The Maine answer
Legal limits
First escort trigger
- Width
- 12' or moreundated document · read secondary host
- Height
- over 15'undated document · read secondary host
- Length
- 80' or moreundated document · read secondary host
- Rear overhang
- over 5'undated document · read secondary host
- Gross weight
- No trigger published
What the paper costs
- Single-trip base
- $0 · caveat ↓undated document · read secondary host
- Transaction / card
- None published · caveat ↓undated document · read secondary host
- How overweight is priced
- Graduated weight bandsundated document · read secondary host
- Superload above
- The state publishes none
The short version: a Maine single-trip permit starts at $0 before bands, overweight and the transaction charge; an escort is first required at 12' or more wide; and the load becomes a superload at a gross weight the state does not publish. Everything below carries the Maine document it came from, that document's own revision date, and the date we read it.
1. Where the load goes next
The jurisdictions this one borders, each chip carrying the fact that decides whether that crossing is the expensive one — so the row is itself a small comparison. A multi-state lane is the actual job, and from here it is one click per state rather than a return to an alphabetical index.
2. Maine legal limits
Anything over one of these needs a permit. Every value links to the document that sets it.
| Measure | Legal limit |
|---|---|
| Width | 8'6"rev. · read 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(3): "A vehicle that is wider than 102 inches over all may not be operated on a public way or bridge. A portion of a vehicle or load may not project beyond the side of that vehicle to make a total width greater than 102 inches". EXCLUSIVE ("wider than"). The section excludes a list of appurtenances from the measurement where they do not extend more than 3 inches from the side — corner caps, door hinges, rain gutters, side lamp markers, lift pads, hazardous materials placards, tarps and tarp hardware, tiedown assemblies, weevil pins and sockets on lowbed trailers, steps and handholds, flexible fender extensions, and mud flaps and spray suppressants. 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 156 § 2(3)(B) prices from the same figure: "The maximum legal width limit as established in Title 29-A § 2380 is 102 inches (8 1/2 feet)." |
| Height | 14'undated document · read secondary hostFOURTEEN FEET, AND THE 13 FT 6 IN FIGURE BESIDE IT IS NOT A CONFLICT. 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(2)(A) caps a STRUCTURAL part at "more than 13 feet, 6 inches in height measured vertically from a level ground surface", and § 2380(2)(B) then allows the LOAD to sit above it: "A vehicle may not be operated on a public way or bridge if the load extends more than 6 inches above the maximum permissible structural height of the vehicle." 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 § 12(1)(B)(1) does the arithmetic in the agency’s own words: "No structural part of the vehicle shall exceed a height of 13 feet 6 inches. The load may extend 6 inches beyond the maximum vehicle structural height, MAKING THE LEGAL HEIGHT WITH LOAD 14 FEET on all highways except for the Maine Turnpike (There is no additional 6 inch load provision for any part of the Maine Turnpike)." ch. 156 § 2(4)(B) prices from the same figure: "The maximum legal height limit as established in Title 29-A § 2380 is 14 feet." THE TURNPIKE EXCEPTION IS REAL AND IS NOT ENCODED HERE — on the Turnpike the ceiling is 13 ft 6 in with the load, and § 19(3) warns separately that "Many bridge clearances on the Maine Turnpike are at 13 feet 6 inches". It rides on the Maine Turnpike Authority row, which already sends every quote to review. |
| Semitrailer length | 53'rev. · read 29-A M.R.S. § 2390(1)(J): "a single semitrailer whose total structural length exceeds 48 feet but does not exceed 53 feet may be operated in combination with a truck tractor on a highway network if the following conditions are met" — a kingpin-to-rear-axle wheelbase of no more than 45 ft 6 in, a kingpin setback of no more than 3 1/2 ft, a rear overhang of no more than 35% of the wheelbase, a rear underride guard, and compliant lighting and reflective material. INCLUSIVE AT 53 FT, AND CONDITIONAL: a 53 ft trailer that fails any of the five conditions is not legal under this paragraph. The unconditional figure is 48 ft — § 2390(1)(C) allows "greater than 45 feet but not more than 48 feet in structural length only if the distance between the center of the rearmost axle of the truck tractor and the center of the rearmost axle of the trailer or semitrailer does not exceed 38 feet". |
| Overall length | 65'rev. · read 29-A M.R.S. § 2390(1)(B): "The maximum overall length of a combination of vehicles may not exceed 65 feet unless otherwise permitted by law." EXCLUSIVE. THE "UNLESS OTHERWISE PERMITTED BY LAW" IS DOING REAL WORK AND IS WHY THE OVER-LENGTH FEE IS NOT PRICED: § 2390(1)(C) raises the overall maximum to 69 ft for a tractor with a 45-to-48 ft trailer, § 2390(1)(E) lifts the 65 ft cap entirely on the Interstate and designated federal-aid primary highways for a tractor with a trailer of 48 ft or less, § 2390(1)(D) allows 74 ft for a combination hauling tree-length logs, § 2390(1)(G) allows 80 ft for a stinger-steered autotransporter and § 2390(1)(I) 97 ft for a drive-away saddlemount combination. 65 ft is the general figure and the one a permit requirement is judged against here; see `me-over-length-fee-not-priced` for what that costs. |
| Kingpin to rear axle | None published |
| Front overhang | None published |
| Rear overhang | None published |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbrev. · read ONE NUMBER WHERE MAINE PUBLISHES FIVE, AND THE OTHER FOUR ARE IN `overweightBands`. 29-A M.R.S. § 2353(1) sets the gross weight limit by CONFIGURATION: "(A) For a 2-axle vehicle, 34,000 pounds; (B) For a 3-axle vehicle or combination of vehicles, 54,000 pounds; (C) For a 4-axle vehicle or combination of vehicles and, except as provided by section 2364, for single unit vehicles of 5 or more axles, 69,000 pounds; (D) Except as provided in paragraph E, section 2354, section 2357, subsection 4 and section 2365 for combination vehicles with 5 or more axles, 80,000 pounds; and (E) For a combination of 3-axle truck tractor and tri-axle semitrailer, 100,000 pounds." 80,000 lb is paragraph (D), the five-or-more-axle combination — the configuration a heavy-haul quote describes and the one `WeightBandInput.axleCount` is documented against. § 2353(2) reduces it further on short wheelbases: 1,000 lb per foot under 18 ft between the extreme axles excluding the steering axle on a four-axle combination, 2,000 lb per foot under 24 ft on five or more — and § 2353(3) exempts the Interstate from both reductions. Neither reduction is evaluated here. |
| Single axle | 22,400 lbrev. · read 29-A M.R.S. § 2353(4)(A)(1): "a vehicle may not be operated with a gross weight exceeding … On a single-axle unit, 22,400 pounds". EXCLUSIVE, and 2,400 lb ABOVE the federal 20,000 lb figure most of this corpus carries — a 21,000 lb single axle that needs a permit in thirty states is legal in Maine. § 2353(5) caps the tyre separately at "600 pounds per inch of tire width, manufacturer’s rating", with an exception for a vehicle operating under an overweight permit issued under § 2381; no tyre width is stated in a quote and the cap is not evaluated. |
| Tandem axle | 38,000 lbrev. · read 29-A M.R.S. § 2353(4)(A)(2): "On a tandem-axle unit, 38,000 pounds". EXCLUSIVE, and 4,000 lb ABOVE the federal 34,000 lb figure. § 2353(4)(B) adds a distribution rule the schema cannot hold: "A single axle of a tandem-axle unit may not support more than 60% of the total weight supported by that tandem-axle unit, unless neither axle exceeds the weight legally allowed on a single-axle unit of that vehicle." MAINE ALSO PUBLISHES A TRI-AXLE, which is rare: § 2353(4)(A)(3), "On a tri-axle unit, 48,000 pounds", with § 2353(4)(C) capping any one axle of it at 40% of the group. The schema holds no tri-axle field, so 48,000 lb is recorded here and not evaluated. |
3. The Maine escort ladder
Not one number per dimension — the whole staircase. Each row is a condition the state actually publishes, what it requires when that condition holds, and the clause it comes from. Where a rule requires escorts and the source states no number, the row says that in the source's own words rather than reporting no requirement.
| When | What is required | Source |
|---|---|---|
| rear overhang from 5' (exclusive) to 15'1" (exclusive) | 2 certified escortsAdvisory: 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 § 16 TABLE 1, the "2 Pilot Vehicles" rung, rear-overhang column: "Greater than 5 feet and less than 15 feet 1 inch". EXCLUSIVE AT 5 FT. TWO CARS FOR AN OVERHANG WHERE 12 FT OF WIDTH BUYS ONE IS WHAT THE TABLE PRINTS, and it is recorded as printed rather than normalised to one. BMV’s own overlimit page states the trigger in the same place — pilot vehicles are required for "More than 5 feet of rear overhang". |
SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revis…undated document · read secondary host |
| width from 12' to 16' (exclusive) | 1 certified escortAdvisory: 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 § 16 TABLE 1: one pilot vehicle on a MULTI-STATE permit at width "Greater than or equal to 12 feet", and on a MAINE ONLY permit at width "Greater than 12 feet and less than 16 feet". THE INCLUSIVE (MULTI-STATE) READING IS ENCODED, which differs from the Maine-only reading at exactly 12 ft 0 in and nowhere else: a Maine-only move measuring exactly 12 ft needs no pilot car. TABLE 1 governs loads that are not mobile or modular homes; TABLE 2 sets a different ladder for manufactured, modular, mobile and pre-fabricated homes and is not encoded here. |
SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revis…undated document · read secondary host |
| height over 15' | 1 certified escortHeight pole requiredAdvisory: 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 § 16 TABLE 1, the "1 Pole Car" rung, height column: "Greater than 15 feet". EXCLUSIVE AT 15 FT. A pole car is a priced service distinct from an ordinary pilot vehicle, and it is counted as one escort carrying a height pole rather than as a second car. |
SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revis…undated document · read secondary host |
| rear overhang over 15' | 1 certified escort1 police escort in frontAdvisory: 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 § 16 TABLE 1, the "1 Police Escort and 1 pilot vehicle" rung, rear-overhang column: "Greater than 15 feet". § 17(1)(C) states it again as a flat police trigger: escorts are required "when the rear overhang is greater than 15 feet". EXCLUSIVE AT 15 FT, and note it overlaps the two-pilot rung by one inch — that rung runs to "less than 15 feet 1 inch" — which is the table’s own seam and is left as the table draws it. 29-A M.R.S. § 2382(9-A)(C): "A vehicle or combination of vehicles for which a police escort is required must be accompanied by a STATE police escort when operating on the interstate highway system." Off the interstate a county sheriff or municipal department may provide it, and § 2382(9-A)(B) lets them refuse: "The Bureau of State Police shall provide a police escort if a request is made by a permittee. A county sheriff or municipal police department may refuse a permittee’s request for a police escort." NO RATE IS PUBLISHED FOR EITHER. § 2382(9-A)(A) delegates the figure to the Bureau of State Police, and 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 156 § 3 — whose chapter title promises the State Police escort fee — prints a billing rule instead of a price: escorts are "assessed at the actual cost of services including a two (2) hour minimum hourly vehicle cost", and "The minimum charge for the escort will be for four (4) hours which will be billed by the Department of Public Safety." ch. 157 § 17(5)(B) adds that "A three working day notice must be given to the State Police when their services are required or desired." |
SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revis…undated document · read secondary host |
| width from 16' to 20' (exclusive) | 1 certified escort1 police escort in frontAdvisory: 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 § 16 TABLE 1, the "1 Pilot Vehicle + 1 Police Escort or 2 police escorts when the Maine State Police, MaineDOT or BMV deems necessary" rung, at width "Greater than or equal to 16 feet and less than 20 feet". § 17(1)(B) states the same trigger as a flat rule ("Police escorts are required when a vehicle or combination of vehicles and load exceeds … 16 feet or more in width"), and 29-A M.R.S. § 2382(9-A) puts it in statute: "A person may not operate a single vehicle or a combination of vehicles of 125 feet or more in length or 16 feet or more in width on a public way unless the vehicle or combination of vehicles is accompanied by a police escort." INCLUSIVE AT 16 FT in all three. THE SECOND OFFICER IS DISCRETIONARY AND IS NOT QUOTED — the table says "or 2 police escorts when … deems necessary", which sets no condition a quote can evaluate, so one is priced and the possibility of a second is stated here. 29-A M.R.S. § 2382(9-A)(C): "A vehicle or combination of vehicles for which a police escort is required must be accompanied by a STATE police escort when operating on the interstate highway system." Off the interstate a county sheriff or municipal department may provide it, and § 2382(9-A)(B) lets them refuse: "The Bureau of State Police shall provide a police escort if a request is made by a permittee. A county sheriff or municipal police department may refuse a permittee’s request for a police escort." NO RATE IS PUBLISHED FOR EITHER. § 2382(9-A)(A) delegates the figure to the Bureau of State Police, and 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 156 § 3 — whose chapter title promises the State Police escort fee — prints a billing rule instead of a price: escorts are "assessed at the actual cost of services including a two (2) hour minimum hourly vehicle cost", and "The minimum charge for the escort will be for four (4) hours which will be billed by the Department of Public Safety." ch. 157 § 17(5)(B) adds that "A three working day notice must be given to the State Police when their services are required or desired." |
SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revis…undated document · read secondary host |
| width of 20' or more | 1 certified escort1 police escort in front1 police escort behindAdvisory: 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 § 16 TABLE 1, the "2 Police Escorts + 1 Pilot Vehicle" rung at width "Greater than or equal to 20 feet". THE TWO OFFICERS ARE SPLIT FRONT AND REAR ONLY BECAUSE THE SCHEMA COUNTS POLICE BY POSITION — the table states the number and not the stations, and § 17(2) leaves the final count to the Chief of the Maine State Police or a troop commander. The number is what the money depends on. ch. 157 § 8(18) adds duties at this width that are not escorts and are not priced: "Vehicles or combination of vehicles 20 feet and wider and/or 150 feet and longer require: A. utility and town department notifications, and B. movement only during clear visibility, and C. movement during hours other than commuter or school bus hours." 29-A M.R.S. § 2382(9-A)(C): "A vehicle or combination of vehicles for which a police escort is required must be accompanied by a STATE police escort when operating on the interstate highway system." Off the interstate a county sheriff or municipal department may provide it, and § 2382(9-A)(B) lets them refuse: "The Bureau of State Police shall provide a police escort if a request is made by a permittee. A county sheriff or municipal police department may refuse a permittee’s request for a police escort." NO RATE IS PUBLISHED FOR EITHER. § 2382(9-A)(A) delegates the figure to the Bureau of State Police, and 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 156 § 3 — whose chapter title promises the State Police escort fee — prints a billing rule instead of a price: escorts are "assessed at the actual cost of services including a two (2) hour minimum hourly vehicle cost", and "The minimum charge for the escort will be for four (4) hours which will be billed by the Department of Public Safety." ch. 157 § 17(5)(B) adds that "A three working day notice must be given to the State Police when their services are required or desired." |
SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revis…undated document · read secondary host |
| overall length from 80' to 125' (exclusive) | 1 certified escortAdvisory: 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 § 16 TABLE 1: one pilot vehicle on a MULTI-STATE permit at length "Greater than or equal to 80 feet", and on a MAINE ONLY permit at "Greater than 80 feet and less than 125 feet". The inclusive reading is encoded for the same reason as the width rung, and the two differ only at exactly 80 ft 0 in. |
SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revis…undated document · read secondary host |
| overall length from 125' to 150' (exclusive) | 1 certified escort1 police escort in frontAdvisory: 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 § 16 TABLE 1 at length "Greater than or equal to 125 feet and less than 150 feet", § 17(1)(A) ("125 feet or more in length"), and 29-A M.R.S. § 2382(9-A) in statute. INCLUSIVE AT 125 FT. 29-A M.R.S. § 2382(9-A)(C): "A vehicle or combination of vehicles for which a police escort is required must be accompanied by a STATE police escort when operating on the interstate highway system." Off the interstate a county sheriff or municipal department may provide it, and § 2382(9-A)(B) lets them refuse: "The Bureau of State Police shall provide a police escort if a request is made by a permittee. A county sheriff or municipal police department may refuse a permittee’s request for a police escort." NO RATE IS PUBLISHED FOR EITHER. § 2382(9-A)(A) delegates the figure to the Bureau of State Police, and 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 156 § 3 — whose chapter title promises the State Police escort fee — prints a billing rule instead of a price: escorts are "assessed at the actual cost of services including a two (2) hour minimum hourly vehicle cost", and "The minimum charge for the escort will be for four (4) hours which will be billed by the Department of Public Safety." ch. 157 § 17(5)(B) adds that "A three working day notice must be given to the State Police when their services are required or desired." |
SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revis…undated document · read secondary host |
| overall length of 150' or more | 1 certified escort1 police escort in front1 police escort behindAdvisory: 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 § 16 TABLE 1, the "2 Police Escorts + 1 Pilot Vehicle" rung at length "Greater than or equal to 150 feet (See Section 8)". § 8(18) is that cross-reference and it adds an unpriced obligation of its own: "when 150 feet or longer, the permittee is responsible for PUBLIC OUTREACH (including press release, municipal notification)", alongside the utility and town notifications, the clear-visibility requirement and the ban on commuter and school-bus hours. None of those has a published cost and none is quoted. 29-A M.R.S. § 2382(9-A)(C): "A vehicle or combination of vehicles for which a police escort is required must be accompanied by a STATE police escort when operating on the interstate highway system." Off the interstate a county sheriff or municipal department may provide it, and § 2382(9-A)(B) lets them refuse: "The Bureau of State Police shall provide a police escort if a request is made by a permittee. A county sheriff or municipal police department may refuse a permittee’s request for a police escort." NO RATE IS PUBLISHED FOR EITHER. § 2382(9-A)(A) delegates the figure to the Bureau of State Police, and 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 156 § 3 — whose chapter title promises the State Police escort fee — prints a billing rule instead of a price: escorts are "assessed at the actual cost of services including a two (2) hour minimum hourly vehicle cost", and "The minimum charge for the escort will be for four (4) hours which will be billed by the Department of Public Safety." ch. 157 § 17(5)(B) adds that "A three working day notice must be given to the State Police when their services are required or desired." |
SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revis…undated document · read secondary host |
The first trigger in each dimension
| Measurement | First escort trigger | First police escort trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 12' or moreundated document · read | 16' or moreundated document · read |
| Height | over 15'undated document · read | None published |
| Length | 80' or moreundated document · read | 125' or moreundated document · read |
| Rear overhang | over 5'undated document · read | over 15'undated document · read |
| Gross weight | None published | None published |
The same rules restated in plain sentences11 rules
- 12 ft wide or wider, under 16 ft — one pilot vehicle — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revision date stated. § 16 TABLE 1 is the pilot-vehicle and police-escort ladder for loads that are not mobile or modular homes, § 17 restates the police triggers, § 8 carries the limitations and the 20 ft / 150 ft notification duties, § 12(1)(B)(1) states the 13 ft 6 in + 6 in = 14 ft arithmetic in the agency’s own words, and § 19 governs the Maine Turnpike. undated document · read
- 80 ft long or longer, under 125 ft — one pilot vehicle — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revision date stated. § 16 TABLE 1 is the pilot-vehicle and police-escort ladder for loads that are not mobile or modular homes, § 17 restates the police triggers, § 8 carries the limitations and the 20 ft / 150 ft notification duties, § 12(1)(B)(1) states the 13 ft 6 in + 6 in = 14 ft arithmetic in the agency’s own words, and § 19 governs the Maine Turnpike. undated document · read
- 16 ft wide or wider, under 20 ft — one pilot vehicle and one police escort — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revision date stated. § 16 TABLE 1 is the pilot-vehicle and police-escort ladder for loads that are not mobile or modular homes, § 17 restates the police triggers, § 8 carries the limitations and the 20 ft / 150 ft notification duties, § 12(1)(B)(1) states the 13 ft 6 in + 6 in = 14 ft arithmetic in the agency’s own words, and § 19 governs the Maine Turnpike. undated document · read
- 125 ft long or longer, under 150 ft — one pilot vehicle and one police escort — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revision date stated. § 16 TABLE 1 is the pilot-vehicle and police-escort ladder for loads that are not mobile or modular homes, § 17 restates the police triggers, § 8 carries the limitations and the 20 ft / 150 ft notification duties, § 12(1)(B)(1) states the 13 ft 6 in + 6 in = 14 ft arithmetic in the agency’s own words, and § 19 governs the Maine Turnpike. undated document · read
- 20 ft wide or wider — one pilot vehicle and two police escorts — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revision date stated. § 16 TABLE 1 is the pilot-vehicle and police-escort ladder for loads that are not mobile or modular homes, § 17 restates the police triggers, § 8 carries the limitations and the 20 ft / 150 ft notification duties, § 12(1)(B)(1) states the 13 ft 6 in + 6 in = 14 ft arithmetic in the agency’s own words, and § 19 governs the Maine Turnpike. undated document · read
- 150 ft long or longer — one pilot vehicle, two police escorts and public outreach — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revision date stated. § 16 TABLE 1 is the pilot-vehicle and police-escort ladder for loads that are not mobile or modular homes, § 17 restates the police triggers, § 8 carries the limitations and the 20 ft / 150 ft notification duties, § 12(1)(B)(1) states the 13 ft 6 in + 6 in = 14 ft arithmetic in the agency’s own words, and § 19 governs the Maine Turnpike. undated document · read
- Rear overhang over 5 ft and under 15 ft 1 in — two pilot vehicles — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revision date stated. § 16 TABLE 1 is the pilot-vehicle and police-escort ladder for loads that are not mobile or modular homes, § 17 restates the police triggers, § 8 carries the limitations and the 20 ft / 150 ft notification duties, § 12(1)(B)(1) states the 13 ft 6 in + 6 in = 14 ft arithmetic in the agency’s own words, and § 19 governs the Maine Turnpike. undated document · read
- Rear overhang over 15 ft — one police escort and one pilot vehicle — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revision date stated. § 16 TABLE 1 is the pilot-vehicle and police-escort ladder for loads that are not mobile or modular homes, § 17 restates the police triggers, § 8 carries the limitations and the 20 ft / 150 ft notification duties, § 12(1)(B)(1) states the 13 ft 6 in + 6 in = 14 ft arithmetic in the agency’s own words, and § 19 governs the Maine Turnpike. undated document · read
- Over 15 ft high — one pole car — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revision date stated. § 16 TABLE 1 is the pilot-vehicle and police-escort ladder for loads that are not mobile or modular homes, § 17 restates the police triggers, § 8 carries the limitations and the 20 ft / 150 ft notification duties, § 12(1)(B)(1) states the 13 ft 6 in + 6 in = 14 ft arithmetic in the agency’s own words, and § 19 governs the Maine Turnpike. undated document · read
- Over 65 ft overall — Maine charges an over-length fee this quote does not price — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which states no revision date; the Secretary of State publishes this chapter as a Word document. It is the ONLY source for the four fee tables and for § 4(1)’s higher-fee rule, and every limit it restates agrees exactly with the statutes read alongside it: 102 in width, 14 ft height with load, 45/65/69/74 ft lengths and all five § 2353 weight thresholds. Also the source of the $75.00 instant-permit book, the $25.00 monthly overdimensional permit and the $65–$150 monthly overweight tables, none of which is applied. undated document · read
- Over 80,000 lb on six or more axles — a 100,000 lb registration would lower the fee or remove it — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which states no revision date; the Secretary of State publishes this chapter as a Word document. It is the ONLY source for the four fee tables and for § 4(1)’s higher-fee rule, and every limit it restates agrees exactly with the statutes read alongside it: 102 in width, 14 ft height with load, 45/65/69/74 ft lengths and all five § 2353 weight thresholds. Also the source of the $75.00 instant-permit book, the $25.00 monthly overdimensional permit and the $65–$150 monthly overweight tables, none of which is applied. undated document · read
4. Maine single-trip permit fees
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Single-trip base | $0undated document · read secondary hostTHE FEE IS THE TABLE. 29-A M.R.S. § 2382(2): "The Secretary of State, with the advice of the Commissioner of Transportation, may set the fee for single trip permits, at not less than $6, nor more than $30, based on weight, height, length and width." 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 156 § 2 is the exercise of that power and contains four tables and no base charge; § 2(5)’s $75.00 instant-permit book of 25 permits is a billing arrangement for an account holder rather than a fee for a move, and § 2(6)’s $25.00 monthly and § 2(7)’s $65–$150 monthly overweight products are not single-trip alternatives. THE $6 FLOOR IN THE STATUTE IS ALREADY THE FIRST RUNG OF EVERY TABLE, so it is not a separate minimum either. |
