How is a truck overloaded by 20% penalized?
2 Answers
A truck overloaded by 20% will be fined 200 yuan. Here are the relevant provisions: 1. Article 92 stipulates: If a freight motor vehicle carries goods exceeding the approved loading capacity by less than 30%, a fine ranging from 200 to 500 yuan shall be imposed; if it exceeds the approved loading capacity by 30% or violates regulations by carrying passengers, a fine ranging from 500 to 2,000 yuan shall be imposed, and the vehicle may be detained. For transportation unit vehicles that continue to violate after being penalized, the directly responsible personnel in charge shall be fined between 2,000 and 5,000 yuan. 2. Article 48 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law" states: "Motor vehicles carrying goods must comply with the approved loading capacity, overloading is strictly prohibited. The length, width, and height of the carried goods must not violate loading requirements, and the cargo must not be spilled or scattered."
Well, I've been driving heavy trucks for ten years and have deep personal experience with overloading. Last year, I got caught carrying 20% over the limit – the traffic police pulled me over, fined me 1000 yuan, and docked 3 points from my license. I was really frustrated at the time because that job didn’t pay much to begin with, and the fine wiped out all my earnings. What made it worse was the cargo owner kept rushing me, and my truck got impounded for half a day, causing a late delivery that cost me extra compensation. The officer explained that overloading not only damages the chassis but can also lead to brake failure and accidents—just not worth it. After that, I learned my lesson. Now, I always use a scale to check the load before hitting the road to stay within limits. The key is developing good habits—don’t lose big for small gains. Safety comes first; fines and repairs cost way more in the long run. Better play it safe.
