How is overloading of motor vehicles penalized?
3 Answers
Overloading a motor vehicle will result in 3 demerit points and a fine. Below is relevant information about vehicle overloading: 1. Legal basis: According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China", passenger vehicles carrying more than the rated number of passengers will be fined between 200 and 500 yuan and receive 3 demerit points; exceeding the rated number of passengers by 20% or carrying goods in violation of regulations will result in a fine between 500 and 2,000 yuan and 6 demerit points. 2. Explanation of the phenomenon: Whether adults or children, each counts as an individual, hence all are considered as overloading. Overloading easily leads to traffic accidents. If an accident occurs with overloading, not only will liability be assumed, but subsequent insurance claims may also encounter issues.
That day I took my kids out, with 5 adults and two children in the car, only to be stopped by traffic police for overloading. As for overloading penalties, it depends on the situation: 1. For passenger cars, overloading by one person results in a 200-yuan fine and 3 demerit points. In my case, squeezing three kids in the back seat constituted over 20% overcapacity, leading directly to a 500-yuan fine and 6 demerit points. 2. Commercial vehicles face stricter penalties - up to 30% overcapacity means a 500-yuan fine and 6 points, exceeding 30% brings a 2000-yuan fine with 6 points. 3. If a modified vehicle is overloaded, besides fines, the added seats must be removed, which would mean significant losses. The officer mentioned insurance claims might be reduced for overloaded vehicles, especially in major accidents where insurers scrutinize vehicle conditions thoroughly. With kids onboard, it's particularly concerning as child safety seats can't be properly installed with so many passengers - just thinking about it gives me chills.
For us in the transportation business, the biggest fear is getting caught for overloading, and nowadays the cameras are incredibly accurate at spotting overloaded trucks! The traffic police handle it in three steps: first, they require on-site unloading and cargo transfer. If the cargo can't be unloaded, they call a crane to tow the vehicle, with towing fees alone costing over a thousand. Then, they issue fines—overloading by less than 30% results in a 500-yuan fine and 3 demerit points, while overloading by 50% or more leads to a 2,000-yuan fine and 6 demerit points. The most troublesome part is the seizure of the vehicle's operating permit. During the seizure period, the vehicle can't operate on the road, and the driver must attend a training course and pass an exam. If a driver's professional qualification certificate accumulates 12 demerit points, they could lose their job! Starting next month, highway tolls will be calculated based on actual weight, making overloading even more costly. It’s better to just comply with the regulations.