| Transaction / card | None publishedundated document · read secondary hostAN AFFIRMATIVE ABSENCE. 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 156 was read in full — § 1 definitions, § 2 fee structure, § 3 police escort arrangements, § 4 supplemental fee information — and no service, processing, administrative, convenience or percentage charge attaches to a single-trip permit. ch. 157 § 10 lists five ways to obtain one (in person, by mail, by fax, through a permit service, online at www.MoveMEMaine.com) and prices none of them differently; the only extra cost it names is the permit service’s own, which is "Payment must be made directly to the permit service in the form required by the permit service" and is a vendor charge rather than a state fee. Contrast Texas, which adds $0.25 plus 2.25% of the transaction. |
| Route analysis review | Not yet covered |
| Route with no bridges | Not yet covered |
Dimension bands
| Band | Fee |
|---|---|
| over width by 0–2 ft | $6undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(3) TABLE 3, the "Greater than 0 to 2" feet-of-excess row at $6.00. The legal width is 102 in (8 1/2 ft) under § 2(3)(B) and 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(3) ("A vehicle that is wider than 102 inches over all may not be operated on a public way or bridge"), so this band is width over 102 in and at or under 126 in. THE HEIGHT CEILING IS § 4(1)'S HIGHER-FEE RULE AND NOT A SECOND CHARGE: this band prices only while the height sits in bracket 1 or lower, because above that the height is "the limit requiring the higher fee" and TABLE 4 governs instead. |
| over width by 2–3 ft | $8undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(3) TABLE 3, the "Greater than 2 to 3" feet-of-excess row at $8.00. The legal width is 102 in (8 1/2 ft) under § 2(3)(B) and 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(3) ("A vehicle that is wider than 102 inches over all may not be operated on a public way or bridge"), so this band is width over 126 in and at or under 138 in. THE HEIGHT CEILING IS § 4(1)'S HIGHER-FEE RULE AND NOT A SECOND CHARGE: this band prices only while the height sits in bracket 2 or lower, because above that the height is "the limit requiring the higher fee" and TABLE 4 governs instead. |
| over width by 3–4 ft | $10undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(3) TABLE 3, the "Greater than 3 to 4" feet-of-excess row at $10.00. The legal width is 102 in (8 1/2 ft) under § 2(3)(B) and 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(3) ("A vehicle that is wider than 102 inches over all may not be operated on a public way or bridge"), so this band is width over 138 in and at or under 150 in. THE HEIGHT CEILING IS § 4(1)'S HIGHER-FEE RULE AND NOT A SECOND CHARGE: this band prices only while the height sits in bracket 3 or lower, because above that the height is "the limit requiring the higher fee" and TABLE 4 governs instead. |
| over width by 4–5 ft | $12.50undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(3) TABLE 3, the "Greater than 4 to 5" feet-of-excess row at $12.50. The legal width is 102 in (8 1/2 ft) under § 2(3)(B) and 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(3) ("A vehicle that is wider than 102 inches over all may not be operated on a public way or bridge"), so this band is width over 150 in and at or under 162 in. THE HEIGHT CEILING IS § 4(1)'S HIGHER-FEE RULE AND NOT A SECOND CHARGE: this band prices only while the height sits in bracket 4 or lower, because above that the height is "the limit requiring the higher fee" and TABLE 4 governs instead. |
| over width by 5–6 ft | $15undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(3) TABLE 3, the "Greater than 5 to 6" feet-of-excess row at $15.00. The legal width is 102 in (8 1/2 ft) under § 2(3)(B) and 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(3) ("A vehicle that is wider than 102 inches over all may not be operated on a public way or bridge"), so this band is width over 162 in and at or under 174 in. THE HEIGHT CEILING IS § 4(1)'S HIGHER-FEE RULE AND NOT A SECOND CHARGE: this band prices only while the height sits in bracket 5 or lower, because above that the height is "the limit requiring the higher fee" and TABLE 4 governs instead. |
| over width by 6–7 ft | $18undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(3) TABLE 3, the "Greater than 6 to 7" feet-of-excess row at $18.00. The legal width is 102 in (8 1/2 ft) under § 2(3)(B) and 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(3) ("A vehicle that is wider than 102 inches over all may not be operated on a public way or bridge"), so this band is width over 174 in and at or under 186 in. THE HEIGHT CEILING IS § 4(1)'S HIGHER-FEE RULE AND NOT A SECOND CHARGE: this band prices only while the height sits in bracket 6 or lower, because above that the height is "the limit requiring the higher fee" and TABLE 4 governs instead. |
| over width by 7–8 ft | $21undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(3) TABLE 3, the "Greater than 7 to 8" feet-of-excess row at $21.00. The legal width is 102 in (8 1/2 ft) under § 2(3)(B) and 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(3) ("A vehicle that is wider than 102 inches over all may not be operated on a public way or bridge"), so this band is width over 186 in and at or under 198 in. THE HEIGHT CEILING IS § 4(1)'S HIGHER-FEE RULE AND NOT A SECOND CHARGE: this band prices only while the height sits in bracket 7 or lower, because above that the height is "the limit requiring the higher fee" and TABLE 4 governs instead. |
| over width by 8–9 ft | $25undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(3) TABLE 3, the "Greater than 8 to 9" feet-of-excess row at $25.00. The legal width is 102 in (8 1/2 ft) under § 2(3)(B) and 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(3) ("A vehicle that is wider than 102 inches over all may not be operated on a public way or bridge"), so this band is width over 198 in and at or under 210 in. THE HEIGHT CEILING IS § 4(1)'S HIGHER-FEE RULE AND NOT A SECOND CHARGE: this band prices only while the height sits in bracket 8 or lower, because above that the height is "the limit requiring the higher fee" and TABLE 4 governs instead. |
| over width by more than 9 ft | $27.50undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(3) TABLE 3, the "Greater than 9" feet-of-excess row at $27.50. The legal width is 102 in (8 1/2 ft) under § 2(3)(B) and 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(3) ("A vehicle that is wider than 102 inches over all may not be operated on a public way or bridge"), so this band is width over 210 in. THE HEIGHT CEILING IS § 4(1)'S HIGHER-FEE RULE AND NOT A SECOND CHARGE: this band prices only while the height sits in bracket 9 or lower, because above that the height is "the limit requiring the higher fee" and TABLE 4 governs instead. |
