Maryland is the second state to offer fully electronic online oversize permitting. Until now, carriers could apply online to get the permits but had to wait until the paperwork was mailed or faxed, and they had to carry a paper copy in their cabs. Now, if stopped by a police officer who asks to see their permit, a driver can pull up a copy on his or her phone or computer. Louis Campion, president of Maryland Motor Truck Association, said, “If you have a permitted load, it’s going to make it easier for you to get your permit in a more timely fashion.”

The Maryland State Highway Administration’s Motor Carrier Division handles about 160,000 of the oversize and overweight permits a year, issuing about 600 to 800 permits each day. Indiana also has fully electronic oversize permit applications.