Code of Maine Rules
29 - DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
250 - BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Chapter 157 - THE ADMINISTRATION OF OVER DIMENSION AND OVERWEIGHT PERMITS
Section 250-157-12 - TYPES OF PERMITS

Universal Citation: 29 ME Code Rules ยง 250-157-12

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

1. Instant Overlimit Permits (Instant Permits)

A. Prerequisites to an instant permit request
(1) The applicant must have an established overlimit permit credit account with the Bureau.

(2) The applicant must purchase an instant permit book (fee listed in Rule Chapter 156) prior to requesting an instant permit. Each instant permit book contains 25 blank Instant Permit Forms.

B. The Instant Permit Form (MV-250) is a triplicate form consisting of:
(1) the White Original which must be retained by the permittee and carried in the vehicle during the overlimit move;

(2) the Yellow Copy which must be returned to the Overlimit Permit Unit (voided copies must also be returned) for administrative and audit purposes after the instant permit is issued. The Yellow Copy must be returned to the Overlimit Permit Unit by the end of the month following the month of usage. The Secretary may refuse to honor requests for instant permits when an account holder has failed to return the Yellow Copy in a timely manner; and

(3) the Green Copy which should be retained by the permittee.

C. Instant Permits are processed only at the Main Office via telephone. (See Section 3 - Communication and Contact Information)
(1) The permit information must be entered in ink on the instant permit form prior to calling the Overlimit Permit Unit to request a permit.

(2) The applicant must call the Overlimit Permit Unit and communicate the permit information for the requested move.

(3) The permit information and requested routing will be reviewed by the Overlimit Permit Unit and the permit request will be approved, modified, or denied accordingly.

(4) The permit number and any permit modifications will be communicated to the applicant over the phone.

(5) The applicant must enter the permit number and any permit modifications onto the instant permit before making the move.

(6) The Secretary may refuse to honor requests for instant permits when an applicant has been negligent in completing or amending the instant permit with the required permit information or modifications as evidenced by the Yellow Copy submitted to the Overlimit Permit Unit.

D. Instant permits may be used for all moves except when:
(1) the Issuing Authority determines that special routing is required, or

(2) any portion of the requested move is outside the State of Maine, or

(3) the move is considered extreme due to size and/or weight and requires a Maine Department of Transportation engineering review, or

(4) the Issuing Authority makes a determination that an instant permit is not appropriate due to the special conditions of the move.

E. Instant permits are valid for seven days from the effective date and are used for a single trip, unless authorized for a return trip.

F. Instant permits for emergency off-hour moves
(1) Emergency off-hour moves may be made only when public health and/or safety is threatened.

(2) Pre-approval of routes from the Maine Department of Transportation must be obtained for those movements requiring overweight permits.

(3) A facsimile transmission must be made to the Overlimit Permit Unit of the completed instant permit form.

(4) The permit will be processed in the permit system on the next business day after the move and billed accordingly.

(5) The carrier must call the Overlimit Permit Unit the next business day to obtain the system issued permit number.

G. All charges for instant permits will be billed at the beginning of the month following the month in which the permit was approved.

H. The privilege to purchase instant permit books or obtain instant permits may be suspended or revoked for cause by the Issuing Authority.

2. Long Term (Monthly) Permits

A. General Conditions
(1) Long term permits are issued on a monthly basis for a period not to exceed 12 months.

(2) The fee schedule for long term permits can be found in the Department of the Secretary of State Rule Chapter 156.

(3) Long term permits may be obtained using the methods described in Section 10 with the exception of phone or online.

(4) The permit may be issued for a single unit vehicle, or on either the power unit or trailer of a combination of vehicles.

(5) The towing vehicle used must be registered, apportioned, or prorated for the State of Maine.

B. Dimension Restrictions
(1) Height must be legal. No structural part of the vehicle shall exceed a height of 13 feet 6 inches. The load may extend 6 inches beyond the maximum vehicle structural height, making the legal height with load 14 feet on all highways except for the Maine Turnpike(There is no additional 6 inch load provision for any part of the Maine Turnpike).

(2) Width must not exceed 11 feet 6 inches.

(3) Length must not exceed 45 feet for a single unit vehicle, or 75 feet for a combination of vehicles, with the exception of a vehicle combination hauling tree length logs which have a maximum length limit of 80 feet under the following conditions:
(a) the logs are transported by a trucktractor/semitrailer combination, and

(b) the rear overhang may not exceed 40% of the length of the logs, and

(c) the width, height, and weight of the vehicle combination and load must be legal.

