Kentucky Truck Weight Law

For the purposes of increasing the safety of truckers and other drivers on the road, Kentucky regulates the maximum weight of trucks. These laws are specified in the Kentucky Revised Statute 189.221.

Truck Weight

According to the statute, drivers shall not operate on any highway, except those highways designated by the Secretary of Transportation any truck, semi-trailer truck which exceeds a total weight equal to the sum of 600 pounds per inch of the combined width of the tires upon which the vehicle is propelled. The maximum weight for these trucks is 36,000 pounds, regardless of wheel size.

Weigh Stations

All commercial and non-commercial trucks must be weighed at Kentucky weigh stations. Pickup trucks pulling a trailer are required to do so as well. Trucks that are found to be violating maximum weight restrictions are subject to a fine. There is not a minimum weight requirement.

Exceptions

Trucks hauling materials to a road construction project on a highway have their maximum weight restriction raised to 80,000 pounds. A permit is not required for this exception to be valid.

References

• Kentucky Legislature: Basic height, width, length and weight limits for trucks
• Coops are open: Kentucky Weigh Station and DOT Information