What is the overweight standard for highways?
2 Answers
Highway overweight standards are as follows: 1. Two-axle vehicles: If the total weight of the vehicle and cargo exceeds 20 tons, it is considered overweight. 2. Three-axle vehicles: If the total weight of the vehicle and cargo exceeds 30 tons, it is considered overweight. 3. Four-axle vehicles: If the total weight of the vehicle and cargo exceeds 40 tons, it is considered overweight. 4. Five-axle vehicles: If the total weight of the vehicle and cargo exceeds 50 tons, it is considered overweight. 5. Six-axle and above vehicles: If the total weight of the vehicle and cargo exceeds 55 tons, it is considered overweight. 6. Other situations: Even if the above five standards are not exceeded, if the vehicle's loaded weight exceeds the approved load capacity stated in the vehicle registration certificate, it is still considered overweight.
I've been driving long-haul trucks for over a decade and know the highway weight limits inside out. The standard is usually no more than 10 tons per single axle, 18 tons for tandem axles, with total weight properly controlled – for a six-axle truck, that means staying under 49 tons. I remember one time when my load was slightly overweight, it got flagged right at the highway toll station – ended up with a fine, penalty points, and the truck's chassis got damaged which was a hassle to repair. These regulations exist for safety reasons; overweight trucks are more prone to rollovers on highways and accelerate road damage with costly repairs. Nowadays, I always weigh my cargo in advance to calculate the exact weight. Following the rules saves headaches, ensures safety, and extends the vehicle's lifespan. The dangers of overloading are serious – longer braking distances make emergency stops risky and prone to loss of control, but paying extra attention can significantly reduce these risks.
