Road Restrictions

ND Load Restrictions Chart

	By Legal Weight	8 – Ton	7 – Ton	6 – Ton	5 – Ton
Single Axle	20,000 lbs.	16,000 lbs.	14,000 lbs.	12,000 lbs.	10,000 lbs.
Tandem Axle	34,000 lbs.	32,000 lbs.	28,000 lbs.	24,000 lbs.	20,000 lbs.
3 Axle Group or more per Axle	17,000 lbs.	14,000 lbs.	12,000 lbs.	10,000 lbs.	10,000 lbs.
Max. Axle Group	48,000 lbs. – not to exceed this gross weight on divisible loads	42,000 lbs. – not to exceed this gross weight on divisible loads	36,000 lbs. – not to exceed this gross weight on divisible loads	30,000 lbs. – not to exceed this gross weight on divisible loads	30,000 lbs. – not to exceed this gross weight on divisible loads
Gross Weight	105,500 lbs.	105,500 lbs.	105,500 lbs.	80,000 lbs.	80,000 lbs.

6-TON-80,000 lb MAX See www.loadpasspermits.com

Truckers Reminded of Weight Restrictions

Overweight Load Violations Can Mean Hefty Fines
When it's that time of year when rain events will cause county and township road supervisors to impose weight restrictions on roads, unwary violators could face huge fines.

Such a case has occurred, in the state, when a fuel truck delivery driver crossed into another county where a 12,000-pound-per-axle weight limit had been imposed because overnight rain had saturated the road. The vehicle, which was carrying 3,000 gallons of fuel, was stopped by a sheriff’s deputy and initially faced a fine of $9,200. However, after learning the driver was from an adjoining county and unaware that restrictions had been imposed that morning, the overweight penalty was not enforced.
The incident serves as a reminder to truckers of the notification procedures, and the obligation of local road superintendents to alert the public that the restrictions have been put in place. Counties that are members of the LoadPass Permit System can notify trucking companies through LoadPass, which offers text alerts and email notifications to those who sign up to be notified. Counties that impose restrictions are obligated to post notice on the county’s website, and many will also issue notifications through social media. If truckers have any doubts, they can check the list of restrictions on the LoadPass site, or contact the county highway department or sheriff’s office.

The restrictions apply to overweight vehicles in all industrial classes including farmers and ranchers who may be hauling equipment, fertilizer, livestock, grain or other commodities.

Please check for current Road Restrictions for NDDOT roads in your area.
Current Road Restrictions
Weight limitations for vehicles on North Dakota State highways
Truck Routing Maps

NDDOT's procedure for initiation of spring load restrictions on the State Highway System
Based on the following factors:
NDDOT utilizes load restrictions to reduce damage to roadways caused by heavy loads at a time of year when highway pavements are most vulnerable.
The NDDOT sets load restrictions as weather and roadbed conditions require and removes these restrictions when roadbeds are stable enough to carry legal weight traffic without damage.

The NDDOT primarily uses three factors in the posting of load restrictions.
These factors or indicators are:

Temperature probes in the base layers of pavement sections. As these temperatures approach 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the NDDOT starts planning the posting of highways with pavement sections which do not have sufficient strength to sustain the transport of heavy loads during periods when pavement base structures are weak.

Long range temperature forecast. When long range temperature forecasts indicate that low temperatures are approaching the freezing point, with daily highs in the upper 30's or 40's, load restrictions are planned.

Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD). This equipment measures the strength of roadway bases, as well as the asphalt pavement surface. The NDDOT utilizes the FWD to evaluate pavement strengths for purposes of forecasting when load restrictions may be initiated and removed. The data base, generated by the FWD, in combination with long range weather forecasts and area wide moisture conditions, provides the basis for lifting load restrictions.

It has been the NDDOT's experience that the most significant pavement damage occurs during the first four weeks after the onset of spring thaw. This aspect has moved the NDDOT towards close monitoring of weather forecasts and sub-base temperatures to allow posting of load restrictions on short notice with the overall objective of limiting damage to the highway system.