Maryland Oversize & Overweight Permit Rules
What a load can be in Maryland without a permit, where the permit and escort tiers start on 2-lane roads and multi-lane roads, when it can move, and who to call. Every figure is the JaloPermit Atlas entry for Maryland, shown as the app shows it.
Rules as of Jul 31, 2026 · Links checked Jul 13, 2026
Read this before you trust a number. Rules change. The issued permit, posted signs and the state permit office always win over this page. JaloPermit is a reading aid, not a permit-filing service. Guests get 3 free decodes a day with no account and no card, logged-in users get 10 a day, and extra decodes are $3.50 each with no subscription.
What moves in Maryland without a permit
Legal limits are the dimensions and gross weight a vehicle may run at without an oversize or overweight permit. Maryland publishes its length limit as semitrailer, so compare it against that measurement on your permit, not the overall rig.
Where the permit and escort tiers start
| Dimension | Legal without permit | Permit tier starts | First escort on 2-lane roads | First escort on multi-lane roads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 8'6" | 8'7" | 13'1" · Front escort | 13'1" · Rear escort |
| Height | 13'6" | 13'7" | 14'6" · Front + High pole | 14'6" · Front + High pole |
| Length | 53'0"semitrailer | 53'1" | 85'1" · Rear escort | 85'1" · Rear escort |
| Weight | 80,000 lbs | 80,001 lbs | 120,001 lbs · Front escort | 120,001 lbs · Rear escort |
"Permit tier starts" is the lowest size in the Atlas ladder that needs a permit. "First escort" is the lowest size that adds a private or police escort on that road class; the full ladder with each tier's rule and source is below.
Maryland escort ladder, tier by tier
Open a tier to read the rule behind it, quoted with its source. Amber tiers add a police escort or a superload review; grey tiers are permit-only with conditions.
On 2-lane roads
Escorts begin at 13'1" wide
Width
Permit required8'7" – 13'
Permit required over 8'6". Exception: construction equipment over 12' wide traveling off the interstate system requires 1 escort (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(5)) even within this band. Montgomery/Prince George's Counties: prior data claims 2 escorts if over 12' on 2-lane roads (carried forward unverified; confirm with the county).
Front escort13'1" – 13'11"
COMAR 11.04.04.03A(1): more than 13' wide = 1 escort. Escort precedes the load on highways with only one lane in each direction (11.04.04.04) - encoded as front for non-interstate; MD's actual distinction is lanes per direction, not interstate status. Manufactured housing units are exempt from this one-escort trigger. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Front + Rear14' – 15'11"
COMAR 11.04.04.03B(1): '14 feet wide or more including a load that is a manufactured housing unit' = 2 escorts; one precedes and one follows (11.04.04.04). 14'0" exactly is IN this band. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Front + Rear + Police16'+
Two private escorts (COMAR 11.04.04.03B(1)) PLUS mandatory police escort (11.04.04.06B: '16 feet wide or more or in excess of 75 tons gross weight'): two private escorts plus a police escort (police count/placement set by the agency; costs billed to permittee per .06D). 16'0" exactly is IN this band. Superload-class width; SHA reviews case by case. A police escort is required 16 ft wide and over, in addition to the private escorts. Source: COMAR 11.04.04.06A-B Police Escort. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Height
Permit required13'7" – 14'5"
Permit required over 13'6". No height-triggered escort below 14'6" (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(3) triggers at '14 feet 6 inches high or more').
Front + High pole14'6" – 15'11"
COMAR 11.04.04.03A(3): '14 feet 6 inches high or more (pole vehicle required)' = 1 escort with height pole; the pole vehicle precedes the load (11.04.04.04). SHA: heights of 14'6" require a pole vehicle and route survey before permit issuance. 14'6" exactly is IN this band. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Front + High pole16'+
COMAR 11.04.04.03A(3): '14 feet 6 inches high or more (pole vehicle required)' = 1 escort with height pole; the pole vehicle precedes the load (11.04.04.04). SHA: heights of 14'6" require a pole vehicle and route survey before permit issuance. 14'6" exactly is IN this band. At 16 ft high or more, MDOT SHA's permit limits list police and private escorts for a superload. Confirm the escorts with MDOT SHA's permit office before the move. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Length
Permit required53'1" – 85'
Permit required. No length-triggered escort at 85'0" or less (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(2) triggers at 'more than 85 feet long').
