Legal size & loaded measurements
Vehicle structure
13′6″Cargo may extend up to 6″ above this structural maximum, for 14′ loaded height; adequate clearance is required.
Overall length
Maine's official quick reference uses an 80-foot pilot-vehicle trigger, but that is not a universal legal-length limit for every configuration.
Rear overhang
Maine's official quick reference requires a pilot vehicle above 5 feet of rear overhang; legal/permit treatment below that trigger remains product-specific.
Gross and axle weight
Maine Chapter 21 and §2382 govern weight permits; gross, axle, spacing, tire, registration and route facts are all required.
Width, vehicle height & cargo height
General width is 8′6″. Maine distinguishes the vehicle's structure from its cargo: structural height is limited to 13′6″, and the load may extend no more than 6″ above that maximum, for 14′ loaded height. Adequate overhead clearance is still required. Listed vehicle and cargo exceptions have their own conditions.
Permits, routes & larger loads
Roads & authorities
Maine BMV Overlimit Permit Unit applies to MDOT highways and bridges; towns/municipalities and the Maine Turnpike retain separate authority.
Permit products & applications
Maine requires an overlimit permit for nondivisible loads over legal dimension or weight limits; permits are valid for a stated route and limited period.
How to apply
Applications may be submitted through MoveMe, fax/application form or a BMV branch; only the issued permit controls the move.
State permit fees
Single-trip agency fee example
$6 for this Maine planning example: a nondivisible load measuring 8′7″ wide, 13′ high and 70′ overall, at 72,000 lb gross on a five-axle rig with a 48′ trailer. The example uses 100 in-state miles. Change the load details in the calculator for your move.
What the agency estimate includes
The calculator applies Maine's maintained single-trip permit schedule to the loaded vehicle and the supplied fee inputs. It itemizes the supported state charges, including weight or distance charges where applicable. Annual permits, special products, local permissions and payment-method charges need their own applicable schedule.
ME / Permit worksheet
Price your Maine movement.
Enter the complete loaded vehicle. Get estimated agency fees and escort requirements before sharing your contact details.
The numbers behind your next move.
Your result will show the agency fee breakdown, potential pilot-car requirements, and the rules used to calculate them.
- 01 State agency fee subtotal
- 02 Escort & survey considerations
- 03 Sources & pricing assumptions
Single-state pricing uses the mileage you enter. For a proposed route and intermediate states, use the route calculator.
About the example equipment
The samples use ODPermit’s editable 48 ft flatbed · 5 axles planning profile. Loaded dimensions, gross weight, 100 state miles and Texas registration are example inputs, not a capacity rating or a route approval. Replace them with your actual setup.
Great Dane Freedom trailer specifications — 48 ft platform; the illustrated 40 in drop deck and 20 in drop support a 60 in upper-deck planning height. Combined tare and tractor geometry are editable ODPermit assumptions.
Pilot cars, height poles & surveys
14′6″-wide load example
Example: 14′6″ wide × 13′ high, 75′ overall, 72,000 lb gross, zero overhang or rear projection, ordinary nondivisible freight in daylight. Two-lane roads: 1 front pilot car. Multi-lane undivided roads: 1 front pilot car. Divided highways: 1 rear pilot car.
Travel hours & road restrictions
Permit travel conditions
The Maine page states overlimit moves are subject to safety, routing, time-of-day, holiday and escort restrictions.
Restricted travel
Maine's official quick-reference page bars routine overdimensional travel from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise and on legal holidays/weekends in July and August, subject to source rules.
Signs, flags & safety equipment
Safety equipment
Maine requires oversize signs, red/orange flags, communications and amber warning lighting under the cited quick-reference and Rule 157 paths.
Oversize load signs
Maine requires an OVERSIZE LOAD sign in front/rear for the overdimensional movement; exact application depends on the rule and product.
What the driver needs
Prepare the driver packet
The permit must accompany the move it describes and be in the permittee's legal name. Confirm the accepted document format when the permit is issued.
Carry the permit
Maine's official overlimit page states the permit must accompany the described move and be in the permittee's legal name.
Special equipment & permit programs
Special permit programs
Mobile-home/modular-home and other special paths have additional width, lighting and equipment requirements; do not generalize them to ordinary freight.
Manufactured housing
Maine's quick reference adds power-unit and lighting conditions for mobile-home/modular-home loads at 11 feet 6 inches and 13 feet 6 inches widths.
BEFORE THE TRUCK ROLLS
Turn the estimate
into a permitted move.
Confirm the loaded measurements, carrier details, travel dates and exact pickup and delivery. We can help coordinate permits, escorts and route surveys around those facts.
THE SOURCE RECORD
Official references.
Read the rule behind each requirement. These are dated references; current restrictions and the issued permit control your move.
- 01
- 02Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A, Chapter 21: Weight, Dimension and Protection of Ways
29-A MRSA Chapter 21 — Weight, Dimension and Protection of Ways
Source record: - 03
- 04MaineDOT Posted Roads and Spring Weight Restrictions
MaineDOT Posted Roads and Spring Weight Restrictions
Source record: - 05Maine BMV Chapter 156, sections 2 and 4 — highest applicable fee
Maine BMV Chapter 156, sections 2 and 4 — highest applicable fee
Source record: - 06
- 07Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A, Section 2382: Overlimit Movement Permits
29-A MRSA §2382 — Permits for Movement of Nondivisible Objects
Source record: