1. No category

Oversize/
Overweight
Permit Manual
Massachusetts
Foreword
The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association is pleased to publish this Oversize/ Overweight Permit Manual.
Each state analysis includes information in a standardized format: contact, legal limits, special permit limits,
general restrictions, types of permits available, fees, escort needs, fines, and restricted travel areas. Telephone
numbers, locations, and hours of operation are listed for ports of entry and permit branches. However, readers
are always advised to check with the state offices on current laws and procedures. This project could not have
been completed without the advice and consultation of many state officials. We thank all of those who provided
permit manuals, maps, laws, regulations, and various other forms of documentation.
Legal Notice
This SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual is intended only to provide concise, easily read information,
useful in planning movements of overdimensional and overweight loads. This Permit Manual is not intended to be
an accurate summary of all the applicable laws and regulations. Users of the Permit Manual should confirm the
information contained herein before dispatching vehicles and loads. The SC&RA cautions Permit Manual users
that state laws and regulations are subject to change without notice, and that some time elapses between the
effective date of such changes and the amendment of the Permit Manual to reflect those changes. The SC&RA
assumes no responsibility for accident, injury, loss or claim, penalties or any other damage resulting from
reliance on the contents of this Permit Manual.
Specialized Carriers &
Rigging Association
5870 Trinity Parkway, Suite 200
Centreville, VA 20120
PHONE: (703) 698-0291
Fax: (571) 722-1698
Website: www.scranet.org
Email: info@scranet.org
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Copyright 1987-2014 by the Specialized Carriers & Rigging
Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may
be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, scanning, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the publisher, Joel M. Dandrea, Executive Vice
President, Specialized Carrier & Rigging Association. Requests to
the publisher for permission should be addressed to Joel M.
Dandrea, Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association, 5870 Trinity
Parkway, Suite 200, Centreville, VA 20120.
SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual
MASSACHUSETTS
CONTACT:
Massachusetts Highway Trucking Permits Office
For Permit Related Issues, Contact Us At:
668 South Avenue
Weston, MA 02493
http://www.mhd.state.ma.us
(781) 431-5148
(781) 431-5014 FAX
Hours: Monday – Friday 7:00am – 4:00pm
Customers needing a permit must be in line by 3:30pm to have permits processed the same day.
LEGAL LIMITS
Designated
Highways
All Other
Roads
Designated
Highways
GVW
80,000
80,000
Single
22,400
22,400
18,000 less than 6' apart
Tandem
34,000
34,000
Less than 46" between centers
= 1 axle
Tridem
36,000
WIDTH
HEIGHT
LENGTH
36,000
--Federal Bridge Formula applies
All Other
Roads
8’6”
13'6"
40’
8'6"
13'6"
40' Single unit,
buses
45'
45' Buses
53'
Semi-trailer
33'
33' Trailers
28'Twins/Doubles not allowed
75'
75' Stinger-steered
Not allowed Rocky Mtn.Doubles
Not allowed Triples
75'
75' Saddle-mounts
TOLERANCE 5% on gross weight for reducible
load permits only
TIRE WIDTH 800 lbs. per inch width
ACCESS
Terminal access allowed as long as it
is deemed safe
OVERHANG Auto-transporters 3' front and 4' rear
EXEMPTIONS None
PERMIT LIMITS
ROUTINE ISSUE
Weight:
Single
Tandem
Tridem
Quad
Depends
Depends
Depends
Depends
Gross Weight:
5 axles
6 axles
7 axles
8 axles
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on
on
on
on
axle
axle
axle
axle
spacings
spacings
spacings
spacings
Reducible
99,000
99,000
99,000
99,000
Non-Reducible
130,000
130,000
130,000
130,000
SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual
Legal
Permitted Weight
3 Axle, 10 wheel dump
60,000
73,000
Tri-axle dump
Federal bridge formula
77,000
Tractor-trailer
80,000
99,000
Length:
Width:
Height:
115'
14'
14'
Over 13'8" high requires a route survey.
If load exceeds any of these dimensions or weights, refer to section on Super Loads.
PERMIT RESTRICTIONS
General – Permits cover only those routes or sections of routes designated as state highway. The permit is
void on all sections of roadway under control of the Massachusetts Turnpike Interstate 90 and connectors.
Contact MassDOT at 781-431-5148.
Single trip permits are valid for five (5) consecutive days.