Rear escort85'1" – 119'11"
One escort over 85 ft long (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(2)). For an overlength load the escort rides behind the load on every highway: an escort vehicle shall be "Behind an overlength vehicle or load" (COMAR 11.04.04.02E(2)(a)). Two escorts at 140 ft or more (.03B(2)). One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Rear escort120' – 139'11"
One escort over 85 ft long (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(2)). For an overlength load the escort rides behind the load on every highway: an escort vehicle shall be "Behind an overlength vehicle or load" (COMAR 11.04.04.02E(2)(a)). Two escorts at 140 ft or more (.03B(2)). At 120 ft long or more, MDOT SHA's permit limits list police and private escorts for a superload. Confirm the escorts with MDOT SHA's permit office before the move. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Front + Rear140'+
COMAR 11.04.04.03B(2): '140 feet long or more' = 2 escorts; one precedes and one follows (11.04.04.04). 140'0" exactly is IN this band. At 120 ft long or more, MDOT SHA's permit limits list police and private escorts for a superload. Confirm the escorts with MDOT SHA's permit office before the move. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Weight
Permit required80,001 lbs – 120,000 lbs
Permit required over 80,000 lbs gross. No weight-triggered private escort at 60 tons (120,000 lbs) or less (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(4) triggers at 'more than 60 tons gross weight'); escorts may still be required by dimension or when weather or road conditions justify one (.03A(6)).
Front escort120,001 lbs – 130,000 lbs
COMAR 11.04.04.03A(4): 'more than 60 tons gross weight' = 1 private escort on any highway in the State; precedes the load on two-lane roads (11.04.04.04). The prior data's extra-escort claim for this band is removed on Tier-1 evidence: COMAR 11.04.04.06B puts the mandatory trigger for an additional escort at '16 feet wide or more or in excess of 75 tons gross weight' and 11.04.04.06C(1) puts SHA Hauling Permits Unit discretion at 65-75 tons; neither reaches 60-65 tons (120,001-130,000 lbs). One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Front escort130,001 lbs – 149,999 lbs
1 private escort (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(4)). SHA Hauling Permits Unit MAY additionally require police escort when gross weight is between 65 and 75 tons (11.04.04.06C(1)). Route survey requirement carried from prior data for this weight range (not confirmed in a Tier-1 source) - confirm with SHA. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Front escort150,000 lbs – 150,000 lbs
One private escort over 60 tons (120,000 lbs): it leads the load on a road with one lane each way and follows it on a road with two or more lanes each way. Above 75 tons (150,000 lbs) a police escort is also required - a police car, not a second pilot car; the escorting agency sets its placement and bills the permittee. COMAR says 'in excess of 75 tons'; SHA's page says '75 tons gross weight or more'. Source: COMAR 11.04.04.03A(4), .04D(2), .06A-B, .06D; MDOT SHA Overdimensional Permit Limitations page. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Front escort + Police150,001 lbs+
One private escort over 60 tons (120,000 lbs): it leads the load on a road with one lane each way and follows it on a road with two or more lanes each way. Above 75 tons (150,000 lbs) a police escort is also required - a police car, not a second pilot car; the escorting agency sets its placement and bills the permittee. COMAR says 'in excess of 75 tons'; SHA's page says '75 tons gross weight or more'. Source: COMAR 11.04.04.03A(4), .04D(2), .06A-B, .06D; MDOT SHA Overdimensional Permit Limitations page. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
On multi-lane roads
Escorts begin at 13'1" wide
Width
Permit required8'7" – 13'
Permit required over 8'6". No width-triggered escort at 13'0" or less (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(1) triggers at 'more than 13 feet wide'). Exception: construction equipment over 12 ft wide needs one escort on any highway off the Interstate system, multi-lane highways included (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(5)).
