Maryland Oversize & Overweight Permit Requirements & Rules (2026)

In Maryland, any load that exceeds the legal size or weight limits requires an oversize/overweight permit before it moves. Below are the legal limits and the requirements that apply at each threshold.

1When you need a permit

A load is oversize or overweight once it passes any of these:

Dimension	Maryland legal limit	Permit if over
Width	8 ft 6 in	Wider
Height	13 ft 6 in	Taller
Length (combination)	65 ft	Longer
Gross weight	80,000 lbs	Heavier
Single axle	22,400 lbs	Heavier
Tandem axle	44,000 lbs	Heavier

Rear overhang is limited to 6 ft and front overhang to 3 ft before it counts toward length, and any overhang must be flagged.

2Escort & pilot car requirements

When the load reaches…	Maryland requires
13.08 ft wide	1 escort (pilot car)
14 ft wide	2 escorts
14.5 ft high	Escort with a height pole / pole car
85.08 ft long	1 escort · 140 ft → 2 escorts
14 ft 6 in high or 999 ft wide	Route survey required
16 ft wide	Police escort

3When you can travel

Daylight only — 30 min after sunrise to 30 min before sunset.
No weekend travel for oversize loads.
Night movement not authorized absent specific permission noted on permit..
Holiday blackouts: Holiday periods per list compiled by Hauling Permits Unit each calendar year (COMAR-specified); typical: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (day of & after), Christmas.

4Superloads in Maryland

A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:

Superload trigger	Threshold
Width	16 ft
Height	16 ft
Length	120 ft
Gross weight	120,000 lbs

Superloads require a route survey and roughly 5 days of lead time for approval.

5Permit timing

Standard single-trip: ~2 business days to issue.
Superload: ~5 days (route survey + review).
Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~5 days.

Get the full cost of your load

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Note: these requirements are for planning and are verified as of May 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the state permitting authority before dispatch.

?Maryland permit FAQ

When do I need an oversize permit in Maryland?

Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 65 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.

When do I need a pilot car in Maryland?

Maryland requires one escort at 13.08 ft wide (two at 14 ft), a height pole at 14.5 ft high, and a police escort at 16 ft wide.

Can you drive an oversize load at night in Maryland?

No — oversize loads move daylight-only, 30 min after sunrise to 30 min before sunset.

What counts as a superload in Maryland?

Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 120 ft long, or 120,000 lbs gross. It requires a route survey and about 5 days of lead time.

How much does a Maryland oversize permit cost?

The state permit fee depends on the load's size and weight. The full cost of a move also includes escorts, police, route surveys, engineering, and the truck rate, which vary by route. FreightDeck estimates all of it for your exact load — price your Maryland load with FreightDeck →.