Nebraska Axle Weight Limits

Maximum Legal Weight Allowed

• Maximum Single Wheel Load - 10,000 lbs.
• Single Axle - 20,000 lbs.
• Tandem Axle - 34,000 lbs.
• Maximum Weight on State Highways - 95,000 lbs. (refer to bridge chart)
• Maximum Weight on Interstate - 80,000 lbs.
• 95,000 lbs. - with Conditional Interstate Use Permit.

A Tandem Axle is defined as any two consecutive axles whose centers are more than 40" and not more than 96" apart, measured to the nearest inch between any two adjacent axles in the series. 

The maximum gross load on any group of two axles, the distance between the extremes of which is more than 8' but less than 8'6", shall be 38,000 pounds. The distance between axles shall be measured to the nearest foot. When a fraction is exactly one-half foot, the next larger whole number shall be used, except that any group of 3 axles shall be restricted to a maximum load of 34,000 pounds unless the distance between the extremes of the first and third axle is at  least 96" in fact. 

In all cases gross weights are subject to all wheel and axle load restrictions indicated in the table on the following page, except if you have two consecutive sets of tandem axles that measure a minimum of 36', 37' or 38', you may carry 34,000 pounds each on such consecutive sets of tandem axles. 

Maximum Permit Weight Allowed

No permit shall authorize a weight greater than 20,000 lbs. on any Single Axle.

Conditional Interstate Use Permit

A permit issued for vehicles weighing up to 95,000 pounds on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (Interstate). No vehicle can exceed 20,000 pounds on a Single Axle or 34,000 pounds on a Tandem Axle. The overall Gross Weight of a group of two or more consecutive axles must conform to the requirements of the Nebraska Bridge Formula.

Superload

A vehicle or vehicle combination transporting a non-divisible load that is in excess of any of the following dimensions or Gross Weight:

• 16 feet in width
• 16 feet in height
• 100 feet in length
• Gross Weight over 160,000 pounds is a superload.

A superload permit application will require review and approval by the Lincoln Permit Office and may require review and/or approval by the Bridge Division and/or the District Engineer prior to issuance of the permit. Review and approval by Department staff may take up to five working days. 

Harvest Permits are not authorized on Interstate Highway System:

• Single Axle - 20,000 lbs.
• Tandem Axle - 34,000 lbs.
• Triple Axles, 8 feet - 42,000 lbs.
• Triple Axles, 9 feet - 42,500 lbs.
• Triple Axles, 10 feet - 43,500 lbs.

Source of information: https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/2787/legal-sizes-weights.pdf
https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/2786/rules-regs-chapter-3.pdf