Indiana Axle Weight Limits

Axle Weight Regulations By State

Maximum Legal Weight Allowed

To travel legally on any Indiana roads, you cannot exceed the following weight:

80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight; or
12,000 pounds on the steering axle; or
20,000 pounds on a single axle; or
34,000 pounds on a tandem axle; or
800 pounds per inch of rim width and subject to the above axle weights.

Axle Group	Maximum
Single	20,000 pounds
Tandem (Two Axle)	34,000 pounds
Steering Axle	12,000 pounds
Gross Vehicle Weight	80,000 pounds

An overweight vehicle is generally any vehicle whose overall weight exceeds 80,000 pounds. However, road and bridge stress levels are determined by the distribution of the weight, so it is important that the weight per axle, or sets of tandem axles, are observed. Weight per tire is also considered. The total gross weight may be calculated by the following federal bridge formula and then compared with the established weight limits listed above.

W = 500 {[(LN) (N-1)] + 12N + 36},

Where:

W – The overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles, to the nearest 500 pounds,
L – The distance between the extreme of any group of two or more consecutive axles, and
N – The number of axles in the group under consideration, except that two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of 34,000 pounds each, providing the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of tandem axles are at least 36 feet or more apart.

If your truck and load exceed the legal dimensions and your load is non-divisible, you may apply for an Indiana oversize/overweight vehicle permit.

Special Restrictions

Garbage Trucks: Except on an interstate highway, a garbage truck that is designed and equipped with a selfcompactor or detachable container, that is used exclusively for garbage, refuse or recycling operations and is laden with garbage, refuse or recycles may not exceed a gross weight of: 1) twenty-four thousand (24,000) pounds upon a single axle; and 2) forty-two thousand (42,000) pounds upon a tandem axle group.

Maximum Permit Weight Allowed

An oversize and/or overweight permit is for a load (except mobile homes) that is over the legal dimensions but does not exceed the following dimensions: 120,000 pounds.

Annual Permit

A 90-day or annual permit may be obtained only for oversize loads that are over legal dimensions but do not exceed the following dimensions: 80,000 pounds (Subject to axle weights).

Overweight Commodity Permit

The Overweight Commodity Permit may be obtained for hauling, delivering, or otherwise carrying divisible loads of steel or aluminum, agricultural commodities, bark, logs, sawdust, or wood chips. The permits must be legal width, height, and legal trailer and load length. Steel or aluminum commodity permits may go up to a gross vehicle weight of 120,000 pounds, and agriculture permits or permits to haul bark, logs, sawdust or wood chips may go up to a gross vehicle weight of 97,000 if hauling from the point of harvest to the point of first destination. Axle weights cannot exceed 20,000 pounds on a single, and only one group of tandem axles may not exceed 48,000 pounds. Any other tandem combination may not exceed 40,000 pounds.

Special Weight Permit

Special Weight Permits, commonly known as “Michigan Train Permits,” are used for certain vehicle configurations that haul only in northern Indiana.

Special weight permits may be obtained for loads that are over legal weight but do not exceed the following dimensions:

134,000 pounds gross vehicle weight;
18,000 pounds per single axle weight;
13,000 pounds per axle in tandem, with the exception of one tandem group, which may weigh 16,000 pounds per axle;
800 pounds per inch of rim width.

Toll Road Gate Permit

A toll road gate permit is needed anytime an oversize and/or overweight vehicle needs to travel to or from an Indiana toll gate using an Indiana road.

To qualify for an annual toll road gate permit, your vehicle must not exceed the following limits:

A single vehicle, when the width does not exceed 12 feet, the length does not exceed 65 feet and the height does not exceed 13 feet 6 inches. The maximum weight, subject to axle limits, may not exceed 90,000 pounds.
A combination of two vehicles (tractor-trailer) whose trailer does not exceed 53 feet in length, the width of which does not exceed 12 feet, and the height does not exceed 13 feet 6 inches. The maximum weight, subject to axle limits, may not exceed 90,000 pounds.
A combination of three vehicles (tractor-trailer-trailer) whose trailers do not exceed 48 feet 6 inches each, the width of which does not exceed 8 feet 6 inches, and the height does not exceed 13 feet 6 inches. The maximum weight, subject to axle limits, may not exceed 127,000 pounds. Caution: You must contact the toll road authority and obtain a toll road certification for this type of vehicle.
A combination of four vehicles (tractor and triple trailers) whose trailers do not exceed 28 feet 6 inches each, the width of which does not exceed 8 feet 6 inches, and the height does not exceed 13 feet 6 inches. The maximum weight, subject to axle limits, may not exceed 127,400 pounds.