Vehicle downrating is the process of reducing the permissible weight capacity of a vehicle compared to its original specifications. This is a form of motor vehicle modification that must strictly comply with legal regulations. This article provides detailed information about the vehicle downrating process, important considerations, and required documentation.
What is Vehicle Downrating?
Vehicle downrating, also known as weight reduction, is the adjustment of a vehicle’s permitted load to a level lower than its original design. This process must be carried out in accordance with legal regulations and certified by a competent authority. For example, if a truck has a permitted load of 1.5 tons but the owner wants to reduce it to 1 ton, they need to carry out the downrating procedure.
Article 3, Clause 4 of Circular 85/2014/TT-BGTVT clearly stipulates the modification of motor vehicles, including downrating. Understanding these regulations is crucial to ensure the downrating process is legal.
Important Considerations When Downrating a Vehicle
When performing vehicle downrating, keep the following points in mind:
- The vehicle after modification must meet technical standards and environmental protection regulations.
- Each vehicle is allowed to modify a maximum of 3 systems throughout its operational life.
- Vehicles older than 15 years are not allowed to be downrated.
- The suspension and steering systems are not allowed to be changed.
- The dimensions of the cargo compartment, tire size, number of axles, and wheel material are not allowed to be modified.
- The vehicle length and cargo box dimensions are not allowed to be changed.
Modifying vehicle systems can affect technical specifications and operating characteristics, so it must be done carefully and by specialized units.
Vehicle Downrating Process
The vehicle downrating process is carried out at licensed motor vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and modification facilities, including the following steps:
1. Document Preparation
The vehicle owner needs to prepare a complete vehicle modification design dossier as required.
2. Dossier Submission
Submit the dossier requesting design appraisal for vehicle modification to the competent authority.
3. Implementation and Modification
- Carry out modifications according to the approved design.
- Implementation at specialized and authorized facilities.
- Ensure quality, technical safety, and environmental protection.
- Modification contents may include: cabin, body, fuel supply system, etc.
For trucks and specialized vehicles, when downrating, the total weight must not exceed the value of the total weight according to the manufacturer’s design and the permitted total weight for traffic participation according to road and bridge load regulations.
4. Acceptance and Certificate of Conformity
After completing the modification, the vehicle will be inspected and issued a certificate of conformity for technical safety and environmental protection. The acceptance record will include detailed information about traction dynamics, acceleration capability, turning stability, steering dynamics, vehicle train turning dynamics, axles, tires, suspension system, etc. The validity period of the modification certificate is 6 months. The inspection results can be received directly, by post, or other appropriate forms.
Vehicle Downrating Design Dossier
The design dossier for vehicle downrating includes:
- Documents on vehicle specifications and technical features.
- Vehicle registration certificate.
- Transfer slip (if needed).
- Certificate of technical safety.
- Vehicle modification design dossier (04 sets).
- Original copy of the design appraisal request.
- Design appraisal certificate valid for a maximum of 12 months.
The dossier must be completed within 2 working days. Some cases are exempt from preparing a vehicle modification design dossier, such as driving training and testing vehicles, vehicles adding or removing cargo compartment covers, dump trucks, and imported tank trucks.
Conclusion
Vehicle downrating is a complex process that requires strict compliance with legal regulations. Understanding the process, procedures, and important considerations will help vehicle owners perform downrating smoothly and legally.
