Virginia Truck Weight Limits and Permit Sources

At-a-glance summary

Field	Value	Source	Status	Confidence
Gross	Federal Interstate gross limit is 80,000 lb; Virginia-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Single axle	Federal Interstate single-axle limit is 20,000 lb; Virginia-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Tandem axle	Federal Interstate tandem limit is 34,000 lb; Virginia-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Bridge formula	Federal bridge formula checks apply on Interstate routes; verify state exceptions and permit conditions before movement.	Official source Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Permit agency	Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles	Official source	confirmed	high
Seasonal / frost	No official statewide seasonal or frost weight restriction was confirmed during this review.	No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation	not found in official review	low
Fine source	Virginia DMV and Code of Virginia sources describe overweight citation handling and a statutory liquidated-damages schedule; verify the cited section and citation.	Official source Official source	confirmed	high

Field-level reference data

Regular weight limits

Gross vehicle weight limit	Federal Interstate gross limit is 80,000 lb; Virginia-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Single axle limit	Federal Interstate single-axle limit is 20,000 lb; Virginia-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Tandem axle limit	Federal Interstate tandem limit is 34,000 lb; Virginia-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Bridge formula applies	Federal bridge formula checks apply on Interstate routes; verify state exceptions and permit conditions before movement.	Official source Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Interstate notes	Use FHWA Interstate limits together with the state source and any permit conditions.	Official source Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Non-Interstate notes	Use the reviewed state source and local postings for non-Interstate operation.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium

Axle and loading notes

Steer axle notes	Steer axle review should include axle law, tire/equipment ratings, registration, and route postings.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Drive axle notes	Drive axle groups should be checked against tandem/group limits and permit terms.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Trailer tandem notes	Trailer tandem position changes distribution and may affect spacing-sensitive checks; re-weigh after adjustment.	Official source Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Fifth wheel notes	Fifth-wheel movement redistributes weight but does not create permit authority.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Bridge law notes	Check FHWA bridge formula and the state source when axle spacing is close to a limit.	Official source Official source	inferred from official source	medium

Oversize / overweight permits

Permit agency	Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles	Official source	confirmed	high
Permit office name	Virginia DMV Hauling Permits	Official source	confirmed	high
Official permit URL	Virginia DMV hauling permit source.	Official source	confirmed	high
Online permit portal	Use Virginia DMV's official hauling permit source for current filing.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Permit contact	Use Virginia DMV permit contact details on the official source.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Permit notes	Permit terms, route conditions, dates, and vehicle configuration should be checked on the official permit source before travel.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium

Seasonal and special restrictions

Frost / seasonal restriction	No official statewide seasonal or frost weight restriction was confirmed during this review.	No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation	not found in official review	low
Seasonal weight notes	Local route, bridge, or permit restrictions may still apply; no statewide seasonal weight restriction was confirmed in this review.	No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation	not found in official review	low
Official seasonal URL		No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation	not found in official review	low

Fines and enforcement

Overweight fine structure	Virginia DMV and Code of Virginia sources describe overweight citation handling and a statutory liquidated-damages schedule; verify the cited section and citation.	Official source Official source	confirmed	high
Overweight ticket notes	DMV says overweight citation responsibility is tied to the motor carrier, and the cited Virginia Code section should be checked before estimating amounts.	Official source Official source	confirmed	high
Enforcement agency	Virginia DMV Motor Carrier Services / size and weight enforcement	Official source Official source	confirmed	high
Fine official URL	Virginia DMV overweight citation and Code of Virginia weight penalty sources.	Official source Official source	confirmed	high
CSA / safety notes	CSA impact depends on inspection and reporting; use FMCSA SMS materials and the actual inspection record.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium

Scale notes

Public scale notes	A public scale ticket is a self-check record, not state permit authority.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Weigh station / enforcement notes	Virginia DMV operates size and weight enforcement through motor carrier service centers, mobile crews, and portable scales; compare readings with official limits and permit terms.	Official source Official source Official source	inferred from official source	high
CAT Scale disclaimer	CAT Scale tickets are private self-check records and do not replace official permits or enforcement decisions.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium
Scale ticket notes	Use steer, drive, trailer, and gross readings to compare against official limits before travel.	Official source	inferred from official source	medium

Virginia permit work is routed through DMV hauling permits. This page keeps legal-weight fields source-linked but medium until Virginia-specific statutory data is reviewed in more detail.

How to verify this yourself

Use Virginia DMV hauling permit materials before over-legal movement and compare regular weight figures with current Virginia official sources.

FAQ

Where should I verify Virginia permit requirements?

Use the official Virginia DMV Hauling Permits source linked on this page before moving over legal size or weight.

Are Virginia seasonal restrictions fully confirmed here?

No. This review did not confirm a statewide seasonal or frost source, so route and permit restrictions still need checking.

Do these weight values apply to Virginia state roads and secondary routes?

The values shown are the federal Interstate baseline. State-specific non-Interstate limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here and may differ from the baseline.