Complying With Laws and Regulations

Georgia laws that govern the movement of goods and materials are contained in the Official Code of Georgia, Volume 23, Title 32 entitled Highways, Bridges and Ferries, Article Two of Chapter Six.

Georgia Code Section 32-6-1
Highways, bridges and ferries View Disclaimer
Chapter 672-2
Permits For Vehicles or Loads of Excess Weight or Dimension View Disclaimer

Legal Limitations

Overall Legal Dimensions
- Width 8’ 6"
- Height 13’ 6"
- Length 100 ft. (including overhang)
- Weight 80,000 lbs. gross weight
  (Any dimensions found to exceed the legal limits will require a permit.)
Legal Maximum Weight Limitations
Interstate Highway Systems

Lift axles may not be used in computing the maximum total gross weight authorized for any vehicle or load. Lift axles are any axles manufactured after July 1, 1978, which may be raised or lowered with respect to the horizontal plane of the vehicle.
- Legal axle weight is 20,340 pounds.
- Tandem axle is any two or more axles within 96 inches.
- If gross weight is less than 73,280 pounds and length is less than 55 feet, the tandem weight is 40,680 pounds.
- If gross weight is greater than 73,280 pounds or length is greater than 55 feet, the tandem weight limit is 34,000 pounds.
Federal Bridge Formula

The federal Bridge Formula is applicable on all weight limitations. Both inner and outer limitations are enforced.

The Federal Bridge Formula is:
W = 500(LN/N-1 + 12N + 36)
W = Overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds.
L = Distance in feet between the extreme of any group of two or more axles in group under consideration.
N = Number of axles in group under consideration.

State Route Gross Weight
- The maximum gross weight allowed on 5 axles is 80,000 pounds.
- The maximum gross weight on 2 or 3 axles is the number of axles times 20,340 pounds.
- The maximum gross weight on 4 axles is 70,000 pounds.
Vehicles with an actual total gross weight between 73,280 pounds and 80,000 pounds, the maximum total gross weight authorized for the vehicle and load shall be determined by the State Bridge Formula.

State Bridge Formula

The State Bridge Formula is:
W = 500(LN/N-1 + 12N + 36)
W = The maximum allowable gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicle to the nearest 500 pounds.
L = The distance in feet between the first and last axles of the vehicle or combination.
N = Number of axles on the vehicle or combination of vehicles.
- Legal axle weight limit is 20,340 pounds.
- Legal tandem weight limit on all trucks is 37,340 pounds, i.e., any two or more axles within 216 inches on the unit, not including steering axle.
- Legal tandem weight on tractor semi-trailer combinations on state highways is 40,680 pounds as provided in O.C.G.A. 32-6-26 (j).
Non-Interstate Route Exemptions
On non-interstate routes, the weight limitations may be exceeded except on posted bridges without a permit when the load on a single axle does not exceed 23,000 pounds and the maximum total gross weight does not exceed 80,000 pounds when
- Hauling forest products from the forest where cut to the owner's place of business, plant, plantation, or residence;
- Hauling live poultry or cotton from a farm to a processing plant;
- Hauling feed from a feed mill to a farm;
- Hauling granite, either block or sawed for further processing, from the quarry to a processing plant located in the same or an adjoining county; or
- Hauling solid waste or recovered materials from points of generation to a solid waste handling facility or other processing facility;
- Hauling unhardened concrete from plant to customer.
County Road Gross Weight

The maximum gross weight allowed is 56,000 pounds unless making a pickup or delivery. If a delivery or pickup is being made evidence such as a bill of lading, shipping orders, etc. must be provided on demand.
Legal Maximum Size Limitations
National Highway System (NHS)

Interstates and other national network routes and access from national network.
Height (of truck and load): 13' 6"
Width (of truck and load): 8' 6"
Length The standard trailer unit in Georgia is 53 feet.

On the Interstate and NHS routes single piece loads may be transported on extendable semi-trailers exceeding 53 feet provided they do not exceed 75 feet and are not loaded end-to-end. Overall length shall not exceed 100 feet. If the load is so situated that it extends beyond the rear of the vehicle, semi-trailer, or trailer on which it is carried, then a rear underride guard shall be provided.
- Twin trailer combinations are allowed on interstate and NHS Network routes with 28 feet trailer units, the overall length is unlimited.
- Two 28 and one-half foot trailers are allowed with an overall length of 65 feet.
Length for car and boat carriers:

(NHS network and access routes)
The overall length of the unit is allowed to be 65 feet and zero inches on conventional trailer units with a trailer length of over 58 feet.
If a trailer length is 48 feet and zero inches on a conventional trailer unit, there is no overall length limitation.
Stinger-steered type units are allowed to 75 feet and zero inches on overall length (no trailer length limit).

State Routes

Length for Car and Boat Carriers

Allow a load length of 65 feet, and a tractor/trailer unit of 60 feet.

Stinger Steered Units

Length is limited to 75 feet, overhang limited to three feet to the front and four feet to the rear.

Car and boat carriers

An overhang of three feet to the front and four feet to the rear is allowed.

State Designated System

Height (of truck and load) 13'6"
Width (of truck and load) 8'6" (or 102") on roads with 12 foot travel lanes
Length The standard trailer unit in Georgia is 53 feet.

On NHS routes (see map) single piece loads may be transported on extendable semi-trailers exceeding 53 feet provided they do not exceed 75 feet and are not loaded end-to-end. Overall length shall not exceed 100 feet. If the load is so situated that it extends beyond the rear of the vehicle, semi-trailer, or trailer on which it is carried, then a rear underride guard shall be provided.

Twin trailer combinations are allowed 28 feet trailer units, overall length is unlimited.

Two 28 and one half foot units are allowed to have an overall length of 67 and one half feet on the state designated highway system.

Access to designated routes

Unless signed/posted, the normal access distance is limited to one mile or less.

Other State Routes

Height (of truck and load) 13'6"
Width (of truck and load) 8'6" (or 102")
Length The standard trailer unit in Georgia is 53 feet unless signs are posted indicating length restriction.

Overhang

(for other state routes)
No overhang is allowed beyond the 65 foot limit.
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