Legal size limits without a permit
| Measurement | Maine legal limit |
|---|---|
| Height | 13'6" |
| Width | 8'6" (102 in) |
| 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 Maine, 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 | 22,400 lbs | UNCONFIRMED — set case-by-case |
| Tandem axle | 38,000 lbs | UNCONFIRMED — set case-by-case per route/bridge conditions |
| Tridem axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Quad axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Set per permit by the state |
Superload: Vehicles/loads 125 ft or longer, or 16 ft or wider, require a police escort on public ways
Permit types we file in Maine
Single-Trip PermitIssued for an individual nondivisible move over state-maintained ways and bridges.
Long-Term PermitValid up to one year for trucks, truck tractors, semitrailers, and Class A special mobile equipment.
County/Municipal PermitIssued by county commissioners or municipal officers for locally maintained ways and bridges.
Maximum dimensions with a permit
| Dimension | Maximum with a permit |
|---|---|
| Length | Confirmed at filing |
| Width | Confirmed at filing |
| Height | Confirmed at filing |
| Rear Overhang | 5 ft is the threshold above which a pilot vehicle is required |
Maine does not publish one fixed dimensional ceiling for standard overlimit permits; loads at or beyond 125' long or 16' wide require a police escort.
Escorts and travel restrictions
Escort & pilot car rules
- Pilot vehicle required when a load exceeds 80 ft in length, 12 ft in width, or has a rear overhang over 5 ft.
- Police escort required for vehicles/loads 125 ft or longer, or 16 ft or wider.
When you can travel
- Moves are not routinely permitted from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise.
- Moves are not routinely permitted on legal holidays or weekends during July and August.
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.
Maine specifics
- Banner size, flag size and light rules for Maine 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.