What are the penalties and points for overloading a minivan?
2 Answers
7-seater minivan overloaded by less than 20%, 3 points will be deducted; overloaded by more than 20%, 6 points will be deducted. The following is relevant information: 1. Overloading: Overloading is a serious traffic violation, and many major traffic accidents are caused by drivers overloading. Vehicle overloading poses a great threat to safe driving or transportation, seriously endangering the lives and property of the public, inducing a large number of road traffic accidents and causing huge losses. 2. Serious damage to road infrastructure: Due to the load of overloaded vehicles far exceeding the design load of roads and bridges, the road surface is damaged, bridges are broken, and the service life is greatly shortened.
As a long-time driver, I've seen many cases of minivans being fined for overloading. The standard seating capacity for minivans is usually 7 to 9 seats. If the overload exceeds 20% to 50% of the rated capacity—for example, an 8-seater carrying more than 10 people—traffic police will impose a 6-point penalty and a fine ranging from 200 to 500 RMB. For overloading by more than 50%, such as an 11-person cram into a 7-seater, it’s an immediate 12-point penalty and a fine of 500 to 2,000 RMB. Beyond fines and points, this offense could also lead to a three-month license suspension. From experience, I know overloading makes the vehicle’s center of gravity unstable, extends braking distance, and increases rollover risks, especially on highways. Friends often make this mistake for gatherings, drastically raising safety hazards. My advice: always count heads before departure. Don’t cut corners by squeezing in extra passengers to save on fuel—dealing with repairs and fines later is far more troublesome. Following the rules not only saves money but also lives.
