2019 Vermont Statutes
Title 23 - Motor Vehicles
Chapter 13 - Operation Of Vehicles
§ 1392 Gross weight limits on highways
§ 1392. Gross weight limits on highways
Except as provided in section 1400 of this title, a person or corporation shall not operate or cause to be operated a motor vehicle in excess of the total weight, including vehicle, object, or contrivance and load, of:
(1) 16,000 pounds upon any bridge with a wood floor, wood subfloor, or wood stringers on a class 3 or 4 town highway or 20,000 pounds on a bridge with wood floor, wood subfloor, or wood stringers on a class 1 or 2 town highway unless otherwise posted by the selectboard of such town.
(2) 24,000 pounds, upon a class 2, 3, or 4 town highway or bridge with other than wood floor, in any town or incorporated village.
(3) No vehicle may exceed a gross weight in excess of 80,000 pounds unless the operator or owner of the vehicle has complied with the provisions of section 1400 of this title, or except as otherwise provided in this section.
(4) Subject to the limit upon the weight imposed upon the highway through any single or tandem axle as set forth in section 1391 of this title, the total gross weight of vehicle with load imposed upon the highway by all axles of a vehicle or combination of axles of a vehicle shall not be in excess of the value in pounds given for the respective distance between the first and last axle of the vehicle or combination of axle spacing for vehicles measured longitudinally to the nearest foot as set forth in the following table:
Distance between the Maximum load in pounds carried in any group of two
center of the first and or more axles computed to the nearest 500 pounds
center of the last axle
of any group of two or
more axles
2 axles 3 axles 4 axles 5 axles 6 axles 7 axles
8 or less 34,000 34,000
9 39,000 42,500
10 40,000 43,500
11 44,000
12 45,000 50,000
13 45,500 50,500
14 46,500 51,500
15 47,000 52,000
16 48,000 52,500
17 48,500 53,500
18 49,500 54,000
19 50,000 54,500
20 51,000 55,500 66,000
21 51,500 56,000 66,500
22 52,500 56,500 67,000
23 53,000 57,500 68,000
24 54,000 58,000 68,500 74,000
25 54,500 58,500 69,000 74,500
26 55,500 59,500 69,500 75,000
27 56,000 60,000 70,000 75,500
28 57,000 60,500 71,000 76,500
29 57,500 61,500 71,500 77,000
30 58,500 62,000 72,000 77,500
31 59,000 62,500 72,500 78,000
32 60,000 63,500 73,000 78,500
33 64,000 74,000 79,000
34 64,500 74,500 80,000
35 65,500 75,000 80,000
36 66,000 70,500 75,500 80,000
37 66,500 71,000 76,000 80,000
38 67,500 72,000 77,000 80,000
39 68,000 72,500 77,500 80,000
40 68,500 73,000 78,000 80,000
41 69,500 73,500 78,500 80,000
42 70,000 74,000 79,000 80,000
43 75,000 80,000 80,000
44 75,500 80,000 80,000
45 76,000 80,000 80,000
46 76,500 80,000 80,000
47 77,500 80,000 80,000
48 78,000 80,000 80,000
49 78,500 80,000 80,000
50 79,000 80,000 80,000
51 80,000 80,000 80,000
(5)(A) Despite the axle load provisions of section 1391 of this title and the distance in feet between first and last axle as provided for in subdivision (4) of this section, a motor truck having three axles, if the two rear axles are both power driven and both equipped with adequate brakes, the gross weight of the three axles of the truck shall not exceed 55,000 pounds.
(B) When application is made to register a motor truck under the provisions of this subdivision, the applicant shall submit to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles specifications as to its make, brake equipment, and manufacturer's recommended gross weight. In the Commissioner's discretion, the Commissioner may refuse registration for its operation under this subdivision if the specifications for the vehicle would not permit its safe operation when so loaded.
(6) Despite the axle load provisions of section 1391 of this title and the distance in feet between first and last axle as provided for in subdivision (4) of this section, a motor truck having four axles, three of which are a tri-axle and at least two axles in this group being power driven and equipped with adequate brakes; the gross weight of the four axles of the truck shall not exceed 60,000 pounds, however:
(A) No two axles in the tri-axle group shall support more than 42,000 pounds with a 10 percent tolerance;
(B) No single axle of the tri-axle group shall support more than 22,400 pounds with a 10 percent tolerance;
(C) The total load supported by the tri-axle group shall not exceed 54,000 pounds;
(D) Three or more axles within a distance of 12 feet or less apart shall be considered as a tri-axle group and, if a single axle is closer than eight feet to the nearest axle of the tri-axle group, the total load shall not exceed that allowed for a tri-axle group;
(E) [Repealed.]
