dump truck driver fails to lower bed hits overpass

#Dump truck driver fails to lower bed hits overpass drivers

That is, even though you can technically have up to 46,000 pounds on a tandem if you purchase a permit, most states will not issue that permit if you can simply unload the excess weight (e.g. Note, generally the states will not issue overweight permits for divisble loads.

That is, you can load your tandem up to 34,000 without purchasing a permit, you can load 34,000.46,000 with a permit, and if your tandem is loaded over 46,000 you cannot legally enter the state of Texas. When you know those two numbers, you'll have three ranges, for example for Texas, maximum legal weight on a tandem is 34,000 pounds and maximum permitted weight is 46,000 pounds. State limits are the most important ones, as these will determine how much and if you can move within that state.Īgain, there are two numbers you need to know, the maximum legal and maximum permitted weight. 127).Īlmost everything else you need to know are the state level regulations. Gross vehicle weight is limited to 80,000 pounds (23 U.S.C. In addition to Bridge Formula weight limits, Federal law states that single axles are limited to 20,000 pounds, and axles spaced more than 40 inches and not more than 96 inches apart (tandem axles) are limited to 34,000 pounds.

Maximum legal gross and axle weight limits.You can read about it and use the federal bridge calculator here. There is only a federal regulation for the maximum legal weight, the federal government does not issue overviewght permits, so they do not provide maximum permitted limits, those are determined by each individual state. They are quite complex and will require time to understand, but you have to understand them one way or another, hopefully before getting a violation on your record and paying thousands of dollars in fines. Those weights vary from state to state, and it is not as simple as total vehicle gross weight or 20,000 per axle, a lot of variables go into determining maximum allowed weight.

#Dump truck driver fails to lower bed hits overpass drivers

Also mind that trying to get around the limits by falsifying the weights on your overweight permit may be a felony.Ĭonsequently, it is important that both drivers and dispatchers understand truck loading and weight limits for axles and axle groups even before accepting the load. You can see an overview of overweight fines by state here.Īdditionally most states classify violation of overweight limits as a misdemeanor, and while not a felony, may be punishable by periods of probation, community service, and/or jail time that may be weeks, part time, and up to a year. Most states will also add court costs that may double the total cost of the fine. The fines for a grossly overweight vehicle can reach tens of thousands of dollars, and when a fine is levied for an overweight condition, it is the driver who will be cited and have that citation on his driving record. If you get caught overweight on an axle, gross vehicle weight, or worse haven’t purchased an overweight permit, the consequences can be devastating. Fixing roads is a huge expense to the state, so they will transfer that expense to you. Why axle weight limits are important to truckers