What Happens if I Overload my Vehicle?
An overloaded vehicle not only causes excessive damage to roads and bridges but can put your drivers and other road users at risk.
Overloading your vehicles:
- Puts both the operator and driver at risk from prohibitions, fines and loss of licence.
- Makes the vehicles less stable and difficult to steer and brake, the consequences of which can be fatal.
- Puts massive stress on vehicle tyres, which may cause premature failure and this can prove both dangerous and costly.
- Is illegal and may affect insurance cover in the event of a serious accident.
- Dramatically increases vehicle running costs for maintenance and fuel.
- Creates unfair competition with operators who choose to run legally.
Many countries are now implementing a stringent overload enforcement policy with fines that can run in to many thousands of pounds for a single overload offence.
In many countries each axle and the gross vehicle weight are considered separate offences in law.