C. Weight Restrictions
(1) All long term permit limits are subject to 600 pounds per inch of tire width.

(2) Class A Special Mobile Equipment
(a) The width, height, and length must be legal.

(b) The vehicle must be registered for the actual gross weight in accordance with Title 29-A §513.

(c) Total Gross Weight Limit

Configuration

Maximum Total Gross Weight

2-Axles

39,100 lbs.

3-Axles

62,100 lbs.

4-Axles

79,350 lbs.

5 or more Axles

92,000 lbs.

(d) Individual axle unit limits:

Single Steering Axle

18,900 lbs.

Single Axle

25,410 lbs.

Tandem Axles

48,300 lbs.

Tri-Axle

56,700 lbs.

(3) Load Carrying Vehicles
(a) Must be a combination vehicle consisting of a tri-axle semitrailer, and a tandem-drive, or tridem-drive truck tractor.

(b) The maximum total gross weight limit is 120,000 lbs.

(c) Individual axle unit limits

Steering Axle

12,000 lbs. max. (6,000 lbs. min.)

Tandem Axles

50,000 lbs. max.

Tridem Axles

60,000 lbs. max.

(d) The power unit must be registered or apportioned for the maximum weight as provided for by law.

(4) Special Conditions
(a) A long term permit does not constitute permission to travel on city or town roads.

(b) All bridge postings must be observed. Note - some bridges are posted at 90,000 lbs.

(5) 5-Axle Cranes. A 5 -axle crane, weighing between 121,000 to 130,000 pounds, and crossing bridges with a 5 M.P.H. travel restriction requires:
(a) a pilot vehicle traveling at the rear of the permitted crane; or

(b) the crane or follow-vehicle must be equipped with an impact attenuator; or

(c) a sign with the text "VEHICLE STOPS WHEN FLASHING" shall be mounted to the rear of the permitted crane. The sign, with minimum dimensions of 2 feet in height by 5 feet in width, shall have a minimum of 8 flashing yellow LED lights around the border. The sign sheeting shall be yellow prismatic or greater. The sign text shall be 6 inch letters. The sign shall be wired into the vehicle's brake system and flash when the brake pedal is depressed.

3. Overweight Permits

A. A permit is required when the gross vehicle weight of a single vehicle or a combination of vehicles exceeds the following legal weight limit established for the vehicle type and axle configuration:

Configuration

Legal Weight Limit

2-Axle Vehicle

34,000 lbs.

3-Axle Vehicle

54,000 lbs.

4-Axle Vehicle

69,000 lbs.

5 or More Axle Vehicle

69,000 lbs.4

3-Axle Combination of Vehicles

54,000 lbs.

4-Axle Combination of Vehicles

69,000 lbs.

5-Axle Combination of Vehicles

80,000 lbs.

6-Axle Combination of Vehicles

100,000 lbs.5
(1) The permitted vehicle must be registered for a gross vehicle weight equal to the maximum operational gross weight limit for its configuration as described in Title 29-A Chapter 21. Notwithstanding, Class A Special Mobile Equipment must be registered for its actual weight.

(2) Permits are not granted for posted roads.

B. Permits are not issued generally for loads that exceed the legal allowable axle weight when the gross weight does not exceed the legal limits. Class A Special Mobile Equipment may exceed axle weight limits even if the gross weight is within legal limits. When operational needs dictate, overweight permits may be issued if a vehicle exceeds axle weight limits, but is within gross weight limits. The Issuing Authority will issue these permits only after obtaining advice from the Maine Department of Transportation. "Operational need" means that a larger vehicle could not be practically or safely operated due to tight geometrics, rough terrain, or other operational characteristics that necessitate the use of a smaller vehicle. The financial impact of obtaining an adequate vehicle will not be considered an operational need.

C. A permit will be denied if the Issuing Authority determines that the vehicle to be used is not adequate to complete the move safely. In cases where a larger vehicle could be used to make the move within legal limits, the applicant may be required to use a larger vehicle.

D. The maximum weights for which a permit may be granted, without a special and detailed review by the Maine Department of Transportation, areas follows:

CONFIGURATION

LEGAL WEIGHT LIMIT

2-Axle Vehicle

39,100 lbs.

3-Axle Vehicle

62,100 lbs.

4-Axle Truck

73,000 lbs.

4-Axle or more Special Mobile Equipment

110,000 lbs.

4-Axle Truck Tractor-Semitrailer

120,000 lbs.

5-Axle Truck Tractor-Semitrailer

130,000 lbs.

6-Axle Truck Tractor-Semitrailer

140,000 lbs.

7-Axle Truck Tractor-Semitrailer

159,000 lbs. to 167,000 lbs. **

8-Axle Truck Tractor-Semitrailer

177,000 lbs.