Rear escort13'1" – 13'11"
COMAR 11.04.04.03A(1): more than 13' wide = 1 escort on any highway in the State. Escort follows the load on highways with two or more lanes in one direction (11.04.04.04) - encoded as rear for interstate. Manufactured housing units are exempt from this one-escort trigger ('unless the load is a manufactured housing unit'). One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Front + Rear14' – 15'11"
COMAR 11.04.04.03B(1): '14 feet wide or more including a load that is a manufactured housing unit' = 2 escorts; one precedes and one follows (11.04.04.04). 14'0" exactly is IN this band (inclusivity fix verified by the 2026-07 audit). One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Front + Rear + Police16'+
Two private escorts (COMAR 11.04.04.03B(1)) PLUS mandatory police escort (11.04.04.06B: '16 feet wide or more or in excess of 75 tons gross weight'): two private escorts plus a police escort (police vehicle count and placement are set by the escorting agency; costs billed to the permittee per .06D). 16'0" exactly is IN this band. Superload-class width; SHA reviews case by case. A police escort is required 16 ft wide and over, in addition to the private escorts. Source: COMAR 11.04.04.06A-B Police Escort. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Height
Permit required13'7" – 14'5"
Permit required over 13'6". No height-triggered escort below 14'6" (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(3) triggers at '14 feet 6 inches high or more').
Front + High pole14'6" – 15'11"
COMAR 11.04.04.03A(3): '14 feet 6 inches high or more (pole vehicle required)' = 1 escort with height pole; the pole vehicle precedes the load (11.04.04.04). SHA: heights of 14'6" require a pole vehicle and route survey before permit issuance. 14'6" exactly is IN this band. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Front + High pole16'+
COMAR 11.04.04.03A(3): '14 feet 6 inches high or more (pole vehicle required)' = 1 escort with height pole; the pole vehicle precedes the load (11.04.04.04). SHA: heights of 14'6" require a pole vehicle and route survey before permit issuance. 14'6" exactly is IN this band. At 16 ft high or more, MDOT SHA's permit limits list police and private escorts for a superload. Confirm the escorts with MDOT SHA's permit office before the move. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Length
Permit required53'1" – 85'
Permit required. No length-triggered escort at 85'0" or less (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(2) triggers at 'more than 85 feet long').
Rear escort85'1" – 119'11"
COMAR 11.04.04.03A(2): more than 85' long = 1 escort. Escort follows on highways with two or more lanes in one direction (11.04.04.04) - encoded as rear for interstate. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Rear escort120' – 139'11"
COMAR 11.04.04.03A(2): more than 85' long = 1 escort. Escort follows on highways with two or more lanes in one direction (11.04.04.04) - encoded as rear for interstate. At 120 ft long or more, MDOT SHA's permit limits list police and private escorts for a superload. Confirm the escorts with MDOT SHA's permit office before the move. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Front + Rear140'+
COMAR 11.04.04.03B(2): '140 feet long or more' = 2 escorts; one precedes and one follows (11.04.04.04). 140'0" exactly is IN this band (inclusivity fix verified by the 2026-07 audit). At 120 ft long or more, MDOT SHA's permit limits list police and private escorts for a superload. Confirm the escorts with MDOT SHA's permit office before the move. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Weight
Permit required80,001 lbs – 120,000 lbs
Permit required over 80,000 lbs gross. No weight-triggered private escort at 60 tons (120,000 lbs) or less (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(4) triggers at 'more than 60 tons gross weight'); escorts may still be required by dimension or when weather or road conditions justify one (.03A(6)).
Rear escort120,001 lbs – 130,000 lbs
COMAR 11.04.04.03A(4): 'more than 60 tons gross weight' = 1 private escort on any highway in the State; follows the load on multi-lane highways (11.04.04.04). The prior data's extra-escort claim for this band is removed on Tier-1 evidence: COMAR 11.04.04.06B puts the mandatory trigger for an additional escort at '16 feet wide or more or in excess of 75 tons gross weight' and 11.04.04.06C(1) puts SHA Hauling Permits Unit discretion at 65-75 tons; neither reaches 60-65 tons (120,001-130,000 lbs). One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Rear escort130,001 lbs – 149,999 lbs
1 private escort (COMAR 11.04.04.03A(4)). SHA Hauling Permits Unit MAY additionally require police escort when gross weight is between 65 and 75 tons (11.04.04.06C(1)). Route survey requirement carried from prior data for this weight range (not confirmed in a Tier-1 source) - confirm with SHA. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Rear escort150,000 lbs – 150,000 lbs
One private escort over 60 tons (120,000 lbs): it leads the load on a road with one lane each way and follows it on a road with two or more lanes each way. Above 75 tons (150,000 lbs) a police escort is also required - a police car, not a second pilot car; the escorting agency sets its placement and bills the permittee. COMAR says 'in excess of 75 tons'; SHA's page says '75 tons gross weight or more'. Source: COMAR 11.04.04.03A(4), .04D(2), .06A-B, .06D; MDOT SHA Overdimensional Permit Limitations page. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
Rear escort + Police150,001 lbs+
One private escort over 60 tons (120,000 lbs): it leads the load on a road with one lane each way and follows it on a road with two or more lanes each way. Above 75 tons (150,000 lbs) a police escort is also required - a police car, not a second pilot car; the escorting agency sets its placement and bills the permittee. COMAR says 'in excess of 75 tons'; SHA's page says '75 tons gross weight or more'. Source: COMAR 11.04.04.03A(4), .04D(2), .06A-B, .06D; MDOT SHA Overdimensional Permit Limitations page. One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
When more than one size needs an escort
One escort covers every one-escort trigger the move meets; two only for the two-escort triggers (COMAR 11.04.04.03). A pole vehicle leads (.04D(3)); otherwise, where a single escort rides when the rules disagree is set on the permit.
