Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, the state issues overweight and oversize permits in order to ensure the safe and efficient movement of oversized vehicles and loads. Vehicles whose dimensions exceed a width of 8 feet 6 inches, a height of 13 feet 6 inches or a single length of 40 feet/combination length of 65 feet can apply for an oversize permit. Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 80,000 pounds can apply for an overweight permit. Weight limits on Class B highways – county trunk highways, town highways, city and village streets – are only 60 percent of the weight limits allowed on Class A highways, and permits must be applied for accordingly.

Both single- and multi-trip permits are available. Multi-trip permits are issued for specific vehicles and loads and are valid for three to six months, on all roads except those with posted limits. Equipment, machinery, materials and self-propelled vehicles must not exceed the following limits: 100 feet long, 14 feet wide, 16 feet high and 170,000 pounds. Mobile homes and modular building units must not exceed the following limits: 100 feet long, 15 feet high, 15 feet wide. Legal weight limits and any overhang must hang equal on both sides of the vehicle. Escorts are required on some roads. Recreational three-vehicle combinations are limited to 65 feet, and one vehicle must be a mobile home or camping trailer.

Single trip permits are good for 14 days from time of issuance, and a return trip may be made on the same permit. They are issued for miscellaneous nondivisible oversized and overweight loads and vehicles, such as transformers, boats, air conditioners and cranes under their own power.

When the roads are frozen, trucks hauling peeled or unpeeled forest product, abrasives or salt for the highways are not subject to these restrictions and do not need permits. From Sept. 1-Nov. 30, trucks that are transporting corn, soybean, potatoes, vegetables or cranberries from field to storage can exceed legal limitations by 15 percent.

During the spring thaw, all overweight permits are restricted due to the unstable condition of the roadway subgrade. Overweight divisible load permits are completely suspended. Overweight nondivisible load permits are restricted by route.

Overweight and oversized trucks traveling in Wisconsin must carry the minimum 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. In addition, loads that do not exceed 12 feet wide, 16 feet high, 75 feet long or 120,000 pounds must carry $50/100/25. Loads greater than this must carry an additional $100/300/100 or $600,000 Combined Single Limits, and $200,000 casualty insurance or the $600,000 Combined Single Limits is required for loads greater than 16 feet wide or 100 feet long.

Has a Trucking Accident Occurred?

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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.