Maryland Transportation Section 24-108

      (a)      For purposes of this section, the distance between coupled axles (commonly known as "tandem" axles) shall be measured horizontally between their centerlines.

      (b)      (1)      Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the gross weight imposed on the ground surface by the wheels of an axle or axles of a vehicle may not exceed the following limits:

(I) Combination Vehicles

No. of Axles            Registered Gross            Gross

            Weight of Vehicle            Maximum

            Combination            Weight

            (in Pounds)            (in Pounds)

Single axle            73,000 or less            22,400

Single axle            More than 73,000            20,000

Coupled axle            73,000 or less            36,000

Coupled axle            More than 73,000            34,000

(II) Single Unit Vehicles

No. of Axles            Axle Distances            Gross

            Specification             Maximum

                        Weight

                        (in Pounds)

Single axle                        22,400

Coupled axles            Axles spaced less

            than 48 inches apart            36,000

Coupled axles            Axles spaced 48

            inches or more apart            40,000

            (2)      Except for vehicles operated under a permit issued under § 24-112 of this title, the gross weight imposed on the ground surface by the wheels of a front axle of a vehicle combination may not exceed either the lesser of:

                  (i)      The sum of the rated load capacities for each tire on the axle, except as provided in subsection (c) of this section; or

                  (ii)      The sum of the rated load capacities indicated by the manufacturer as to each tire on the axle with which the vehicle originally was equipped, except as provided in subsection (c) of this section.

            (3)      (i)      Except as provided in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph, any vehicle with a gross maximum weight in excess of 73,000 pounds may travel only on State highways, except while making a delivery or pickup, and then only when traveling by the shortest available legal route to or from the State highway for the purpose of making such delivery or pickup. In Baltimore City, the shortest available legal route shall be only on designated truck routes.

                  (ii)      If approved by the local governing body and the State Highway Administration, in Dorchester County, a vehicle with a gross maximum weight in excess of 73,000 pounds may use the Linkwood Road when traveling between East New Market and Linkwood.

                  (iii)      1.      The County Commissioners of Garrett County may, by ordinance, establish the authorized gross maximum weight of a vehicle that:

                        A.      Has at least 6 axles;

                        B.      Is a truck tractor and semitrailer combination; and

                        C.      Is using any part of Table Rock Road and Wilson Run Road in Garrett County that is owned and maintained by the county.

                        2.      The gross maximum weight established under this subparagraph may not exceed 87,000 pounds.

      (c)      Except on interstate highways, a vehicle carrying farm products as defined under § 10-601 of the Agriculture Article or forest products that have been loaded in fields or other off-highway locations is permitted an axle load limit tolerance of 10 percent.

      (d)      (1)      In Anne Arundel County and Baltimore County, garbage and refuse trucks that make collections on a fixed route and are owned by or doing business with any governmental entity in the respective county are permitted rear axle load limit tolerances of 10 percent if:

                  (i)      The overweight is due to bad weather; and

                  (ii)      The truck does not exceed its registered gross weight limit.

            (2)      A privately owned truck is permitted this tolerance only while actually engaged in the business of the governmental entity.