Does a child count as exceeding passenger capacity in a five-seater sedan?
2 Answers
Carrying one extra child in a 5-seater sedan also constitutes overloading. The number of passengers in a motor vehicle must not exceed its rated capacity, regardless of whether they are adults or children. Exceeding by 20% will result in a 6-point deduction and a 200 RMB fine. Overloaded vehicles are extremely dangerous on highways, as most of these extra children are held on laps. In the event of a traffic accident, due to inertia, the impact force is tremendous, often leading to injuries from being crushed inside the vehicle or being thrown out. Additional information: 1. Road passenger vehicles must not exceed the approved passenger capacity, except for children exempted from tickets as per regulations. When the passenger capacity is full, the number of exempted children must not exceed 10% of the approved capacity; 2. The cargo compartment of a truck must not carry passengers. On urban roads, freight motor vehicles may carry 1 to 5 temporary workers in the compartment if there is safe space available; when the cargo height exceeds the compartment's sideboards, no one is allowed on the cargo; 3. The rear seat of a motorcycle must not carry minors under 12 years old, and a moped must not carry any passengers.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, let me tell you this issue is crucial. Traffic regulations stipulate that the permitted passenger capacity of a vehicle includes all occupants, whether adults or children. For example, a five-seater car can legally carry five adults, but adding one more child would exceed the limit. I've encountered several trips where friends brought their kids along, resulting in overcapacity; during police checks, they count every head, including infants, leading to fines and penalty points. Safety is even more critical—vehicle designs account for seat weight and space, and overloading affects braking performance. In sharp turns or accidents, children are more vulnerable to injury. My advice is to calculate the total number of passengers, including children, before setting off, and ideally ensure each child uses a safety seat. Safety comes first—don't cut corners and take risks.
