Maryland CMV Compliance Guide
MD DOT regulations for commercial motor vehicles
MD Motor Carrier Safety AssistanceOfficial MD DOT websiteOverview
Maryland State Police and MDOT SHA share commercial vehicle enforcement responsibilities. Maryland is a major East Coast freight corridor with I-95, I-70, and I-81 carrying heavy truck traffic. The Port of Baltimore is a significant cargo port, and the Baltimore-Washington corridor has unique congestion and routing challenges for commercial vehicles.
Inspection & Enforcement Program
Maryland operates weigh stations and mobile inspection units. The state performs Level I through Level III inspections and has an active enforcement presence on I-95, I-70, and I-81. Maryland participates in multi-state enforcement initiatives with neighboring states.
Weight Limits & Oversize/Overweight
Maryland follows federal weight limits of 80,000 lbs GVW on Interstate highways. The state has specific weight restrictions on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, and Fort McHenry Tunnel. Maryland issues overweight permits through MDOT SHA with specific routing requirements.
Maryland-Specific Requirements
- The Chesapeake Bay Bridge has specific commercial vehicle restrictions including wind-speed closures for high-profile vehicles.
- Baltimore Harbor Tunnel and Fort McHenry Tunnel have hazmat restrictions. Certain hazmat loads must use the Key Bridge replacement route or I-695.
- Maryland enforces an anti-idling law limiting diesel vehicle idle time to 5 minutes.
- The state has extensive local truck route restrictions in the Baltimore and Washington DC suburban areas.
Contact
MDOT SHA Motor Carrier Division: (410) 582-5734
Federal Requirements That Apply in Maryland
In addition to Maryland-specific regulations, all federal DOT and FMCSA requirements apply to commercial vehicles operating in MD. These guides cover each federal requirement in detail:
This information is provided as a general reference. State regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Maryland DOT or your compliance advisor before relying on any information presented here.