** Axle Group Limits

1st Axle

12,000 lbs. (20,000 lbs. for 167,000 lbs.)

2nd, 3rd, and 4th Axles

26,000 lbs. (Combined Weight Max. 72,000 lbs.)

5th, 6th, and 7th Axles

27,000 lbs. (Combined Weight Max. 75,000 lbs.)
(1) There is an additional 3% tolerance on any axle or group of axles.

(2) Weights in excess of the above are considered extreme loads and may require detailed engineering reviews. An applicant should allow a minimum of two business days for the Maine Department of Transportation to complete a required review. The applicant may be required to supply additional information not on the application (such as an axle weight and spacing diagram).

E. Vehicles permitted for overweight-only that are capable of moving with the flow of traffic may move at any time of day.

F. Pilot vehicles or police escorts may be required when the Issuing Authority deems it necessary on extreme weights.

4. Over Width Permits

A. A permit is required when the overall width of the vehicle or load, including all structural parts, exceeds eight feet six inches.

B. Permits will not be granted for overwidth when the load can be reduced to the legal limit. For example, if two tanks are being moved side by side and exceed the legal width, one tank must be removed.

C. Vehicles 14 feet or more in width operating on highways with four or more traffic lanes must maintain a minimum following distance of five seconds with respect to those vehicles in front of them which are large enough to block the driver's view of the road ahead.

D. Pilot vehicles are required for a vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeding certain widths (See Section 16 - Pilot Vehicles).

E. Police escorts are required for permits issued for widths of 16 feet or more.

F. Additional pilot or police escorts may be required when the Issuing Authority deems it necessary on extreme widths.

5. Over Length Permits

A. A permit is required when the overall length, including all structural parts and the load exceeds the limits established in Title 29-A §2390. Generally, the maximum length is 45 feet for a single unit vehicle and 65 feet for a combination of vehicles. There are exceptions in §2390 for longer combinations vehicles (LCV's) to allow an overall length in excess of 65 feet under some conditions.

B. Overlength permits are not required for:
(1) fire department vehicles,

(2) utility companies or their contractors transporting utility poles from a staging area to the final point of installation, or

(3) disabled vehicles being towed to a repair facility.

C. Tree Length Logs
(1) Pursuant to Title 29-A §2390(D), a combination vehicle consisting of a truck tractor and a semitrailer may carry tree length logs without a permit provided the overall length of the truck tractor, semitrailer, and load does not exceed 74 feet. Logs may extend rearward beyond the body of the vehicle by up to 8 1/2 feet, provided not more that 25% of the length of the logs extends beyond the body of the vehicles.

(2) A combination consisting of a truck tractor and a semitrailer transporting tree length logs may be operated with an overlimit permit provided that the total length of the vehicle and load does not exceed 80 feet, and not more than 40 percent of the length of the logs extends beyond the body of the vehicle.

(3) The following conditions apply to all vehicles carrying tree length logs when the load extends beyond the body:
(a) Any overhang beyond 4 feet of the body must be flagged by a clean 12 inch by 12 inch fluorescent cloth, and during nighttime display a red light.

(b) When lights are required, a red reflector or reflectorized paint must be displayed on the end on the log projecting farthest to the rear. The reflector or reflectorized paint must be able to reflect, at night on an unlighted highway, the undimmed lights of a vehicle approaching from the rear for at least 200 feet.

D. Permitted overlength vehicles may not follow nearer than 200 feet to another vehicle except when passing.

E. Pilot vehicles are required for a vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeding certain lengths. (See Section 16 - Pilot Vehicles).

F. Police escorts are required for permits issued for lengths of 125 feet or more.

G. Additional pilot vehicles or police escorts may be required when the Issuing Authority deems it necessary on extreme lengths.

6. Over Height Permits

A. A permit is required when any structural part of the vehicle exceeds 13 feet 6 inches; however, the load may extend 6 inches beyond this, making the legal height with load 14 feet. The height limit on the Maine Turnpike is 13 feet 6 inches.

B. A permit will not be granted for overheight when the load can be reduced to the legal limit (for example, a load of lumber).

C. The permit applicant is responsible for contacting the appropriate public utility companies for any movement or alteration of overhead wires.

D. Bridge and overpass clearances are posted when clearances are less than 14 feet 6 inches in height.Note: many bridges on the Maine Turnpike are at 13 feet 6 inches.

E. A pole car is required when overall height exceeds 16 feet.

F. A pilot vehicle(s) or police escort(s) may be required when the Issuing Authority deems it necessary on extreme heights.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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