How many points will be deducted for overloading a small car?
2 Answers
A regular 5-seater sedan, if overloaded by one person, will be penalized with 6 points at once. Here is the detailed explanation: 1. Regulations: Driving a commercial passenger vehicle with more than 20% over the approved number of passengers will result in 12 points deducted at once. Driving a commercial passenger vehicle with less than 20% over the approved number of passengers, or driving other passenger vehicles with more than 20% over the approved number of passengers, will result in 6 points deducted at once. Driving passenger vehicles other than commercial passenger vehicles or school buses with less than 20% over the approved number of passengers will result in 3 points deducted at once. 2. Safety issues: A 5-seater car carrying 6 people means 20% overloading, which will be penalized. This is because the safety facilities in the car are only designed for 5 people, such as airbags. When you hold a baby in your arms, the airbag may not deploy or may not function at all, increasing the risk of casualties in the event of a traffic accident.
Having driven for so many years, I've encountered overloading in small cars several times, especially during family trips when too many people squeeze in. The penalty rules for overloading are quite clear: for a regular small car, overloading by one or two people (less than 20% over capacity) results in a 3-point deduction; if overloaded by three or more people (over 20% capacity), it's a 6-point deduction. Fines usually range from 200 to 500 yuan. I remember once when a neighbor crammed two extra kids into their car, and it nearly tipped over during a turn—way too risky. It's better not to cut corners; arrange for an extra car if needed, and never overlook seat belts for kids in the back. Chronic overloading also wears out tires and suspension, leading to costly repairs. In short, driving by the rules keeps you at ease—don't push your luck.
