Maryland Oversize Permits Information
Permits
Maryland Oversize Permits are valid for 5 days. Driver must have a permit prior to entering the state.
Operating Time
One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, Monday through Friday and Saturday until Noon (see Restricted Travel, below, for some exceptions).Maryland started allowing travel 24/7 when dimensions do not exceed 12’ wide, 90’ long, 14’6” high and 120,000 pounds on routes that are not otherwise restricted. Night travel must be requested when applying for the permit. This is listed as a pilot program so it may change.
Restrictions
No movements across any toll facilities allowed from noon Friday until 9:00 A.M. Monday. This restriction is also applied to all of I-95 from Baltimore to the Delaware line. Over 12′ wide or over 92,000 pounds can only travel 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. (and Saturday until Noon) when on the Capital Beltway I-495/I-95 and Baltimore Beltway I-695. If 14′ wide or more, travel is only allowed from 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. (and Saturday until Noon on any highway. No travel on six major Holidays and Holiday weekends (check with the Permit Office).
Toll Facilities: Far right lane must be used for all oversized loads. Toll facilities must be contacted at least 1 hour prior to arrival. If the lane is closed – Pull up – Wait – MDTA will open for you.
BALTIMORE CITY: Baltimore permits for the predefined route into or out of Dundalk Marine Terminal are now included with the Maryland state permit provided the dimensions are under 120,000 pounds, 12′ wide, 14’6″ high and 85′ long. Loads with other Baltimore destinations or origins, or loads exceeding these dimensions have to be ordered separately from Baltimore City, which is usually slow with a 24-hour (minimum) turn-around time.
Speed Limit
Maximum posted limits unless otherwise specified on permit.
Legal Dimensions
The vehicle must have the following characteristics:
Width: 8’6″ Interstate & designated highways, 8′ all other roads.
Height: 13’6″ (over 13’6″ not permitted on flat-bed).
Length: 53′ semi-trailer on Interstate and designated highways, 48′ trailer all other roads. Trailers over 48′ are not to exceed 41′ kingpin to center of rear tandem axles, and not more than 4′ set back from front of the trailer to kingpin.
Overhang: 3′ front; 6′ rear
Weight: 80,000 Gross; Single – 20,000; Tandem – 34,000; Tridem – 42,500
70′ poles, steel, etc. including 5′ rear overhang are legal. Shall not extend more than 10′ beyond rear.
Routine Maryland Oversize Permit Limits
Width: 16′
Height: 16′
Length: 140′
Weight: 120,000 (non-Interstate) to 150,000 (Interstate) Single – 27,000; Tandem – 52,000; Tridem – 63,000
Loads exceeding these dimensions are treated as super loads. Over 120,000 pounds gross on any non-Interstate routes is a superload.
Escorts
Width: Over 13′ – 1 escort pilot car; 14′ or more – 2 escort pilot cars; at 16′ or more – 2 escort pilot cars and 1 Police escort.
Montgomery and Prince George Counties: loads over 12′ wide on 2-lane undivided – 2 escort pilot cars
Length: Over 85′ – 1 escort pilot car; 140′ or more – 2 escort pilot cars.
Height: 14’6″ or more – 1 escort pilot car with height pole (some routes may have other requirements), and a route survey must accompany the application.
Weight: Over 120,000 pounds – 1 escort pilot cars and 1 Police escort is required on the entire route if any part of the route is on non-Interstate highways; over 130,000 pounds – 2 escort pilot cars and 1 Police escort (required even on Interstate-only routes).
Security Measures
“Oversize Load” or “Wide Load” signs are required if the vehicle and load exceeds 9′ in width. Flags and/or lights are needed for a rear overhang exceeding 4’. The flags are to be fastened at each corner and placed at the widest extremities. Instead of flags, red lights shall be displayed on the overhang and 1 on each side of the load.