Bridge plate (marking)

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Bridge plates are markings used on Allied vehicles from WWII that show the vehicle’s weight in tons and its weight class to help determine if a bridge can safely carry it. The British began with a yellow metal plate fixed to the vehicle; later, many vehicles simply had the number painted on when weight wouldn’t change. The classification is more than just total weight: it also depends on whether the vehicle is wheeled or tracked, the number and spacing of axles, the vehicle’s speed, how many lanes it uses, and whether it could be hauling a trailer. These markings were usually found on the right front fender or near the right front headlamp.