When a permitted load can move
- Standard hours
Hours printed on the permit govern. SHA allows 24/7 within 200,000 lbs GVW, 13'11" wide, 14'6" high and 120' long; otherwise COMAR sets daylight only, 1/2 hour after sunrise to 1/2 hour before sunset. 14' wide or more: 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on any highway.
- Night travel
Permitted when your permit authorizes it. SHA allows 24/7 within 200,000 lbs GVW, 13'11" wide, 14'6" high and 120' long, and 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m. for superloads over 150,000 lbs. Warning lights required at night. Confirm the hours printed on the permit.
- Weekend travel
No movement after 12 noon Saturday or any Sunday unless the permit specifically authorizes it. Toll facilities: daylight hours only, 9 a.m. Monday to 12 noon Friday, unless the Authority approves otherwise.
- Holiday restrictions
No travel on New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. Travel is not restricted on Martin Luther King Day, Columbus Day, Election Day or the day after Thanksgiving, though the permit office is closed.
- Urban restrictions
Capital Beltway (I-495/I-95) and Baltimore Beltway (I-695/MD 695): loads over 45 tons, 100' or more long, or 12' or more wide may move only 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Self-propelled equipment that cannot hold 40 mph is barred from both beltways 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.
Signage Maryland expects
- Oversize load sign
Wide Load or Oversize Load signs required on the front and rear when the vehicle and load exceed 9' in width. Black letters at least 10" high with a brush stroke at least 1 5/8" wide on a yellow background 18" high by 7' wide. Signs may not block lamps or signals.
- Flags
Red or orange fluorescent flags at least 18" square, fastened by at least one corner or mounted on a staff. Two flags at the widest extremities when over legal width. Overlength or rear overhang: one flag at the extreme rear if 2' wide or less, two if wider.
- Beacons
Warning lights are required if a permit vehicle operates at night: amber at the forward corners of the load and red at the rear corners. Each private escort must display at least one yellow oscillating or rotating roof light 3" or more in diameter, visible front and rear.
Maryland permit office
The permit office is the authority on every number on this page. Call it, or open the official site, before you rely on a threshold for a load that is close to a line.
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What are the legal limits in Maryland without an oversize or overweight permit?
In Maryland, the legal limits without an oversize or overweight permit are 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, 53'0" long (semitrailer) and 80,000 lbs gross. Legal overhang is 3'0" front and 6'0" rear. Anything over those figures needs a permit from the Maryland permit office before it moves.
When does an oversize load need an escort or pilot car in Maryland?
On 2-lane roads in Maryland, escorts begin at 13'1" wide. On multi-lane roads, escorts begin at 13'1" wide. The first escort tier is "Front escort" at 13'1" – 13'11" wide. Every tier on this page quotes its rule and source.
Can oversize loads travel at night, on weekends or on holidays in Maryland?
Night travel: Permitted when your permit authorizes it. SHA allows 24/7 within 200,000 lbs GVW, 13'11" wide, 14'6" high and 120' long, and 8:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m. for superloads over 150,000 lbs. Warning lights required at night. Confirm the hours printed on the permit. Weekend travel: No movement after 12 noon Saturday or any Sunday unless the permit specifically authorizes it. Toll facilities: daylight hours only, 9 a.m. Monday to 12 noon Friday, unless the Authority approves otherwise. Holidays: No travel on New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day. Travel is not restricted on Martin Luther King Day, Columbus Day, Election Day or the day after Thanksgiving, though the permit office is closed.