Winter truck load increases began Friday on unrestricted highways in the metro, south and southeast frost zones, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The frost zones can be found on the MnDOT load limits map. The winter load increases have already begun in the central, north and north-central zones.

Vehicles will be allowed to operate up to 10 percent over the standard legal maximum loads on unrestricted highways during the winter load increase period. However, trucks must comply with current registration weight laws and not exceed registered gross weight tolerances.

Drivers should check with local agencies before increasing any weights on city, county and township routes. The sign erected on the roadway governs the load limit in effect. A winter weight increase permit is required to take advantage of the 10 percent weight increase on interstate highways only; a permit is not required for state trunk highways.

For questions about allowable axle weights during winter weight increase, or enforcement related questions, call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s state patrol-commercial vehicle enforcement at 651-405-6196 (select option 3, option 3). The legislative statute about the gross vehicle schedule is online.

To order a 10 percent winter weight increase permit for interstate travel, go MnDOT’s online oversize/overweight permitting system.

For questions about the 10 percent winter weight increase permit for interstate travel, contact MnDOT’s oversize/weight permits at 651-296-6000, email ofcvopermits.dot@state.mn.us or go online to the oversize/overweight permits webpage.

The start and end dates for winter load increases are based on how weather is affecting roadway strength.

The dates are established by monitoring roadway strength as weather conditions change. The end date for winter load increases is variable and drivers should check for updates throughout the year. Vehicle operators are required to check with MnDOT for the exact start and end dates.

All changes are made with a minimum three-day notice.

For the most current information, go to MnDOT’s automated 24-hour message center at 800-723-6543 for the U.S. and Canada, or 651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. The information is also published on the MnDOT seasonal load limits webpage.

For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org.