---
title: Maryland Oversize & Overweight Permits (OS/OW) | MDOT SHA Superload | Alpine Truck Service
description: Expedited Maryland MDOT SHA oversize permits, Capital & Baltimore Beltway curfews, Bay Bridge clearances, and MSP escorts across I-95 and I-70. Call (918) 607-6547.
image: https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/alpine-third-party-charges.webp
---

# Maryland Oversize, Overweight & Superload Permitting Services

Comprehensive commercial trucking permits and heavy haul compliance across Maryland.

## Agency & Permitting Authority
- **Agency**: Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT SHA)
- **Portal**: MDOT SHA Maryland Coordinated OS/OW Permitting (MD-COW)
- **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 | **Max Routine**: 120' 0"
- **Legal Gross Weight**: 80,000 lbs | **Max Routine**: 150,000 lbs
- **Axle Limits**: Single: 20,000 lbs (22,400 on non-interstate with statutory tolerances), Tandem: 34,000 lbs, Tridem: 42,000 lbs

## Permitting Scope & Services in Maryland
- **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 150,000, 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 150,000 lbs GVW or exceeding Maryland Bridge Formula ratings
- **Width Trigger**: Over 16' 0" wide
- **Height Trigger**: Over 14' 6" high
- **Length Trigger**: Over 120' 0" overall length
- **State & Partner Bridge Review**: Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT SHA) 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' 0" wide on multi-lane highways
- **Rear Escort**: Required over 13' 0" 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**: Maryland State Police (MSP) Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division escort required over 16' 0" wide, 16' 0" high, or over 150,000 lbs

## Metro Curfews & Travel Restrictions
- **Curfew Zones**:
  - Capital Beltway / Suburban MD (I-495, I-270, I-95): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:30 PM M-F
  - Baltimore Beltway / Metro (I-695, I-95, I-83, I-70): 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:30 PM M-F
  - Chesapeake Bay Bridge (US-50/301) and Baltimore Harbor/Fort McHenry Tunnels restricted
- **Travel Rules**: Daylight only (sunrise to sunset) Monday through Friday. Saturday travel allowed until 12:00 noon for loads under 12' wide. No Sunday travel. Overweight-only continuous travel allowed with lighting.

## Key Freight Corridors
- I-95 (Mid-Atlantic Freight Backbone)
- I-70 (Cross-Country Westbound Arterial)
- I-83 (Baltimore to PA)
- I-495 (Capital Beltway)
- I-695 (Baltimore Beltway)
- US-50 (Chesapeake Bay Bridge Corridor)
- I-81 (Western MD Spine)

## Frequently Asked Questions
### How long does MDOT SHA take to issue a Maryland oversize permit?
Routine single-trip permits submitted via MD-COW are typically processed in 2–4 business hours. Superloads requiring bridge analysis and Maryland State Police escorts require 5–10 business days.

### Are oversize loads allowed through the Baltimore tunnels (Fort McHenry & Harbor Tunnel)?
No. Loads exceeding legal height (13'6") or legal width (8'6") cannot use the Baltimore tunnels and must detour around the city using the I-695 Baltimore Beltway.

### What are the Washington DC / Baltimore beltway rush hour curfews?
Oversize vehicles cannot travel on the Capital Beltway (I-495) or Baltimore Beltway (I-695) between 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:30 PM on weekdays.

### What qualifies as a superload in Maryland?
In Maryland, shipments exceeding 150,000 lbs gross vehicle weight, 16' wide, 14'6" high, or 120' long are classified as superloads, requiring structural bridge calculations and MSP 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/maryland](https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/permits/maryland)