KY state page · Last reviewed 2026-05-25
Kentucky Truck Weight Limits and Permit Sources Kentucky truck weight reference with KYTC motor carrier permit links and conservative fine and seasonal fields.
This page is a reference aid, not legal advice. Weight rules, permits, routes,
and penalties can change without notice; use the linked official source as the
final authority.
At-a-glance summary Field Value Source Status Confidence Gross Federal Interstate gross limit is 80,000 lb; Kentucky-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here. inferred from official source medium Single axle Federal Interstate single-axle limit is 20,000 lb; Kentucky-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here. inferred from official source medium Tandem axle Federal Interstate tandem limit is 34,000 lb; Kentucky-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here. inferred from official source medium Bridge formula Federal bridge formula checks apply on Interstate routes; verify state exceptions and permit conditions before movement. inferred from official source medium Permit agency Kentucky Transportation Cabinet confirmed high Seasonal / frost No official statewide seasonal or frost weight restriction was confirmed during this review. No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation
not found in official review low Fine source KRS section 189.990 is the official Kentucky penalty source reviewed for vehicle size and weight citations. confirmed medium
Field-level reference data Regular weight limits Gross vehicle weight limit Federal Interstate gross limit is 80,000 lb; Kentucky-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here. inferred from official source medium Single axle limit Federal Interstate single-axle limit is 20,000 lb; Kentucky-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here. inferred from official source medium Tandem axle limit Federal Interstate tandem limit is 34,000 lb; Kentucky-specific limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here. inferred from official source medium Bridge formula applies Federal bridge formula checks apply on Interstate routes; verify state exceptions and permit conditions before movement. inferred from official source medium Interstate notes Use FHWA Interstate limits together with the state source and any permit conditions. inferred from official source medium Non-Interstate notes Use the reviewed state source and local postings for non-Interstate operation. inferred from official source medium
Axle and loading notes Steer axle notes Steer axle review should include axle law, tire/equipment ratings, registration, and route postings. inferred from official source medium Drive axle notes Drive axle groups should be checked against tandem/group limits and permit terms. inferred from official source medium Trailer tandem notes Trailer tandem position changes distribution and may affect spacing-sensitive checks; re-weigh after adjustment. inferred from official source medium Fifth wheel notes Fifth-wheel movement redistributes weight but does not create permit authority. inferred from official source medium Bridge law notes Check FHWA bridge formula and the state source when axle spacing is close to a limit. inferred from official source medium
Oversize / overweight permits Permit agency Kentucky Transportation Cabinet confirmed high Permit office name KYTC Overweight/Over-Dimensional Permits confirmed high Official permit URL KYTC overweight/over-dimensional permits page. confirmed high Online permit portal Use KYTC's official permit page for the current permit application path. inferred from official source medium Permit contact Use KYTC contact information from the official permit page. inferred from official source medium Permit notes Permit terms, route conditions, dates, and vehicle configuration should be checked on the official permit source before travel. inferred from official source medium
Seasonal and special restrictions Frost / seasonal restriction No official statewide seasonal or frost weight restriction was confirmed during this review. No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation
not found in official review low Seasonal weight notes Local route, bridge, or permit restrictions may still apply; no statewide seasonal weight restriction was confirmed in this review. No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation
not found in official review low Official seasonal URL No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation
not found in official review low
Fines and enforcement Overweight fine structure KRS section 189.990 is the official Kentucky penalty source reviewed for vehicle size and weight citations. confirmed medium Overweight ticket notes Use the current KRS section and actual citation record before estimating penalties. inferred from official source medium Enforcement agency Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement confirmed medium Fine official URL Official fine or penalty source linked in Sources. confirmed medium CSA / safety notes CSA impact depends on inspection and reporting; use FMCSA SMS materials and the actual inspection record. inferred from official source medium
Scale notes Public scale notes A public scale ticket is a self-check record, not state permit authority. inferred from official source medium Weigh station / enforcement notes Compare scale readings with official limits, route postings, and any permit terms. inferred from official source medium CAT Scale disclaimer CAT Scale tickets are private self-check records and do not replace official permits or enforcement decisions. inferred from official source medium Scale ticket notes Use steer, drive, trailer, and gross readings to compare against official limits before travel. inferred from official source medium
Kentucky carries substantial automotive manufacturing freight (Toyota, Ford, and Corvette assembly plants), coal haul traffic from eastern Kentucky, and through-freight on I-65 (north-south between Tennessee and Indiana) and I-75 (Cincinnati to Tennessee). KYTC administers oversize and overweight permits; eastern Kentucky’s older rural bridges carry significantly lower posted limits than the Interstate baseline, and coal haul routes operate under their own permit and weight-limit rules. I-64 connects Lexington to Louisville and the West Virginia line.
How to verify this yourself
Use KYTC permit pages for OS/OW movement. For eastern Kentucky routing, verify bridge and coal-road weight postings before departure. Confirm ordinary legal weights with current Kentucky official sources.
FAQ Where should I verify Kentucky permit requirements? Use the official KYTC Overweight/Over-Dimensional Permits source linked on this page before moving over legal size or weight.
Are Kentucky seasonal restrictions fully confirmed here? No. This review did not confirm a statewide seasonal or frost source, so route and permit restrictions still need checking.
Do these limits apply to Kentucky state roads and non-Interstate routes? The values shown are the federal Interstate baseline. State-specific non-Interstate limits are in the FHWA state law compilation linked here and may differ from the baseline.