2019 Maine Frost Laws, Seasonal Load Weight and Speed Restrictions.
Each spring, Maine DOT evaluates potential damage to state highways and determines whether weight restrictions should be imposed to prevent damage due to freeze/thaw action. Many municipalities undertake similar evaluations and restrictions on local road systems.
This means that a road that can carry a 15-ton load in the summer or winter may only be able to carry a 5-ton load as it thaws. A posted state road’s maximum weight limit is 23,000 pounds. The posting is temporary and is designed to protect a road while it is vulnerable.
For up-to-date road conditions and restrictions, go to: http://newengland511.org/ and select “trucking” at the top of the page and “Maine” at the top of the map.
For information about local road postings, please see the “Locally Posted Roads” Section or contact the appropriate municipal office:
Length: 69 feet combined overall and the maximum length of your trailer can not exceed 48 feet. Width: 8 feet and 6 inches in the maximum width allowed by Maine DOT. Height: 14 feet is the maximum height allowed to travel in Maine legally. Weight: 80,000 pounds GVW is the maximum weight allowed without a permit.
Routine trucking permits.
Oversize and overweight trucking permits that are routinely issued by the Maine state DOT office:
Length: 125 feet in length is the maximum for a routine trucking permit. Width: 16 feet wide is the maximum for a routine permit and anything wider than this will require a police escort. If over 18 feet wide you will not be allowed to travel on the turnpike. Height: 16 feet high in the most on a routine permit (13 feet and 6 inches is the limit on the Maine turnpike) and this depends on your routing. If you are close to this or over you will possibly have to have a route survey done and you will be required to notify all utility companies that have obstructions along your route. Weight: Tandem axles: 52,000 pounds, tridum axles: 75,000 pounds, quadem axles: 100,000 pounds. Gross weight for 5 axles is: 130,000 pounds, for 6 axles: 140,000 pounds, and for 7 axles is the maximum gross weight allowed is: 167,000 pounds maximum.
Maine DOT superload information:
Anything that is over 125 feet long, 16 feet wide, 16 feet tall or over 125,000 pounds in weight is considered a superload by the Maine DOT. Permit approval could take 30 days depending on your proposed route and how far you want to exceed legal limits. You may wish to see: Maine state oversize and heavy haul trucking laws.
Permitted travel times and restrictions.
Maine DOT permitted travel times and travel restrictions:
One 1/2 before and 1/2 hour after sunset rule applies. With the exception of during the months of July and August you may travel on Saturdays and Sundays but may not during these 2 months. There is no holiday travel on the following holidays: New Years day, Memorial day, Independence day, Labor day, Columbus day, Veterans day, Thanksgiving day, Black Friday and on Christmas day.
NOTES: Turnpike travel: you may travel on the Maine turnpike during the daylight hours from Monday until Friday at 12 noon. You may not travel on the weekends. Max width if 14 feet 6 inches and for height see “Routine permits” above. You can reach the Maine turnpike office at 207-871-7771. Mobile home shipments can only travel on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and on Thursdays – after that you may not travel. Night shipments may be approved but have to clear the Maine state police for permission first.
When pilot cars are required.
If your shipment is over any of the following you will be required to have a pilot car or escort vehicle by the Maine DOT office.
If highway is divided, a single pilot car or escort vehicle is to be positioned at the rear of the vehicle. If the highway is undivided, a single pilot car or escort vehicle is to be positioned at the front of the truck and trailer.
Width: 12 feet to 14 inches requires 1 pilot car or escort vehicle., 14 feet and 6 inches to 15 feet and 11 inches requires 2 pilot cars or escort vehicles. Height: Over 16 feet requires a state police escort. Length: Over 79 feet and 11 inches requires 1 pilot car or escort vehicle. Over 110 feet requires 2 pilot cars (escort vehicles). Over 125 feet requires a state police escort.
NOTES: Signs must say “oversize load” in 10 inch high black letters on a yellow background.
They must be at least 7 feet wide by 18 inches high and posted on both the front and rear.
18 inch by 18 inch flags must be posted on all four corners of load. Pilot cars must have 2-way radio that has contact with at least a ½ mile range. The truck must have a flashing amber light on top of the cab.
How to apply for trucking permits.
Maine Department of State Bureau of Motor Vehicles, overlimit Permit Unit
29 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333 Phone: 207-622-5332 E-mail: overpermits@maine.gov Office hours: Monday thru Friday 7:30 Am until 5 PM Eastern Time
NOTES: The Maine turnpike requires a separate permit and has its own size/weight limits. (800) 698-7747 or 207-871-7771. Permits can be purchased
at Maine Turnpike toll plazas. Cost is $10. Signs must say “oversize load” in 10 inch high black letters on a yellow background. They must be at least 7 feet wide by 18 inches in height and posted on both the front and rear. 18 inch by 18 inch flags must be posted on all four corners of load. Pilot cars must have 2-way radio that has contact with at least a ½ mile range. The truck must have a flashing amber light on top of the cab.
Required shipment truck and trailer markings.
#####Coder notes>bring it:
Permit valid for.
DOT links.
Map shot.
Contact info.
Road closures.
Thaw law.
MDOT for juicy info that is hard to find.
Anson, Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Bar Harbor, Bath, Belfast, Berwick, Biddeford, Bingham, Boothbay Harbor, Brewer, Bridgton, Brunswick, Brunswick Station, Bucksport, Calais, Camden, Cape Neddick, Caribou, Chisholm, Clinton, Cumberland Center, Damariscotta-Newcastle, Dexter, Dixfield, Dover-Foxcroft, East Millinocket, Eastport, Ellsworth, Fairfield, Falmouth Foreside, Farmingdale, Farmington, Fort Fairfield, Fort Kent, Freeport, Fryeburg, Gardiner, Gorham, Greenville, Guilford, Hallowell, Hampden, Hartland, Houlton, Howland, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Kittery Point, Lake Arrowhead, Lewiston, Limestone, Lincoln, Lisbon Falls, Little Falls-South Windham, Livermore Falls, Loring AFB, Machias, Madawaska, Madison, Mars Hill-Blaine, Mechanic Falls, Mexico, Milford, Millinocket, Milo, Newport, Norridgewock, North Berwick, North Windham, Norway, Oakland, Old Orchard Beach, Old Town, Orono, Oxford, Pittsfield, Portland, Presque Isle, Randolph, Richmond, Rockland, Rumford, Saco, Sanford, Scarborough, Searsport, Skowhegan, South Eliot, South Paris, South Portland, South Sanford, Springvale, Thomaston, Topsham, Unity, Van Buren, Waldoboro, Waterville, Westbrook, West Kennebunk, Wilton, Winslow, Winterport, Winthrop, Wiscasset, Woodland, Yarmouth, York Harbor.
The information contained in these pages is research information primarily for use by oversize and overweight trucking company drivers, dispatchers and pilot car companies. While every effort is put into maintaining the accuracy of this information you must absolutely verify this information with the Maine State DOT Permits office before commencing movement.
