North Dakota Code § 39-12-05.3

Weight limitations for vehicles on highways other than the interstate
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system.
1. A person may not operate on a highway that is not part of the interstate system any 
vehicle with a single axle that carries a gross weight in excess of twenty thousand 
pounds [9071.85 kilograms] or a wheel load over ten thousand pounds [4535.92 

kilograms]. A wheel may not carry a gross weight over five hundred fifty pounds 
[249.48 kilograms] for each inch [2.54 centimeters] of tire width. Axles spaced forty 
inches [101.60 centimeters] apart or less are considered as one axle. On axles spaced 
over forty inches [101.60 centimeters] and under eight feet [2.44 meters] apart, the 
axle load may not exceed nineteen thousand pounds [8618.26 kilograms] per axle, 
with a maximum of thirty -four thousand pounds [15422.14 kilograms] gross weight on 
a tandem axle and a maximum of forty -eight thousand pounds [21772.32 kilograms] 
gross weight on any grouping of three or more axles. The wheel load, in any instance, 
may not exceed one-half the allowable axle load. Spacing between axles is measured 
from axle center to axle center.
2. Subject to the limitations imposed by subsection 1 on tires, wheel, and axle loads, a 
person may not operate on a highway that is not part of the interstate system any 
vehicle the gross weight of which exceeds that determined by the formula of:
W = 500 (LN + 12N + 36)
N-1
where W equals the maximum gross weight in pounds on any vehicle or combination 
of vehicles; L equals distance in feet between the two extreme axles of any vehicle or 
combination of vehicles; and N equals the number of axles of any vehicle or 
combination of vehicles under consideration. The gross weight on state highways may 
not exceed one hundred five thousand five hundred pounds [47854 kilograms] unless 
otherwise posted and on all other highways the gross weight may not exceed eighty 
thousand pounds [36287.39 kilograms] unless designated by local authorities for 
highways under their jurisdiction for gross weights not to exceed one hundred five 
thousand five hundred pounds [47854 kilograms]. Local authorities are encouraged to 
assess all roads under their jurisdiction and designate the roads for the appropriate 
weight limits allowed under this subsection.
3. The gross weight limitations in subsections 1 and 2 do not apply to equipment the 
director and the state highway patrol approve for exemption. The exemption may not 
exceed one hundred five thousand five hundred pounds [47854 kilograms]. For every 
vehicle approved for exemption the highway patrol shall issue a nontransferable permit 
valid for one year. The highway patrol may charge an administrative fee for the permit.
4. a. The director, and local authorities, as to the highways under their respective 
jurisdictions, may issue permits authorizing:
(1) A farmer's farm vehicle or a motor carrier hired by a farmer to exceed the 
weight limitations stated in subsections 1 and 2 by ten percent. The permits 
may not provide for a gross weight in excess of one hundred five thousand 
five hundred pounds [47854 kilograms]. The permits must provide only for 
the movement of agricultural products:
(a) From the field of harvest to the point of initial storage or to the first 
point of sale and transfer of possession during harvest; or
(b) From the point of initial storage to the first point of sale and transfer of 
possession during the current year's harvest; or
(2) A specific motor vehicle to exceed the weight limitations stated in 
subsections 1 and 2 by ten percent. The permits may not provide for a gross 
weight in excess of one hundred five thousand five hundred pounds [47854 
kilograms]. The permits must provide only for the collection and transport of 
solid wastes, during the period from July fifteenth to December first, and for 
the general movement of products during the period from December first to 
March seventh.
b. The appropriate jurisdictional authority shall establish an appropriate fee for the 
permits and direct how they shall be issued. The highway patrol shall issue the 
permits authorized by the director.
5. The director, and local authorities, as to highways under their respective jurisdictions, 
may issue permits authorizing all vehicles carrying potatoes or sugar beets to exceed 
weight limitations stated in subsections 1 and 2 by ten percent during the period from 
July fifteenth to December first. The permits may not provide for a gross weight in 

excess of one hundred five thousand five hundred pounds [47854 kilograms]. The 
appropriate jurisdictional authority shall establish an appropriate fee for the permits 
and direct how they shall be issued. The highway patrol shall issue the permits 
authorized by the director.
6. The director may issue a permit for a truck with a gross weight that exceeds one 
hundred five thousand five hundred pounds [47854 kilograms], not to exceed one 
hundred twenty nine thousand pounds [58513.41 kilograms]. The monthly permit fee is 
one hundred dollars per month or seven hundred dollars annually. Annual permits may 
be purchased for the period beginning January first and ending December thirty -first or 
for a twelve-month period beginning the date of purchase. Vehicle weight under this 
subsection is determined according to the formula under subsection 2 of section

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