Sec. 11.04.01.06. Special Hauling Permit

A. Authority to Issue. The Unit may issue a special hauling permit for a single movement of special mobile equipment or a vehicle where the load or vehicle or both are oversize or overweight.

B. A permit issued under this regulation for a vehicle which exceeds 27,000 pounds per axle but is less than or equal to 30,000 pounds per axle shall comply with COMAR 11.04.02.01-1E.

C. Application.

(1) To obtain a special hauling permit, the applicant shall submit an originally signed written application, facsimile, or electronic copy of the application on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Unit when the:

(a) Gross vehicle weight exceeds 40 tons (80,000) pounds); or

(b) Overall dimensions exceed 85 feet in length, 15 feet 6 inches in height, or 13 feet 11 inches in width.

(2) The applicant shall also comply with the specific conditions under COMAR 11.04.03.02 to obtain a special hauling permit for moves which involve excessive weight or excessive size as defined in COMAR 11.04.03.01.

(3) The Unit may otherwise accept an application by telephone.

D. A special hauling permit authorizes the permit vehicle to make a single one-way trip between the points and over the route designated on the permit. It also authorizes the return of an empty oversize vehicle to its starting place if the empty vehicle does not exceed the weight limits imposed by the Maryland Vehicle Law.

E. Carrying Permit or Substitute on Vehicle.

(1) Multiple Page Permit.

(a) The Unit shall label each page of a multiple page permit to show the page number and total number of pages.

(b) The original or clearly legible approved substitute of a multiple page permit shall be carried in the permit vehicle.

(c) A telegram or computer generated copy is an approved substitute for a multiple page permit if the format in which the permit information appears has been approved by the Unit.

(2) Single Page Permit.

(a) The permittee of a special hauling permit shall carry the original of the permit or clearly legible approved substitute in the permit vehicle.

(b) A facsimile copy of a special hauling permit is an approved substitute if all of the information on the permit is legible.

(c) A telegram or computer generated copy is an approved substitute for a permit if the format in which the permit information appears has been approved by the Unit.

F. Extension of Time for Move.

(1) If the move for which a special hauling permit is issued will be delayed to a time beyond the original expiration date of the permit, the permit may be extended once for a period of 5 consecutive days, not including Sundays or holidays when no move is allowed, upon payment of the prescribed fee.

(2) The permittee shall request the extension before the original permit period expires.

(3) The 5-day extension period shall begin immediately upon expiration of the original permit period.

G. If, after issuance, a special hauling permit is not used in the designated period or extension period, it is no longer valid. The Unit may not routinely cancel and issue a credit for the permit. The Unit shall consider requests for cancellation of the permit only in instances when extreme weather conditions prevent moves in Maryland, or when extraordinary circumstances exist preventing the move (e.g. emergency highway closure for repairs or extended crash investigation, police escort diverted-move canceled, etc.) as approved by the Chief, Motor Carrier Division.

H. A Permittee shall comply with all restrictions attached to the permit as well as any hauling permit restrictions posted on the Motor Carrier Division and Chart websites found at www.marylandroads.com. It is the responsibility of the Permittee to review these websites for current hauling permit restrictions prior to any move being made under the authority of the permit.