Maryland eases truck haul permit payment

Maryland eases truck haul permit payment    The Maryland State Highway Administration this week began accepting credit card and electronic check as an option to pay for hauling permits, which are required to transport oversized-overweight loads over the road.
   In specific, the new electronic payment system allows the highway administration's hauling permit customers to electronically pay for permits, invoices or replenish escrow accounts that are debited. The enhanced method of payment eliminates the need to pre-establish a payment account, the state agency said.
   Customers with pre-established online accounts, as well as seasonal and one-time permit customers, can now log into the Automated Hauling Permit System (AHPS), as a 'Guest,' and immediately take advantage of this expedited payment feature. A service fee of $4 per transaction will be collected by the vendor providing the service, Vital Chek (A Lexis Nexis Co.).
   The highway administration said the electronic payment option will 'save trucking companies and haulers time and money spent trying to expedite permit fees or interacting with their insurance companies to provide a credit bond.'
   On average, the state issues more than 175,000 hauling permits for oversized-overweight vehicles per year.