Truck Size & Weight Education

Truck Size & Weight Education

Introduction:

It is beneficial for those operating trucks on our public roadways to know the regulations and rules governing motor carriers in the area of size and weight. A better understanding of truck size and weight regulation results in benefits for truck drivers, trucking companies, and others involved with the motor carrier industry.

Commercial vehicle truck size and weight regulations are complex and difficult to interpret. Knowledge will encourage compliance,reduce damage to the infrastructure, prevent out of service issues and fines for the motor carrier, all while providing a safer environment on the highways.

Efficiency in the motor carrier industry is critical to the economic success of companies and the industry. Protecting the highway infrastructure is the goal of laws regulating truck size and weight. Because of the complexity of regulations governing the motor carrier industry, many times trucking companies and truck drivers are not clear on what is a “legal load”.

Objectives:

The project provides information on truck size and weight regulations in North Dakota to managers, motor carrier operators, and others.Fully understanding motor carrier regulations may increase efficiency in carrier operations. Motor carriers in compliance with regulations are also safer and may better protectthe state’s infrastructure.

Methods:

This project was conducted in conjunction with the North Dakota Department of Transportation and the North Dakota Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Division and NDLTAP (North Dakota Local and Technical Assistant Program). A program was arranged by organizing and materials for a truck size and weight compliance course. This course is modeled after Minnesota LTAP’s “Truck Weight” program that has been provided for industry and law enforcement in Minnesota for several years.The day long classes are being disseminated by NDLTAP using ex-law enforcement liaisons.The classes are being held across the state and the schedule can be found on the NDLTAP website.

Applications:

This course will help provide knowledge to industry and regulators of motor carriers. The complexity of truck size and weight issues may provide confusion and inaccurate interpretations of truck size and weight regulations and providing education provides knowledge to those responsible for motor carrier operations.

Summary:

This course provides an overview of the laws that determine legal weights for motor carriers including gross weight, axle weights, tire weights, road-restriction weights, and seasonally adjusted weights. Some information is provided on road damage issues from overloaded trucks. The course covers bridge formula and the differences between the state system and interstate system. The course also provides an overview of the permitting system. Course exercises are provided to demonstrate how to determine legal truck weights including axle and tire loads, and also during times of restrictions.