Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - Maryland

General requirements

Reducible expectations	The Hauling Permits Unit (Unit) may not issue a blanket hauling permit or a special hauling permit, or authorize the use of a book permit, if the vehicle and its load can be dismantled or disassembled or hauled in such a way that moves can be made within Maryland size and weight limits.
Permit timing	NS
Method of application	Applicants may apply by a prescribed form, wire, mail, telephone, on-line, or through J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266.
Payments accepted	Credit card, e-check, escrow and account for hauling permit payments are accepted.
Electronic permits	The original blanket hauling permit, book permit, or special mobile equipment continuous travel permit (not a copy) must be carried in the vehicle when moving the vehicle on a highway in Maryland.
Route surveys	No move which is expected to disturb any overhead wires, cables, signal or traffic lights, limbs of trees, or other structures may begin, until the permittee obtains permission and makes arrangements.

Insurance requirements

Liability	The permittee is responsible for payment of any damages that may occur as a direct or indirect result of the oversize or overweight movement. The permittee is also responsible for any additional expenses incurred by the Administration in connection with the permit or the move authorized by the permit.
Coverage	Persons hauling oversize or overweight loads in Maryland have two options to cover liability for damages caused by the move. A contractual liability clause may be added to the standard insurance certificate. Such a clause would hold the state of Maryland harmless from all damages to highways or other structures caused by the move or a performance bond may be filed to cover any loss or damages. Minimum amount of such a bond is $10,000, but additional amounts may be specified before a permit is issued. If the movement exceeds 100 tons, a cost bond in the amount of $1,500 may be required. The amount of the bond, however, may vary. The Administration may also require a surety bond to guarantee payment of the costs of any surveys, studies or investigations that the Administration may perform in order to determine any special conditions of the permit.

Available permits and fees

Overdimension
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Monthly	Blanket hauling permits will be issued for a vehicle properly registered and carrying an oversize load or traveling empty to or from carrying an oversize load, or special mobile equipment	$50
Annual		$500
Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Annual	Containerized Cargo Permit	none
Overdimension and/or Overweight
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single trip	Special Hauling Permit for a single movement of special mobile equipment or a vehicle where the vehicle and/or load is oversize or overweight. Authorizes the return of an empty oversize vehicle to its starting place if the empty vehicle does not exceed the legal weight limits.	$30 plus $5 for each ton or partial ton over 45 tons
Single trips	Book of 10 permits. Authorizes the return of an empty oversize vehicle to its starting place if the empty vehicle does not exceed the weight limits permits.	$300
Heavy weight port corridor container	A specific destination permit for Seagirt Marine Terminal ONLY and NOT for general container use. The fee is nonrefundable. • Up to 100,000 lbs • 22,400 lbs on a single axle • 44,000 lbs on two consecutive axles at least 4' apart • 60,000 lbs on a tridem • Tire ratings may not be exceeded. • Route and travel restrictions	$500
Special fees
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
	Special Hauling Permit Extension	$5

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
Length	Vehicles with buckets, blades, scoops, or other attachments over 12' in width must have those attachments removed and transported on another vehicle
Weight	Limitation
Tires	May not carry a load which exceeds the manufacturer's weight rating
Single axle	27,000 lbs. If non-reducible, may be conditionally approved for more weight upon review by the Administration's Office of Bridge Development to perform a bridge review and analysis on an individual basis
Axle combination	36,000 lbs
Configuration	Limitations
Blanket hauling	• 75' in length • 12' in width • 14' in height • In addition, special mobile equipment may not exceed a weight of 90,000 lbs including all tolerances and a single axle weight of 27,000 lbs
Book	• 13' in width • 15' in height • 85' in length • 90,000 lbs GVW • 27,000 lbs single axle
Special hauling	Overweight vehicles must be special mobile equipment or have 5 axles
Special mobile equipment	Special mobile equipment cannot be oversize. • 90,000 lbs GVW • 27,000 lbs single axle • Must meet the safety equipment requirements
Exceptional hauling	• Must have 6 or more axles • Minimum front to rear centerline axle spacing of no less than 50'
Sealed Containerized Cargo
Configuration	Limitations
Single axle	22,400 lbs
Tandem	44,000 lbs (axles at least 4' apart)
GVW	• 80,000 lbs for a 20' container loaded on a 20' intermodal chassis • 90,000 lbs for a 20' container loaded on a 40' or longer intermodal chassis • 90,000 lbs for a 40' container (only on certain routes specified by Maryland or the City of Baltimore; contact the Unit for more information)

Signs

General sign requirement	Any movement exceeding 9' in width must display signs on both the front and rear of the vehicle. The placement of signs may not interfere with the visibility of brake lights, turn signals, or any other required lamps or signals on the vehicle.
Escort sign requirement	The sign must be clearly visible to traffic approaching the escort vehicle. The placement of signs may not interfere with the visibility of brake lights, turn signals, or any other required lamps or signals on the vehicle.
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERSIZE LOAD/WIDE LOAD	7' x 18"	10" black lettering with 1.4" brushstroke	Yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD/WIDE LOAD	5' x 12"	8" black lettering	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	The headlights of the permitted vehicle must be illuminated during the move. Permitted vehicles need to display warning lights if operating at night.
Escort light requirements	An escort vehicle must be equipped with at least one warning light and the headlights of the escort vehicle must be illuminated while conducting the move.
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	Amber/red lights, flashing hazard lamps	Overlength loads with a rear overhang exceeding 4', (2) red lights must be displayed on the end of the overhang portion of the load, along with 1 red light on each side of the overhanging portion of the load. Overwidth loads that are: • Uniform in width, amber lights shall be displayed on the forward corners of the load and red lights shall be displayed on the rear corners of the load. • Overwidth for their entire length with a wider portion near the middle of the load, either amber or red lights shall be displayed at the front and rear corners of the load and amber lights shall be displayed on the sides of the load at the widest point. • Not uniform in width with the overwidth portion of the load at the extreme rear of the load, red lights shall be displayed on the side of the load at its widest point. • Not uniform in width with the overwidth portion of the load at the front of the load, amber lights shall be displayed on the side of the load at its widest point.
Escort light type and placement	3' minimum yellow oscillating or rotating light.	Mounted on the roof visible to the front and rear. In addition, if traveling 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, simultaneously flashing hazard warning lamps.

