FMCSA Cargo Securement and Weight Limits 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FMCSA cargo securement rules, what is the maximum Federal gross vehicle weight for a CMV on the Interstate Highway System?
- 73,280 lbs
- 80,000 lbs (Correct answer)
- 85,000 lbs
- 90,000 lbs
Correct answer: 80,000 lbs
The federal gross vehicle weight limit on Interstate highways is 80,000 lbs unless a state-issued special permit allows more.
Question 2: What is the maximum allowable single axle weight under federal bridge law?
- 17,000 lbs
- 20,000 lbs (Correct answer)
- 22,400 lbs
- 24,000 lbs
Correct answer: 20,000 lbs
Federal law limits single axle weight to 20,000 lbs to protect roadways and bridges from structural damage.
Question 3: How must working load limit (WLL) be used when calculating tie-down requirements for cargo?
- Sum of all tie-down WLLs must equal or exceed 50% of the cargo weight (Correct answer)
- Each tie-down must independently support the full cargo weight
- Total tie-down WLL must equal the cargo weight exactly
- WLL is irrelevant — only tie-down quantity matters
Correct answer: Sum of all tie-down WLLs must equal or exceed 50% of the cargo weight
The aggregate WLL of all tie-downs must equal at least 50% of the cargo weight as a minimum securement requirement under 49 CFR 393.102.
Question 4: What is the maximum tandem axle weight allowed on Interstate highways under federal law?
- 30,000 lbs
- 34,000 lbs (Correct answer)
- 36,000 lbs
- 40,000 lbs
Correct answer: 34,000 lbs
Federal law sets the maximum tandem axle weight at 34,000 lbs on Interstate highways.
Question 5: A flatbed driver loading 48 feet of steel coils must check cargo securement:
- Only at origin and destination
- Within the first 50 miles and then every 3 hours or 150 miles (Correct answer)
- Every 50 miles throughout the trip
- At every fuel stop regardless of mileage
Correct answer: Within the first 50 miles and then every 3 hours or 150 miles
FMCSA requires cargo securement checks within the first 50 miles after loading and then every 3 hours or 150 miles, whichever comes first.
Question 6: What is the minimum number of tie-downs required for a single piece of cargo that is 20 feet long?
- 1
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 3
- 4
Correct answer: 2
Cargo up to 20 feet in length requires at least 2 tie-downs; an additional tie-down is required for each additional 10 feet.
FMCSA Cargo Securement and Weight Limits 1
Under FMCSA cargo securement rules, what is the maximum Federal gross vehicle weight for a CMV on the Interstate Highway System?