Maine OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – all loads exceeding legal dimensions or weight must have a permit from the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT).
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 13'6"
- Length: 65' (combo); 53' trailer permitted
- Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW
Permitted Load Maximums (Typical Upper Limits)
- Width: Up to 16' with proper escorting
- Height: Over 14'6" requires route survey and approval
- Length: Over 125' allowed with review
- Weight: Over 125,000 lbs requires detailed axle info and bridge approval
Superloads must be reviewed and approved by MaineDOT’s Overlimit Permit Unit and bridge engineers.
Travel Hours
- Standard: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
- Weekend: No movement after 12:00 PM Saturday or on Sunday
- Holidays: No travel on major holidays or peak holiday weekends
- Night travel: Not allowed unless under 10' wide and specially approved
Escort Requirements (General Guidelines)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 12' | 1 Escort (usually front or rear depending on road type) |
| Width > 14' | 2 Escorts (front and rear) |
| Height > 14'6" | High pole escort and route survey |
| Length > 125' | 1 or 2 Escorts depending on configuration |
Additional Notes
- All oversize loads must display “Oversize Load” signs, red/orange flags, and amber lights
- Bridge weight limits and narrow roadways are common – always check routing
- Permits are processed through the Maine Overlimit Permit Office online or by phone
Detailed Information
PERMITS: Permits valid for seven days. Must have permit prior to entering the state.
OPERATING TIME: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, seven days a week except no travel on weekends in the months of July and August.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: Lewiston and Augusta, travel prohibited during inclement weather and during rush hour periods of 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. A local permit is required to travel through Augusta. No travel on major holidays or some holiday weekends. Maine Turnpike loads limited to 13'6 high, 14'6 wide. Daylight travel only, Monday through Friday noon. Oversize loads may not travel on the Turnpike on Friday afternoons, Saturday or Sunday. Toll/permit is $10 for over width or over 70' long, paid at the gate. The Turnpike part of route is included on Maine O/D permit, but the $10 fee is paid by the driver at the gate. Turnpike telephone: (207) 871-7771.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS: Width: 8'6" Height: 14’ (Load may exceed by 6", for a legal loaded height of 14", as long as load is not reducible and not traveling on Maine Turnpike.) Length: 53' semi-trailer and 74' overall length on Interstate and designated highways; 48' trailer and 69' overall length on other highways. "The maximum legal length of vehicles and loads traveling more than 1 mile beyond the National Network is 74'." Overhang: 74' overall length maximum Weight: 80,000 Gross Single – 20,000 Tandem – 34,000 Tridem – 42,000
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS: Width: 16' Height: 16' Length: 125' Weight: Single – 20,000 Tandem – 52,000 Tridem – 75,000 Quad – 100,000 Tractor must be registered for 90,000 pounds to permit for overweight up to 90,000, or register for 100,000 maximum to permit over 90,000. Loads exceeding these dimensions are treated as superloads.
ESCORTS: Width: Over 12' – 1 escort; over 16' – police escort may be required. Length: At 80' or over – 1 escort; over 125' – police escort. Height: Pilot car or police escort may be required for "extreme" heights.
MISCELLANEOUS: Construction equipment can have blade or bucket attached. If removed, it must be on a separate trailer.
SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: "Oversize Load" signs and flags required for all over width and over length permit loads. Signs should be mounted at front bumper and at rear of load. Flags (18" x 18") should be mounted at corners of load and widest extremities. Over 4' rear overhang must be flagged (two flags if overhang is more than 2' wide). Run with headlights on low beam (not required if overweight only), and flashing, rotating amber light or light bar on top of cab. Movement when not oversized requires that load signs be removed or covered and that amber beacon lights be extinguished. All over-dimension moves require headlights on low beam, and flashing, rotary or amber lights on top of cab.