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Red or orange fluorescent flags	18" square	(2) flags placed at widest extremities of the vehicle or load. Loads exceeding legal length, or which have a rear-end overhang in excess of the legal limit, must display 1 flag at extreme rear if overlength is 2' wide or less, or have two flags displayed on each side of the extreme rear to indicate maximum width if overhang is wider than 2'.
Escort Flags

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
NS	NS	NS

Escort/flagperson requirements

Escorts must operate behind an overlength vehicle or load, behind an overwidth vehicle or load on a multi-lane highway, and in front of an overwidth vehicle or load on a two-lane highway.

If one escort vehicle is required, it must follow the permit vehicle on any highway with two or more lanes in one direction and precede on any highway with only one lane in each direction. If transitioning from a multi-lane to a two-lane highway, every effort must be made for the escort vehicle to precede the permit vehicle prior to entering the single-lane portion of the highway.

If two escort vehicles are required, one must follow and one must precede the permit vehicle.

One escort is required for a permit move while traveling on any highway in Maryland if the permit move is:

More than 13 feet wide (unless the load is a manufactured housing unit);
More than 85 feet long;
14 feet 6 inches high or more (pole vehicle required);
More than 60 tons gross weight;
Construction equipment over 12 feet wide traveling off of the Interstate system; or
Traveling when weather or road conditions justify the requirement for one escort vehicle.

Two escorts are required if the permit move is:

14 feet wide or more including a load that is a manufactured housing unit;
140 feet long or more;
Traveling a road too narrow to allow other vehicles to pass safely in either direction;
Traveling against traffic that will have to be diverted or stopped; or
Traveling when weather or road conditions justify the requirement of two escort vehicles.

The escort vehicles may travel no more than 300 feet to the front or rear of the escorted vehicle. Each escorted movement shall maintain a one-mile distance from another escorted movement traveling in the same direction. Furthermore, when an escort is required, each permitted vehicle requires its own escort.

A pole escort vehicle is required when the load exceeds a height of 14 feet 6 inches. The pole vehicle must precede the permit vehicle at a distance sufficient to adequately warn the permit vehicle driver of an overhead obstruction.

In addition to the private escort required for some moves, the permittee shall also provide for a police escort when needed. A police escort is required for any permit move that is 16 feet wide or more, or in excess of 75 tons gross weight. The State Highway Department might also ask for a police escort if the permit move has a gross weight between 65 and 75 tons, traffic has to be diverted or stopped, the move will affect either two or more lanes of traffic on a highway having two or more lanes in one direction, or both lanes of traffic on a highway having only one lane in each direction, or the circumstances are necessary for public safety. The permittee is responsible for costs incurred by the Maryland State Police while escorting the permittee’s oversize or overweight vehicle.

Flagpersons

Before crossing a narrow bridge or traveling on narrow roads with equipment or loads extending over the center line of the road, the permittee must make arrangements in advance so that adequate flagpersons, escorts, or police are present to warn and direct approaching traffic.

Escort car/company requirements

Escorts may not escort more than one oversize/overweight vehicle or load.

Escort drivers must review the route and any special requirements with the permit vehicle driver. The permit driver, together with the escort driver, assures that signs are secured, lights are turned on and working, and two-way radios are operating properly.

Front escort drivers warn oncoming traffic of the permit vehicle, assist the permit driver to assure the proper route is being followed, and notify the permit driver of narrow structures, hazards, obstructions, pedestrians or other potential problems. Rear escort drivers warn approaching traffic of the permit vehicle, notify the permit driver of flat tires and loose objects, and notify the front escort and permit driver of traffic buildup and motorists attempting to pass.

If traffic builds up in excess of six cars behind the escorted movement, the entire move shall pull off the road and allow the following traffic to pass.

Escort car signs, flags, and lights

Escort vehicle shall display a “Wide Load” or “Oversize Load” sign on the front and rear of the escort vehicle and shall appear in black letters not less than 10” high, with a brush stroke not less than 1-5/8” wide. The letters shall appear on a yellow background, 18” high and 7’ wide or on the roof of the vehicle at least 5’ long, 12” high, letters 8” high.

An escort vehicle must be equipped with at least one yellow oscillating or rotating roof light at least three inches in diameter, visible to the front and rear.

Headlights of the escort vehicle must be illuminated during the move.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	Movements will be made during daylight hours only.
Weekend	Movements will not be permitted after noon on Saturday or Sunday.
Holidays	Movements not permitted on holidays unless otherwise specified on the permit. Holiday restrictions are as follows: • New Year’s Day • Memorial Day • Independence Day • Labor Day • Thanksgiving Day • Thanksgiving Friday • Christmas Day
Visibility	The use of a permit is subject to favorable road and weather conditions. Travel is not allowed on any highway when visibility is limited by atmospheric conditions; travel is made hazardous by weather or other conditions; when the surface of the highway is made hazardous by rain, sleet, snow, or ice; or movement is made hazardous by fog, flood, or wind.

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

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Oversize and overweight movements - Maryland