To maximize performance and ensure safety when operating a truck, understanding its technical specifications is crucial. Particularly for truck drivers and transportation business owners, accurately reading truck weight ratings is an indispensable skill. The following article from truck expert Xe Tải Mỹ Đình provides the most detailed and easy-to-understand guide on how to read truck weight ratings, helping you feel more confident on every journey.
Unlocking the Meaning of Common Markings on Truck Doors
The information printed on truck doors, often referred to as truck logos, is not just a form of brand identification. They are also technical “business cards,” containing important specifications about the vehicle’s transport capacity and characteristics. Reading truck weight ratings helps drivers, law enforcement, and shippers quickly grasp the limits and comply with regulations.
Truck door showing technical specifications
To read truck weight ratings and other information correctly, you need to understand the meaning of each number and symbol. These specifications are usually arranged in a specific order, making identification easier. Below is a detailed explanation of common markings:
1. Maximum Number of Passengers Allowed (e.g., 3P)
The symbol “3P” or similar numbers, often appearing on truck doors, indicates the maximum number of passengers allowed, including the driver and co-driver. For example, “3P” means that this truck is only allowed to carry a maximum of 3 people. Complying with the maximum number of passengers not only ensures safety but also adheres to vehicle inspection regulations.
2. Contact Phone Number of the Transportation Company
The contact phone number is usually printed clearly on the truck door, facilitating contact when needed. This is important information, making it easy for partners, customers, or authorities to contact the truck owner or transportation company to discuss work, resolve issues, or check information related to transportation activities.
3. Truck Weight Rating – Most Important Information
Among the information listed on the truck door, the truck weight rating is the most important element that everyone needs to understand. This specification determines the vehicle’s cargo carrying capacity and is the basis for ensuring that the vehicle operates within its load limits, avoiding hazards and legal violations. Typically, the truck weight rating is expressed in kg and arranged from top to bottom with three main specifications:
a. Maximum Payload Capacity (Cargo weight)
This number represents the maximum weight of cargo that the truck is allowed to carry when participating in traffic. The maximum payload capacity is determined based on the vehicle’s design, the load-bearing capacity of the chassis, the braking system, and other technical factors. Carrying goods exceeding the maximum payload capacity not only endangers the vehicle and other road users but also violates traffic laws and is subject to severe penalties.
b. Unladen Weight (Weight of the vehicle without cargo)
The unladen weight is the weight of the truck itself when not carrying cargo, excluding fuel, passengers, or goods. This specification indicates how much the vehicle weighs when empty. The unladen weight is a necessary factor for calculating the gross vehicle weight when loaded with cargo.
c. Gross Vehicle Weight (Total weight of the vehicle when fully loaded)
The gross vehicle weight is the maximum total weight of the truck when it is carrying cargo and has full fuel, the driver, and other components. The gross vehicle weight is calculated as the sum of the unladen weight and the maximum payload capacity. This is the most important number to control the vehicle’s weight, especially when passing through weigh stations. The gross vehicle weight rating is usually clearly stated on the door for drivers and authorities to easily check and compare with vehicle documents and regulations.
4. Name and Logo of the Transportation Company
The truck door often displays the name of the transportation company, possibly accompanied by the logo of the cooperative or transport company. This information helps identify the entity that owns and operates the truck, increasing transparency and responsibility in transportation activities. The logo and company name are also part of brand recognition, helping customers and partners easily identify and contact the company.
Truck door showing company logo
Affixing a truck logo and listing information on the door has become a mandatory regulation for all types of trucks. Compliance with this regulation not only ensures traffic safety but also contributes to building a professional and transparent transportation environment in Vietnam.
Current Legal Regulations Regarding Truck Logos and Markings
Compliance with regulations regarding affixing logos and listing information on trucks is sometimes overlooked, but in reality, it is extremely important. All legal regulations have sanctions, and when violated, drivers and transportation companies will be held legally responsible.
So, what are the specific regulations for affixing logos on trucks? Let’s find out more about this issue.
Regulations for displaying logos on truck doors
Circular 63/2014/TT-BGTVT – Most Detailed Regulations You Must Know
According to Appendix 26 of Circular No. 63/2014/TT-BGTVT, trucks are required to list important information on the truck doors. This Circular clearly stipulates the information that must be present when reading truck weight ratings and other information on truck doors, including:
- Name of the transportation company (cooperative/business logo): Helps identify the unit managing or owning the vehicle.
- Phone number of the transportation company: Creates a quick communication channel between authorities, customers, and the transportation company.
- Permissible cargo weight for traffic participation (Maximum Payload): Limits the maximum cargo weight that the vehicle is allowed to carry according to the law. This is the most important specification when reading truck weight ratings.
- Unladen weight of the vehicle: The weight of the vehicle when not carrying cargo.
- Gross vehicle weight allowed for traffic participation (Gross Vehicle Weight): The maximum total weight of the vehicle when carrying cargo, including the unladen weight and cargo weight. This specification is also recorded in the Certificate of Inspection (CNKD). When the vehicle is overloaded, the results of the weight check will show the amount exceeding the regulations.
Truck door showing logo and technical specifications
Affixing logos on trucks must fully meet the requirements of Circular 63, and all information must be displayed accurately, legibly, and easily recognizable. Any discrepancies or omissions in listing information may result in drivers and transportation companies being penalized according to the law.
Penalties for Violating Regulations on Affixing Logos and Markings on Trucks
According to Article 28 of the Law on Road Traffic, violations related to affixing logos and listing information on trucks will be penalized with different levels of severity. Specifically, cases of not listing or incompletely or inaccurately listing information as prescribed will be subject to the following penalties:
- For individuals (drivers): A fine ranging from 1,000,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND.
- For transportation businesses or transport support service businesses: A fine ranging from 2,000,000 VND to 4,000,000 VND.
This penalty applies when the truck does not list or inaccurately lists the name, phone number of the transportation business, unladen weight, permissible cargo weight, and gross vehicle weight allowed for traffic participation. Thus, understanding and complying with regulations on reading truck weight ratings and other information on truck doors is extremely important to avoid fines and ensure legal transportation operations.
Fines for violating regulations on truck logo display
With the detailed information about truck logos and the guide to reading truck weight ratings above, Xe Tải Mỹ Đình hopes to have equipped drivers and businesses with the necessary knowledge. Understanding and complying with regulations not only helps transportation activities run smoothly and legally but also contributes to building a safe and civilized traffic environment. If you have any questions about trucks or related regulations, do not hesitate to contact Xe Tải Mỹ Đình for dedicated advice and support.
