Maryland

Width

8'6"

Height

13'6"

Length — semi-trailer

53'

Length — overall

74' (indivisible loads up to 70' may move without a permit in daylight hours)

Legal overhang — front

3'

Legal overhang — rear

6' (flags/lamps required beyond 4' rear)

Single axle

20,000 lb.

Tandem axle

34,000 lb.

Tridem axle

42,500 lb.

Max gross weight

80,000 lb.

Phone

410-582-5712

Fax

800-945-3416

Hours

7:30 AM – 4:00 PM Eastern

Website

ahps.roads.maryland.gov/ahps

One escort is required on any highway when the load is more than 13' wide (excluding manufactured housing), more than 85' long, 14'6" high or more (pole vehicle required), more than 60 tons gross, or when weather/road conditions justify it. Two escorts are required for loads 14' wide or more (including manufactured housing units) or 140' long or more. A police escort is required for any permit move 16' wide or more, 75 tons gross or more, when conditions justify it, or when traveling against traffic (which may require two escort vehicles). Escort vehicles must maintain two-way radio contact, carry at least one oscillating/rotating yellow roof light, run headlights during the move, and display an "Oversize" sign front and rear (black letters on a yellow background).

Maximum weight per axle is 30,000 lbs up to 110,000 lbs GVW, and 27,000 lbs from 110,001 lbs GVW and over.

An out-of-state operator must obtain a Maryland 72-Hour Trip Permit prior to entering Maryland, purchasable through a vendor or directly through the Motor Vehicle Administration by mail, fax, or in person.

A vehicle found 5,000 lbs or more over any allowable weight limit may not be moved until the excess weight is unloaded, and a violation exceeding 5,000 lbs may subject the permit to immediate confiscation.

Loads up to 150,000 lbs GVW, 13' wide, 14'6" high, and 90' long may move 24/7. All other loads must move from 1/2 hour after sunrise to 1/2 hour before sunset, with no Sunday travel. Loads over 45 tons gross, 100' or more in length, or 12' or more wide crossing the Capital Beltway (I-495/I-95) or Baltimore Beltway (I-695) are limited to 9:00 AM–3:30 PM; loads 14' wide or more are limited to 9:00 AM–3:30 PM on any highway. Travel is prohibited on New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (the MDOT SHA Permit Office is also closed on MLK Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, and the day after Thanksgiving, though travel is not restricted on those additional days).

Two red lights are required on a rear overhang exceeding 4', indicating the widest part, plus one on each side of the load. "WIDE LOAD" or "OVERSIZE LOAD" signs are required for loads over 9' wide — 7' long, 18" high, black 10-inch letters on a yellow background. Red or orange fluorescent flags at least 18" square, fastened by at least one corner to a staff at the widest extremities, are required during daylight hours.

Chains are required on certain designated highways during a declared snow emergency. Studded snow tires are not allowed on vehicles with a registered gross weight over 10,000 lbs. Vehicles must run tires in safe operating condition, subject to officer inspection on reasonable cause. Regrooved or recut tires are prohibited unless specifically designed for it and compliant with U.S. DOT standards. Studs and cleats are prohibited except for vehicles not registered in Maryland passing through the state, or vehicles registered in Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, or Washington County (exempt from the prohibition).

Width

12 feet

Height

14 feet

Length

75 feet

Gross weight

Up to 80,000 lbs (40 tons)

Cost — monthly

$50.00

Cost — yearly

$500.00

The truck-tractor and semi-trailer/trailer must be properly registered in Maryland (an IRP cab card must be available if apportioned). A vehicle operating under its own power must display a Maryland Special Mobile Equipment Plate.

Orange signs, cones, and barrels mean a work zone is ahead — stay alert for reduced speed limits and narrow lanes, merge early, slow down, and don't follow too closely. Maryland law bans hand-held cell phone use and texting while driving. Plan ahead and check 511 or MDOT SHA's CHART site for current lane closures.

The same restrictions and operating requirements described above for escorts and overweight loads apply to manufactured housing units.