(7)-(10) [Repealed.]
(11) The weights or tolerances or both as set forth in subdivisions (5) and (6) of this section shall not apply to the highways designated as portions of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways unless authorized by federal law.
(12) [Repealed.]
(13) Despite the axle-load provisions of section 1391 of this title and the maximum gross load of subdivision (4) of this section, a special annual permit, which shall expire coincidentally with the vehicle's registration, except for vehicles not registered in Vermont in which case the permit shall become void on January 1 following date of issue, may be issued to a person or corporation operating on designated routes on the State Highway System for a fee of $415.00 for each vehicle which must be registered for a weight of 80,000 pounds. This special permit shall be issued only for a combination of vehicle and semi-trailer or trailer equipped with five or more axles, with a distance between axles which meets the minimum requirements of registering the vehicle to 80,000 pounds as allowed under subdivision (4) of this section. The maximum gross load under this special permit shall be 90,000 pounds. Unless authorized by federal law, this subdivision shall not apply to operation on the Interstate and Defense Highway System.
(14) Despite the axle-load provisions of section 1391 of this title and the axle spacing and the maximum gross load of subdivision (4) of this section, a special annual permit, which shall expire coincidentally with the vehicle's registration, except for vehicles not registered in Vermont in which case the permit shall become void on January 1 following date of issue, may be issued to a person or corporation transporting loads on vehicles on designated routes on the State Highway System for the following fees for each vehicle unit. Unless authorized by federal law, the provisions of this subdivision regarding weight limits, tolerances, or both shall not apply to operation on the Interstate and Defense Highway System. This special permit shall be issued for the following vehicles and conditions:
(A) 3-axle trucks with a single steering axle and a rear tandem axle which have a maximum gross weight of not more than 60,000 pounds when registered for a minimum gross weight of not more than 55,000 pounds, the permit fee shall be $156.00.
(B) 4-axle trucks with a single steering axle and a rear tri-axle unit which have a maximum gross weight of not more than 69,000 pounds when registered for a minimum weight of 60,000 pounds, the permit fee shall be $352.00
(C) 4-axle tractor semi-trailer or truck trailer combination with a maximum gross weight of not more than 72,000 pounds, provided the distance between the second axle of the tractor and the rear axle of the trailer is at least 24 feet measured to the nearest foot. For each foot or fraction of a foot less than 24 feet, measured to the nearest foot, a reduction of 2,000 pounds in the maximum gross weight shall be made. The permit fee shall be $15.00.
(D) 5- or more axle tractor semi-trailer or truck trailer combination with a maximum gross weight of not more than 76,000 pounds, provided that the distance between the first and last axle of two consecutive sets of tandem axles is at least 24 feet measured to the nearest foot. For each foot or fraction of a foot less than 24 feet, measured to the nearest foot, a reduction of 2,000 pounds in the maximum gross weight shall be made. The permit fee shall be $15.00.
(E) No single axle of a tandem axle unit shall support more than 60 percent of the total weight supported by such tandem axle unit.
(F) No single axle of a tri-axle unit shall support more than 40 percent of the total weight supported by such tri-axle unit.
(G) The maximum load on any axle of such vehicle shall not exceed more than 600 pounds per inch of tire width computed in conformity with the manufacturer's designated width.
(H) A five percent tolerance shall be allowed on the gross vehicle weights allowed under permits issued pursuant to this subdivision.
(15) Despite the axle load provisions of section 1391 of this title and the axle spacing and the maximum gross load of subdivision (4) of this section, a 5-axle tractor semi-trailer may operate on State highways with the following conditions:
(A) For each foot or fraction of a foot less than 36 feet between the first and last axle of two consecutive sets of tandem axles, a reduction of 2,000 pounds in the maximum gross weight of 80,000 pounds shall be made.
(B) Conditions in subdivisions (14)(D) and (F) of this section shall also apply to this subdivision, and unless authorized by federal law, this subdivision shall not apply to operation on the Interstate and Defense Highway System.
(16) Notwithstanding the axle load provisions of section 1391 of this title and the maximum gross load of subdivision (4) of this section, a five or more axle truck tractor, semi-trailer combination, or truck trailer combination, when the load consists solely of unprocessed milk products as defined in subdivision 4(55) of this title, may be registered for and operated with a maximum gross weight of 90,000 pounds on State highways without permit, and upon posted State and town highways and on those highways designated as the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways when the vehicle has been issued a permit in compliance with the provisions of section 1400 of this title; however:
(A) Vehicles operated pursuant to this subdivision (16) shall be subject to the same axle spacing restrictions as are applied to five or more axle vehicles registered to 80,000 pounds as set forth in subdivision (4) of this section.
