District of Columbia Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in District of Columbia without a permit: Interstate axle and gross weights, height, width, and semitrailer length, each with its official source.
Data pending verification
Some official figures this page relies on haven't been confirmed against the source yet. Don't rely on results here until this notice is gone.
What's pending
- weight-limits/states/district-of-columbia
District of Columbia limits at a glance
Interstate weight limits
Federal law sets the Interstate limits at 20,000 lb on a single axle, 34,000 lb on a tandem, and 80,000 lb gross, with the bridge formula on every axle group (23 CFR 658.17). States may keep higher limits they had before the federal limits took effect ("grandfather rights").
FHWA's two District tables disagree (state summary: 21,000/37,000 lb, or 20,000/34,000 lb at 73,000 lb gross and over, with a 79,000 lb gross; exceptions table: 22,000/38,000 lb at 80,000 lb).
Bridge formula check with District of Columbia limits
A 5-axle tractor-trailer is filled in. Change the spacings and weights to match your rig; the limits for single axles, tandems, and gross are District of Columbia's Interstate limits (federal limits stand in where a figure is pending).
Your result
District of Columbia limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of District of Columbia law for trucks in regular operation (no permit), including non-Interstate highways. It reflects state law as of October 1, 2012; check the state for later changes.
- Single axle
- 21,000 lbs. / 20,000 lbs. when GVW is 73,000 lbs. or greater
- Tandem axle
- 37,000 lbs. / 34,000 lbs. when GVW is 73,000 lbs. or greater
- Tridem axle
- Per District's weight table
- Gross weight
- 79,000 lbs.
- Other
- 1,000 lbs. tolerance on axle loads
Height, width, and length
- Width: 102 inches. States may not set a width limit of more or less than 102 inches on the National Network (23 CFR 658.15(a)). Permits can allow wider loads.
- Height: pending verification. There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
- Semitrailer length: pending verification.
- Grandfathered semitrailer length: 48 ft. The minimum semitrailer length the state must allow in a tractor-semitrailer combination on the National Network, based on lengths legal in the state on December 1, 1982. Federal law also requires at least 48 ft (23 CFR 658.13(b)(1)).
Over these limits you need a permit. District of Columbia oversize/overweight permits (202-442-4670).
District of Columbia compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | Pending | Pending | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Maryland | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 48 ft |
| Virginia | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 48 ft |
| Delaware | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft on Interstate, federal-aid prima… |
| Pennsylvania | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft |
Sources
Source: FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendix B: Summary of State Exceptions to Federal Truck Weight Limits · Effective Oct 1, 2012 · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendix A: District of Columbia · Effective Oct 1, 2012 · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: 23 CFR 658.15, Width (eCFR) · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: 23 CFR part 658, Appendix B, Grandfathered Semitrailer Lengths (eCFR) · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: FHWA, Oversize/Overweight Load Permits: State permit contacts · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Limits change, and cities, counties, and posted bridges can set lower ones. Check with District of Columbia before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.