DOT & KENTUCKY STATE WEIGHT LIMITS

Gross Weight

80,000 lbs on Class AAA highways*

62,000 lbs on Class AA highways*

44,000 lbs on Class A highways*

36,000 lbs on other highways

*Kentucky highways are categorized into three classes, each with its own weight limit, with the Interstate System falling into the class AAA category. You can find a map with designated highways classes here.

Single Axle

20,000 lbs

Tandem Axle

34,000 lbs

Other State Provisions & Exemptions

• There is a 48,000-lb weight limit for tridem axles.
• There are no axle weight limits for vehicles with GVWs of less than 80,000 lbs.
• Per-wheel weight limit is 20,000 lbs or 700 lbs per inch of the width of all tires on one axle, whichever figure is lower.
• Per-wheel weight limit is 600 lbs per inch for the combined with of all tires.
• There is a 5% tolerance for axle load limits on non-Interstate highways as long as the vehicle has a GVW of below 80,000 lbs.
• With an annual permit, transport companies can haul non-divisible loads with GVWs of up to 120,000 lbs, with limits of 15,000 lbs for a single axle, 40,000 lbs for a tandem axle, and 65,000 lbs for a tridem axle.

The information provided here is not comprehensive and may not reflect the most recent state limits. Additional codes, regulations, and exemptions may apply. Please visit the Kentucky DOT website for current information.