Kentucky commercial vehicle weight limits follow the federal Interstate standard of 80,000 lbs gross, 20,000 lbs per single axle, and 34,000 lbs per tandem axle group. The federal bridge formula (23 U.S.C. 127) applies on all routes. Kentucky imposes spring weight restrictions on secondary routes typically February through April during spring thaw. Check KYTC for current restricted routes. Oversize and overweight permits are available from KY DOT for loads exceeding standard limits. Verify current road-specific postings with the Kentucky DOT before routing heavy loads.
Kentucky imposes spring weight restrictions on secondary routes typically February through April during spring thaw. Check KYTC for current restricted routes.
Check current restrictions at KY DOT →The federal bridge formula limits the weight on any group of axles based on the distance between the outermost axles in the group. It applies in Kentucky on all routes where federal standards apply.
W = maximum weight in lbs · L = axle spacing in feet · N = number of axles
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) issues oversize/overweight permits. Single-trip and annual permits available. Superloads require engineering review and pre-approved route analysis. Kentucky also offers the Kentucky Permit Vehicle (KPV) annual permit for certain qualifying combinations operating on designated state routes.
Apply for Kentucky OS/OW Permit →On Kentucky Interstate highways, the maximum gross vehicle weight is 80,000 lbs — the federal standard. State routes and secondary roads may have lower posted limits. Eastern Kentucky mountain roads and coal country roads can have very restrictive postings. Overweight permits from KYTC are required for loads exceeding standard limits.
Yes. Kentucky imposes spring weight restrictions on secondary state routes typically from February through April during the spring thaw period. Interstate highways are generally unaffected. County and state secondary roads post reduced limits during this period. Check KYTC at transportation.ky.gov for current restricted routes before routing heavy loads.
Kentucky oversize/overweight permits are issued by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). Apply online through the KYTC permit portal at transportation.ky.gov. Single-trip permits handle most one-time heavy hauls. Annual permits are available for qualifying recurring operations. Superloads require engineering review.
Coal haul routes in eastern Kentucky are specially designated by KYTC. Secondary mountain roads in coal country can post very low limits — sometimes 30,000–50,000 lbs GVW. Operators must verify current KYTC coal haul route designations and comply with all posted limits. Overweight permits may be required for standard fully loaded coal trucks.
Yes. Kentucky provides weight accommodations for agricultural vehicles transporting farm commodities and implements of husbandry on intrastate routes. Farm vehicles moving between fields and transporting agricultural products may qualify for exemptions from standard weight requirements. Contact KYTC for current exemption details.
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The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Kentucky KY Department of TransportationLast reviewed: 2026-04