{"data":{"id":"us-me/29-a-m.r.s.-2364","jurisdiction":"us-me","citation":"29-A M.R.S. §2364","heading":"Six-axle single unit truck","body":"A 6-axle single unit truck may be operated, or caused to be operated, if:\n1.\nGeneral road limit.\nThe general road limit for this vehicle is:\nA.\nWhen the vehicle operates as a 3-axle single unit vehicle, 54,000 pounds gross vehicle weight;\nB.\nWhen the vehicle operates as a 4-axle or 5-axle single unit vehicle, 69,000 pounds gross vehicle weight; and\nC.\nWhen the vehicle operates as a 6-axle single unit vehicle, 77,200 pounds gross vehicle weight;\n2.\nAxle distance.\nAxle distances as measured from axle center to axle center, numbering the axles beginning with the steering axle and moving rearward on the vehicle, are as follows:\nAxle to axle | At least | But not more than\nSteering to axle 2 | 13 ft. 7 in. | 14 ft. 1 in.\nAxle 2 to axle 3 | 4 ft. 3 in. | 4 ft. 9 in.\nAxle 3 to axle 4 | 4 ft. | 5 ft. 3 in.\nAxle 4 to axle 5 | 4 ft. 3 in. | 4 ft. 9 in.\nAxle 5 to axle 6 | 5 ft. | 5 ft. 6 in.\nSteering to axle 6 | Not applicable | 32 ft. 10 in.\nThe distance between the front bumper and the rear bumper of the vehicle may not exceed 41 feet;\n3.\nLiftable axles.\nAxles 2, 5 and 6 of the vehicle may be liftable axles. Axles 2 and 6 must be self-steering axles of a type that has been approved by the Department of Transportation;\n4.\nFour-tired axles.\nAll axles must be 4-tired axles except the steering axle and axle 2;\n5.\nCertified weight capacity.\nAll brakes, axles and suspensions must be certified with respect to weight capacity by a final stage manufacturer. The final stage manufacturer must also certify that the vehicle's axle spacings and interlock devices met the requirements of this paragraph at the time of manufacture. The certification must be filed with the Secretary of State on forms prescribed by the Secretary of State. A copy of the certification must be carried in the vehicle at all times;\n6.\nOperation as a 3-axle single unit vehicle.\nWhen operating as a 3-axle single unit vehicle:\nA.\nAll provisions of this Title appropriate for a 3-axle single unit truck with rear tandem axle apply;\nB.\nWhen commodities permitted by section 2357 are carried, gross weight and axle weights must be those specified for 3-axle vehicles for the specific commodities carried; and\nC.\nThe basic weight used to calculate fines is a gross vehicle weight road limit of 54,000 pounds or the axle weight limits provided by this section, as appropriate. If there are 2 or more weight violations, only the largest fine applies;\n7.\nOperation as a 4-axle or 5-axle single unit vehicle.\nWhen operating as a 4-axle or 5-axle single unit vehicle:\nA.\nAxle 5 must be fully lowered and in contact with the ground at all times;\nB.\nAll provisions of this Title appropriate for a 4-axle single unit truck with rear tri-axle apply, using the tri-axle group limits for axles 2 to 5;\nC.\nWhen commodities permitted by section 2357 are carried, gross weight and axle weights are those specified for 4-axle or 5-axle vehicles for the specific commodities carried, as appropriate; and\nD.\nThe basic weight used to calculate fines is a gross vehicle weight road limit of 69,000 pounds or the axle weight limits provided by this section, as appropriate. If there are 2 or more weight violations, only the largest fine applies;\n8.\nOperation as a 6-axle single unit vehicle.\nWhen operating a 6-axle single unit vehicle:\nA.\nThe vehicle must be registered for at least 77,200 pounds;\nB.\nOnly forest products may be carried;\nC.\nAll liftable axles must be in contact with the ground except that axles 2 and 6 may be temporarily lifted when necessary during cornering operations. Immediately following this cornering operation, the axles must be lowered to full contact with the ground. Axles 2 and 6, if liftable, must be fitted with interlock devices that prevent the operator from lifting the axle or axles when the vehicle speed exceeds 15 miles per hour. The devices must be designed to permit the axle-lifting operation only in the low range in a 2-range transmission or in either the low or medium range in a 3-range transmission. The devices must also be designed to automatically lower axles 2 and 6 to normal contact with the ground when the transmission is shifted from the applicable ranges under this division;\nD.\nThe maximum permitted gross vehicle weight is 85,000 pounds;\nE.\nThe maximum weight of the steering axle may not exceed 15,600 pounds and the maximum weight of each of the other axles of the vehicle may not exceed 15,000 pounds;\nF.\nThe following forgiveness provisions are granted on the gross vehicle weight and axle weight limits:\nGross vehicle weight |\n85,001 lbs. to 87,499 lbs. | Fine waived\n87,500 lbs. to 89,999 lbs. | Fine reduced 50%\n90,000 lbs. or more | Full fine\nAxle weight |\nSteering axle | No forgiveness granted\nAxles 2 to 6: |\n15,001 lbs. to 15,999 lbs. | Fine waived\n16,000 lbs. to 16,499 lbs. | Fine reduced 2/3\n16,500 lbs. to 16,999 lbs. | Fine reduced 50%\n17,000 lbs. or more | Full fine\nNo other tolerances or forgivenesses apply; and\nG.\nThe basic weight used to calculate fines is a gross vehicle weight road limit of 77,200 pounds or the axle weight limits enumerated in paragraph E, as appropriate. If there are 2 or more weight violations, the largest fine only applies; and\n9.\nApplication.\nNothing contained in this section is applicable to vehicles operating on the Interstate Highway System, as defined in the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956.","path":["TITLE 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC","CHAPTER 21: WEIGHT, DIMENSION AND PROTECTION OF WAYS","SUBCHAPTER 1: WEIGHT"],"source_url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2364.html","current_through":"October 1, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:12:35Z","sha256":"74ad4c26a48a9e86d79822dbacb2e4f4ba4f2f618b580f7fe45cee225a35af34","source_id":"us-me","stale":false,"prev":"us-me/29-a-m.r.s.-2363","next":"us-me/29-a-m.r.s.-2365"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}