Understanding how to calculate overweight truck loads is essential for every truck driver. It not only helps you comply with traffic laws and avoid hefty fines but also ensures your safety and the safety of other road users. This article provides a detailed guide on calculating weight, determining overload penalties, and offers crucial information to help you operate trucks within regulations.
Calculating Truck Weight
To calculate the weight of a truck, you need to use the following formula:
Weight = Total Weight – Truck Tare Weight – Weight of People in the Truck
Example: A truck is carrying 8 tons of sand, with two drivers in the cab. To calculate the cargo weight, you need to weigh the total weight of the truck (including people and cargo) at a weigh station. Then, subtract the truck’s tare weight (8 tons) and the weight of the two drivers from the total weight. The resulting number is the weight of the cargo being carried.
Calculating Overweight Truck Loads
An overweight truck is a vehicle carrying cargo exceeding the permissible weight stated in its Certificate of Inspection for Technical Safety and Environmental Protection (vehicle registration). To calculate the overweight load, use this formula:
Overweight Load = Current Total Weighed Weight – Truck Weight – Permissible Cargo Weight
Example: A small truck has a weight of 3.5 tons and is allowed to carry 6 tons of cargo. During inspection, the total weight of the truck is 10 tons. Thus:
Overweight Load = 10 – 3.5 – 6 = 0.5 tons.
Overweight trucks will be penalized. The penalty level is based on the percentage of overload, calculated as follows:
*Overload Percentage (%) = (Overweight Load / Maximum Permissible Cargo Weight) * 100%*
In the example above, the overload percentage is: (0.5 / 6) * 100% = 8.3%.
Overweight Truck Penalties
Penalties for overweight trucks are regulated by Decree 100/2019/ND-CP and depend on the overload percentage. The table below summarizes the penalties for drivers and vehicle owners:
| Overload Percentage (%) | Driver Penalties | Vehicle Owner Penalties (Individual/Organization) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% – 40% | VND 800,000 – 1,000,000 | VND 2,000,000 – 4,000,000 / VND 4,000,000 – 8,000,000 |
| 40% – 60% | VND 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 (License Suspension 1-3 months) | VND 12,000,000 – 14,000,000 / VND 24,000,000 – 28,000,000 |
| 60% – 100% | VND 5,000,000 – 7,000,000 (License Suspension 1-3 months) | VND 14,000,000 – 16,000,000 / VND 28,000,000 – 32,000,000 |
| Over 100% | VND 7,000,000 (License Suspension 3-5 months) | VND 16,000,000 – 18,000,000 / VND 32,000,000 – 36,000,000 |
Conclusion
Understanding how to calculate overweight truck loads and the corresponding penalties is the responsibility of every driver and vehicle owner. Adhering to weight regulations not only helps you avoid fines but also contributes to road safety and extends the lifespan of your vehicle. Always double-check the load weight before operating your truck to prevent unnecessary risks.
