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 250-157-14 - SAFETY STANDARDS

Universal Citation: 29 ME Code Rules ยง 250-157-14

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

1. Traffic and vehicle movement control is a police function. A State Police officer may order an overlimit permitted vehicle off the highway when, in the officer's judgment, the continued movement poses an unacceptable risk to public safety, or an unacceptable impact on traffic or highway and bridge infrastructure. The Issuing Authority may place additional conditions on a permit in order to protect public safety, public infrastructure, or to mitigate the impact on traffic.

A. While in transit, the driver of a slowly-moving, permitted vehicle shall, at the first suitable opportunity, pull off the highway or as far to the right as is reasonably safe if more than seven vehicles are following.

B. Except for emergency off-hour moves, no movement shall be made when visibility is poor or the highway is considered dangerous due to rain, snow, slush, ice, or any other condition deemed unsafe by the Issuing Authority or a State Police officer.
(1) Adverse weather or road conditions posted to the Maine Department of Transportation's 511 ME system (www.newengland511.org) or telephone number 511) shall constitute one form of notice of dangerous road conditions.

(2) If the speed on the Interstate Highway System is reduced to 45 miles per hour, the movement of a permitted vehicle must, at the first opportunity (ramp, rest area, weigh station, etc.), proceed to safely exit the traveled way, including shoulders.

(3) Permits will not be issued when permit routing falls within geographic locations where "difficult driving conditions" are in effect on the 511 ME system or the Interstate Highway System is reduced to 45 miles per hour.

C. If movement has started and such conditions develop, movement must be stopped at the first suitable opportunity.

2. Load Vehicle Safety Equipment

A. Signs
(1) The sign shall read: "OVERSIZE LOAD" or "OVERWIDTH LOAD"(if applicable)

(2) Sign Requirements
(a) Size: not less than 7 feet wide by 18 inches high;

(b) Lettering: 10 inches high with a 1.4 inch brush stroke;

(c) Color: black letters on a yellow background;

(d) Location: front bumper, at rear (unless tree length logs which shall be marked as provided for in Section 12, paragraph 5C(3) of this rule).

(3) Movement when not oversize requires that load signs be removed or covered and that amber beacon lights be extinguished.

B. Flags
(1) Color: red or fluorescent orange

(2) Size: 18 inches by 18 inches

(3) Location
(a) on the extreme ends of the front bumper; and

(b) on the extreme ends of the load.

C. Headlights
(1) Headlights shall be on low beams at all times unless weight is the only overlimit condition of the permit.

D. Amber Lighting
(1) Design
(a) a single six inch diameter amber intermittent flashing light; or

(b) a single four inch diameter amber rotary type light; or

(c) alight bar with four amber flashing or strobe lights or combination thereof.

(2) Position
(a) The amber lighting shall be centered on top of the cab unless the load protrudes out over the cab.

(b) If the load protrudes out over the cab then the amber lighting shall be placed at the highest forward point of the load.

(3) Overdimensional vehicles within the New England Transportation Consortium (NETC) or the Northeast Overlimit Operating Permit Agreement (NOOPA) envelope operating on either highway system or access highway system would be subject to the same lighting requirements for overdimensional vehicles as found in Chapter 155 The Rules Governing Permits for Non-divisible, Oversized, and Overweight Vehicles Engaged in Interstate Commerce Section 11.

E. Mobile Communication
(1) Two-way mobile communication which has a minimum of one-half mile transmitting radius is required if a pilot or police escort is required.

(2) Communication must be maintained between the overlimit vehicle(s) and the pilot(s) and/or police escort vehicle(s) at all times during the move.

3. Railroad Crossings

A. If a permitted vehicle is to cross a railroad at-grade crossing, the permittee may be required to contact the appropriate railroad(s) in order to coordinate the move. The permittee must contact the affected railroad(s) if:
(1) the vehicle or load under clearance is 10 inches or less; or

(2) a police escort is required; or

(3) the permitted vehicle is unable to maintain a steady speed of at least 10 miles per hour through any crossing.

4. The permittee may be required to conduct a route review prior to making the move.

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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