Weight limitBrazil
Traffic rules
Brazil
1. Weight limit
A weight limit prohibits vehicles or vehicle combinations whose mass exceeds the value shown from entering or passing a road section, bridge, tunnel or other structure. Depending on local law, the restriction may concern the vehicle’s actual loaded mass, maximum authorised mass or load on an individual axle.
Drivers must know which type of mass the sign refers to and must include the vehicle, passengers, cargo and any trailer where required. A vehicle that exceeds the limit must use another suitable route.
Does every weight-limit sign measure the same kind of vehicle weight in Brazil?
No. Brazil’s sign manual distinguishes maximum gross vehicle weight (R-14) from maximum weight per axle (R-17). Check the actual sign; an axle limit and a whole-vehicle limit are different restrictions.
🔗 gov.br • Brazil CONTRAN, Traffic Signs Manual Volume I (2022), R-14 and R-17
🔗 gov.br • SENATRAN current manuals index, updated28May2026
Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited.
English • Traffic sign R-14 • Maximum permitted gross mass. Vehicles whose gross mass exceeds the illustrated 10 t are prohibited.
Português • R-14 • Peso bruto total máximo permitido. Proíbe a passagem de veículos cujo peso bruto total ultrapasse 10 t, valor mostrado na ilustração.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 121
SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Vehicles exceeding the axle-load limit prohibited.
English • Traffic sign R-17 • Maximum permitted axle load. Vehicles whose axle load exceeds the illustrated 2 t are prohibited.
Português • R-17 • Peso máximo permitido por eixo. Proíbe a passagem de veículos cujo peso por eixo ultrapasse 2 t, valor mostrado na ilustração.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume I, página PDF 127
SVG source: Amateria1121 • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2014-04-09. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Do cargo and trailers matter for a posted weight restriction in Brazil?
Yes. Check the loaded vehicle or vehicle-and-trailer combination and its axle loading against the applicable restriction. Brazil’s manual distinguishes maximum gross vehicle weight from maximum weight per axle. The empty towing vehicle’s weight alone does not settle compliance.
🔗 gov.br • Brazil CONTRAN, Traffic Signs Manual Volume I (2022), R-14 and R-17
What should you do if your vehicle exceeds a bridge weight limit in Brazil?
Do not drive onto the bridge. Follow the signed alternative route and check the vehicle’s gross and axle loads as applicable. A general heavy-vehicle permit does not automatically authorise crossing every restricted bridge.
