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Maine Oversize Permits Phone Number: (270)908-9656
Maine Oversize/Overweight Permits Rules and Regulations
Maine Oversize/Overweight permits Validity: Oversize permits issued in Maine remain valid for a total of seven consecutive days. Drivers are required to secure the permit before entering the state.
Maine Oversize permits Traveling Time with Oversize Load: Travel is allowed from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset, seven days a week. However, weekend travel is restricted during July and August.
Maine Oversize permits Restricted Travel: Movement is restricted during adverse weather and peak traffic times (7:00–9:00 a.m. and 4:00–6:00 p.m.) in areas such as Lewiston and Augusta. Traveling through Augusta also requires a specific local permit. No travel is allowed on official holidays or selected holiday weekends.
Maine Turnpike: The Maine Turnpike permits loads up to 13 feet 6 inches high and 14 feet 6 inches wide. Transportation of oversized loads must take place during daylight hours, from Monday to Friday, and must be completed before noon. No travel is allowed on Friday afternoons, Saturdays, or Sundays. A $10 toll/permit is required for vehicles wider than 10 feet or longer than 70 feet, paid at the entry gate. Although the Maine O/D permit includes this route, the driver is responsible for the toll fee.
Maine Oversize permits Holiday Restriction: Unless otherwise stated on the Maine oversize permit, travel is prohibited on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Weekend travel is also restricted during July and August.
Maine Road/Bridge Restriction with Oversize Load:
Maine complies with the Federal Bridge Formula, which regulates bridge weight limits. Road restrictions may include, but are not limited to:
- Driving through construction zones
- Ignoring warning signals in work zones
- Failing to yield to law enforcement, emergency vehicles, and others
Oversize load Seasonal Restriction in Maine:
Frost laws apply in many U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Maine imposes specific seasonal weight restrictions on oversize permits based on load type and road conditions.
Every spring, the Maine DOT assesses potential road damage from freezing and thawing and may impose temporary weight limits to protect infrastructure. Local municipalities may implement similar limits. For instance, during thaw periods, a road that can normally support 15 tons might only allow 5 tons. The general weight limit on state roads is 23,000 pounds. Temporary postings help protect fragile roads
Maine Oversize Tire Regulations:
Tires must be in good working condition, properly inflated, and have a tread depth of at least 2/32 inches.
Tread depth is checked using a 1/32-inch gauge. Measurements must be taken in the major grooves of the tire, at two points at least 15 inches apart. Readings should be taken across the tire at the center of the tread.
From October 2 to April 30, studded tires are permitted in snowy conditions.
Maine DOT assesses road conditions each spring and may reduce weight limits. Local areas also enforce such limits to protect road surfaces. Roads that typically support 15 tons may be limited to 5 tons during seasonal thawing. The maximum weight for state-maintained roads is 23,000 pounds. These temporary limits help prevent damage to weaker roads.
Chain Requirements:
From May 1 to October 1, vehicles must not use tires with metal studs, wires, spikes, or any metallic components. However, when snow, ice, or other slippery road conditions are present, tire chains may be used if necessary for safety.
Maine Legal Dimensions/Size Limit
Length: 125 feet.
Width: 16 feet
- Maine Wide Load Requirements
Permit Required For all loads wider than 8 feet 6 inches.
Flags, Banners, Sign and Lighting requirement
Escort Vehicle Required when required Width over 12 feet (rear escort on divided highways, front on undivided). - Maine Wide Load Restrictions: Restriction May apply at Wide load
Holiday Restrictions
Turnpike Limits, Max 14′ 6″ wide
Road, Bridge & Seasonal Restrictions
Height: Up to 16 feet
Weight:
Weight Limits Under Routine Permits:
- Single axle: 20,000 pounds.
- Tandem axles: 52,000 pounds.
- Tridem axles: 75,000 pounds.
- Quad Axle: 100,000 pounds.
Note: The tractor must be registered for 90,000 pounds to carry loads up to that weight under permit. If the load exceeds 90,000 pounds, the truck must be registered for 100,000 pounds.
Superload: Any load that exceeds these dimensions or weights is classified as a superload and requires additional approval.
What Are The Requirements For a Pilot Car In Maine
For Length:
- Loads measuring 80 feet or more require one escort vehicle.
- Loads exceeding 125 feet in length may need a police escort.
For Width:
- Loads wider than 12 feet (or over 11 feet 11 inches on two-lane roads) must be accompanied by one escort.
- Loads over 16 feet in width may require a police escort, depending on the route and conditions.
For Height: Extremely tall loads may require a pilot vehicle or a police escort, especially if there is risk of striking overhead structures.
Signage, Flashing Amber lights and flags Requirements and Maine Additional Information
All overwidth and overlength loads authorized by a permit must display “Oversize Load” signs on the front bumper and at the rear. Red flags, measuring 18 inches square, should be attached to the corners and widest parts of the load. For rear overhangs over 4 feet, one flag is required, or two flags if the overhang exceeds 2 feet in width. Low-beam headlights should remain on during travel (except for loads that are only overweight), and an amber-colored rotating or flashing beacon or light bar must be mounted on the vehicle’s cab. When not transporting a permitted load, signage must be taken down or concealed and amber lights turned off.
All permitted oversize transports must use low-beam headlights and have a flashing or rotating amber beacon mounted on the cab.
Exemptions: Construction vehicles may be moved with their blades or buckets attached. If removed, the blade or bucket must be hauled separately on the same trailer.
Maine Oversize/Overweight Permit fee:
The cost of obtaining an oversize or overweight permit in Maine depends on several factors, including load type, route, dimensions, and whether the permit is for a single trip or an annual period. Fees typically begin at $25 for a single-trip permit and may go up to over $250 for annual coverage.
