Legal size limits without a permit
| Measurement | Maryland legal limit |
|---|---|
| Height | 13'6" |
| Width | 8'0" (plus up to 3 in per side for mirrors/safety devices) |
| Front Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
| Rear Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
Axle and gross weights
How much each axle group and the whole vehicle can carry in Maryland, without a permit and with an overweight permit.
| Axle group | Legal limit | With a permit |
|---|---|---|
| Steer axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Single axle | UNCONFIRMED exact figure | Set per permit/route; no flat published figure |
| Tandem axle | UNCONFIRMED exact figure | Set per permit/route; no flat published figure |
| Tridem axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Quad axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Gross weight | UNCONFIRMED exact figure | Up to 150,000 lbs on Interstate highways for qualifying combinations |
Superload: Loads of 120 ft+ long, 16 ft+ wide, 16 ft+ high, or over 150,000 lbs (Interstate) / 120,000 lbs (state highways)
Permit types we file in Maryland
Special Hauling Permit (Single-Trip)Valid for one-way single trip, 5 days.
Blanket / Book PermitRecurring-move permit for a fixed vehicle/load type.
Superload PermitFor loads exceeding 120'/16'/16'/150,000 lbs; requires performance bond and Maryland State Police escort.
Maximum dimensions with a permit
| Dimension | Maximum with a permit |
|---|---|
| Length | 85 ft (Book Permit ceiling); 75 ft (Blanket Permit ceiling) |
| Width | 13 ft (Book Permit); 12 ft (Blanket Permit) |
| Height | 15 ft (Book Permit); 14 ft (Blanket Permit) |
| Rear Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
Loads exceeding the Book/Blanket permit ceilings, or meeting the 120'/16'/16'/150,000-lb thresholds, are classified as superloads requiring a Special Hauling Permit and State Police escort coordination.
Escorts and travel restrictions
Escort & pilot car rules
- Single private escort required for loads over 85 ft long and/or 13 ft wide.
- Two private escorts required for loads 14 ft wide or more.
- Maryland State Police escort required for loads over 60 tons, 16 ft+ wide, or 16 ft+ high.
When you can travel
- General travel window: half hour after sunrise to half hour before sunset.
- No permitted-load movement allowed on Saturdays after noon, or at all on Sundays.
- On MdTA facilities, no movement from noon Friday until 9:00 a.m. Monday.
Signs, flags and lights
Most states require
- An “OVERSIZE LOAD” banner on the front of the truck and the rear of the load.
- Red or fluorescent orange warning flags at each corner and at the widest points of the load.
- Amber warning lights or clearance lights when moving at night, where night travel is allowed.
Maryland specifics
- Banner size, flag size and light rules for Maryland are listed on your permit.
- We include them in your permit notes so your driver has them before the trip.
Rules change. Limits and requirements are set by the state DOT and can change. We confirm the current rules for your exact load before filing.