Virginia Truck Weight Limits

How much a truck can weigh in Virginia

The interstate limit is the federal 80,000 pounds. Off it you are still at 80,000, with the gross set by axle spacing (Va. Code 46.2-1126). Fines are liquidated damages by the pound: a penny a pound up to 4,000 over, then 5, 10, and 15 cents in 4,000-pound steps (Va. Code 46.2-1135). Coal and aggregate haulers in listed counties get their own overweight permits (46.2-1143).

Axles, off-Interstate, and permits

• Off the Interstate: 80,000 lb, with gross determined by axle spacing (Va. Code 46.2-1126 et seq.). Some routes allow more only by permit.
• Single axle: 20,000 lb
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lb
• With a permit: Statutory overweight permits (coal, and gravel/sand/asphalt/crushed-stone/gas-and-oil-well loads) raise the legal gross on designated routes. Confirm the cap and route with VDOT (Va. Code 46.2-1143).
• Overweight-on-a-permit runs 20 cents/lb over the permit weight, steeper than the base scale. The 2,500-lb first-offense waiver is discretionary and only if you have no prior weight violations.

Posted bridge and road limits

Bridges and local roads post MUTCD 'WEIGHT LIMIT X TONS' signs (short tons). A posted limit overrides the legal max. Cities and counties may set their own road weight limits (Va. Code 46.2-1138.1). Cross a posted structure over the limit and you take the penalty plus liability for damage.

What running heavy costs

Va. Code 46.2-1135 assesses liquidated damages per pound over the limit in 4,000-lb brackets: 1 cent/lb up to 4,000 over; 5 cents/lb from 4,001-8,000; 10 cents/lb from 8,001-12,000; 15 cents/lb at 12,001 and up. Overweight on a permitted load is charged at 20 cents/lb over the permit weight. Add $20 per violation. A first offense of 2,500 lb or less may be waived by the general district court.

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