How is overloading penalized for minivans?
4 Answers
Driving a commercial passenger vehicle (excluding buses) or school bus with passengers exceeding the approved capacity by more than 20% will result in a one-time deduction of 12 points. Driving a commercial passenger vehicle (excluding buses) or school bus with passengers exceeding the approved capacity by more than 20% will result in a one-time deduction of 6 points.
I've been driving a van for nearly 20 years, often carrying goods and passengers, and was caught once for overloading. That time, I had two extra passengers, and the traffic police issued an on-the-spot fine of 200 yuan and deducted 3 points. The rule is: overloading by less than 20% results in a 200 yuan fine and 3 points deducted; over 20% leads to a fine of 500 to 2000 yuan and 6 or more points deducted. In cases of severe overloading, like squeezing in seven or eight people, it could mean 12 points deducted or even temporary suspension of the driver's license. It's not just about the fine; overloading makes the vehicle unstable and increases the risk of rollovers on bumpy roads. Since then, I've always adhered to the seating capacity marked on the door, preferring to make extra trips rather than take risks. Road safety comes first; fines are small, but life is priceless. I always count the passengers before every trip.
As a minivan owner, I often transport goods or take friends out for fun. Overcrowding is quite common but the penalties are quite severe. I've checked the traffic regulations: exceeding by 1 person is not a big deal, with a fine of 200 and 3 points deducted; exceeding by 2 to 3 people results in a 500 fine and 6 points deducted; exceeding by 4 or more people leads to a direct fine of 2000 and 12 points deducted. The vehicle's approved seating capacity is marked on the driving license and the door label—don't arbitrarily modify the number of seats to increase risks. Overcrowding not only results in fines and point deductions but also increases fuel consumption, lengthens braking distance, and in case of an accident, insurance may not cover the full cost. I recommend everyone confirm the number of passengers before departure to avoid exceeding the limit, and it's safer to avoid traffic police on the road.
I have a minivan at home for taking the kids to school, but the risk of being fined for overloading is high. Based on experience, carrying one extra person might result in a 200-yuan fine and 3 demerit points; exceeding the limit by more people leads to more demerit points, which could affect next year's vehicle inspection. More importantly, overloading makes the vehicle prone to losing control, and in emergencies, passengers in the back without seatbelts are at a higher risk of injury. I always count the number of passengers before driving to ensure I don't exceed the limit—safety is more important than saving money. Getting fined once by the police is a minor issue, but causing an accident would be a much bigger problem.
