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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill allows certain natural gas and electric powered vehicles to exceed vehicle
10 weight limits in certain situations.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 ▸ allows certain natural gas and electric powered vehicles to exceed vehicle weight
14 limits by up to 2,000 pounds; and
15 ▸ makes technical changes.
16 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 72-7-404, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, First Special Session, Chapter 3
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24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 72-7-404 is amended to read:
26 72-7-404. Maximum gross weight limitation for vehicles -- Bridge formula for
27 weight limitations -- Minimum mandatory fines.
28 (1) (a) As used in this section:
29 (i) "Axle load" means the total load on all wheels whose centers may be included
30 between two parallel transverse vertical planes 40 inches apart.
31 (ii) "Tandem axle" means two or more axles spaced not less than 40 inches nor more
32 than 96 inches apart and having at least one common point of weight suspension.
33 (b) The tire load rating shall appear on the tire sidewall. A tire, wheel, or axle may not
34 carry a greater weight than the manufacturer's rating.
35 (2) (a) An individual may not operate or move a vehicle on any highway in the state
36 with:
37 (i) a gross weight in excess of 10,500 pounds on one wheel;
38 (ii) a single axle load in excess of 20,000 pounds; or
39 (iii) a tandem axle load in excess of 34,000 pounds.
40 (b) Subject to the limitations of Subsection (3), and except as provided in Subsection
41 (4), the gross vehicle weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles may not exceed 80,000
42 pounds.
43 (3) (a) Subject to the limitations in Subsection (2), no group of two or more
44 consecutive axles between the first and last axle of a vehicle or combination of vehicles and no
45 vehicle or combination of vehicles may carry a gross weight in excess of the weight provided
46 by the following bridge formula, except as provided in Subsection (3)(b):
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48 (i) W = overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the
49 nearest 500 pounds.
50 (ii) L = distance in feet between the extreme of any group of two or more consecutive
51 axles. When the distance in feet includes a fraction of a foot of one inch or more the next
52 larger number of feet shall be used.
53 (iii) N = number of axles in the group under consideration.
54 (b) Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross weight of 34,000 pounds
55 each if the overall distance between the first and last axles of the consecutive sets of tandem
56 axles is 36 feet or more.
57 (4) A vehicle or combination of vehicles powered by an engine fueled primarily by
58 natural gas or powered primarily by means of electric battery power may exceed any vehicle
59 weight described in Subsection (2)(a)(iii) or (b) by up to 2,000 pounds, for a maximum gross
60 vehicle weight of 82,000 pounds.
61 [
62 permit as provided in Section 72-7-406.
63 [
64 notwithstanding Sections 76-3-301 and 76-3-302, the department may require the violator to
65 pay a fine of either:
66 (i) $50 plus the sum of the overweight axle fines calculated under Subsection [
67 (6)(b); or
68 (ii) $50 plus the gross vehicle weight fine calculated under Subsection [
69 (b) The department shall calculate the fine for each axle and a gross vehicle weight
70 violation according to the following schedule:
| 71 | Number of Pounds Overweight | Axle Fine (Cents per Pound for Each Overweight Axle) | Gross Vehicle Weight Fine(Cents per Pound) | |||
| 72 | 1 - 2,000 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 73 | 2,001 - 5,000 | 4 | 5 | |||
| 74 | 5,001 - 8,000 | 5 | 5 | |||
| 75 | 8,001 - 12,000 | 6 | 5 | |||
| 76 | 12,001 - 16,000 | 7 | 5 | |||
| 77 | 16,001 - 20,000 | 9 | 5 | |||
| 78 | 20,001 - 25,000 | 11 | 5 | |||
| 79 | 25,001 or more | 13 | 5 | |||