Maryland 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.

In Maryland, Special Hauling Permits are available for trucks that exceed standard size and weight limits: more than 27,000 pounds per single axle or more than 34,000 pounds per tandem axle, or between 120,000 and 150,000 pounds total gross weight; wider than 9 feet (a superload is anything wider than 16 feet); higher than 13 feet 6 inches (vehicles higher than 14 feet 6 inches require a pole vehicle), trailers longer than 53 feet or superloads longer than 120 feet.

Loads must be as reduced in size as possible. No permits will be issued for overweight loads that could be dismantled or disassembled and transported under the legal limits.

Vehicles with Special Hauling Permits are subject to specific restrictions. Oversized trucks are not permitted to move on Saturday until 12 noon, and not permitted to move at all on Sundays. Facilities owned and operated by the Maryland Transportation Authority, including I-95, have even stricter limits: no movement from 12 noon on Friday until 9 a.m. Monday morning. No permit loads are allowed on I-895 at all (the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) except containerized cargo. In addition, oversized loads must obtain further permits for roads under city or county jurisdiction.

Oversized trucks in Maryland 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.