Legal Weight Limits
Vermont uses the federal standard on the Interstate, 80,000 lb gross, 20,000 lb single axle, 34,000 lb tandem. The notable Vermont-specific provision: a truck/trailer or tractor-semitrailer combination with six or more axles (registered at 80,000 lb) can get a special annual permit to run up to 99,000 lb on designated state and town highways, provided there’s at least 51 feet between extreme axles. That permit is void on any road or bridge posted lower, and it bars travel in ice/sleet/snow or low-visibility conditions.
Overweight Fine Schedule
(23 V.S.A. § 1391a, amended effective May 13, 2025). Penalties are tiered per 1,000 lb overweight:
| Amount over legal limit | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First 5,000 lb | $15 per 1,000 lb |
| >5,000 – 10,000 lb | $30 per 1,000 lb |
| >10,000 – 15,000 lb | $45 per 1,000 lb |
| >15,000 – 20,000 lb | $60 per 1,000 lb |
| >20,000 – 25,000 lb | $90 per 1,000 lb |
| Over 25,000 lb | $150 per 1,000 lb |
Repeat violations within one year add 5% (2nd), 10% (3rd), and 15% (4th+). Overage is calculated against registered/permitted weight, and statutory tolerances are not counted in that calculation. The defendant can be the owner, lessee, or operator, and penalties go to the state Transportation Fund (or the municipality when a town enforces on a town highway).
Enforcement Methods
Enforcement is handled by Vermont DMV motor carrier enforcement (the Vermont Highway Patrol), using weigh-in-motion screening and portable scale teams; axle tolerance is zero on the Interstate and 10% on other highways.