Effective August 17, 2016, vehicles operating in Iowa under an oversize/overweight permit are allowed a tandem axle weight of up to 46,000 pounds on a single tandem truck axle, and also a single tandem trailer axle. A maximum of two axles at the 46,000 pounds will be allowed for each permitted load (one each on the truck and trailer).

Previously, the limit was 20,000 pounds per axle.

According to the SC&RA, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) successfully passed the bill earlier this year through the state legislature. The Iowa DOT agreed with SC&RA that the lower weight allowance made it costlier to do business, resulting in a competitive disadvantage for Iowa truckers.