Regulations limit the size and weight of the vehicles that can travel on the nation's numerous roads and highways. These weight limits for trucks were put in place to limit the harm that highways progressively sustain over time and, as a result, lower long-term maintenance expenses. The fact that a huge truck might easily shatter a lighter bridge and cause accidents, however, means that they are also there to assure the ongoing safety of the road for commuters. The weight of the items being transported impacts the amount of profit that is made by semis and trucks. Therefore, taxes are another factor that contributes to the weight restrictions.
Experts mention that the weight of the vehicle (its chassis, engine, body, fluids, etc.), the weight of a single axle, and the weight of a tandem axle must all be included when calculating the weight of the freight. Every one of these has a set federal limit (80,000 lbs for the vehicle, 20,000 lbs for a single axle, and 34,000 lbs for a tandem axle group), but each state has its own set of restrictions.
There are a few reasons why trucks are subject to weight restrictions on public roadways and must be accurately weighed. The main cause is that when vehicle weight increases, road surface degradation does not increase linearly. A 5-ton axle applies 625 times as much pressure on the road surface as a 1-ton axle; it does not cause road surface damage five times as much as a 1-ton axle.
There is a case to be made that bigger trucks pose more dangers to road users. Weight has an impact on a truck's ability to stop and maneuver at highway speeds.
Although there are weight restrictions, they are different everywhere in the US. If a truck can pass the Federal Bridge Formula test (see Federal Bridge Formula Calculator), all states are required to let it travel on federally designated roadways up to 80,000 pounds. In several states, larger loads are permitted without the need for specific permits.
Trucks are built by truck manufacturers to be able to carry particular loads. Most of the time, the truck's structural integrity is built to support at least the heaviest load permitted by the maximum loaded axle weights for the roads being used. The truth is that many vehicles are capable of transporting weights that are much heavier than those that are permitted by law. As a result, some trucks are built by manufacturers to carry the greatest weights allowed in any given situation, i.e., a truck may be rated for a maximum gross vehicle weight well in excess of 80,000 lb.
Because state and federal authorities are worried about the safety of truckers, other drivers, and the routes they use, axle-legal weights are important for commercial trucks. If a truck is hauling too much weight, it could cause damage to roadways that aren't built to handle that much weight.
There is a real safety concern linked with carrying too much weight, as some bridges and overpasses may need help to sustain greater weight.
For this reason, experts clarify the maximum weight that any commercial truck is permitted to transport is on a single axle or a double axle, and there are truck weight limits by state guidelines. Following these guidelines will make driving safer for everyone on the road and ensure that the weight of the vehicles doesn't harm the roads themselves.
Commercial truck weight limits are as follows: Federal regulations set weight restrictions of 80,000 pounds for the gross vehicle weight, 20,000 pounds per axle, and 34,000 pounds for each tandem axle group. On the National Network (NN), there are additional Federal specifications for both width and length. The Interstate and a few other roads chosen by the States make up the NN.
Consequently, it is the driver's responsibility to obey established legal or maximum permissible gross vehicle or axle group weights for the routes on which the vehicle is to be driven and to be aware of both highway and non-highway limitations for the route of travel.
Although 80,000 pounds is the maximum permitted truck weight on Federal Highways, the maximum allowable axle weights for single, tandem, and other axle combinations vary from state to state, often dramatically. The maximum commercial truck weight limits permitted for your setup can be found here. Calculator for maximum axle weight as there are truck weight limits by state.
Dot truck weight limits are as follows:
The five distinct criteria that go into calculating overall limits—tire width, tire count, axle spacings, axle groups, and manufacturer rating—can all fluctuate from state to state. To establish your overall restrictions, the states will use the variable with the lowest limit.
State-specific axle and axle group weight restrictions are listed on our axle weight calculator page.
The maximum weight that any set of axles may lawfully transport on interstates is determined by the Federal Bridge Formula. Axle arrangement (number of axles, axle spacing, and weight distribution) and the FBF are used to calculate the proper weight of loads.
