The federal government does not issue permits for large or overweight vehicles. There are also state and federal laws that define weight limits for transporting goods. On interstate and major highways, vehicles must not exceed 80,000 pounds. Other weight restrictions depend on the number of axles.
However, it is important to note that a load may be overweight, but not too large. This is because bulky cargo can fit perfectly in a standard transport truck. However, overweight loads can cause significant damage to road structures and bridges. Therefore, drivers must comply with all laws and regulations regarding oversized and overweight loads.
Along with state laws for oversized and overweight loads, there is a federal mandate for maximum weight. These include the vehicle's gross weight of 80,000 pounds, the weight of 20,000 pounds on a single axle and the weight of 34,000 pounds on the tandem axle. Federal weight regulations also take into account axle spacing. The number of axles and the space between the axles that support the vehicle's load are important for protect bridges.
In addition to trucking companies and their drivers, there are brokers who hire their services, their customers, and the companies that support large transportation operations, including sellers of safety equipment and signs, as well as contract escort vehicle operators. The oversized cargo transportation industry is very complex, from transportation companies to their drivers, brokers, customers, safety equipment vendors and contract escort vehicle operators.