Extensions/Revisions - Will revise on a case by case basis. In some situations a verbal revision will be given.
Operating Time - As a general rule, except as otherwise provided herein, all over-dimensional and
overweight vehicles with a permit may travel from Monday morning 12:01 a.m. - 12:00 noon on Saturday
except for special exceptions. Vehicles between 12' and 14' wide, over 80' but not exceeding 114' in length
and over 13'11" height may travel under permit only during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) except that
no such travel shall be allowed between the hours of 7:00 am – 9:00 am and between the hours of 3:30
p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Vehicles over 14' wide, and/or over 115' long may travel between the hours of 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and
only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Lift Axles - Lift axles must bear its full share of the load on the roadway surface.
Reducible load permits are issued to vehicles carrying bulk materials such as sand, gravel, logs, trash, and
petroleum in tankers, etc. Permits are issued for one year. (Maximum permitted weight will not exceed
gross vehicle weight rating or Massachusetts' maximum limits.)
Normally a permit may not be issued for oversize vehicles if in the opinion of the Department, a load can be
divided or arranged so as to conform with the following size limitations: width 8' 6", height 13' 6", single
vehicle except buses 40', bus 45', articulated bus 60'. Components must be detached. All pieces over 14'
wide must be reduced. If a component, which is detached, creates the overweight it must be hauled
separately. Non-reducible load permit are valid for five consecutive days.
Pup trailer permits: these regulations will permit a 3-axle truck weighing up to 60,000 pounds, including
cargo, to travel in combination with a 2-axle trailer, weighting up to 25,000 pounds, including cargo, with
the combination length not to exceed 65 feet. The permit allows a combination to operate on state highways
and throughways specified in the Regulations. The purpose is to allow a more fuel and cost efficient
transport of bulky materials, e.g. recyclable materials.
Self-propelled Equipment
No restriction apply to the house of operations of hydraulic cranes 11' wide or less and not more than 49'
11" long operating under their own power, except for Route 95, Route 93 and the Central Artery restrictions.
Other types of cranes operating under their own power shall travel under permit during daylight hours
except no travel will be allowed between the hours of 7:00 - 9:00 A.M. or 3:00 - 7:00 P.M., Monday through
Friday.
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SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual
The maximum length of a crane is 95'.
Intermodal (Containers)
Components must be detached. All pieces over 14' wide must be reduced. If a component, which is
detached, creates the overweight it must be hauled separately.
Manufactured Housing/Mobile Homes
No permit will be granted and no travel on state highways will be allowed for modular sectional or mobile
homes exceeding 13' 6" in total height. Maximum length, 100 feet. Modular, sectional or mobile homes
between 12' and 14' wide may travel only under permit during daylight hours Monday through Friday,
except that no such travel will be allowed between the hours of 7:00 - 9:00 A.M. or between the hours of
3:30 - 7:00 P.M. The maximum width for a modular, sectional or mobile home is 16', but there are limited
routes available. Call for details.
Wooden Trusses
Maximum length: 100 feet
Maximum width: 14' 5"
Maximum height: 13' 6"
Pools
Maximum width: 14' 6"
Maximum height with survey:14' 2"
Road Flaggers and Police Details – Regulation 701 C.M.R. Section 7.00, effective October 3, 2008 addresses
responsibilities of road flaggers and police details (including flagger training and work zone instruction).
Insurance - Must comply with Federal regulations. Public liability insurance affording coverage of not less
than $1,000,000/2,000,000 for all damages arising from bodily injury including death and $1,000,000 for
property damages including general, automobile and contractual liability.
Must carry minimum insurance of $750/500/10 for all ICC carriers.
Weekend/Night Travel - Saturday and Sunday until 12:00 noon.
Holiday - Travel is prohibited on the following holidays:
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
The State Permit Office will be closed on the above-mentioned holidays as well as Martin Luther King Day,
President's Day, Columbus Day and Veteran's Day, but travel is not restricted on these additional days.
No movements are allowed between noon the day preceding and noon the day following the above listed
holidays. Otherwise, travel is allowed on State Highways from Monday morning at 12:01 A.M. to noon on
Saturday and Sunday morning from 12:01 A.M. to noon.
Inclement Weather – No spring weight restrictions. A permit shall temporarily be suspended if
determined by Mass Highway that there is inclement weather, reconstruction or other conditions that would
cause a hazard to the people of the state. Mass Highway may restrict movement in certain areas and for
certain times depending on the dimensions of the vehicle. The restrictions will be printed on the permit.
