Section 40. Overload permit requirements

Part II. Permit Requirements

These regulations apply to vehicle owners who desire to purchase an Overload Permit to allow their vehicles to exceed gross weight and axle weight limitations.

A. Overload Permits are issued for one-year periods and should be purchased annually at the time of vehicle registration. The Overload Permit may also be purchased at the time a quarterly vehicle registration is purchased; however, the entire Overload Permit fee is required, and the permit will be valid for one year.

B. The fee to transfer an Overload Permit is $2.00. Decals shall be removed from the vehicle and shall accompany the application for a new Overload Permit.

C. Overload Permits will be issued in the same name and for the same vehicle as the vehicle registration.

D. No refund of Overload Permit fees will be made.

E. The percentage of overload permitted and the cost of the Overload Permit for each percentage are as follows:

	OVERLOAD	FEE
	1.0%	$35
	2.0%	$75
	3.0%	$115
	4.0%	$160
	5.0%	$200

F. The Overload Permit authorizes the operation of the vehicle at weights which exceed the gross weight limitation, single axle weight limit, tandem axle weight limit, or the gross weight for which the vehicle is registered. However, in no case shall the permit allow a vehicle or combination of vehicles to exceed a gross weight of 80,000 pounds.

G. In addition to the extension of weight limitations authorized under subsection F of this section, an additional 5.0% overload shall be permitted for vehicles or combinations of vehicles which have a current Overload Permit and which are transporting Virginia-grown forest or farm products. The products must be in transit from the place where they are first produced, cut, harvested or felled to the location where they will be first processed. This additional extension of weight limitations shall apply to the gross weight limit, single axle weight limit, tandem axle weight limit, or the registered gross weight limit. However, in no case shall the Overload Permit allow a vehicle or combination of vehicles to exceed the gross weight limit plus the percentage of the permit purchased plus the 5.0% allowed under this section. In no case shall the permit allow a vehicle or combination of vehicles to exceed a maximum of 10% overload or to allow a vehicle or combination of vehicles to exceed 80,000 pounds gross weight.

H. No vehicle or combination of vehicles is currently authorized to travel upon a federal interstate highway with a single axle weight in excess of 20,000 pounds, a tandem axle weight in excess of 34,000 pounds, or a gross weight in excess of 80,000 pounds or in excess of the federal bridge formula as shown on the chart included in this chapter. Overload Permits do not allow vehicles to exceed those federal limitations, which remain in effect until modified by the proper authorities.

I. In order to purchase an Overload Permit, the owner of a power unit shall:

1. Request the permit from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, the Virginia State Corporation Commission, or contract agents authorized by the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles;

2. Pay the appropriate fee for the desired percentage of permissible overload; and

3. Furnish, on an application supplied by the issuing agent, the following information for the power unit:

a. Make;

b. Identification number;

c. Current license plate number;

d. Expiration date;

e. State of issue; and

f. Registered gross weight.

J. The fee for an initial permit issued on a vehicle may be prorated to the month of the expiration of the vehicle license plates.

K. Overload Permits will be in the form of decals, issued in duplicate, and will indicate the percentage of overload purchased. The decals shall be placed on the vehicle in the following locations:

1. One decal shall be placed on the driver side adjacent to the SCC Permit.

2. The second decal shall be placed on the opposite side (passenger side) in the same approximate area as the first decal.

L. Expired decals shall be removed or destroyed.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR485-60-8301 § 2.1, eff. October 12, 1988.

Statutory Authority

§§ 46.2-203 and 46.2-1128 of the Code of Virginia.