Understanding FMCSA Overweight Violations and How To Avoid Them

FMCSA overweight violations can be challenging to understand and manage. Overweight truck violations and fines can add up quickly, which is why FMCA Filings has multiple techniques available to help you. 

Whether you need advice for managing DOT truck weight regulations, your New Mexico Weight Distance Tax filing, or anything in between, we can help. Learn more about how to follow FMCSA weight limit rules and how to avoid violations when using our services. 

How FMCSA Overweight Regulations Work

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes regulations governing the maximum weight that commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) can carry. FMCSA focuses on regulating the operation of commercial vehicles with an emphasis on maintaining safety.

Oversize load enforcement depends on the size of the vehicle and the number of axles it has. Some larger vehicles can carry up to 80,000 pounds, but single-axle trucks may have a 20,000-pound limit. Fully understanding these rules gives a trucking company a better chance of following them, and our team at FMCA Filings can provide this guidance.

Companies that need to transport larger weights can seek overweight permits from state or local authorities. Federal authorities do not issue these permits.

FMCA Filings Tracks Changes to the Regulations

At FMCA Filings, we can help with managing your DOT weight regulations. We monitor any changes to the regulations and alert you when updates require adjustments to your cargo weight management system.

State limits sometimes differ from federal regulations. At FMCA Filings, our team can alert you to these differences, based on your projected travel routes and the states in which you normally operate. Our work can help you avoid the risk of FMCSA overweight violations. 

Consequences of Receiving Overweight Tickets and Fines

Your company could be subject to commercial vehicle overweight fines when the drivers must stop at a scale or weigh station. Some scales will measure the weight of the entire truck and its cargo, while many also measure the weight for each axle. 

Should the scale measure an overweight truck, this could result in multiple types of penalties. At FMCA Filings, we can track any fines you receive for having overloaded vehicles, helping you calculate the true cost of running CMVs that end up causing FMCSA overweight violations.

Fines for Overloaded Trucks

Most states fine the trucking company or driver for any violations of weight limits. These fines vary from state to state. Some are as low as $20, while others can involve several hundred dollars, including court costs and other assessments.

Suspended Licenses and Registrations

Depending on the amount of weight your truck exceeds the limit, local authorities may suspend the registration of the CMV. The driver could also receive a license suspension.

Criminal Penalties

A driver who is carrying cargo that’s significantly overweight could face a misdemeanor charge that might include additional fines and jail time. In some states, a first overweight violation may not involve a criminal charge, but subsequent violations may result in misdemeanor charges and the potential for jail time.

Legal Liability

If your truck is overweight and involved in an injury accident, injured parties in the other vehicle could file a personal injury lawsuit. Their lawyers can use the overweight violation to show that your company was operating the truck negligently.

Steps To Avoid FMCSA Overweight Tickets and Violations

To avoid overweight violations, companies must understand the capabilities of each truck in their fleet. It’s important to match the type of truck with the cargo it can handle and remain within weight limits. Some trucks may require special load distribution techniques when loading cargo to remain within limits.

Some companies choose to weigh their trucks after cargo loading, ensuring they’re within the limits of the federal rules as well as any states in which they’ll be driving. Some companies provide their drivers with routes that mark the location of weigh stations, keeping drivers prepared.

FMCA Filings can offer advice and techniques for keeping your company’s trucks within the weight limits. 

Let FMCA Filings Help With Managing Your Trucking Company’s Overweight Violations

If you find your trucking company suffering the consequences of frequent FMCSA overweight violations, you know these errors are costing you money in fines. However, such problems also frequently lead to delivery delays, damage to trucks, and potential legal consequences. 

When you need help with heavy vehicle use and avoiding overweight rules violations, trust FMCA Filings. We specialize in keeping trucking companies in compliance with federal rules and some state regulations. To learn more, contact us through our live chat function.