Vermont Trucking Laws and Regulations

The federal government restricts the size and weight of trucks that can travel on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Trucks are limited to:

• 80,000 pounds for the gross weight of a vehicle,

• 20,000 pounds for a single axle, or

• 34,000 pounds for a tandem axle.

However, states have the option to issue permits allowing overweight or oversized vehicles to travel on these highways or any other roads.

In Vermont, trucks under the following dimensions can travel freely without a permit: 8 feet 6 inches wide, 13 feet 6 inches high and 46 feet long (with some exceptions for tractors with trailers or semi-trailers). Trucks exceeding these limits will have to obtain an oversize permit. Single trip permits are issued that must be used within 10 days – on these trips, the length of the truck's overhang cannot exceed one-third of its length. Blanket permits are available for certain oversize vehicles: those between 68 and 90 feet long that are also less than 10 feet 6 inches wide, those that are less than 68 feet long and 12 feet 6 inches wide, those less than 14 feet in height. Vehicles with blanket permits must also weigh less than 180,000 pounds. There is an exception for farm equipment, which may be 13 feet wide.

Special Excess Weight Permits are issued for any divisible load that is over the highway weight limit but still less than 90,000 pounds. In the case of loads that fall under the forest, milk, quarry or water categories, the limit is 99,000 pounds.

Oversize permits are not valid during inclement weather, including conditions where the rain is so heavy it pools in the road, window wipers must be put in the 'steady on' position, the load is not visible from a quarter mile away or ice, sleet, freezing rain or snow heavy enough to stick is falling. Oversize longer than 100 feet or wider than 10 feet 6 inches or overweight trucks heavier than 108,000 pounds are not permitted to travel on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, or Friday afternoons from July 1 through Labor Day. All oversize trucks must drive as far to the right as possible, drive at a safe speed and display fluorescent red or orange flags.

Oversized trucks in Vermont must maintain the insurance coverage required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: $750,000 in liability insurance, $500,000 in cargo insurance, and a $10,000 bond.

Has a Trucking Accident Occurred?

Munley, Munley & Cartwright, PC accepts and successfully resolves major trucking injury cases nationwide. Our lawyers, paralegals, and other professionals are specially trained to evaluate, develop, and negotiate these difficult cases to protect and benefit our clients. You do not pay any fee unless we win money damages for you. That means you can get the most experienced legal help and it won't cost one dime more than you would pay any other firm -- and we get RESULTS!

The goal of Munley, Munley & Cartwright is simple and direct: To Successfully Resolve the Legal Problems of our Clients.

If you have questions about an accident involving a tractor trailer, let us go to work for you.

You can contact the trucking attorneys of Munley, Munley & Cartwright for a free consultation by completing our online accident evaluation form -or- calling toll-free at 877-421-9175.