(B) On those highways designated as the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, the provisions of subsection 1391(c) of this title shall apply unless other axle load limits, tolerances, or both are authorized under federal law.
(C) The fee for the annual permit as provided in this subdivision (16) shall be $10.00 when the fee has been paid to register the vehicle for 90,000 pounds or $382.00 when the vehicle is registered for 80,000 pounds.
(17) Notwithstanding the gross vehicle weight provisions of subdivision (4) of this section, a truck trailer combination or truck tractor, semi-trailer combination with six or more load-bearing axles shall be allowed to bear a maximum of 99,000 pounds by special annual permit, which shall expire coincidentally with the vehicle's registration, except for vehicles not registered in Vermont in which case the permit shall become void on January 1 following the date of issue, for operating on designated routes on State and town highways, subject to the following:
(A) The combination of vehicles must have as a minimum, a distance of 51 feet between extreme axles.
(B) The axle weight provisions of section 1391 of this title and subdivision 1392(6) of this section shall also apply to vehicles permitted under this subdivision.
(C) When determining the fine for a gross overweight violation of this subdivision, the fine for any portion of the first 10,000 pounds over the permitted weight shall be the same as provided in section 1391a of this title, and for overweight violations 10,001 pounds or more over the permitted weight, the fine schedule provided in section 1391a shall be doubled.
(D) The weight permitted by this subdivision shall be allowed for foreign trucks which are registered or permitted for 99,000 pounds in a state or province which recognizes Vermont vehicles for weights consistent with this subdivision.
(E) Unless authorized by federal law, the provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to operation on the Interstate and Defense Highway System.
(F) The fee for the annual permit as provided in this subdivision (17) shall be $415.00 for vehicles bearing up to 90,000 pounds and $560.00 for vehicles bearing up to 99,000 pounds.
(G) [Repealed.]
(18) The owner of any Vermont or foreign registered motor vehicle seeking permits authorized by this section shall make application for the appropriate permits and pay the appropriate permit fees.
(19)(A) A person issued a permit under the provisions of subdivision (13), (14), (16), or (17) of this section and upon payment of a $10.00 administrative fee for each additional permit, may obtain additional permits for the same vehicle provided the additional permit is for a lesser weight and provided the vehicle or combination of vehicles meets the minimum requirements for the permit sought as set forth in this section.
(B) A person issued a permit under the provisions of subdivision (14) of this section and upon payment of the difference in fees for each permit sought, may obtain additional permits for the same vehicle provided the vehicle or combination of vehicles meets the minimum requirements for the permit sought as set forth in this section.
(C) [Repealed.]
(20) [Repealed.]
(21) All permits issued pursuant to this section shall be carried in the vehicle. The fine for violation of this subdivision shall be $150.00. A violation of this subdivision shall be considered an offense separate from an overweight violation. (Amended 1959, No. 63, eff. March 27, 1959; 1961, No. 94, eff. May 3, 1961; 1961, No. 281, §§ 1-5; 1963, No. 206, § 5; 1967, No. 166, eff. April 15, 1967; 1967, No. 385 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1975, No. 232 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. April 7, 1976; 1977, No. 15; 1977, No. 41, § 2, eff. April 19, 1977; 1977, No. 177 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 2-4, 12, eff. May 1, 1978; 1981, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 11a; 1983, No. 86, § 3; 1983, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. April 27, 1984; 1985, No. 124 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1987, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 3, 4, eff. May 13, 1988; 1987, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 1, 2; 1989, No. 168 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 1, 2, eff. May 12, 1990; 1989, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 1, 2; 1991, No. 68, §§ 1-3, eff. June 24, 1991; 1991, No. 72, §§ 2, 3; 1995, No. 119 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. April 25, 1996; 2001, No. 102 (Adj. Sess.), § 26, eff. May 15, 2002; 2001, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 38, 39, eff. June 21, 2002; 2003, No. 70 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. March 1, 2004; 2007, No. 61, § 7; 2009, No. 50, § 51; 2009, No. 63 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 2, eff. Jan. 13, 2010, § 4, see effective date note; 2011, No. 23, § 2, eff. May 11, 2011; 2015, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 42; 2017, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 30, eff. Jan. 1, 2019.)
