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Road Users

Five-axle trucks

Information and answers to frequently asked questions on five-axle trucks.

This content is for general information only. It does not, and is not intended to, provide legal or technical advice or to represent a legal interpretation of the matters it addresses.

Frequently asked questions

Rigid vehicles with five or more axles which are first registered and in service in Ireland on or after 01 February 2018 are subject to a 36-tonne maximum weight limit. They must also comply with the following:

  • a maximum weight limit of 5.5 tonnes per metre on the wheelbase i.e., distance between foremost and rearmost axles
  • individual axle and bogey (group of axles) weight limits – refer to our  Weights and Dimensions Leaflet.
  • must not exceed the manufacturer’s design specifications.

No. These vehicles are not subject to the new weight limit of 36 tonnes. They can continue to operate up to a maximum of the manufacturer’s design gross vehicle weight and still be subject to the individual axle and bogey (group of axles) weight limits outlined in our weights and dimensions leaflet.

Rigid trucks which are on or after 01 February 2018 modified by the addition of one or more axle increasing them to more than four axles must adhere to the 36 tonne max weight laden limit and a maximum of 5.5 tonnes per metre on the wheelbase i.e. distance between foremost and rearmost axles. They must also comply with axle and bogey weight limits outlined in our weights and dimensions leaflet.

Declaration of Conformity form completed by the vehicle manufacturer or authorised distributor.

Yes. If a vehicle is modified to an extent that the information on its current plate is inaccurate then it must be re-plated. It is illegal to have information on the plate if it does not match the vehicle.