(A) An axle may be divided into two or more parts; except that, all parts in the same vertical transverse plane shall be considered as one axle.
(B) The gross weight on any one axle of a vehicle, or of a combination of vehicles, operated on the highways of this state, shall not exceed 20,000 pounds on an axle equipped with pneumatic tires, and shall not exceed 14,000 pounds on an axle equipped with solid rubber tires. The gross weight on any tandem axle of a vehicle, or any combination of vehicles, shall not exceed 34,000 pounds on an axle equipped with pneumatic tires.
(C) A group of two or more consecutive axles of any vehicle or combination of vehicles, shall not carry a load in pounds in excess of the overall gross weight determined by application of the following formula:
W equals 500 (LN/N-1 + 12N +36).
“W” equals the overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds, “L” equals the distance in feet, rounded to the nearest whole foot, between the extreme of any group of two or more consecutive axles, and “N” equals the number of axles in the group under consideration. The following are exceptions to applications of the formula.
(1) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of 34,000 pounds each providing the overall distance between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of tandem axles is 36 feet or more.
(2) On highways not part of the inter-state system, a vehicle or combination of vehicles having:
(a) Four axles where the extreme axles are 18 feet apart may carry a gross load of 53,000 pounds;
(b) Five axles where the extreme axles are 32 feet apart may carry a gross load of 67,500 pounds; and
(c) Six or more axles where the extreme axles are 41 feet apart may carry a gross load of 78,000 pounds.
(D) For every foot of distance between extreme axles less than the above axle spacings, the overall gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be determined by deducting 1,000 pounds from the gross loads specified in divisions (C)(2)(a), (C)(2)(b) and (C)(2)(c) above. All measurements between extreme axles shall be rounded to the nearest whole foot.
(E) The maximum gross weight shall not exceed 80,000 pounds.
(F) The weight on any one axle, including a tandem axle, of a vehicle which is transporting livestock on highways not part of the interstate system may exceed the legal maximum weight given in this chapter providing that the gross weight on any particular group of axles on such vehicle does not exceed the gross weight allowable under this chapter for such groups of axles.
(G) In addition, the weight on any one axle, including a tandem axle, of a vehicle which is transporting raw materials which are removed from a road under construction, may exceed the legal maximum weight otherwise allowed under this chapter by 10% if the gross weight on any particular group of axles on the vehicle does not exceed the gross weight allowed under this chapter for that group of axles. However, if the vehicle exceeds the 10% tolerance allowed for any one axle or tandem axle under this division (G) the fine to be assessed for the axle or tandem axle shall be computed on the difference between the actual weight and the 10% tolerance weight allowed for the axle or tandem axle under this division (G). This division (G) applies only to vehicles operating along a route of travel approved by the state.
(H) A person who operates a vehicle in violation of the provisions of this section, and an owner, or any other person, employing or otherwise directing the operator of a vehicle, who requires or knowingly permits the operation of a vehicle in violation of the provisions of this section shall be fined according to the following schedule:
Axle, Tandem Axle and Group of Axles Weight Violations | |
Pounds Overloaded | Amount of Fine |
Axle, Tandem Axle and Group of Axles Weight Violations | |
Pounds Overloaded | Amount of Fine |
Up to and including 1,000 pounds | $10, plus $0.005 per pound |
Over 1,000 pounds to and including 2,000 pounds | $15, plus $0.005 per pound |
Over 2,000 pounds to and including 3,000 pounds | $80, plus $0.03 per pound |
Over 3,000 pounds to and including 4,000 pounds | $100, plus $0.04 per pound |
Over 4,000 pounds to and including 5,000 pounds | $150, plus $0.05 per pound |
Over 5,000 pounds to and including 6,000 pounds | $200, plus $0.07 per pound |
Over 6,000 pounds | $200, plus $0.10 per pound |
(I) Fines for gross weight violations for vehicles or combinations of vehicles shall be assessed at one-half of the fine rate schedule for axle, tandem axle and groups of axles weight violations.
(J) Except as otherwise provided, the amount of the fine to be assessed shall be computed on the difference between the actual weight and the maximum legal weight specified in this section by applying the appropriate rate in the preceding schedule for the total amount of overload.
(K) The schedule of fines may be assessed in addition to any other penalties provided for in this chapter.
(L) Overloads on axles and tandem axles and overloads on groups of axles or on an entire vehicle or combination of vehicles shall be considered as separate violations of the provisions of this section.
(M) A person who issues or executes, or causes to be issued or executed, a bill of lading, manifest or shipping document of any kind which states a false weight of the cargo set forth on such bill, manifest or document, which is less than the actual weight of the cargo, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
Statutory reference:
Related provisions, see Iowa Code § 321.463