H.R. 2920 — VARIANCE Act

This section establishes a dry bulk axle weight variance permitting commercial motor vehicles transporting dry bulk goods—defined as homogeneous unmarked, unpackaged, nonliquid cargo in a trailer specifically designed for that purpose—to exceed by up to 110% the maximum axle and axle group weights otherwise applicable under subsection (a) (i.e., up to 22,000 pounds for a single axle (from 20,000 pounds) and 37,400 pounds for a tandem axle group (from 34,000 pounds), including enforcement tolerances), subject to the overall maximum gross vehicle weight limitation of 80,000 pounds. (Thus, states must allow such vehicles on the Interstate System to avoid a 50% withholding of federal-aid highway apportionments.)