What do the terms 'passenger capacity' and 'rated capacity' mean in Subject 4?
3 Answers
The meanings of 'passenger capacity' and 'rated capacity' in Subject 4 are as follows: 1. Passenger capacity: The actual number of passengers carried, the real value. 2. Rated capacity: The designed number of passengers or tonnage that can be carried. Additional information: Passenger capacity generally refers to carrying people, while rated capacity does not necessarily do so; sometimes it can also refer to carrying goods. As for the actual load, it refers to the real number of people or weight. Overall, the rated capacity is essentially a theoretical value. In many cases, the rated capacity does not equal the actual load, but if the actual load exceeds the rated capacity, it will result in overloading or overcrowding. For highway passenger vehicles, carrying more passengers than the rated number or violating regulations by carrying goods will result in penalties for the driver.
I’ve been preparing for Subject 4 of the driving test recently and just reviewed the concepts of actual passenger load and rated passenger capacity. Actual passenger load refers to the number of people actually in the car—for example, if you take 4 friends out for fun, the actual passenger load is 4. Rated passenger capacity, on the other hand, is the maximum number of people the car is designed to carry, usually stated on the vehicle registration certificate. The difference between these two is crucial. Subject 4 tests this to make sure we understand not to drive overloaded. My driving instructor always emphasized that a car rated for 5 people carrying 6 is overloaded, which reduces braking performance and makes the steering wheel heavier. Nowadays, there are many traffic cameras on the road, and if caught overloading, you’ll get 6 demerit points and a 200-yuan fine. So, always count the passengers before driving—never squeeze in extra people for convenience.
I've been driving for over a decade, and the concepts of actual passenger count and maximum seating capacity are indeed crucial in driver's license tests. Simply put, actual passenger count refers to how many people are actually in the vehicle, while maximum seating capacity is the vehicle's legal limit. Take my SUV for example - the registration certificate clearly states a maximum capacity of 5 people, and that's the absolute limit. I often see parents overload their cars for convenience when dropping kids at school, which is extremely dangerous. Tire pressure increases by 30% with overload, doubling the risk of blowouts. Most critically, braking distance lengthens significantly - I once tested the difference between empty and fully loaded braking in rainy conditions and found over two meters' difference. Traffic police are cracking down harder on overloaded vehicles now, with immediate point deductions and fines. Remember: the maximum capacity number is your safety line - never exceed it.
