Violation of load law a misdemeanor
If someone breaks the rules about how much weight a vehicle can carry on Missouri roads, that is a crime. The punishment can be a fine, up to 12 months in jail, or both. The fine for carrying too much weight is based on how many pounds over the limit the vehicle is — the more pounds over, the higher the fine per pound. Local log trucks that are too heavy face even higher fines, and those fines go up steeply the more overweight the truck is. A court can also hold the vehicle until the fine is paid.
304.240. Violation of load law a — — and , violation, penalty. — 1. Any person, firm, , or association violating any of the of sections 304.170 to 304.230 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars or by in a county jail for not more than twelve months, or by both the fine and confinement; provided, however, that where as defined in sections 304.180 to 304.220 have been violated, the fine shall be two cents for each of up to and including five hundred, and five cents for each pound of excess weight above five hundred and not exceeding one thousand, and ten cents for each pound in excess weight above one thousand; provided that, when any vehicle is being operated under a as provided in section 304.200, the term "excess weight" means only weight in excess of the amount ted in the permit as issued. The court may, , cause to be the motor vehicle operated by any person violating the provisions of this section until such time as the fine and cost assessed by the court under this section is paid.
2. 1 of this section, the fine for a load-limit violation under sections 304.180 to 304.220 involving a local log truck or a local log truck tractor, as such terms are defined in section 301.010, shall be as follows:
(1) If the weight exceeds the limit by one pound to four thousand nine hundred ninety-nine , the fine shall be ten cents for each pound of excess weight;
(2) If the weight exceeds the limit by five thousand pounds to nine thousand nine hundred ninety-nine pounds, the fine shall be twenty cents for each pound of excess weight; and
(3) If the weight exceeds the limit by ten thousand pounds or more, the fine shall be fifty cents for each pound of excess weight.
(RSMo 1939 § 8410, A.L. 1951 p. 706, A.L. 1967 p. 416, A.L. 2022 1st Ex. Sess. H.B. 3)
Prior revision: 1929 § 7792
Effective 1-02-23
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Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.