per axle is 30,000 lbs, otherwise 27,000 lbs.

Oversize Tire Regulations:

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

Tires must not feature protuberances of any material other than rubber unless their use is required for safety and permitted. No vehicle with a GW over 10,000 lbs can travel with studded snow tires. The use of regrooved or recut tires is not allowed unless the tire is specifically designed to undergo regrooving or recutting.

Note: Owners of vehicles registered in Allegheny County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Garrett County, or Washington County are exempt from the prohibition of using studded tires.

Maryland Trip Permits

The state of Maryland issues 72-hour IRP permits for out-of-state operators willing to enter the state. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit.

Maryland Fuel Permits

IFTA permits are necessary for motor carriers driving in or through Maryland. They must pay a fuel use tax to obtain an IFTA license.

Maryland Specialty Permits

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

Manufactured Houses and Mobile Homes Permits:

Manufactured houses and mobile homes require a single-trip permit to be transported on public roads and highways. Depending on the dimensions, they may require private or police escort vehicles.

Amber Light Permits:

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

Loading Zone Permits:

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

For more information about specialty permits:

https://www.roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/index.aspx?PageId=500

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Maryland

Oversize and overweight fines in Maryland depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight. They vary from 1 cent per unpermitted pound (up to 1,000 pounds) to 40 cents per unpermitted pound (over 20,000 pounds).

Note: Vehicles with unpermitted weight exceeding 5,000 lbs are not allowed to drive until the weight is unloaded.

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Maryland

The cost of Maryland 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 exceed $500 for an annual permit.

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.