TN state page · Last reviewed 2026-05-26
Tennessee Truck Weight Limits and Permit Sources Tennessee truck weight and TDOT overweight/overdimensional permit reference with official source status labels.
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; Tennessee-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; Tennessee-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; Tennessee-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 Tennessee Department of Transportation confirmed high Seasonal / frost TDOT permit FAQs identify permit travel, bridge, route, and escort restrictions; no statewide frost-law source was confirmed in this pass. inferred from official source medium Fine source Official fine structure not confirmed in this review. No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation
not found in official review low
Field-level reference data Regular weight limits Gross vehicle weight limit Federal Interstate gross limit is 80,000 lb; Tennessee-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; Tennessee-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; Tennessee-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 Tennessee Department of Transportation confirmed high Permit office name TDOT Overweight and Overdimensional Permits confirmed high Official permit URL TDOT overweight and overdimensional permits page. confirmed high Online permit portal Use TDOT's official permit page for the current permit application path. inferred from official source medium Permit contact Use TDOT contacts on 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 TDOT permit FAQs identify permit travel, bridge, route, and escort restrictions; no statewide frost-law source was confirmed in this pass. inferred from official source medium Seasonal weight notes Check TDOT permit FAQs and permit terms for route, bridge, time-of-travel, and escort restrictions before moving over legal size or weight. inferred from official source medium Official seasonal URL TDOT OS/OW permit FAQ source for current special and permit restrictions. inferred from official source medium
Fines and enforcement Overweight fine structure Official fine structure not confirmed in this review. No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation
not found in official review low Overweight ticket notes Use the actual citation, current statute, and permit terms before estimating penalties. No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation
not found in official review low Enforcement agency Tennessee Department of Transportation permit office with Tennessee Highway Patrol escort coordination for certain moves inferred from official source medium Fine official URL No confirmed official source Needs official confirmation
not found in official review low 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 TDOT permit FAQs should be checked for bridge, route, and THP escort requirements; compare scale readings with official limits and 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
Tennessee’s page is permit-ready through TDOT and now links special permit restriction context. Fine fields remain conservative until a clearer official penalty source is confirmed.
How to verify this yourself
Open TDOT’s permit page for over-legal movement and compare FHWA weight information with current Tennessee official sources.
FAQ Where should I verify Tennessee permit requirements? Use the official TDOT Overweight and Overdimensional Permits source linked on this page before moving over legal size or weight.
Are Tennessee seasonal restrictions fully confirmed here? TDOT permit FAQs are linked for special route, bridge, time, and escort restrictions, but this page does not treat that as a statewide frost-law finding.
Are the weight figures here valid for Tennessee state 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.