Skip to content
Permissible
Join

Permitted weights and axle configuration

Weight limits and vehicle configuration requirements used to determine the loads an overweight permit may authorize.

218 facts from 3 places, each quoted from the agency that sets it.

Start with a question

Open a question to read the facts on file that bear on it.

Facts

12 topics

Maximum gross weight (kg) (Measures)

The maximum total mass of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, including load and equipment.

  • New York
    11,340 to 90,719 kg (25,000 lb to 200,000 lb)

    Across 73 cases, each with its own conditions.

  • Ontario
    63,500 to 120,000 kg (139,993 lb to 264,554 lb)

    Across 7 cases, each with its own conditions.

  • Quebec
    24,000 to 79,000 kg (52,911 lb to 174,165 lb)

    Across 25 cases, each with its own conditions.

Maximum axle weight (kg) (Measures)

The maximum mass permitted on a single axle or group of axles, including load and equipment.

  • New York
    5,897 to 27,216 kg (13,000 lb to 60,000 lb)

    General rule 10,161 kg (22,400 lb), with 27 other cases.

  • Quebec
    9,000 to 30,000 kg (19,842 lb to 66,139 lb)

    Across 4 cases, each with its own conditions.

Not stated in Ontario.

Maximum wheel load (kg) (Measures)

The maximum mass permitted on a single wheel.

  • New York
    4,536 to 5,080 kg (10,000 lb to 11,200 lb)

    General rule 5,080 kg (11,200 lb), with 1 other case.

Not stated in Ontario and Quebec.

Minimum axle spacing (m) (Measures)

The minimum distance between axles, measured from center to center, for them to be considered separate axles rather than one axle.

  • New York
    1.17 to 1.22 m (3′ 10″ to 4′)

    General rule 1.17 m (3′ 10″), with 6 other cases.

Not stated in Ontario and Quebec.

Minimum outer bridge length (m) (Measures)

The minimum distance between the first and last axle of the vehicle or combination, measured longitudinally.

  • New York
    5.18 to 15.5 m (17′ to 51′)

    Across 6 cases, each with its own conditions.

Not stated in Ontario and Quebec.

Lift axle steerable required (Yes or no)

Whether any lift axle on the vehicle must be steerable/trackable, meaning the tires on each side of the lift axle turn or pivot as the vehicle turns when the axle is in contact with the ground.

Not stated in Ontario and Quebec.

Axle rating based on lesser of GAWR and tire rating sum (Yes or no)

Whether the rating of an axle is based on the lesser of the manufacturer's gross axle weight rating and the sum of the manufacturer's tire ratings on that axle.

Not stated in Ontario and Quebec.

Maximum axle group weight (kg) (Measures)

The maximum mass permitted on a group of axles (such as tandem, tridem, or quad) under the permit.

  • New York
    16,329 to 34,927 kg (36,000 lb to 77,000 lb)

    Across 50 cases, each with its own conditions.

Not stated in Ontario and Quebec.

Where the comparisons come from