Truck axle overload is a serious issue, affecting traffic safety and the lifespan of road infrastructure. Understanding axle load regulations, calculation methods, and penalties for violations is essential for all vehicle owners and drivers. This article provides detailed information about truck axle overload in Vietnam.
Illustration of truck axle weight distribution calculation
What is Truck Axle Load?
Truck axle load is the portion of the vehicle’s total weight distributed on each axle, including single, tandem, and tri-axles. According to QCVN 41:2019/BGTVT and Circular 54/2019/TT-BGTVT, this concept is crucial because it determines the maximum permissible load on each axle of the vehicle. Trucks are designed in various configurations (2-axle, 3-axle, 4-axle), each with a different number of axles and load-bearing capacity.
What are Truck Axle Load Limits?
Truck axle load limits are the maximum weight that an axle can bear when moving on the road. This value includes the vehicle’s tare weight and cargo weight. Each axle (front and rear) has its own load limit to ensure safety and prevent road damage.
How to Calculate Truck Axle Load
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the vehicle and its cargo.
Formula: GVW = Unladen Vehicle Weight + Cargo Weight
Calculating Axle Load
Formula: Axle Load = Total Weighed Vehicle Weight – Weight of Driver and Assistant Driver – Vehicle’s Tare Weight.
Axle Load Distribution
The load on each axle depends on the vehicle’s design and how the cargo is loaded. The center of gravity of the load and the weight distribution across the axles are determining factors.
Weighing Trucks
Weighing trucks is the most accurate method to determine axle load, ensuring compliance with regulations and traffic safety.
Regulations on Truck Axle Overload
Regulations on truck axle overload are strictly defined in Circular 46/2015/TT-BGTVT, including load limits for each axle type and regulations for transporting oversized and overweight goods.
Single Axle
The load on a single axle must not exceed 10 tons.
Tandem Axle
The load on a tandem axle depends on the distance between the centers of the two axles:
- Less than 1m: not exceeding 11 tons.
- From 1m to 1.3m: not exceeding 16 tons.
- Over 1.3m: not exceeding 18 tons.
Tri-Axle
Similar to tandem axles, the load on a tri-axle also depends on the distance between adjacent axle centers:
- ≤ 1.3m: under 21 tons.
-
1.3m: under 24 tons.
Special Cases
Trucks with special configurations (multiple axles, oversized, overweight) are subject to specific regulations and require special permits to operate.
Penalties for Truck Axle Overload
Violations of axle load regulations are penalized according to Decree 100/2019/ND-CP, replacing Decree 171/2013/ND-CP, with increased penalties and stricter forms of punishment:
- Overload from 10% to 20%: fines ranging from 2 million to 12 million VND, license revocation for 1-3 months.
- Overload from 20% to 50%: fines ranging from 4 million to 20 million VND, license revocation for 2-4 months.
- Overload over 50%: fines ranging from 8 million to 40 million VND, license revocation for 3-5 months.
Conclusion
Compliance with truck axle overload regulations is the responsibility of every driver and vehicle owner. Understanding the regulations, calculation methods, and penalties will help avoid violations, ensure traffic safety, and protect road infrastructure.
