What are the penalties and point deductions for using a minivan to transport goods?
2 Answers
Using a minivan to transport goods does not result in point deductions, but the following penalties may apply: 1. Removing seats to transport goods: According to Article 90 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law," "a warning or a fine ranging from 20 to 200 yuan may be imposed." If this is subsequently classified as "illegal cargo transportation," the penalty standard will be the same as for trucks overloaded by more than 30%. According to Article 92 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law," a fine ranging from 500 to 2,000 yuan may be imposed; the vehicle may be detained by the traffic management department until the illegal status is rectified; if the violation persists after the penalty, "the responsible personnel may be fined between 2,000 and 5,000 yuan." 2. Charging for goods transportation: If you transport goods for others through platforms like Lalamove, the transportation authorities have the right to impose penalties. According to Article 64 of the "Regulations on Road Transport of the People's Republic of China," if you engage in road transport operations without obtaining the necessary permits, the local road transport authority may order you to cease operations; if there are illegal gains, they will be confiscated, and a fine of 2 to 10 times the illegal gains may be imposed; if there are no illegal gains or the illegal gains are less than 20,000 yuan, a fine ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 yuan may be imposed; if the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability will be pursued according to the law.
I've experienced the issue of using a minivan for cargo transport. Last year while delivering goods, I was caught by traffic police, fined 500 yuan and had 6 points deducted from my license. Minivans are originally designed for passenger transport - their lightweight structure makes them unstable, and carrying cargo raises the center of gravity, increasing risks of rollovers or brake failure. After checking regulations, I learned that unauthorized modification of vehicle purpose is illegal, typically punishable by fines of 200-2000 yuan plus 6 penalty points, which gets recorded in your driving record affecting future license renewal and insurance premiums. Don't gamble by thinking small loads are okay - I witnessed a neighbor's overload accident where the vehicle lost control and hit a tree, causing injuries and thousands in medical bills that insurance outright refused to cover. I recommend using proper cargo vehicles or obtaining commercial transport permits. While it costs more in fees, it's legal and safe, avoiding both point deductions and safety hazards. Always check your vehicle's usage specifications during daily driving to prevent violations.
