What are the penalties for overloading a vehicle?
3 Answers
If a sedan exceeds the approved passenger capacity by more than 20%, it will result in a 12-point deduction; exceeding the approved capacity by less than 20%, or if other passenger vehicles exceed the approved capacity by more than 20%, it will result in a 6-point deduction; for passenger vehicles other than commercial buses or school buses exceeding the approved capacity by less than 20%, it will result in a 3-point deduction. Below is additional information: 1. Hazards: Overloading a bus poses significant dangers: it increases the vehicle's weight, reducing its safety; furthermore, overcrowding inside the vehicle not only causes ventilation issues but also makes passenger evacuation more difficult in the event of an accident; lastly, the vehicle's mechanical performance deteriorates faster due to overloading. Overloading a bus is a severe traffic violation that can easily lead to mass casualties. 2. Overloading with infants: Infants also count towards overloading. Overloading a private car by one person results in a 2-point deduction and a fine of 200 yuan. Traffic regulations regarding "overloading" do not specify the height, weight, or age of passengers but only the "number." Therefore, in a car approved for 5 passengers, even one additional child (including an infant held in a parent's arms) is considered overloading.
Overcrowded driving is no trivial matter. Last year, I was fined for squeezing a friend into the back seat for convenience—the traffic police directly deducted 6 points and imposed a 200 yuan penalty. Exceeding the limit by more than 20% results in even more severe penalties, and overloading a large bus has dire consequences, with an immediate 12-point deduction! Remember, the number of passengers must never exceed the vehicle's certified capacity—even an extra child in the back seat counts as a violation. The fine is one thing, but the real issue is that insurance companies may deny claims in case of an accident, leading to a double loss. The safest approach is to plan the number of passengers in advance—consider carpooling or splitting into two vehicles—and never take chances. Safe driving is not just a responsibility to oneself but also to others.
When it comes to penalties for overloading, the standards actually vary across different regions. When I was driving in the southern areas, I saw some pretty harsh penalties—overloading a regular car by one person could result in a 500-yuan fine and 3 demerit points, while the penalty for commercial vehicles would double. The key issue is that there are random mobile inspections, and highway toll stations often set up checkpoints for spot checks. Last year, my cousin’s company car was used for an employee outing—a 7-seater stuffed with 9 people—and after being caught on camera, the owner’s license was temporarily suspended. The new traffic regulations are particularly strict on overloading, especially during holidays. It’s best to check the passenger count before departure, and if there are extra people, it’s better to have them take a taxi separately. Each additional person in the car significantly increases the braking distance, making it much more dangerous in emergency braking situations.
