It goes beyond simply complying with the federal requirement of filling out your yearly Form 2290 in order to get your stamped Schedule 1 when you run a network of commercial vehicles. It’s very important for long-distance haulers and local fleets in cold climates to deal with changes in infrastructure regulations on a seasonal basis. One of them involves frost laws.

What Are Frost Laws?

The frost law is a temporary law that limits the amount of weight that can be transported through certain roads. This kind of regulation becomes effective during late winter and early spring when freezing weather begins to thaw.

As the cold temperatures lock up in the winter, the water that is below the ground surface becomes ice and pushes up against the structure of the road. As soon as the temperatures rise in the springtime, the ice melts from above but still stays solid below due to the freezing subgrade layer. The water is unable to escape anywhere, and thus the road structure becomes weak and unstable for trucks to drive over.

How Frost Laws Impact Commercial Weight Limits

For preventing any damage to the infrastructure due to frost action, usually GVW (gross vehicle weight) and axle weights are reduced to 25-35%.

• Standard vs. Restricted Weight: A truck weighing 80,000 pounds that is supposed to run according to the standard weight limit of 80,000 pounds can have a restricted weight limit of 52,000 pounds or 60,000 pounds.
• Wheel Load Rules Based on Tire Width: Some governments also set rules on maximum wheel loads based on tire width in inches for even distribution of weight over poor pavements.
• Speed Changes: Apart from reducing the weight, there are some frost law areas that have speed limits of commercial trucks at 35 mph in order to reduce the impact load stresses.

Who Is Affected by Seasonal Thaw Restrictions?

The frost laws affect mostly the northern states and Canadian provinces that experience significant freeze-thawing cycles, including places such as Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Maine.

The regulations are typically limited to state highways, county roads, and township routes that have lighter construction of their roads or have gravel bases. Large interstates and industrial routes usually have deeper base structures and do not typically come under such limits on the weight of the cargo. The local transporters and those carrying goods to rural destinations have greater chances of falling prey to such regulations.

Best Practices for Spring Freight Compliance

It is important to manage load and perform dispatching before the thawing period comes. Due to a reduction in cargo capacity, trucking companies have to re-route their trucks on interstates that can withstand any weather condition, reduce the weight of the trailer, or increase the number of trips in order to meet contractual agreements legally.

Striking a balance between weight restrictions in seasons and performing core duties like watching out for your UCR and clearing your heavy vehicle taxes using Form 2290 helps you stay legally compliant, structurally sound, and profitable throughout the year.

Note: For more information, visit IRS website