Additional processing and handling fees may apply depending on the type of permit requested.
- Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits
A single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible loads that exceed Maine’s legal weight or size limits.
It authorizes a one-way journey between a defined origin and destination.
For returning to the original point, a round-trip permit may be required.
Cost starts at $10, but it can vary based on dimensions and weight. - Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits
Valid for up to 12 months, this type of permit allows repeated trips between pre-approved points using the same vehicle.
Legal limits covered under this permit:
Width: Up to 8 feet 6 inches
Height: Up to 14 feet
Length: Up to 65 feet
Fees:
Oversize-only: Starts at $25
Oversize + Overweight: Up to $250 per year
Overweight-only: $400 per year
Combined Annual Oversize/Overweight: $250 per month (as per some third-party sources) - IRP Trip Permits
Designed for out-of-state carriers operating vehicles over 26,000 pounds without IRP credentials.
Allows operation within Maine for 72 hours.
Permit fee: $25, plus processing charges. - IFTA Fuel Permits
For carriers without IFTA credentials who need temporary fuel tax coverage in Maine.
Valid for 72 hours.
Permit fee: $50, with additional fees for processing. - Maine Turnpike Oversize Permits
Oversize loads using the Maine Turnpike must pay a separate $10 fee at the toll gate.
This is in addition to any standard tolls and oversize permits.
The Turnpike portion of the route may still be listed on your Maine O/D permit, but the driver is responsible for paying this gate fee directly. - Company Fleet Permit (CFP)
Allows multiple vehicles under a single company to operate under Maine’s oversize permit system.
Fee structure:
$3,000 base fee (covers the first 10 vehicles)
$300 for each additional vehicle - Specialty Permits
Mobile and Modular Home Permits: Required when transporting mobile or modular homes:
Homes 11′ 6″ or wider must be moved using a truck rated at 26,001 pounds GVWR or higher, with dual rear wheels on the drive axle.
Homes 13′ 6″ or wider must also include:
Flashing or rotating amber lights
Light placement:
Top left rear, above the oversize sign
Top right rear, above the oversize sign
Amber Light Permits: Escort vehicles must be equipped with roof-mounted amber warning lights when guiding oversize loads.
Loading Zone Permits: Issued to non-commercial delivery vehicles needing access to commercial loading zones.
Maine Oversize/Overweight Load Penalties (Plagiarism-Free)
Fines for transporting oversize or overweight loads in Maine are determined based on how much the vehicle exceeds the legal weight limit.
Minimum Base Fines
- Interstate Routes: A flat fine of $60 applies and cannot be waived, plus additional court fees.
- Non-Interstate Roads: A minimum fine of $30, also subject to court costs.
Progressive Fine Structure (Based on % Overweight)
- 1%–10% Overweight:
Fine: $10 for every percent over the legal limit. - 11%–20% Overweight:
Base Fine: $100
Plus: $65 for each percent over 10%. - 21%–30% Overweight:
Base Fine: $750
Plus: $75 for each percent over 20%. - 31%–40% Overweight:
Base Fine: $1,500
Plus: $105 for each percent over 30%. - 41%–50% Overweight:
Base Fine: $2,550
Plus: $180 for each percent over 40%. - Over 50% Overweight:
Base Fine: $3,950
Plus: $180 for each additional percent over 50%.
FAQ’s
You can contact at (270)908-9656 Express Heavy Haul for Maine Oversize Permits.
Maine defines a vehicle as oversize if its width is more than 8 feet 6 inches, its height exceeds 13 feet 6 inches, or its overall length surpasses 85 feet. Any load exceeding these limits requires a special oversize permit before operating on state roads.
The cost of a wide load permit in Maine varies depending on the size, weight, and route of the load. Typically, single trip permits start at $10 and can increase based on additional dimensions and axle weight.
Yes, Maine accepts electronic versions of oversize and overweight permits. Drivers may display the permits on a digital device during inspections as long as they are clearly readable.
In most cases, oversize loads are restricted to daylight hours only. Travel is typically permitted 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset, and night travel is generally not allowed unless specifically authorized in the permit.
Escort vehicle usage within Maine is determined by the specific dimensions of width, height, or length being transported. For example, loads over 12 feet wide usually require one escort, and loads exceeding 14 feet wide may require two escorts. Height over 15 feet 6 inches may also require a pole car.
Maine requires all oversize or overweight vehicles to obtain a permit prior to travel. Movement is limited to authorized timeframes, and based on size, escort vehicles may be required. Special restrictions apply near holidays, urban areas, and during adverse weather.
In Maine, the legal maximum width for a vehicle is 8 feet 6 inches. Anything wider is considered a wide load and requires an oversize permit.
Oversize transport is permitted from 30 minutes prior to sunrise until 30 minutes past sunset, Monday through Saturday. Sunday and holiday travel is generally prohibited unless specified in the permit.
Oversize travel at night is not typically allowed in Maine. Exceptions may be granted for certain loads, but they must be explicitly stated in the issued permit.
The standard travel window for oversize loads in Maine is from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, Monday through Saturday. Travel during nighttime hours or on holidays is not allowed unless special authorization is granted.
In Maine, the maximum legal height for any vehicle without requiring an oversize permit is 13 feet 6 inches.
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Get Your Maine Oversize Permits - Trucking Permits
If your vehicle exceeds those numbers, it’s likely overweight or hauling an oversize load. Let Express Heavyhaul Trucking Permits help get you your Maine oversize permits. State Direct. 24/7 Live Service. Order Online Today. Trip & Fuel Combo Permits. Types: Oversize, Overweight, Trip.
