How to read a Maine oversize permit
Maine overlimit permits are issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, online through MoveME or by fax, mail, permit service, or in person, and each one is for designated, pre-approved routes from your origin to your destination. You may not leave the assigned routing without permission unless a police officer directs you or you follow a signed detour.
Issued by the Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Overlimit Permit Unit (routes set with guidance from the Maine Department of Transportation) through MoveME. Written from BMV's published rules; we haven't read a real Maine permit yet.
How to read the route
No sample permit is published, so the exact layout of the route section is not confirmed. Maine's rule defines the route as the set of highways linking your origin to your destination. A trip permit covers one trip in one direction, from the permitted origin to the destination, on the designated highways, within the time on the permit. You may not deviate from the assigned routing unless a police officer directs you or you follow a signed detour.
Road names on Maine permits
| On the permit | Means |
|---|---|
| I-95 | Interstate 95; the rule gives it its own Saturday cutoff in summer |
| Maine Turnpike | The toll road run by the Maine Turnpike Authority; it needs its own Turnpike permit |
| U.S. Route 1 | U.S. Highway 1, also written Route 1 in Maine rules |
Where the route starts and ends
Maine's rule defines the origin as the point where movement begins along the routes on the permit, and the permit runs one direction from origin to destination. How these points are printed on the permit was not confirmed.
Conditions to watch for
Travel time
Oversize loads travel in daylight only, which Maine defines as half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. From April 22 to November 18 that is Monday through Friday, plus Saturday until noon. From June 3 to August 26, Saturday travel on I-95 ends at 9 a.m. Source
“means travel one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.”
Holidays and summer weekends
No oversize travel on holidays or holiday weekends, all year, unless you get an emergency off-hour approval. Sunday moves in July and August need MaineDOT pre-clearance. Source
“From January 1 to December 31 overdimensional travel is not authorized on holidays and holiday weekends, unless permission...”
Pilot cars
On a Maine-only permit, one pilot car is needed over 12 feet wide (under 16 feet) or over 80 feet long (under 125 feet). The pilot leads on regular roads and follows on divided highways. Source
“Pilot vehicles must travel in front of the overdimensional vehicle(s)”
Police escorts
A police escort is needed at 125 feet or more long, 16 feet or more wide, or over 15 feet of rear overhang. Book it yourself and give the State Police at least three working days' notice. Only the State Police escort on the interstate. Source
“Police escorts are required when a vehicle or combination of vehicles and load exceeds:”
Signs, flags, and lights
Show an OVERSIZE LOAD sign, at least 7 feet by 18 inches, black on yellow, on the front bumper and the rear. Put red or orange 18-inch flags at the front bumper ends and the load ends. Run an amber light on the cab roof and low-beam headlights. Cover the sign and turn off the amber light when you are not oversize. Source
“The sign shall read: "OVERSIZE LOAD" or "OVERWIDTH LOAD" (if applicable)”
Weather
Do not move in poor visibility or when rain, snow, slush, or ice make the road unsafe. Conditions posted on 511ME count as notice. If it turns bad while moving, stop at the first safe chance. Source
Easy to miss
- The Maine Turnpike is not covered by the state permit. You also need a Turnpike-issued permit.
- Summer Saturdays are short: travel ends at noon from April 22 to November 18, and at 9 a.m. on I-95 from June 3 to August 26.
- On the interstate at 45 mph or slower, the rule says to get off the traveled way at the first chance.
Questions
Can oversize loads travel on Saturday in Maine?
Yes, but only in the morning. From April 22 to November 18 the rule allows Saturday travel from half an hour before sunrise until noon, and from June 3 to August 26 travel on I-95 ends at 9 a.m.
Does my Maine overlimit permit cover the Maine Turnpike?
No. Maine's rule says the state permit does not relieve you of getting a separate Turnpike-issued permit.
Can I leave my permitted route in Maine?
Not on your own. The rule says you may not deviate from assigned routing without permission, unless a police officer directs you or you follow a signed detour.
Sources
- MoveME, Maine overlimit permit system (login page)
- 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157 (BMV overlimit permit rules), section list (Cornell LII)
- 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157, § 1 Definitions
- 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157, § 8 Limitations and Restrictions
- 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157, § 10 Methods of Obtaining Overlimit Permits
- 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157, § 14 Safety Standards
- 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157, § 16 Pilot Vehicles
- 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157, § 17 Police Escorts
- 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157, § 18 Night Moves
- 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 157, § 19 Maine Turnpike Authority
- 29-250 C.M.R. ch. 170, § 9 Authorized Routes (road naming example)
- 29-A M.R.S. § 2382, Overlimit movement permits (Maine Legislature)
Your permit is the legal document; follow everything it says. Rules change; check BMV's site before you move.Last checked October 2026.