MarylandSB 02032025 Regular SessionSenate

Vehicle Laws - Exceptional Hauling Permits for Farm Products

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Farm haulers face revised compliance rules

Beginning October 1, 2025, drivers must carry their permit, on paper or electronically, and current maintenance-inspection proof for each vehicle. Maryland vehicles need required state inspection proof; out-of-state vehicles in interstate transport need required federal inspection proof. Exempt vehicles need a North American Standard Level 1 or Level 5 report from the preceding 364 days. It must show no out-of-service defects or critical items; these rules replace twice-yearly Level 1 inspections. Permit holders and carriers must provide ordinary business weight and delivery records when the State Highway Administrator or a designee requests them. Noncompliance can suspend both their permit and eligibility for additional farm-product permits until they comply.

Farm haulers get revised load limits

Beginning October 1, 2025, farm-product permit combinations can weigh up to 88,000 pounds with five axles. The limit is 95,000 pounds with six or more axles. Single axles are capped at 20,000 pounds, and tandem-axle groups at 40,000 pounds. The law removes the stated tolerances of 1,000 pounds for total weight and 15% for axle weights. That removal does not specify a replacement tolerance or create a new load allowance.

Milk haulers gain interstate access with limits

Beginning October 1, 2025, Maryland allows fluid-milk haulers with exceptional hauling permits to use interstate highways. This interstate exception does not extend to other farm products. Permit eligibility requires farm products as the only load, loaded in fields, from farm bulk-milk tanks, or elsewhere off-highway. Combinations must have five or six axles, with at least 50 feet between the front and rear axle centerlines. They also need at least 36 feet between consecutive tandem-axle groups, measured between those groups’ outermost axle centerlines.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Nick Charles
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

Mary-Dulany James
Democratic • Senate
C. Anthony Muse
Democratic • Senate
William C. Smith
Democratic • Senate
Chris West
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 179 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 133 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 1/30/2025