| over height by 0–5 ft | $6undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(4) TABLE 4, the "Greater than 0 to 5" feet-of-excess row at $6.00. The legal height is 14 ft under § 2(4)(B) — 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(2)(A)'s 13 ft 6 in structural limit plus § 2380(2)(B)'s 6 in load allowance, which ch. 157 § 12(1)(B)(1) spells out as "making the legal height with load 14 feet" — so this band is height over 168 in and at or under 228 in. THE 102 IN WIDTH CEILING IS STRICTLY BELOW bracket 1 on the width ladder, which is what makes this band and the width band of the same bracket mutually exclusive: a load in bracket 1 on BOTH dimensions is priced once, by the width band, at the same $6.00. |
| over height by 5–6 ft | $8undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(4) TABLE 4, the "Greater than 5 to 6" feet-of-excess row at $8.00. The legal height is 14 ft under § 2(4)(B) — 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(2)(A)'s 13 ft 6 in structural limit plus § 2380(2)(B)'s 6 in load allowance, which ch. 157 § 12(1)(B)(1) spells out as "making the legal height with load 14 feet" — so this band is height over 228 in and at or under 240 in. THE 126 IN WIDTH CEILING IS STRICTLY BELOW bracket 2 on the width ladder, which is what makes this band and the width band of the same bracket mutually exclusive: a load in bracket 2 on BOTH dimensions is priced once, by the width band, at the same $8.00. |
| over height by 6–7 ft | $10undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(4) TABLE 4, the "Greater than 6 to 7" feet-of-excess row at $10.00. The legal height is 14 ft under § 2(4)(B) — 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(2)(A)'s 13 ft 6 in structural limit plus § 2380(2)(B)'s 6 in load allowance, which ch. 157 § 12(1)(B)(1) spells out as "making the legal height with load 14 feet" — so this band is height over 240 in and at or under 252 in. THE 138 IN WIDTH CEILING IS STRICTLY BELOW bracket 3 on the width ladder, which is what makes this band and the width band of the same bracket mutually exclusive: a load in bracket 3 on BOTH dimensions is priced once, by the width band, at the same $10.00. |
| over height by 7–8 ft | $12.50undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(4) TABLE 4, the "Greater than 7 to 8" feet-of-excess row at $12.50. The legal height is 14 ft under § 2(4)(B) — 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(2)(A)'s 13 ft 6 in structural limit plus § 2380(2)(B)'s 6 in load allowance, which ch. 157 § 12(1)(B)(1) spells out as "making the legal height with load 14 feet" — so this band is height over 252 in and at or under 264 in. THE 150 IN WIDTH CEILING IS STRICTLY BELOW bracket 4 on the width ladder, which is what makes this band and the width band of the same bracket mutually exclusive: a load in bracket 4 on BOTH dimensions is priced once, by the width band, at the same $12.50. |
| over height by 8–9 ft | $15undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(4) TABLE 4, the "Greater than 8 to 9" feet-of-excess row at $15.00. The legal height is 14 ft under § 2(4)(B) — 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(2)(A)'s 13 ft 6 in structural limit plus § 2380(2)(B)'s 6 in load allowance, which ch. 157 § 12(1)(B)(1) spells out as "making the legal height with load 14 feet" — so this band is height over 264 in and at or under 276 in. THE 162 IN WIDTH CEILING IS STRICTLY BELOW bracket 5 on the width ladder, which is what makes this band and the width band of the same bracket mutually exclusive: a load in bracket 5 on BOTH dimensions is priced once, by the width band, at the same $15.00. |
| over height by 9–10 ft | $18undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(4) TABLE 4, the "Greater than 9 to 10" feet-of-excess row at $18.00. The legal height is 14 ft under § 2(4)(B) — 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(2)(A)'s 13 ft 6 in structural limit plus § 2380(2)(B)'s 6 in load allowance, which ch. 157 § 12(1)(B)(1) spells out as "making the legal height with load 14 feet" — so this band is height over 276 in and at or under 288 in. THE 174 IN WIDTH CEILING IS STRICTLY BELOW bracket 6 on the width ladder, which is what makes this band and the width band of the same bracket mutually exclusive: a load in bracket 6 on BOTH dimensions is priced once, by the width band, at the same $18.00. |
| over height by 10–11 ft | $21undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(4) TABLE 4, the "Greater than 10 to 11" feet-of-excess row at $21.00. The legal height is 14 ft under § 2(4)(B) — 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(2)(A)'s 13 ft 6 in structural limit plus § 2380(2)(B)'s 6 in load allowance, which ch. 157 § 12(1)(B)(1) spells out as "making the legal height with load 14 feet" — so this band is height over 288 in and at or under 300 in. THE 186 IN WIDTH CEILING IS STRICTLY BELOW bracket 7 on the width ladder, which is what makes this band and the width band of the same bracket mutually exclusive: a load in bracket 7 on BOTH dimensions is priced once, by the width band, at the same $21.00. |
| over height by 11–12 ft | $25undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(4) TABLE 4, the "Greater than 11 to 12" feet-of-excess row at $25.00. The legal height is 14 ft under § 2(4)(B) — 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(2)(A)'s 13 ft 6 in structural limit plus § 2380(2)(B)'s 6 in load allowance, which ch. 157 § 12(1)(B)(1) spells out as "making the legal height with load 14 feet" — so this band is height over 300 in and at or under 312 in. THE 198 IN WIDTH CEILING IS STRICTLY BELOW bracket 8 on the width ladder, which is what makes this band and the width band of the same bracket mutually exclusive: a load in bracket 8 on BOTH dimensions is priced once, by the width band, at the same $25.00. |
| over height by more than 12 ft | $27.50undated document · read ch. 156 § 2(4) TABLE 4, the "Greater than 12" feet-of-excess row at $27.50. The legal height is 14 ft under § 2(4)(B) — 29-A M.R.S. § 2380(2)(A)'s 13 ft 6 in structural limit plus § 2380(2)(B)'s 6 in load allowance, which ch. 157 § 12(1)(B)(1) spells out as "making the legal height with load 14 feet" — so this band is height over 312 in. THE 210 IN WIDTH CEILING IS STRICTLY BELOW bracket 9 on the width ladder, which is what makes this band and the width band of the same bracket mutually exclusive: a load in bracket 9 on BOTH dimensions is priced once, by the width band, at the same $27.50. |
Maine has more than one permit issuer. A state total can be complete and still be missing a whole permit.
