What is the penalty for overloading a minibus with 3 extra passengers?
2 Answers
Penalty ranges from 200-500 yuan with 3 demerit points. If exceeding 20% of the rated passenger capacity or violating cargo regulations, the fine increases to 500-2,000 yuan. Overloaded passengers must disembark before continuing the journey. Overloading refers to exceeding the vehicle's maximum allowable load limit. Below are relevant details about overloading: 1. Definition: Overload (Overload) means the actual load exceeds the approved maximum limit. For freight vehicles, it typically refers to cargo weight surpassing the vehicle's total authorized load capacity. 2. Hazards: Research shows when axle load doubles the standard, one trip equals 256 standard vehicle trips on asphalt roads or 65,536 trips on concrete roads. Larger vehicles cause exponentially more damage - China has recorded single rear axle loads reaching 24 tons. One trip by such vehicles equals 1.21 million standard vehicle trips on concrete roads.
I remember two years ago when I drove a minivan for an outing, and we squeezed three extra people in. We got pulled over by traffic police halfway, fined 500 yuan on the spot, and had six points deducted from my license. I really regretted it because minivans are already light, and overloading made the brakes slower—I almost rolled into a ditch while turning. Since then, I’ve sworn never to overload even a tiny bit. Safety is no small matter—if something happens, my family would be terrified. Now, before driving, I always count heads to make sure we don’t exceed seating capacity. After all, a fine is minor, but a crash would be disastrous. Overloading also affects insurance—if you cause an accident, the insurer might refuse to pay, leaving you to foot the bill. So, friends, take my advice: driving by the rules is the smartest choice.
