What is the difference between curb weight and gross vehicle weight on a vehicle license?
3 Answers
The curb weight of a vehicle refers to the weight when the vehicle is fully equipped according to factory technical conditions (such as spare tires, tools, etc.) with all fluids filled; the gross vehicle weight (G) refers to the weight when the vehicle is fully equipped and loaded with passengers (including the driver) and cargo as specified. Below is an introduction to the differences between curb weight and gross vehicle weight: 1. Scope: Gross vehicle weight = curb weight + driver and passenger weight + luggage weight, making the gross vehicle weight a broader measurement. 2. Indicators: The curb weight is closely related to the vehicle's design level, manufacturing level, and industrialization level. Whereas the gross weight represents the total sum of mass.
As a driver who frequently takes long-distance trips, I pay special attention to these two figures on the vehicle registration certificate. The curb weight refers to the vehicle's own weight, including all factory-installed fluids, spare tires, and other components. The gross vehicle weight represents the maximum load capacity, which includes the curb weight plus the total weight of passengers and cargo. The difference between these two values indicates the permissible loading capacity for passengers and goods. For example, my SUV has a curb weight of 1.9 tons and a gross vehicle weight of 2.7 tons, meaning it can carry up to 800 kg of passengers and cargo. When loading goods, you must carefully calculate the weight—exceeding the gross vehicle weight can result in fines and is also harmful to the brakes and suspension.
Having repaired cars for over a decade, I often see car owners confused about these two concepts. Curb weight refers to the net weight of an empty vehicle, which can be understood as the weight with nothing in the trunk. Gross vehicle weight, on the other hand, is the maximum allowable weight when the car is on the road, equivalent to the curb weight plus the maximum load capacity. During annual inspections at testing stations, they check this gross vehicle weight data—exceeding it by even 0.1 ton will result in a fail. Another key point is that the value obtained by subtracting the curb weight from the gross vehicle weight directly determines your cargo capacity. So, modifying the audio system or adding equipment increases the curb weight, which in turn reduces the actual cargo space—a fact many people don’t realize.