Permit Information Required - License number and VIN of hauling vehicle, semi-trailer or trailer, date
move is requested, overall dimensions, gross weight, number of axles, origin, destination, routes to be
traveled, company name and address.
PERMIT TYPES
Reducible Load Permits – are issued to vehicles carrying bulk materials such as sand, gravel, logs, trash,
and petroleum in tankers, etc.. Permits are issued for one year. (Maximum permitted weight will not
exceed gross vehicle weight rating or Massachusetts’ maximum limits.)
Non-reducible Load Permit – are valid for five consecutive days.
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Pup Trailer Permits – are issued for a 3-axle truck weighing up to 60,000 pounds, including cargo, to
travel in combination with a 2-axle trailer, weighing up to 25,000 pounds, including cargo, with the
combination length not to exceed 65 feet. The permit allows a combination to operate on state highways
and throughways specified.
Annual Permits
The following can qualify for annual permits:
Construction equipment on lo-bed trailers
Truck (10 wheel or tri-axle): 60' long, 12' wide, 13' 6" high, registered weight.
Tractors: 80' long, 12' wide, 13' 6" high, registered weight.
Truck cranes: up to 95' long, maximum weight 130K lbs.
Boats and trucks of boats: up to 80' long (depending on truck), 11' 6" wide, registered weight.
FEES
Truck Permit Fee Schedule:
The fees and dimensions listed below for I-90 are for travel between Interchanges 1 thru 14 only:
OTPS FEE
State I-90 (Int. 1 - 14)
Single Trip Overweight/Oversize
40.00 40.00
Annual Overweight Permit
400.00 400.00
(Construction vehicles only)
Super Load Fee (see dimensions below) 300.00 300.00
Super Load Dimensions
State
I-90 (Int. 1 - 14)
Length
Over 134'
Over 100'
Width
Over 14' 11"
Modular: Over 14'
Over 12' 0"
Weight
More than 130,000 lbs More than 130,000 lbs
Height
Over 14' 11"
Not-To-Exceed 13' 6"
ESCORTS AND SIGNS
When Escorts are Needed(on all highways)
# Escorts
Length of 80' to 94' 11"
1 rear
Length over 94' 11"
2 front and rear
Length 134' or more
MA State Police & 2
Width 12' 1" and up dozer with blade attached
2 front & rear
Width 12' 1" to 13' 6"
1 rear
Width over 13' 6"
2 front & rear
Width over 14' 11"
MA State Police & 2 front & rear
Height over 13' 8"
1 front
Height over 13' 11"
2 front & rear
Height over 14' 11"
MA State Police & 2 front & rear
Height over 13' 8"
Height survey
Escorts on Cape Cod
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# Escorts
SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual
Width over 12' 0"
MA State Police & 1 escort
Vehicle Requirements - Light truck or passenger care with two (2) flashing amber lights visible from front
and rear. 24" square red flags on right and left rear and a sign reading "Oversize Load".
Signs - An oversize vehicle which does not require an escort shall have a sign on rear reading "Oversize
Load". Signs should be 7' long x 18" high. Letters should be at least 10" high with a 1.41" brush stroke.
Letters should be black on yellow background.
Flags - Flags must be red and at least 12' square. Mount on extremities and corners, required for overwidth
and overlength vehicles.
Certification – Pilot Car Escort Certification is not currently required.
Police Escort Requirements - In addition to the pilot car requirements as specified in 730 CMR 7.06
(4)(d), an over-size vehicle, with its load, that is higher than 13 feet 6 inches, wider than 12 feet, or longer
than 100 feet, or weighing more than 130,000 lbs., must be escorted by a motor vehicle of the
Massachusetts State Police. Any vehicle that is longer than 135 feet must be escorted by two motor vehicles
of the Massachusetts State Police.
FINES
Fines are $40 per 1,000 lbs. for the first 10,000 lbs. or fraction thereof and $80 per 1,000 lbs. thereafter.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL
Route 93:
Permit does not authorize travel on Route 93, south of Exit 30 in the City of Somerville or north of Exit
17/18 in the City of Boston.
Route 93 (portion of Route 128 and Southeast Expressway):
All over-dimensional and/or vehicles traveling under permit on that portion of Route 93 between Route 95 in
Canton and Exit 21 in Boston (located south of the Dewey Square Tunnel) may travel only during daylight
hours. Except that no such travel shall be allowed between 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 A.M. or between 3:00 P.M.
and 7:00 P.M. However, vehicles up to 12 feet wide and/or up to 80 feet in length may also travel during
the period from 3:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M.