- Maine Turnpike Authority — The Maine Turnpike carries I-95 from Kittery to Augusta and is permitted by its own authority, not by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 § 19(4): "The Secretary’s issuance of a permit listing the Maine Turnpike as a route does not relieve the permittee of the obligation to also obtain a Turnpike-issued permit. The Turnpike requires a permit fee in addition to the fare normally charged for the class of vehicle involved." § 8(2) says the same from the other side: state permits "are granted only for roads and bridges maintained by the Maine Department of Transportation and the NETC network … The Maine Turnpike Authority also issues permits at the toll booth upon entry for movement over their road.". We do not hold this authority's fee schedule, so the leg goes to review rather than being quoted short. 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 — The administration of over dimension and overweight permits
5. How Maine prices overweight
Graduated weight bands. A NINE-STEP LADDER CHARGED ON THE EXCESS OVER A LIMIT THAT MOVES WITH THE AXLE COUNT. 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 156 § 2(1)(A): "The fees listed in TABLE 1 below are for the portion of the total vehicle or combination vehicle weight, including the load and all structural parts thereof, THAT EXCEEDS: (1) 34,000 lbs. for a two axle vehicle, or (2) 54,000 lbs. for a three axle vehicle or combination of vehicles, or (3) 69,000 lbs. for a four axle vehicle or combination of vehicles and for a single unit vehicle of five or more axles, or (4) 80,000 lbs. for a five or more axle combination of vehicles, except as provided in subparagraphs (5) or (6) below, or (5) 100,000 lbs. for a six or more axle vehicle combination consisting of at least a three axle truck tractor and a tri-axle semitrailer registered for 100,000 lbs. not operated on the Interstate System, or (6) 100,000 lbs. for a six axle vehicle combination consisting of a three axle truck tractor and a tri-axle semitrailer registered for 100,000 lbs. operated on the Interstate System." TABLE 1 then runs $6.00 for the first 5,000 lb of excess up to $27.50 above 40,000 lb. The fee is NOT distance-priced and NOT per-ton: it is a flat step, which is why in-state mileage is irrelevant to a Maine overweight quote.
The bands, as published
| Gross weight | Axles | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34,001 lb – 39,000 lb | 2 | $6 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 39,001 lb – 44,000 lb | 2 | $8 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 44,001 lb – 49,000 lb | 2 | $10 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 49,001 lb – 54,000 lb | 2 | $12.50 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 54,001 lb – 59,000 lb | 2 | $15 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 59,001 lb – 64,000 lb | 2 | $18 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 64,001 lb – 69,000 lb | 2 | $21 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 69,001 lb – 74,000 lb | 2 | $25 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 74,001 lb and up | 2 | $27.50 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 54,001 lb – 59,000 lb | 3 | $6 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 59,001 lb – 64,000 lb | 3 | $8 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 64,001 lb – 69,000 lb | 3 | $10 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 69,001 lb – 74,000 lb | 3 | $12.50 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 74,001 lb – 79,000 lb | 3 | $15 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 79,001 lb – 84,000 lb | 3 | $18 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 84,001 lb – 89,000 lb | 3 | $21 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 89,001 lb – 94,000 lb | 3 | $25 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 94,001 lb and up | 3 | $27.50 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 69,001 lb – 74,000 lb | 4 | $6 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 74,001 lb – 79,000 lb | 4 | $8 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 79,001 lb – 84,000 lb | 4 | $10 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 84,001 lb – 89,000 lb | 4 | $12.50 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 89,001 lb – 94,000 lb | 4 | $15 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 94,001 lb – 99,000 lb | 4 | $18 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 99,001 lb – 104,000 lb | 4 | $21 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 104,001 lb – 109,000 lb | 4 | $25 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 109,001 lb and up | 4 | $27.50 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 80,001 lb – 85,000 lb | 5 or more | $6 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 85,001 lb – 90,000 lb | 5 or more | $8 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 90,001 lb – 95,000 lb | 5 or more | $10 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 95,001 lb – 100,000 lb | 5 or more | $12.50 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 100,001 lb – 105,000 lb | 5 or more | $15 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 105,001 lb – 110,000 lb | 5 or more | $18 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 110,001 lb – 115,000 lb | 5 or more | $21 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 115,001 lb – 120,000 lb | 5 or more | $25 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
| 120,001 lb and up | 5 or more | $27.50 | SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which st…undated document · read secondary host |
6. Maine seasonal posting windows
A permit priced against an unposted-road assumption in March is simply wrong, and wrong in the expensive direction. This is the window we watch, the basis for that window in the state's own orders or statute, and the authority that posts it.
Seasonal posting
- Programme
- A statewide seasonal programmeMaine calls these posted roads rather than frost laws. The list covers state and state-aid highways and is republished as roads are added and released.
- Posting window we watch
- 02-15 → 05-31MaineDOT publishes the posted-road list for the spring thaw and lifts it as roads recover; the observed season runs from late February postings to a May lift.
