How to calculate axle weight distribution (EU rules)
Learn how to calculate axle weight distribution on a truck using a moment balance formula and the EU's per-axle weight limits.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
To calculate axle weight distribution, multiply the distance from the cargo's centre of gravity to the front axle by the total load weight to get the moment, then divide by the wheelbase to find the rear axle weight, and subtract that figure from the total load to get the front axle weight.
What is the formula for truck axle weight distribution?
The core calculation is a moment balance around one axle. Take the cargo weight, multiply it by the distance from its centre of gravity to the front axle, and divide the result by the total wheelbase to get the rear axle load. Subtract that figure from the total vehicle weight (tractor plus cargo) to find the front axle load. Axle loads shift every time pallets move or a trailer is reloaded mid-route, so the formula needs rerunning per configuration, not assumed from one reference load. Fleets running mixed cargo across several stops typically embed this calculation into their load-planning software, since a TMS can flag an axle overload before the truck leaves the yard.
What are the EU axle weight limits by axle type?
Directive 96/53/EC , as amended by Directive (EU) 2015/719, sets the binding axle weight ceilings across the European Union, and these figures remain unchanged as of 2026. The limits apply per axle, independent of the total vehicle weight, which means a truck can sit under its overall gross weight cap and still be fined for one overloaded axle.
| Axle type | EU maximum weight |
|---|---|
| Single non-driven (steer) axle | 10 tonnes |
| Single driven axle | 11.5 tonnes |
| Drive axle tandem (spacing under 1 metre) | up to 19 tonnes |
| Trailer bogie (tandem or tridem, depending on spacing) | 21 to 24 tonnes |
These per-axle ceilings sit inside the broader gross vehicle weight framework covered in our guide to the 40 to 44 tonne EU weight limit . Both figures matter together at a roadside check, alongside corridor speed limit rules worth confirming before departure .
How does cargo position change the axle load split?
Moving cargo just half a metre toward the front or rear axle can shift several hundred kilograms between axles, according to ACEA's heavy-duty vehicle weight guidance . A pallet loaded flush against the headboard pushes weight onto the steer axle, while cargo stacked at the rear loads the bogie. The ITF and OECD's reference tables on permissible lorry weights across member states confirm that this axle-by-axle sensitivity, not just total payload, is what roadside enforcement measures.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if a truck exceeds its axle weight limit in the EU?
Exceeding a single-axle limit results in a fine even if the truck's total gross weight is legal, and enforcement authorities in most member states can order cargo redistributed or offloaded on the spot. Repeated violations can also trigger operator-level compliance reviews.
Is total vehicle weight compliance enough, or do individual axles matter too?
Total weight compliance alone is not enough, because Directive 96/53/EC sets separate, binding limits per axle. A truck can sit well under its 40 or 44 tonne gross ceiling and still fail inspection if one axle exceeds its own maximum.
What is the maximum weight for a single driven axle in the EU?
A single driven axle is capped at 11.5 tonnes under EU rules, half a tonne higher than the 10 tonne limit for a single non-driven steer axle. This higher allowance reflects the additional load-bearing and traction role the drive axle performs.
Do trailer tandem axles have a different limit than the drive axle?
Yes, trailer bogies are treated separately from the tractor's drive axle tandem. Depending on spacing, a trailer tandem or tridem bogie can carry up to 21 to 24 tonnes, compared with up to 19 tonnes for a drive axle tandem under 1 metre spacing.
Getting axle-level load planning right on every route starts before the truck is loaded, and pairing it with a freight partner built on EU-compliant TMS tooling keeps that check automatic rather than manual.
