Federal Bridge Law
Regulations governing maximum weight allowed on a truck's axle groups based on spacing.
Definition
The Federal Bridge Law (also called Bridge Formula) sets the maximum weight that a commercial vehicle can carry on any group of axles based on the distance between those axles. This protects bridges and road surfaces from damage. The formula is: W = 500(LN/(N-1) + 12N + 36), where W is weight, L is distance between axle groups, and N is number of axles. Practical result: tandem slide position directly affects legal weight per axle.
FAQ
What does Federal Bridge Law mean?
Regulations governing maximum weight allowed on a truck's axle groups based on spacing.
Why is Federal Bridge Law important for truck drivers?
Understanding federal bridge law is essential for truck drivers because it directly impacts your daily operations, pay, or compliance. The Federal Bridge Law (also called Bridge Formula) sets the maximum weight that a commercial vehicle can carry on any group of axles based on the distance between those axles. This protects bridges and road surfaces from damage.