What are the penalties for a minibus exceeding passenger capacity by 100%?
3 Answers
Minibus exceeding passenger capacity by 100% will result in driver's license revocation and fines. The following are the hazards of overloaded vehicle operation: 1. Damage to road infrastructure: Overloaded vehicles far exceed the design load of roads and bridges, causing pavement damage, bridge fractures, and significantly shortening service life. 2. Increased danger: Overloaded vehicles have greater mass and inertia, longer braking distances, and increased risks. Severe overloading may cause tire blowouts, sudden deviation, brake failure, or rollover due to excessive tire load and deformation. Additionally, overloading affects vehicle steering performance, increasing accident risks due to loss of steering control. 3. Traffic congestion: Overloaded vehicles cannot maintain normal speeds, occupying lanes for extended periods and directly affecting traffic flow.
A minibus carrying 100% overcapacity, meaning doubling the approved passenger count, is a serious offense. I understand that under China's traffic regulations, getting caught once results in an immediate 12-point deduction from the driver's license, requiring retaking the driving test. The fine typically ranges from 200 to 2,000 yuan, depending on the circumstances. Traffic police may also impound the vehicle on the spot, demanding the removal of excess passengers before release. Such severe overloading poses enormous safety hazards, greatly increasing the risk of rollovers or rear-end collisions, endangering both the driver and others. When driving, I always remind myself not to compromise safety for convenience by overloading—if an accident occurs, insurance may not cover it, and legal liabilities will follow. If seating is insufficient, it's best to make two trips—safety comes first.
Last time I helped someone move, the van was overloaded by 100% and got caught. I was fined 1,500 yuan, had all my points deducted, and wasted half a day. Looking back now, I really regret the money and the blemish on my record. Overloading to carry more people might seem convenient, but it actually increases risks on the road. The traffic police handle such cases very strictly—not only do they require passengers to disembark on the spot, but it might also affect your driver's license annual review. I recommend regularly checking the labeled seating capacity and not being lazy—better to make a few extra trips. For safety, I always stay vigilant when riding, reminding the driver not to exceed limits to reduce the chance of accidents.
