Sec. 11.04.02.08. Continuous Travel for Certain Special Mobile Equipment

A. In this regulation:

(1) "Continuous travel" means travel allowed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, subject to the provisions on the permit and any attachments or updates listed on the Motor Carrier Division and CHART websites found at www.marylandroads.com, and subject to all regulations (except hours for movement) under COMAR 11.04.01 -11.04.04.

(2) "Qualifying special mobile equipment" means any self-propelled special mobile equipment as defined by Maryland Vehicle Law and reasonably determined by the Maryland State Police to be capable of complying with safety requirements applicable to class E (truck) vehicles.

B. Subject to the requirements of this regulation, the Unit may issue permits for continuous travel for qualifying special mobile equipment.

C. Notwithstanding any regulation to the contrary, special mobile equipment traveling under a permit allowing continuous travel is required to comply with the motor carrier safety provisions of Transportation Article, §25-111, Annotated Code of Maryland, including, but not limited to, compliance with the following requirements:

(1) The special mobile equipment shall be equipped with all safety equipment and devices required by the Transportation Article and regulations promulgated under the Transportation Article for class E (truck) vehicles;

(2) The special mobile equipment is subject to roadside safety inspections by the Maryland State Police or other authorized police officers; and

(3) For safety violations, penalties shall be charged as established for Transportation Article, §25-111, Annotated Code of Maryland.

D. To qualify for continuous travel, the special mobile equipment:

(1) May not be oversize;

(2) Shall be capable of safely maintaining a speed of 45 miles per hour and may not impede the flow of traffic;

(3) May not exceed a gross vehicle weight of 90,000 pounds (45 tons) including all tolerances;

(4) May not exceed a single axle weight of 27,000 pounds including all tolerances; and

(5) Shall meet the safety equipment requirements in §C of this regulation.

E. With the exception of the departure from weight limits provided for in the permit, the user shall comply with all of the vehicle weight laws of Maryland and may not cross over bridges when the vehicle weight exceeds posted bridge limitations.

F. Procedures.

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

(2) In addition to other information required by the Unit, the application shall include the following:

(a) Written request for continuous travel;

(b) Serial number, identification number, or other similar information specifically identifying the unit of special mobile equipment for which the continuous travel permit is requested;

(c) Statement certifying that the particular unit of special mobile equipment identified on the application meets the safety equipment requirements described in §C of this regulation; and

(d) Statement of understanding that if the special mobile equipment is not in safe operating condition or fails to comply with safety equipment requirements, the permit automatically becomes void and the privilege to move the equipment granted under the conditions of the permit is immediately suspended until reinstated by the Unit.

(3) The permit is valid only for the unit of special mobile equipment for which it was issued and the original (not a copy) of the permit shall be carried in the unit when traveling on a highway in the State.

G. Penalties.

(1) If the special mobile equipment is found to be in unsafe operating condition or fails to comply with safety equipment requirements, in addition to the penalties provided for under Maryland Motor Vehicle Law, the permit shall be immediately rendered void and suspended until repairs are accomplished.

(2) A police officer may confiscate the permit if a safety violation is sufficient to place the vehicle out of service or for other reasonable cause. The officer shall immediately notify the Unit of the confiscation and return the confiscated permit to the Unit after it has been used as evidence in any law enforcement proceedings.

(3) The Unit may not give a credit, refund, or time extension for a period of suspension or confiscation, and the permit is not transferable to another unit of special mobile equipment.