- Issuing authority
- MaineDOT — Posted RoadsMaine Department of Transportation
The live Maine restriction picture, with the date we last read the bulletin →
7. Maine's superload threshold
Above one of these, the state stops issuing over the counter and prices the move after an engineering review.
| Trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Gross weight | None published |
| Width | None published |
| Height | None published |
| Length | None published |
| Short axle spacing | Not yet covered |
8. Route survey and bridge review
The dimensions at which Maine triggers a physical route inspection or an engineering review, and what the agency charges to review it.
| Measurement | Inspection / review trigger |
|---|---|
| Width | Not yet covered |
| Height | Not yet covered |
| Length | Not yet covered |
9. Police escorts
Charges exist and no schedule is published. A CHECKED NEGATIVE IN THE DOCUMENT THAT PROMISES THE RATE IN ITS OWN TITLE. 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 156 is headed "Fee structure for over dimensional and overweight loads, ALONG WITH STATE POLICE ESCORT FEE", and its § 3 states a billing rule and no price: escorts are "assessed at the actual cost of services including a two (2) hour minimum hourly vehicle cost", and "The minimum charge for the escort will be for four (4) hours which will be billed by the Department of Public Safety." 29-A M.R.S. § 2382(9-A)(A) explains why there is no figure to find in the rule — it delegates one that has not been published here: "The Bureau of State Police shall establish a fee for state police escorts to defray the costs of providing a police escort. A county sheriff or municipal police department may establish a fee to defray the costs of providing police escorts." Maine REQUIRES the escort at 16 ft wide, 125 ft long or over 15 ft of rear overhang, so the count is quotable and the cost is not. The four-hour minimum is the one piece of structure that is published and it is a real floor on a short move.
This is a positive finding: we searched and there is nothing to quote. It is not the same as "no police escort is ever required here".
10. When you can move it
Holiday, curfew and night-travel windows are not yet encoded for Maine. The seasonal picture — which is a different question — is in section 6 above.
Why those windows are absent rather than estimated
They are not guessed at here. What we do publish is the seasonal weight-restriction picture, with the date we last read each state's own bulletin — a curfew invented from a plausible pattern is worth less than an honest gap, because a reader cannot tell the two apart on the page.
11. Permit office
The agency behind each figure above is linked from that figure. We publish no per-state permit-office phone number.
Why there is no phone number here
We are not publishing per-state permit-office phone numbers yet, and the reason is worth stating: the two seed lists available for them are both demonstrably stale — the federal one gives two different states the same phone number — and a wrong number on a page like this costs somebody a morning. The agency behind each figure above is linked from that figure, which is the part we can stand behind today.
12. What this does not include
Named rather than gestured at, because each of these can exceed the permit itself. Every item is listed; open one for why it is excluded.
Line haul, fuel and driver time
This is a permit fee, not a freight rate.
Civilian pilot car rates
We hold no rate data, and the two commercial sites that publish market rates disagree by nearly a factor of two on the same service.
Route-survey engineering
The agency's review fee is shown where the state publishes one; the engineer's own fee is a private cost with no schedule.
Bonds and escrow
Set per move by the agency, and in at least one state the escort is billed at actual cost against it.
Utility coordination and line lifts
Arranged with each utility, priced by each utility.
Second-issuer permits
A toll, bridge or city authority inside the same state issues its own permit, and a state total that omits it is missing a whole permit.
Need a pilot car for this lane? Browse the pilot car & escort directory.
13. Every source behind this page (5)
Every document behind Maine5 sources
- 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 156 — Fee structure for over dimensional and overweight loads, along with State Police escort fee — Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (via Cornell LII) — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, which states no revision date; the Secretary of State publishes this chapter as a Word document. It is the ONLY source for the four fee tables and for § 4(1)’s higher-fee rule, and every limit it restates agrees exactly with the statutes read alongside it: 102 in width, 14 ft height with load, 45/65/69/74 ft lengths and all five § 2353 weight thresholds. Also the source of the $75.00 instant-permit book, the $25.00 monthly overdimensional permit and the $65–$150 monthly overweight tables, none of which is applied.
undated document · read secondary host - 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 — The administration of over dimension and overweight permits — Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (via Cornell LII) — SECONDARY — Cornell LII’s rendering, no revision date stated. § 16 TABLE 1 is the pilot-vehicle and police-escort ladder for loads that are not mobile or modular homes, § 17 restates the police triggers, § 8 carries the limitations and the 20 ft / 150 ft notification duties, § 12(1)(B)(1) states the 13 ft 6 in + 6 in = 14 ft arithmetic in the agency’s own words, and § 19 governs the Maine Turnpike.
undated document · read secondary host - 29-A M.R.S. § 2353 — Weight limits — Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes — PRIMARY, from the state’s own statute host. Source of the five configuration-dependent legal gross weights (34,000 / 54,000 / 69,000 / 80,000 / 100,000 lb), the 22,400 lb single axle, the 38,000 lb tandem and the 48,000 lb tri-axle. Section history: "PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW) … RR 1999, c. 2, §§30-32 (COR) … PL 2003, c. 166, §11 (AMD). PL 2005, c. 433, §21 (AMD)."
rev. · read - 29-A M.R.S. § 2380 — Height and width restrictions — Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes — PRIMARY. Source of the 102 in width limit and of the 13 ft 6 in structural height plus the 6 in load allowance that together make the 14 ft overall figure the fee table prices from. Section history: "PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. Q, §§68, 69; PL 2003, c. 452, Pt. X, §2 (AFF)."
rev. · read - 29-A M.R.S. § 2390 — Maximum length limits — Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes — PRIMARY. 45 ft for a single vehicle, 65 ft overall for a combination, 69 ft for a tractor with a 45-to-48 ft trailer, and the conditions under which a single semitrailer may run between 48 and 53 ft. This is the section whose four bases make the over-length fee unpriceable here. Section history ends "PL 2017, c. 165, §10 (AMD)."
rev. · read
Questions
How much is an oversize permit in Maine?
The single-trip base is $0, before the dimension bands, the overweight component and the transaction charge. The base alone is rarely what is paid.
When does Maine require a pilot car?
The first width trigger is 12' or more.
What is a superload in Maine?
Maine publishes no gross-weight superload threshold in the documents on file — see the superload section, which shows the dimensional triggers it does publish.