What are the penalties for using a passenger van to transport goods?
2 Answers
Using a passenger van to transport goods is subject to fines as it is considered a violation for passenger vehicles. The vehicle will be detained by the traffic management department of the public security authority until the illegal status is rectified. The number of passengers in a motor vehicle must not exceed the approved capacity, and passenger vehicles are not allowed to carry goods in violation of regulations.
I had such an experience last year when I drove out to help a friend move furniture. I removed the rear seats of the minivan to load the goods, but was stopped by traffic police on the way. I was fined 500 yuan in cash, had 3 points deducted from my driver's license, and the vehicle was temporarily impounded for a day until I rectified the issue. The whole process took me half a day and caused me to miss an important meeting—it was really frustrating. This was a profound lesson. Looking back now, minivans are designed for passenger transport, not for hauling goods. Overloading can deform the chassis and compromise safety. Getting caught means violating traffic regulations for illegal vehicle modification, with fines typically starting from 200 yuan and going up to 2,000 yuan depending on the load and regional policies. Deducted points may also lead to higher insurance premiums. In short, taking such risks to save a bit on freight costs isn’t worth it—it’s better to rent a small truck, which is both cost-effective and compliant.
