Maximum weights.

(1) The gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle of a vehicle shall not exceed 20,000 pounds.

(2) For the purposes of this chapter, an “axle load” shall be defined as the total load transmitted to the road by all wheels whose centers are included between two parallel transverse vertical planes 40 inches apart, extending across the full width of the vehicle.

(3) Subject to the limit upon the weight imposed upon the highways through any one axle as set forth herein, the total weight with load imposed upon the highway by all the axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed the gross weight given for the respective distance between the first and last axle of the vehicle or combination of vehicles, measured longitudinally to the nearest foot as set forth in the following table:

Distance in feet between first and last axles of ve- hicles or combi- nation of vehicles. Maximum load in pounds on all axles.

4..........40,000

5..........40,000

6..........40,000

7..........40,000

8..........40,000

9..........44,140

10..........44,980

11..........45,810

12..........46,640

13..........47,480

14..........48,310

15..........49,150

16..........49,980

17..........50,810

18..........51,640

19..........52,480

20..........53,310

21..........54,140

22..........54,980

23..........55,810

24..........56,640

25..........57,470

26..........58,310

27..........59,140

28..........59,970

29..........60,810

30..........61,640

31..........62,470

32..........63,310

33..........64,140

34..........64,970

35..........65,800

36..........66,610

(4) With respect to the Interstate Highway System, in all cases in which it exceeds state law in effect on January 4, 1975, the overall gross weight on a group of two or more consecutive axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, including all enforcement tolerances, shall be as determined by the following formula:

W = 500((LN ÷ (N–1)) + 12N + 36)

where W = the overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest 500 pounds; L = the distance in feet between the extremes of any group of two or more consecutive axles; and N = the number of axles in the group under consideration. Such overall gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles may not exceed 80,000 pounds, including all enforcement tolerances.

(5) With respect to those highways not in the Interstate Highway System, in all cases in which it exceeds state law in effect on January 4, 1975, the overall gross weight on the vehicle or combination of vehicles, including all enforcement tolerances, shall be as determined by the following formula:

W = 500((LN ÷ (N–1)) + 12N + 36)

where W = overall gross weight of the vehicle to the nearest 500 pounds; L = distance in feet between the extreme of the external axles; and N = number of axles on the vehicle. However, such overall gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles may not exceed 80,000 pounds including all enforcement tolerances.

(6) Dump trucks, concrete mixing trucks, trucks engaged in waste collection and disposal, and fuel oil and gasoline trucks designed and constructed for special type work or use, when operated as a single unit, shall be subject to all safety and operational requirements of law, except that any such vehicle need not conform to the axle spacing requirements of this section provided that such vehicle shall be limited to a total gross load, including the weight of the vehicle, of 20,000 pounds per axle plus scale tolerances and shall not exceed 550 pounds per inch width tire surface plus scale tolerances. No vehicle operating pursuant to this section shall exceed a gross weight, including the weight of the vehicle and scale tolerances, of 70,000 pounds. Any vehicle violating the weight provisions of this section shall be penalized as provided in s. 316.545.

(7) The Department of Transportation shall adopt rules to implement this section, shall enforce this section and the rules adopted hereunder, and shall publish and distribute tables and other publications as deemed necessary to inform the public.

(8) Except as hereinafter provided, no vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeding the gross weights specified in subsections (3), (4), (5), and (6) shall be permitted to travel on the public highways within the state.