To avoid excess wear on the road and to ensure that bridges and other road infrastructure can cope, there are limits to how much weight can be placed above different types of axle. The tyres on those axles transfer the weight through to the surface. The rules are anything but consistent.

 

Single axle, single tyresSteer axle
Non-steer axle, tyres <375mm
Non-steer axle, tyres 375-449mm
Non-steer axle, tyres >450mm
6000kg
6000kg
6700kg
7000kg
Single axle, dual tyresDog trailer
Any other vehicle
A complying bus or a bus authorised to carry standing passengers
Ultra-low-floor bus with no axle groups
8500kg
9000kg
1000kg

11000kg

Twin-steer axle group, single tyresNon-load-sharing suspension system
Load-sharing suspension system
10000kg
11000kg
Tandem axle group, single tyres<375mm
375-449mm
>449mm
11000kg
13300kg
14000kg
Tandem axle group, dual + single tyresSingle on one axle, dual on the other
A complying bus
13000kg
14000kg
Tandem axle group, dual tyresDog trailer
Any other vehicle
15000kg
16500kg
Tri-axle group,single tyresSingle tyres <375mm, or a combination of singles and duals
Dog trailer >374mm, duals on all axles or a combination
15000kg

18000kg

Tri-axle group, dual tyresVehicle other than a dog trailer, single tyres >374mm, or duals or a combination20000kg

 

There are some associated rules:

Dog or trailers must not be heavier than the truck towing them.

The maximum GML (general mass limits) for a combination is 42500kg unless operating under a notice permit or specific scheme(abnormal cargo).


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