Reviews are necessary when axle groups or GVW (gross vehicle weights) exceed a specific weight threshold. While some states, like Texas, require the study to be conducted by a third-party company, other governments, like Oklahoma, conduct it internally. In either case, these bridge studies are performed to identify the path and the highest weight limits for safe navigation. Additional equipment with more axles (groups) would be needed to restart the procedure if the equipment fails the bridge reviews.
Note that every state has distinct dot truck weight limits for bridge assessments, as well as various procedures for handling them. Depending on the route and the weight of the load being carried, some third-party reviews could run into the thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
The state will charge you for fixing roads because it is a significant expense. The repercussions can be severe if you are found to be overweight on an axle, gross vehicle weight, or even worse, if you do not have an overweight permit.
When a fine is assessed for an overweight condition, the driver will receive a ticket, and the penalty will appear on his driving record. The fines for an excessively overweight vehicle might reach tens of thousands of dollars. Most states will also include court expenses, which could increase the total fine amount by two times. Here is a list of state-by-state overweight fines.
Additionally, the majority of states categorize exceeding weight limitations as a misdemeanor, which, while not a crime, may result in probationary periods, community service requirements, and/or jail time that might last weeks, part-time, or up to a year. Also, keep in mind that it may be illegal to attempt to circumvent the restrictions by lying about the weight on your overweight permit.
Because of this, it's critical that, even before accepting the load, dispatchers and drivers are aware of the weight restrictions for individual axles and axle groups.
These weights differ from state to state, and the maximum allowable weight is determined by many factors; it is not as straightforward as total vehicle gross weight or 20,000 pounds per axle. They are difficult to comprehend and will take some time, but you must do so in order to comply, ideally before receiving a violation on your record and having to pay hefty fines.
Experts in logistics emphasized the following truck axle weight limits.
1. Manufacturers Axle Rating
More than your equipment can support is not allowed. A manufacturer's rating should be visible on your truck and trailer. Make sure the weight stays within those ranges. Be aware that even if your equipment can support the weight, the states will let you transport it.
2. Rating for Manufacturers' Tires
Similar to before, never carry more than what the tire manufacturer has rated.
3. Maximum Axle Weights
You must take into account the maximum legal and maximum permissible limits.
The weight that you can transport without obtaining a permit is known as the Maximum Legal Axle Weight, which includes anything that is within the federal bridge formula or the state legal axle limit (state restrictions are sometimes greater than federal ones).
The state won't let you move above the maximum permitted axle weight, even if you have permission. Be careful always to be aware of both of those limits for the states you are traveling through.
Experts also mention
4. Federal Limits
The maximum legal weight is only governed by federal law; since the federal government does not issue weight licenses and does not set maximum allowable limits, each state sets its own.
The federal restrictions you should be aware of are:
Straight truck weight limit and dimensions restrictions for straight trucks can vary. However, the majority of straight trucks offer gross vehicle weight ratings of between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds and lie between Class III and Class VI.
Weight restrictions are in place to keep everyone on the road safer. The capacity of a vehicle to properly navigate scenarios like sudden lane changes, stopping abruptly because traffic slows down or a car swerves into our lane, and other challenges encountered on the road are directly related to how much it weighs.
For instance, we are now litigating a lawsuit in Fort Worth involving cars that were stalled in traffic when an 18-wheeler slammed into them, killing several people and injuring others.
An 18-wheeler would weigh the same as a passenger vehicle and be able to tow bigger loads with reasonable stopping distances and maneuverability in an ideal world where the rules of physics were changed. Unfortunately, the mechanics of moving big loads can be compared to trying to touch all three corners of a triangle while standing in the center of it: the closer you get to one, the further you are from the other. In terms of trucking, the tractor's capacity to carry more weight and potential risk increases as it gets bigger and stronger.
We work hard to make people happy.
Please, fill out the form, and our specialist will contact you to discuss details.
We use a tool to capture how users interact with our websites so we can analyze and improve the user experience. Clicking “Accept” allows us to use this tool when you visit our websites. For more information, read our Privacy Center article on Cookies and tracking.
