The UK government imposes strict weight limits on HGVs. Local authorities across the UK also impose weight limits on certain roads. Usually, the limit is 7.5 tonnes. Any vehicle found to be in excess of these limits is subject to certain fines and penalties.
In this post we’ll discuss the sorts of fines and penalties you can expect to receive if you’re caught driving an overweight vehicle.
If you’ve got any questions about your legal obligations as a fleet manager, or for some general advice about fleet management and commercial motor insurance, get in touch with us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
Why Are There Weight Limits for Vehicles?
Though LGVs and HGVs are built to carry heavy loads, they’re not built to carry excessively heavy loads. If a vehicle is loaded in excess of the weight it was built to carry, it can have a serious impact on road safety. Excessive weights can affect handling and turning, they can increase braking distances, and they can even increase the risks of tipping.
Overweight vehicles can also damage roads – particularly in rural areas.
The Public Protection Partnership, for example, enforces numerous standards across Bracknell Forest Council and West Berkshire Council. Not long ago, they shared details of four different breach of weight restrictions.
In each case, vehicles with Maximum Gross Weights (MGWs) of up to 32 tonnes had been caught driving on roads with strict 7.5 tonne weight restrictions.
How Do Authorities Enforce Vehicle Weight Limits?
If the police suspect you’re driving an overweight truck, they can pull you over, and force you to drive to your nearest weighbridge. If the vehicle’s found to be overweight, the examiner may issue a fixed penalty notice for an excess weight offence. They may also prevent the vehicle from driving any further.
What Are The Fines and Penalties for Exceeding Weight Limits?
The amount of fine depends on the severity of the weight offence. If you’re 10% or less over the limit, you face a £100 fixed penalty. If you’re between 10% and 15% over the limit, it’s a £200 fixed penalty. Finally, it’s a fixed penalty of £300 if you’re found to be 15% over the limit.
But in particularly severe cases, you’ll get a court summons instead. This means you could face a much more serious fine, in additional to additional legal fees.
In each of the cases shared by the Public Protection Partnership, for example, the drivers received fines of up to £440, plus court costs.
Can You Get Points on Your Licence For Driving an Overweight Truck?
The government guidance specifies that excess weight offences are not endorsable, which means you will not get any points on your licence.
However, it’s easy to imagine how some authorities may view driving an overloaded vehicle as “driving without reasonable consideration for other road users”. For this, you can get between 3 and 9 points on your licence, depending on the offence.
So you probably won’t get any points on your licence for driving an overweight truck. But if your offence is severe enough to warrant a court summons, the authorities may apply penalty points to your licence for a related “careless driving” offence.
Who is Liable For Ensuring a Truck’s Weight Limit?
Most authorities hold both the driver of a vehicle, and the business they work for, liable for weight offences.
If you’re concerned about the MGW of any vehicle in your fleet, you can arrange to have it weighed at a weighbridge. You can find your nearest weighbridge.
Driver training can help you avoid fines and penalties for weight offences. Advise your drivers on the dangers associated with excessive weights, and make sure you’re using dedicated HGV sat-navs. These are more likely to avoid any roads or bridges with strict 7.5 tonne weight limits.
If you’ve got any questions about your legal obligations as a fleet manager, or for some general advice about fleet management and commercial motor insurance, get in touch with us on 020 8290 9099 or email us at commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
