This article from Xe Tải Mỹ Đình will provide you with a comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide on how to calculate truck overload percentage, a crucial issue for every driver and transportation business owner in Vietnam. Understanding this calculation not only helps you comply with the law and avoid fines but also ensures traffic safety and optimizes transportation operations.
I. What is Truck Payload and Why Does It Matter?
Before delving into how to calculate truck overload percentage, we need to understand the concept of truck payload and the importance of controlling it.
Truck payload is the maximum weight of cargo that a truck is allowed to carry according to the manufacturer’s regulations and the law. This specification is clearly stated in the vehicle’s Certificate of Technical Safety and Environmental Protection Inspection (also known as the vehicle registration certificate).
Complying with truck payload is extremely important for the following reasons:
- Traffic safety: Overloaded trucks increase the risk of losing control, overturning, especially during sudden braking or cornering. The braking system, tires, and other parts of the vehicle also bear greater pressure, leading to damage and accidents.
- Legal compliance: Carrying overloaded goods is a violation of road traffic laws and is subject to administrative penalties according to current regulations. Fines can be very heavy, affecting the finances of individuals and businesses.
- Protection of traffic infrastructure: Overloaded trucks cause serious damage to bridges and roads, reducing the lifespan of traffic infrastructure and incurring costs for maintenance and repair.
- Ensuring vehicle lifespan: Frequent overloading reduces the lifespan of the vehicle, causing rapid wear and tear of parts, and increasing repair and maintenance costs.
II. Basic Formula for Calculating Truck Payload
To determine the amount of cargo you can carry without exceeding the allowed payload, you need to understand the basic truck payload calculation formula:
Cargo Payload = Gross Vehicle Weight – Tare Weight – Weight of People on Board (if any)
Where:
- Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) (or Total Weight): This is the maximum permissible weight of the vehicle when participating in traffic, including the tare weight of the vehicle, cargo payload, and the weight of people on board. This specification is determined by the manufacturer and is recorded in the vehicle registration certificate.
- Tare Weight (or Unladen Weight/Vehicle Weight): This is the weight of the vehicle when it is not carrying cargo and has no people on board (except for the driver). This specification is also recorded in the vehicle registration certificate.
- Weight of People on Board: This is the total weight of all people on the vehicle, including the driver and co-driver.
Example:
A Hino 8-ton truck (GVW of 8 tons) has a tare weight of 3 tons. There are 2 people on the truck (driver and co-driver), estimated to weigh a total of about 150kg (0.15 tons).
Therefore, the maximum cargo payload that the truck can carry is:
8 tons (GVW) – 3 tons (Tare Weight) – 0.15 tons (Weight of People) = 4.85 tons
III. Detailed Steps to Calculate Truck Overload Percentage
When a truck is suspected of being overloaded, authorities will weigh the vehicle to determine the weight of overloaded cargo. From there, the overload percentage will be calculated to determine the appropriate penalty.
1. Determine the weight of overloaded cargo:
Overload Weight = Actual Weight When Weighed – Tare Weight – Permitted Cargo Payload
Where:
- Actual Weight When Weighed: This is the weight of the vehicle measured at the weigh station, including the tare weight of the vehicle, cargo, and people on board.
- Permitted Cargo Payload: This is the maximum cargo payload that the vehicle is allowed to carry, as calculated in section II.
2. Calculate the truck overload percentage:
Overload Percentage (%) = (Overload Weight / Permitted Cargo Payload) x 100%
Example:
Using the same Hino 8-ton truck example above, the permitted cargo payload is 4.85 tons. When inspected, the truck is weighed and the actual total weight is 9 tons.
Therefore, the weight of overloaded cargo is:
9 tons (Actual Weight) – 3 tons (Tare Weight) – 4.85 tons (Permitted Cargo Payload) = 1.15 tons
The overload percentage is calculated as follows:
(1.15 tons / 4.85 tons) x 100% = 23.7%
IV. Penalties for Overloaded Trucks Based on Overload Percentage
Penalties for overloading are clearly stipulated in Decree 100/2019/ND-CP (amended and supplemented by Decree 123/2021/ND-CP) and are categorized by overload percentage. Below is a summary table of the latest penalties:
| Overload Level | For Vehicle Drivers | For Vehicle Owners (Individuals) | For Vehicle Owners (Organizations) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% – 20% | Fine from 1,000,000 VNĐ to 2,000,000 VNĐ | Fine from 6,000,000 VNĐ to 8,000,000 VNĐ | Fine from 12,000,000 VNĐ to 16,000,000 VNĐ |
| 20% – 50% | Fine from 4,000,000 VNĐ to 6,000,000 VNĐ DL Suspension from 1 to 3 months | Fine from 16,000,000 VNĐ to 18,000,000 VNĐ | Fine from 32,000,000 VNĐ to 36,000,000 VNĐ |
| 50% – 100% | Fine from 6,000,000 VNĐ to 8,000,000 VNĐ DL Suspension from 1 to 3 months | Fine from 18,000,000 VNĐ to 20,000,000 VNĐ | Fine from 36,000,000 VNĐ to 40,000,000 VNĐ |
| Over 100% | Fine from 8,000,000 VNĐ to 10,000,000 VNĐ DL Suspension from 3 to 5 months | Fine from 20,000,000 VNĐ to 40,000,000 VNĐ | Fine from 40,000,000 VNĐ to 70,000,000 VNĐ |
Note: The above penalties are subject to change according to current legal regulations. Always update the latest information from authorities to ensure compliance.
Returning to the example of the Hino 8-ton truck overloaded by 23.7% above, based on the penalty table, the driver will be fined from 4,000,000 VNĐ to 6,000,000 VNĐ and have their driver’s license suspended for 1 to 3 months. The vehicle owner (if an individual) will be fined from 16,000,000 VNĐ to 18,000,000 VNĐ.
V. Tips to Avoid Truck Overload
To avoid the troubles associated with truck overload, Xe Tải Mỹ Đình advises you to:
- Understand your truck’s payload specifications: Always check the vehicle registration certificate to know the exact gross vehicle weight and tare weight of your truck.
- Calculate cargo payload before loading: Use the formula provided to estimate the amount of cargo you can carry.
- Use weighing services: If possible, use public weigh stations or weighing services at cargo yards to check the actual weight before moving.
- Distribute cargo properly: Arrange cargo evenly on the truck bed to avoid concentrating the load in one location, causing localized overload.
- Regularly check vehicle condition: Ensure the truck is always in good working order, especially the braking system and tires.
Conclusion:
Understanding how to calculate truck overload percentage and related regulations is the responsibility of every driver and transportation business owner. Xe Tải Mỹ Đình hopes this article has provided you with useful information and helps you operate trucks safely, efficiently, and in compliance with the law. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us for more detailed advice.
