How to Handle 7 People in a 5-Seater SUV?
2 Answers
Having 7 people in a 5-seater car is considered illegal overloading, which will result in a penalty for exceeding the load capacity by 20%, including 6 demerit points and a fine. For private vehicles, overloading is calculated based on the "number of people," with each person counted as a unit. Regardless of the passengers' age, as long as the number exceeds 20%, it is considered overloading.
As a parent who frequently travels with the whole family, I remember one weekend outing when we had to squeeze seven people into a 5-seater SUV—I was driving, my wife sat in the front passenger seat, and the back row was packed with three kids and two elderly relatives. For safety, we had the younger children sit on adults' laps with pillows for padding, but it felt unstable during bumps along the way, and we were worried about getting pulled over for overloading. In reality, overloading is extremely dangerous—during sudden braking, passengers in the back could be thrown forward, and seatbelts won’t provide full protection. So I strongly advise avoiding such situations whenever possible; it’s better to make two trips or rent a larger vehicle. Always plan for the right number of passengers—don’t cut corners and take risks, as it affects everyone’s safety, especially children’s. If it’s an emergency, at least ensure the car moves slowly, avoids highways, and that tires and brakes are in good condition. Safety comes first—family health is more important than anything else.
