Maine Trucking Laws and Regulations

The federal government restricts the size and weight of trucks that can travel on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Trucks are limited to:

• 80,000 pounds for the gross weight of a vehicle,

• 20,000 pounds for a single axle, or

• 34,000 pounds for a tandem axle.

However, states have the option of issuing permits allowing overweight or oversized vehicles to travel on these highways or any other roads.

The state of Maine participates in the New England Transportation Consortium Overload Permit Program, which allows one state to issue permits for movement of overload vehicles through two or more member states (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) as long as the trucks meet the following limitations: less than 90 feet long, less than 13 feet 9 inches high, less than 14 feet wide and less than 120,000 pounds.

All trucks that exceed these limits must obtain oversize permits from each individual state.

Overload vehicles in Maine are subject to all safety regulations, routing requirements, time-of-day restrictions (sunrise to sunset), holiday restrictions (legal holidays and weekends in June and July) and escort requirements. They are not permitted to travel during inclement weather.

The Maine Turnpike has its own size and weight limitations. Vehicles who meet these limitations, and have already obtained the appropriate permits from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for local roads, may obtain the Turnpike permits at any Maine Turnpike toll plaza for $10.

Note that travel on any local roads that are subject to the jurisdiction of towns or municipalities must receive permits from those towns or cities.

Oversized trucks in Maine must maintain the insurance coverage required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: $750,000 in liability insurance, $500,000 in cargo insurance, and a $10,000 bond.

Has a Trucking Accident Occurred?

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, PC accepts and successfully resolves major trucking injury cases nationwide. Our lawyers, paralegals, and other professionals are specially trained to evaluate, develop, and negotiate these difficult cases to protect and benefit our clients. You do not pay any fee unless we win money damages for you. That means you can get the most experienced legal help and it won't cost one dime more than you would pay any other firm -- and we get RESULTS!

The goal of Munley, Munley & Cartwright is simple and direct: To Successfully Resolve the Legal Problems of our Clients.

If you have questions about an accident involving a tractor trailer, let us go to work for you.

You can contact the trucking attorneys of Munley, Munley & Cartwright for a free consultation by completing our online accident evaluation form -or- calling toll-free at 877-421-9175.