§ 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.)