WA state page · Last reviewed 2026-05-25
Washington Truck Weight Limits and Permit Sources Washington legal vehicle weight, WSDOT permits, current restriction links, and official penalty references.
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 WSDOT publishes legal vehicle weight tables; gross legality depends on axle count, spacing, and route rather than a single statewide shortcut. confirmed high Single axle 20,000 lb single axle reference in WSDOT legal weight materials. confirmed high Tandem axle 34,000 lb tandem axle reference in WSDOT legal weight materials. confirmed high Bridge formula WSDOT legal weight tables and federal bridge formula should both be checked where applicable. inferred from official source medium Permit agency Washington State Department of Transportation. confirmed high Seasonal / frost WSDOT publishes commercial vehicle permit restrictions and current conditions; no separate statewide frost-law figure was confirmed in this review. inferred from official source medium Fine source RCW 46.44.105.2 is the reviewed official additional-penalty source; full ticket calculation may require related sections. inferred from official source medium
Field-level reference data Regular weight limits Gross vehicle weight limit WSDOT publishes legal vehicle weight tables; gross legality depends on axle count, spacing, and route rather than a single statewide shortcut. confirmed high Single axle limit 20,000 lb single axle reference in WSDOT legal weight materials. confirmed high Tandem axle limit 34,000 lb tandem axle reference in WSDOT legal weight materials. confirmed high Bridge formula applies WSDOT legal weight tables and federal bridge formula should both be checked where applicable. inferred from official source medium Interstate notes Use FHWA Interstate limits together with WSDOT legal weight tables and permit restrictions. confirmed high Non-Interstate notes WSDOT legal vehicle weight tables are the reviewed Washington source for regular operation. confirmed high
Axle and loading notes Steer axle notes Steer axle review should include WSDOT legal weight, tire/equipment ratings, and route restrictions. inferred from official source medium Drive axle notes Drive axle groups should be compared against WSDOT legal weight tables and permit terms. confirmed high Trailer tandem notes Trailer tandem position changes spacing and can change the WSDOT legal weight result. confirmed high Fifth wheel notes Fifth-wheel adjustment changes distribution but is not WSDOT permit authority. inferred from official source medium Bridge law notes Use WSDOT legal vehicle weight tables and FHWA bridge formula for spacing-sensitive checks. inferred from official source medium
Oversize / overweight permits Permit agency Washington State Department of Transportation. confirmed high Permit office name WSDOT Commercial Vehicle Permits. confirmed high Official permit URL WSDOT Commercial Vehicle Permits page. confirmed high Online permit portal Use WSDOT's official permit page for the current online permit path. inferred from official source medium Permit contact Use WSDOT commercial vehicle permit contacts published on the official page. inferred from official source medium Permit notes WSDOT permit conditions and current restrictions should be checked before over-legal movement. confirmed high
Seasonal and special restrictions Frost / seasonal restriction WSDOT publishes commercial vehicle permit restrictions and current conditions; no separate statewide frost-law figure was confirmed in this review. inferred from official source medium Seasonal weight notes Use WSDOT current restriction links for route or permit restrictions before travel. inferred from official source medium Official seasonal URL WSDOT Commercial Vehicle Permits page and current restrictions links. inferred from official source medium
Fines and enforcement Overweight fine structure RCW 46.44.105.2 is the reviewed official additional-penalty source; full ticket calculation may require related sections. inferred from official source medium Overweight ticket notes Use the actual citation and current RCW sections for fine computation. inferred from official source medium Enforcement agency Official enforcement agency page not separately confirmed in this review; WSDOT and RCW sources were reviewed. not found in official review low Fine official URL RCW 46.44.105.2 additional penalties. inferred from official source medium CSA / safety notes CSA impact depends on inspection/reporting; use FMCSA SMS materials. inferred from official source medium
Scale notes Public scale notes A public scale ticket helps check distribution but is not a WSDOT permit. inferred from official source medium Weigh station / enforcement notes Compare readings to WSDOT legal weight tables and any current permit restriction. confirmed high CAT Scale disclaimer CAT Scale does not issue Washington permit authority. inferred from official source medium Scale ticket notes Use the ticket to compare axle groups with WSDOT tables and permit terms. confirmed high
Washington is a table-and-route state for practical weight review. WSDOT legal
vehicle weight tables should be checked directly, especially when gross weight is
above ordinary federal Interstate assumptions.
How to verify this yourself
Open WSDOT legal vehicle weight first, then use WSDOT Commercial Vehicle Permits
for permit conditions and current restrictions. For a ticket, compare the cited
section with the RCW penalty source.
FAQ Does Washington use one simple 80,000 lb page value? WSDOT publishes legal weight tables; gross legality depends on axle count, spacing, route, and permit status.
Where are Washington OS/OW permits handled? Use WSDOT Commercial Vehicle Permits.
Is Washington seasonal data confirmed? Current WSDOT restriction links are confirmed, but a separate statewide frost-law figure was not confirmed.