Maximum weight of vehicle or combination of vehicles--Axles--Misdemeanor

No motor vehicle or combination of vehicles operating on a public highway may have a weight: (1) In excess of twenty thousand pounds on any one axle, or in excess of the tire weight per inch of tire width prescribed by § 32-22-21 , including all enforcement tolerances; (2) In excess of thirty - four thousand pounds on any tandem axle, or in excess of the tire weight per inch of tire width prescribed by § 32-22-21 , including all enforcement tolerances; or (3) In excess of the maximum weight on two or more consecutive axles as determined by the formula detailed in § 32-22-16.1 , or in excess of the tire weight per inch of tire width prescribed by § 32-22-21 . However, in no instance may the gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles exceed eighty thousand pounds on the interstate highway. Two consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross load of thirty - four thousand pounds each provided the overall distance between the first and last axles of such consecutive sets of tandem axles is thirty - six feet or more. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Source: SDC 1939, § 44.0336 (7); SL 1941, ch 188 ; SL 1943, ch 158 , § 2; SL 1947, ch 192 ; SDC Supp 1960, § 44.0336 (6) (a) to (d); SL 1973, ch 213 , §§ 1, 2; SL 1980, ch 226 , §§ 1, 3; SL 1982, ch 245 ; SL 1983, ch 241 , § 2; SL 1986, ch 263 , § 1; SL 1996, ch 205 , § 1.