---
title: Maine Oversize & Overweight Permits (OS/OW) | MaineDOT Superload | Alpine Truck Service
description: Expedited Maine MaineDOT oversize permits, Maine Turnpike clearances, Canadian border logistics, and MSP escorts across I-95 and I-295. Call (918) 607-6547.
image: https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/alpine-third-party-charges.webp
---

# Maine Oversize, Overweight & Superload Permitting Services

Comprehensive commercial trucking permits and heavy haul compliance across Maine.

## Agency & Permitting Authority
- **Agency**: Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) / BMV
- **Portal**: MaineDOT Motor Carrier Permitting Portal
- **Regulatory Advisory**: State DOT regulations and permit processing queues are determined by individual state transportation authorities and vary by agency workload. Carriers should verify active route advisories and state requirements prior to movement.

## Legal vs. Routine Permitted Dimensions
- **Legal Width**: 8' 6" | **Max Routine**: 16' 0"
- **Legal Height**: 13' 6" | **Max Routine**: 14' 6"
- **Legal Length**: 53' Semi-Trailer / 65' Overall (74' on designated network) | **Max Routine**: 125' 0"
- **Legal Gross Weight**: 80,000 lbs (up to 100,000 lbs for 6-axle configurations on state routes) | **Max Routine**: 130,000 lbs
- **Axle Limits**: Single: 22,400 lbs, Tandem: 34,000 lbs, Tridem: 42,000 lbs

## Permitting Scope & Services in Maine
- **Routine Oversize (OS) Cab-Cards**: Single-trip authorizations for dimensions exceeding 8' 6" width or 13' 6" height.
- **Overweight (OW) Axle Permits**: Overload cab-cards for heavy machinery and configurations exceeding 80,000 lbs GVW.
- **Multi-Axle Superload Permits**: Specialized filings exceeding Over 130,000, including State DOT and certified partner bridge reviews, route surveys, and police escorts.
- **Annual & Blanket Fleet Permits**: Continuous-operation annual highway authorizations for construction fleets.
- **Temporary Trip & Fuel Permits**: 72-hour IRP vehicle registration and IFTA fuel tax credentials.
- **County, City & Toll Road Clearances**: Municipal authorizations and turnpike clearances.

## Superload Permitting & State Review Protocol
- **Weight Trigger**: Over 130,000 lbs GVW or exceeding Maine Bridge Weight Formulas
- **Width Trigger**: Over 16' 0" wide
- **Height Trigger**: Over 14' 6" high
- **Length Trigger**: Over 125' 0" overall length
- **State & Partner Bridge Review**: Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) / BMV electronic systems and certified structural engineering partners evaluate axle load distribution across bridge structures upon submission.
- **Route Surveys & Clearances**: Required for extreme heights/widths to verify overhead physical clearances.
- **Utility & Escorts**: Coordinated wire lifts with power utilities and State Police / Highway Patrol escorts.

## Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicle Requirements
- **Front Escort**: Required over 12' 0" wide on two-lane roads; over 13' 6" wide on multi-lane highways
- **Rear Escort**: Required over 13' 6" wide on multi-lane highways; length exceeding 90' 0"
- **Height Pole**: Required for loads exceeding 14' 6" in height (lead vehicle with calibrated pole)
- **Police Escort**: Maine State Police (MSP) escort required over 16' 0" wide, 16' 0" high, or gross weight over 130,000 lbs

## Metro Curfews & Travel Restrictions
- **Curfew Zones**:
  - Portland Metro / I-95 / I-295 Corridors: 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F (loads >12' wide)
  - Bangor urban core during peak commute hours
- **Travel Rules**: Daylight only (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset) Monday through Friday. Saturday travel allowed until 12:00 noon for loads under 12' wide. No Sunday travel.

## Key Freight Corridors
- I-95 (Maine Turnpike to Canadian Border)
- I-295 (Portland to Augusta)
- US-1 (Coastal Freight Arterial)
- Route 9 (Airline to New Brunswick)
- US-201 (Quebec Border Spine)

## Frequently Asked Questions
### How long does MaineDOT take to process an oversize permit?
Routine single-trip permits are typically processed in 2–4 business hours. Superloads requiring bridge structural reviews take 3–5 business days. Alpine coordinates all state filings immediately.

### What are Maine's pilot car requirements for wide loads?
Maine requires 1 escort for loads over 12' wide on 2-lane roads and over 13'6" on multi-lane highways. Loads over 90' long require a rear escort. Height over 14'6" requires a height pole.

### Can Alpine coordinate cross-border Maine to Canada heavy haul permits?
Yes. Alpine coordinates synchronized oversize/overweight permits across MaineDOT and Canadian provincial transport ministries (New Brunswick and Quebec).

### What is Maine's superload threshold?
Shipments exceeding 130,000 lbs gross weight, 16' wide, or 14'6" high are classified as superloads, requiring MaineDOT bridge analysis and State Police escorts.

## Contact & Direct Dispatch
- **Direct Phone**: (918) 607-6547 (CALL: [918-607-6547](tel:9186076547))
- **Email**: [permits@alpinetruck.com](mailto:permits@alpinetruck.com)
- **Online Intake**: [alpinetruckservice.com/permits/maine](https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/permits/maine)