Operating an overweight truck along I-80 near Truckee can lead to a significant financial burden. A single overweight truck violation can cost you as much as $1 per pound overweight.
Imagine a trucker hauling a load exceeding the weight limit by 4,500 pounds. This scenario could result in a nearly $4,500 fine, a criminal record, and jail time or probation.
These hefty fines can be crippling for independent owner-operators and small trucking firms struggling to make ends meet.
Legal Help with Overweight Truck Violations in Nevada County
If you receive an overweight truck violation in Nevada County, appearing in court or hiring an attorney might be necessary to resolve the ticket depending on the severity of the ticket. Truckee
Navigating the legal process for overweight truck violations can be complex.
Consider consulting an experienced and knowledgeable traffic attorney who frequently defends commercial drivers in Nevada County. An attorney familiar with local court personnel and procedures can significantly improve your chances of a successful outcome.
Preventing Overweight Truck Violations: Permits for Oversized Loads
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) manages permits for oversized or overweight vehicles traveling within the state. While fleet managers typically handle permits, owner-operators should be proactive, especially if hauling potentially oversized or overweight cargo. The Caltrans Transportation Permits office offers clear instructions for obtaining single-trip or repetitive-trip permits on their website. Even those unfamiliar with the process can easily navigate the system and ensure compliance.
Understanding Weight Limits to Avoid Overweight Truck Violations
Understanding weight limits is crucial for all commercial drivers. CA Vehicle Code (VC) Section 35550 (a), Axle Limits, provides clear weight restrictions for drivers:
“The gross weight imposed upon the highway by the wheels on any one axle of a vehicle shall not exceed 20,000 pounds and the gross weight upon any one wheel, or wheels, supporting one end of an axle, and resting upon the roadway, shall not exceed 10,500 pounds.”
Understanding CA VC Sections 35550 – 35796 is also imperative.
These sections examine oversized commercial vehicles and detail road restrictions depending on maximum vehicle weights for bridges and roads.
By familiarizing yourself with these regulations, you can avoid costly overweight truck violations.
Weigh Stations and Compliance with Weight Limits
California Highway Patrol (CHP)-regulated weigh stations are mandatory stopping points for most commercial vehicles when operational.
As defined by CA VC Section 260 Definitions:
“A commercial vehicle is a motor vehicle of a type required to be registered under this code used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation, or profit or designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.”
This definition can encompass U-Haul or Ryder rentals. If you are unsure about stopping requirements, always err on the side of caution.
Failure to stop at an open weigh station, necessitating CHP intervention, can result in additional penalties.
For many commercial vehicles, it could be considered a misdemeanor crime to bypass an opened weigh station.
Public Weigh Stations as a Resource to Avoid Overweight Truck Violations
Several public weigh stations are located along major California highways.
While using these stations might incur a small fee, it's significantly cheaper than the hefty fines associated with overweight truck violations. A few extra minutes spent at a weigh station can save you thousands of dollars down the road.
Consult with Bigger & Harman About an Overweight Truck Violation
If you require assistance disputing an overweight truck violation in Nevada County, contact the traffic ticket defense team of Bigger & Harman for a free initial consultation.
Call us at (661) 349-9300— Se habla Español (661) 349-9755. Likewise, you can use the convenient contact form or email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
Download our e-book, Protecting Your Commercial Driver License.
References:
CA VC Section 260 Definitions and Section 35550 (a), Axle Limits.
The DMV Portal CA Commercial Driver Handbook.
The DOT FMCSA 49 CFR Part 383.51, Paragraph 6.2.5, Disqualification of Drivers.