Maximum gross weight limitation for vehicles -- Bridge formula for weight limitations -- Minimum mandatory fines.

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  • (1)
    • (a) As used in this section:
      • (i) "Axle load" means the total load on all wheels whose centers may be included between two parallel transverse vertical planes 40 inches apart.
      • (ii) "Tandem axle" means two or more axles spaced not less than 40 inches nor more than 96 inches apart and having at least one common point of weight suspension.
    • (b) The tire load rating shall appear on the tire sidewall. A tire, wheel, or axle may not carry a greater weight than the manufacturer's rating.
  • (2)
    • (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4), an individual may not operate or move a vehicle on any highway in the state with:
      • (i) a gross weight in excess of 10,500 pounds on one wheel;
      • (ii) a single axle load in excess of 20,000 pounds; or
      • (iii) a tandem axle load in excess of 34,000 pounds.
    • (b) Subject to the limitations of Subsection (3), the gross vehicle weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles may not exceed 80,000 pounds.
  • (3)
    • (a) Subject to the limitations in Subsection (2), no group of two or more consecutive axles between the first and last axle of a vehicle or combination of vehicles and no vehicle or combination of vehicles may carry a gross weight in excess of the weight provided by the following bridge formula, except as provided in Subsection (3)(b):
      W = 500 {LN/(N-1) + 12N+36}
      • (i) W = overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds.
      • (ii) L = distance in feet between the extreme of any group of two or more consecutive axles. When the distance in feet includes a fraction of a foot of one inch or more the next larger number of feet shall be used.
      • (iii) N = number of axles in the group under consideration.
    • (b) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross weight of 34,000 pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more.
  • (4) An individual may operate an implement of husbandry, as defined in Section 41-1a-102, carrying a raw agricultural commodity such as corn, wheat, or hay that is over the single axle weight described in Subsection (2), if:
    • (a) the single axle load is not over the limit described in Subsection (2) by more than 2,000 pounds;
    • (b) the total gross vehicle weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles is not over the limit described in Subsection (2); and
    • (c) the individual is not operating the implement of husbandry on the interstate system.
  • (5) The department may authorize an exception to this section by an overweight permit as provided in Section 72-7-406.
  • (6)
    • (a) Any person who violates this section is guilty of an infraction except that, notwithstanding Sections 76-3-301 and 76-3-302, the department may require the violator to pay a fine of either:
      • (i) $50 plus the sum of the overweight axle fines calculated under Subsection (6)(b); or
      • (ii) $50 plus the gross vehicle weight fine calculated under Subsection (6)(b).
    • (b) The department shall calculate the fine for each axle and a gross vehicle weight violation according to the following schedule:

      • Number of Pounds OverweightAxle Fine (Cents per Pound
        for Each Overweight Axle)Gross Vehicle Weight Fine(Cents per Pound)
      • 1 - 2,00000
      • 2,001 - 5,00045
      • 5,001 - 8,00055
      • 8,001 - 12,00065
      • 12,001 - 16,00075
      • 16,001 - 20,00095
      • 20,001 - 25,000115
      • 25,001 or more135




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