Route 95 (Route 128):
All over-dimensional and/or overweight vehicles traveling under permit on that portion of Route 95 between
Canton and the intersection of Route 1 in Peabody may only travel during daylight hours. Except that no
such travel shall be allowed between 7:00 A.M. and 9:00 A.M. or between 3:30 and 7:00 A.M. However,
vehicles up to 12 feet wide and/or up to 80 feet in length may also travel during the period from 3:30 A.M.
to 7:00 A.M.
Allows Travel on I-90 (MASSPIKE) Between Interchanges 1 (New York State Line) thru Interchange 14
(Route 95/128) provided dimensions do not exceed 12’0” wide, 13’6” in height, 99,000 pounds and 80’ 0” in
length.
PORTS OF ENTRY
Port Of Entry-Springfield
Port Information
Port Code:
0402
Location Address:
1145 Main Street - Room 221
Springfield, MA 01103
Mailing Address:
Same As Above
General Phone:
(413) 785-0365
General Fax:
(413) 747-8940
Operational Hours:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM(Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
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SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual
Service Port-Boston
Port Information
Port Code:
0401
Location Address:
10 Causeway Street - Room 603
Boston, MA 02222
Mailing Address:
Same As Above
General Phone:
(617) 565-6147
General Fax:
(617) 565-6137
Operational Hours:
8:30 AM-5:00 PM(Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
.
Port Of Entry-Fall River (New Bedford)
Port Information
Port Code:
0407
Location Address:
37 Second Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Mailing Address:
Same As Above
General Phone:
(508) 994-5158
General Fax:
(508) 979-1285
Operational Hours:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM(Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Port Of Entry-Lawrence (Gloucester)
Port Information
Port Code:
0416
Location Address:
100 Cummings Center - Room 422A
Beverly, MA 01915
Mailing Address:
Same As Above
General Phone:
(978) 921-0782
General Fax:
(978) 922-8312
Operational Hours:
8:00 AM-4:00 PM(Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Port Of Entry-New Bedford
Port Information
Port Code:
0405
Location Address:
37 Second Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Mailing Address:
Same As Above
General Phone:
(508) 994-5158
General Fax:
(508) 979-1285
Operational Hours:
8:00 AM-5:00 PM(Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Port Of Entry-Gloucester
Port Information
Port Code:
0404
Location Address:
100 Cummings Center - Room 422A
Beverly, MA 01915
Mailing Address:
Same As Above
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General Phone:
(978) 921-0782
General Fax:
(978) 922-8312
Operational Hours:
8:00 AM-4:00 PM(Eastern)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)
Port Of Entry-Logan Airport
Port Information
Port Code:
0417
Location Address:
500 Terminal E
East Boston, MA 02128
Mailing Address:
Same As Above
General Phone:
(617) 568-1810
General Fax:
(617) 568-1813
Operational Hours:
Twenty Four (24) Hours A Day
Seven Days A Week (7)
PERMIT ORDERING
The Online Truck Permit System provides information on operating Oversize (Non-Reducible)/Overweight
(Reducible) vehicles throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You may apply for a Non-Reducible or
renew a Reducible permit with the online application and payment system.
Permit approval hours are from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday (see FAQ for further details).
Permit application is available on-line at http://www.mhd.state.ma.us. The process includes a PDF Permit
Form, Login Help, FAQ, and System Requirements.
You may download the application for Special Hauling Permit as a PDF (24KB) or a RTF (70KB) file.
Please fax the application to (781) 431-5014 or return the application to:
Department of Transportation
John Driscoll Building
668 South Avenue
Weston, MA 02493
Attn.: Permit Department
SPECIAL NOTES
Recent Changes – Effective November 1st, 2013 the fees for The Non-Divisible Oversize and Overweight
Loads along with the Super Load Permits will be changing. See new fee schedule above under “Fees”.
Also, travel on the I-90 Turnpike (Available Online, November 20th) will require a separate permit submittal
which must be requested through the Weston Permits Office. For additional questions please contact the
Permits Office at (781) 431-5148.
Also Effective November 1st, 2013 the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will not be participating
in the New England Transportation Consortium Permits (NETC).
Pending Changes – None Noted
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SC&RA Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual