The following information about Maryland Oversize Permits is for informational purposes only. It’s important to always read your permits and provisions sheets carefully as we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. If you have any questions or need assistance, you can contact the following number.

Maryland DOT #: 410-545-0300

Maryland Oversize Permits Duration

Maryland oversize permits remain effective for a duration of five travel days, and it is imperative to acquire the permit before entering the state.

Operating Time

Travel is permitted one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset on Mondays through Fridays, and until noon on Saturdays (exceptions apply, see Restricted Travel below). Additionally, starting from April 1, 2013, Maryland Oversize Permits introduced night travel allowances between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am for dimensions not exceeding 12 feet wide, 75 feet long, 14 feet 6 inches high, and 120,000 pounds on unrestricted routes. Requests for night travel must be included when applying for the permit. It’s important to note that this is outlined as a pilot program and may be subject to change.

Restricted Travel in Maryland

Movement across any toll facilities is prohibited from noon on Friday until 9:00 am on Monday. This restriction extends to all of I-95 from Baltimore to the Delaware line. Vehicles exceeding 12 feet in width or weighing over 92,000 pounds are permitted to travel only between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm (and until noon on Saturdays) when on the Capital Beltway I-495/I-95 and Baltimore Beltway I-695. For vehicles with a width of 14 feet or more, travel is restricted to the hours between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm (and until noon on Saturdays) on any highway. No travel is permitted on six major holidays and holiday weekends (verify with the Permit Office).

Baltimore City:

Included with the Maryland state permit are permits for the predefined route into or out of Dundalk Marine Terminal in Baltimore, given that the dimensions do not exceed 120,000 pounds, 12 feet in width, 14 feet 6 inches in height, and 85 feet in length. However, for loads with different destinations or origins within Baltimore, or loads surpassing these specified dimensions, separate permits must be obtained directly from Baltimore City. It’s worth noting that this process is typically slow, with a minimum 24-hour turnaround time.

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Call (832) 454-5883 For Permit Consultation

Legal Dimensions for Maryland Oversize Permits

Length:

  • 53′ semi-trailer on Interstate and designated highways
  • 48′ trailer all other roads
  • Trailers with a length exceeding 48 feet must comply with the following restrictions: the distance from the kingpin to the center of the rear tandem axles should not surpass 41 feet, and the setback from the front of the trailer to the kingpin must not exceed 4 feet.

Overhang:

  • 3′ front
  • 6′ rear

Width:

  • 8′-6″ Interstate & designated highways
  • 8′ all other roads

Height:

13′-6″ (over 13′-6″ not permitted on flat-bed).

Weight:

80,000 Gross

  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 34,000
  • Tridem – 42,500

Routine Permit Limits in Maryland

Length:

120′

Width:

16′

Height:

16’ (overheight cannot be permitted on a flatbed). Over 14′-6″ now requires a route survey.

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.

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Escort Requirements for Maryland  Oversize Load Permits

Length:

  • Over 85′ – one escort
  • 140′ or more – two escorts

Width:

  • Over 13′ – one escort
  • 14′ or more – two escorts
  • 16′ or more – Police escort

In Montgomery and Prince George Counties, loads exceeding 12 feet in width on two-lane undivided roads require two escorts.

Height:

For loads with a height of 14 feet 6 inches or more, the requirement includes one escort with a height pole (additional route-specific conditions may apply), and the application must be accompanied by a route survey.

Weight:

  • For loads exceeding 120,000 pounds, one civilian escort is necessary. Additionally, a police escort is mandatory for the entire route if any segment of the journey involves non-Interstate highways.
  • For loads surpassing 130,000 pounds, a police escort is mandatory, even on routes limited to Interstates.

Miscellaneous

Construction equipment can have a blade or bucket attached, up to a width of 12 feet. However, if the load exceeds the permissible weight limit, a detached blade and dozer cannot be transported together. In such cases, the blade must be transported separately.

Signs, Flags & Lights for Maryland Oversize Load Permits

If a vehicle and its load exceed 9 feet in width, it is mandatory to display “Oversize Load” or “Wide Load” signs.