Sec. 11.04.01.08. Fees

A. Blanket Hauling Permits. The fees for blanket hauling permits are:

(1) 30-day blanket permit - $50;

(2) Annual blanket permit - $500.

B. Book Permits.

(1) The fee for a book of ten single trip book permits is $300.

(2) If a book permit is unused and has not been completed or detached from the book, the permittee may return the book before its expiration date with the original and permittee's copies of the permit to the Unit, and the Unit may give a refund or credit, except when §B(3) of this regulation applies.

(3) If the Unit has approved the use of a book permit for a move over a designated route, the move shall be considered completed and the Unit may not make changes on or give a refund or credit for the single trip permit.

C. Special Hauling Permits. The fees for special hauling permits and special vehicle permits are as follows:

(1) The base fees for oversize and overweight are:

(a) Thirty dollars for the first 40 tons or less of gross weight; and

(b) Five dollars for each additional ton or part of a ton in excess of 40 tons.

(2) There are additional fees associated with permits for excessive size and excessive weight as described in §§D-I of this regulation.

(3) The fee for extension of a special hauling permit or special vehicle permit is $5.

D. Engineering Structural Review.

(1) For each application submitted for gross weights exceeding 60 tons, there is a fee for engineering structural review as provided in this section.

(2) For an engineering structural review, the number of analyzed and reviewed structures to be crossed, as determined by the Administration's bridge engineers, shall be multiplied by $8.

(3) For an engineering structural review requiring escort by the Administration's bridge engineers, the number of analyzed and reviewed structures to be crossed shall be multiplied by $20 for the initial move. For additional moves that follow the same route and are identical in vehicle load that are requested on the original application, the escort fee shall be $12 for each analyzed and reviewed structure crossed.

(4) A permit is not valid for more than 6 months from the date of the engineering structural review on which it is issued.

(5) For repeat moves that are identical as to vehicle, load, and route and that are requested on the original application, the engineering review may be valid for up to 6 months from the engineering structural review on which it is issued, without the need for additional engineering structural reviews or assessments of fees, if, within that 6-month period, there is no change in:

(a) The condition of any structure on the approved route; or

(b) Vehicle, load, or route from the specifications which are designated on the original application.

(6) Change in Structure Condition. If a change in the condition of any structure on the approved route occurs during that 6-month period, a new engineering structural review shall be performed on the structure or structures which have so changed, and the Unit shall assess the per bridge fee as set forth in §D(2) or (3) of this regulation.

(7) Change in Vehicle, Load, or Route.

(a) If a change in the vehicle, load, or route specified on the original application occurs during that 6-month period, the permittee shall submit a new application, and a new engineering structural review shall be performed, for which the Unit shall assess the applicable fee.

(b) A new application is considered an original application and, if it covers repeat moves, may be valid for up to 6 months from the date of the engineering structural review on which it is issued, subject to the provisions of §D(5) of this regulation.

E. An Administration district engineer may require a special permit move to be monitored by Administration personnel to promote compliance with permit provisions, to observe and report damage to State highways, and to summon assistance if necessary. The daily fee for monitoring by Administration personnel is $200.

F. Except for permits requiring unique or unusual considerations as may be determined by the Maryland State Police, the fee for a single escort by off-duty Maryland State Police officers is based upon the reasonable expenses incurred, as established by a schedule maintained by the Unit. These expenses include, but are not limited to, the maintenance and use of Maryland State Police vehicles and the overtime rate of Maryland State Police personnel.

G. The fees for an engineering structural review, monitoring by Administration personnel, and escorting by police will be added to the permit fee at the time of issuance. Regardless of whether a permit is actually issued, the fee for engineering review will be assessed.

H. The Unit may assess and collect, on behalf of the Maryland Transportation Authority, fees imposed by the Authority for permit moves on or across property owned by the Authority.

H-1. The Unit may assess and collect, on behalf of the City of Baltimore, fees imposed by the City for permit moves on or across roadways under the jurisdiction of the City in relation to the issuance of a joint permit to accommodate moves associated with the Port of Baltimore.

H-2. Refunds or Credits.

(1) The Unit may issue an appropriate refund or credit if:

(a) An Administration district engineer withdraws a monitoring requirement;

(b) The police escort, upon determining that the permit move can proceed with reasonable safety, responds to an activity that takes priority over the escort;

(c) A charge added to the permit for a district engineer escort, police escort, or other related service was not performed; or

(d) A charge was found to be in error as determined by the Chief, Motor Carrier Division.

(2) Refunds or credits made to a permittee's account shall be deducted from any fund transfer the Unit makes to an allied agency that was the subject of the refund or credit for a service not provided or charge made in error.

(3) Any fee or charge that is contested shall be in writing and submitted within 30 days of issuance of the permit by the Unit. The Chief, Motor Carrier Division will review the contested fee or charge and render a decision within 30 calendar days following receipt of the complaint. The decision of the Chief, Motor Carrier Division is final.

(4) Refunds for exceptional hauling permits are strictly prohibited.

I. There will be no permit fee charged to Maryland State agencies and local government jurisdictions, or to federal agencies. However, fees will be charged for engineering reviews and monitoring.

J. Additional fees may be assessed by other jurisdictions affected by the permitted routes.

K. Time of Payment.

(1) The permittee or applicant shall pay the total of all fees for any permit at the time of issuance by certified check, money order, or approved credit card unless a satisfactory credit bond or escrow account is on file with the Unit. The Unit may not accept cash.

(2) If the permittee or applicant has filed a credit bond with the Unit guaranteeing timely payment of all fees incurred, and if the Unit has approved the credit bond as to form, security, and amount, the Unit may bill the permittee or applicant for the permits issued during 1 or more preceding months. Escrow accounts are not guaranteed by an independent insurer and shall be valid only for the amount currently available in that account.