Diagram illustrating the weight distribution on a vehicle's axles
Axle weight is a crucial factor every driver should understand. Adhering to axle weight regulations not only ensures traffic safety but also helps you avoid legal issues. This article provides a detailed guide on how to calculate axle weight for light vehicles, along with current regulations in Vietnam.
What is Axle Weight?
Axle weight is defined as the portion of the total vehicle and cargo weight distributed on each axle. This concept includes weight on single axles, tandem axles, and tridem axles. Simply put, axle weight is the maximum load capacity for each axle of the vehicle. Each type of vehicle has a different axle design to ensure adequate load-bearing capacity.
How to Calculate Axle Weight for Light Vehicles
Information about the permissible axle weight of a vehicle is clearly stated in the certificate of technical safety and environmental protection for motor vehicles. You can find this information in your vehicle’s registration documents.
Besides checking the vehicle documents, you can also use the following formula to calculate axle weight:
Axle Weight = Total Weighed Vehicle Weight – Driver and Passenger Weight – Actual Cargo Weight.
Where:
- Total Weighed Vehicle Weight: The total weight of the vehicle, including people and cargo, measured by a scale.
- Driver and Passenger Weight: An estimated average weight of the driver and passengers.
- Actual Cargo Weight: The weight of the cargo currently being carried on the vehicle.
This formula is quite simple and can be applied to all types of light vehicles. Calculating axle weight helps you control the weight of goods, ensuring that the vehicle is not overloaded, which can cause danger when participating in traffic.
Axle Weight Regulations
QCVN 41:2019/BGTVT standard clearly specifies axle weight limits for each type of vehicle. Specifically:
- Single Axle: Weight ≤ 10 tons.
- Tandem Axle:
- Distance between two axle centers < 1m: Weight ≤ 11 tons.
- Distance between two axle centers from 1m to 1.3m: Weight ≤ 16 tons.
- Distance between two axle centers > 1.3m: Weight ≤ 18 tons.
- Tridem Axle:
- Distance between two adjacent centers ≤ 1.3m: Weight ≤ 21 tons.
- Distance between two adjacent centers > 1.3m: Weight ≤ 24 tons.
Complying with these regulations is the responsibility of every driver. Overloading the axle not only damages roads but also affects the safety of oneself and other road users.
Penalties for Violating Axle Weight Regulations
Violating axle weight regulations will be penalized according to Decree 100/2019/ND-CP with specific penalties depending on the severity of the violation. The penalty can be up to millions of VND and revocation of the driver’s license. Therefore, always comply with axle weight regulations to ensure safety and avoid unnecessary troubles.
Conclusion
Understanding how to calculate axle weight for light vehicles and related regulations is essential for every driver. This article has provided the necessary information on this issue. Always proactively check the vehicle’s weight before operating to ensure safety for yourself and the community.
