Are you planning a commercial truck trip with a toll route? If so, you need to be aware of the legal limits on how much you can spend. It is illegal to go through toll points at full speed, and the speed limit for driving on SunPass-only lanes or any toll lane is 25 mph. Driving on open roads and toll in SunPass lanes allows you to maintain highway speed and not slow down to reach a toll booth, but always respect established speed limits. The Director of the District Department of Transportation is authorized to issue permits for the operation of vehicles that exceed the district's size and weight limits. These permits can be for a single trip or for continuous operation and can include seasonal or other restrictions.
Generally, the maximum weight of a single axle allowed is 21,000 pounds. Tolerance is provided for gross or axle loads operating with special or annual permits. Indiana has a fundamental provision under federal law that allows vehicles to operate up to 22,400 pounds on a single axle, 36,000 pounds on a tandem axle, and 127,400 pounds GVW in parts of the interstate system (Indiana toll roads). Kansas has a fundamental provision under federal law that allows vehicles to operate up to 22,000 pounds on a single axle and 120,000 pounds GVW in parts of the interstate system (specifically, the Kansas Turnpike Highway Authority).Massachusetts has a fundamental provision under federal law that allows vehicles to operate up to 22,400 pounds GVW in parts of the interstate system (the Massachusetts turnpike). New Hampshire has a regulatory provision under federal law that allows vehicles to operate up to 22,000 pounds on a single axle and 99,000 pounds GVW in parts of the interstate system.
New Mexico has a fundamental provision under federal law that allows vehicles to operate up to 21,600 pounds on a single axle, 34,200 lbs on a tandem axle, and 86,400 pounds GVW. Ohio has a fundamental provision under federal law that allows vehicles to operate up to 21,000 pounds on a single axle and either 115,000 pounds GVW in parts of the interstate system (Ohio Turnpike). Rhode Island has a fundamental provision under federal law that allows vehicles to operate up to 22,400 pounds on a single axle and 36,000 pounds on a tandem axis on all highways, including the Interstate system. In South Dakota, several provisions of state legislation allow trucks operating in the National Health Service to exceed some elements of the federal limits. The advantage of being a SunPass customer is that you always pay the lowest toll on all highways and most bridges in Florida. The secretary may also issue permits for the operation of combinations of vehicles on designated routes between toll booths and motorized cargo truck terminals located less than 10 miles from that toll booth or 20 miles from a toll booth at the northeast end of the turnpike (Kansas). In addition, heavy cranes in combination with towed units are allowed to exceed axle dimensions and maximum gross weight limits for combinations of cranes and towed units - but not more than 150,000 pounds. During toll suspensions it's still wise to have cash available as even if tolls are suspended on one segment of the Florida toll road system it doesn't mean they're suspended on every highway or bridge in the state.
In Connecticut, Vermont, Iowa, Georgia and Montana several provisions of state law allow trucks operating in their respective National Health Services to exceed some elements of the federal limits. All three states have prepaid toll programs that use interoperable transponders - meaning customers have tolls automatically deducted from their accounts when they drive on toll roads. In Florida's managed lanes different types of tolling methods are used but drivers will be able to see the toll amounts placed on upper signs well in advance so they can decide whether or not they want to use them. As your vehicle passes through Sunpass-equipped lanes your prepaid toll account will be electronically deducted. Tolls must be paid when traveling through any toll lane - either through prepaid accounts such as SunPass or E-ZPass or another transponder accepted by Florida - or with cash when cash collection is available. With all this information you should now have an idea about how much you can spend on your commercial truck trip with a toll route.
