What are the penalties for mixed passenger and cargo transport?
2 Answers
The penalties for mixed passenger and cargo transport are as follows: a fine ranging from 500 to 2,000 yuan, along with criticism and education from traffic police, and the vehicle will be detained until the illegal status is rectified. The following regulations must be followed for transporting passengers in motor vehicles: the cargo compartment of a truck must not carry passengers; on urban roads, a cargo vehicle may carry 1 to 5 temporary workers in the compartment if there is a safe space available; when cargo exceeds the height of the compartment's sideboards, no passengers are allowed on the cargo. For cargo vehicles exceeding the approved load capacity, a fine of 200 to 500 yuan will be imposed; if the vehicle exceeds 30% of the approved load capacity or violates regulations by carrying passengers, a fine of 500 to 2,000 yuan will be imposed.
Well, I've been driving for decades and seen plenty of such cases. When caught mixing passengers with cargo in the city, you'll usually get slapped with a direct fine of 200 RMB and 6 demerit points. Why such heavy penalties? Simply because the safety risks are too great—cargo pressing against passengers can easily roll and collide, and in case of sudden braking, human-cargo impacts could range from injuries to serious accidents. A friend of mine once did this on the highway, got stopped on the spot, fined 200, lost 6 points, and had to call a tow truck to separate the cargo before being allowed to leave. Nowadays, regulations are strict—not just fines, but serious cases might lead to vehicle impoundment for days or even license suspension. Bottom line, mixing cargo to save money isn't worth it. Better to rent a dedicated truck or transport goods in batches, avoiding peak-hour checkpoints for peace of mind and ensuring family safety on the road. A car's just a tool—don't turn it into a coffin.
