Vehicle weight regulations are a crucial aspect of road transportation, directly impacting traffic safety and the lifespan of road infrastructure. Understanding these regulations is essential for vehicle owners and drivers to avoid legal violations and ensure smooth transportation operations. This article summarizes key vehicle weight regulations in Vietnam.
Road Weight Limits and Size Restrictions
Road weight limit refers to the load-bearing capacity of bridges and roads, ensuring the structural integrity and designed lifespan. The load-bearing capacity of bridges is determined by design factors and actual technical conditions, and is indicated by signs such as “Weight Limit”. Similarly, the load-bearing capacity of roads is determined by pavement design factors and technical conditions, indicated by signs such as “Axle Load Limit”. Road size restrictions refer to the clearance dimensions in height and width of roads, bridges, and tunnels, ensuring safe passage for vehicles, including loaded goods.
Publication of Weight and Size Limits on National Highways
Several national highway routes or sections have been upgraded, renovated, or newly built to meet pavement design standards for single axle load of 10 tons per axle. Bridge design load is based on the H30-XB80 or HL93 load system. Size restrictions on national highways are published based on the technical classification of the road and terrain of the route. For bridges on national highways that have not been upgraded or renovated to meet weight standards, road management agencies must place signs indicating the actual weight and size limits of the bridge.
Operation of Road Motor Vehicles
Motor vehicles that meet the published road weight and size limits and cargo loading regulations are permitted to operate on national highway routes and sections. When traveling over bridges with “Weight Limit” signs, vehicles must comply with the signs, speed limits, and safe distances. On other road routes, vehicle owners, freight forwarders, and drivers must comply with local road weight and size limit regulations. In cases of force majeure requiring the transport of indivisible goods or the operation of vehicles with total weight or dimensions exceeding road weight or size limits, vehicle owners must apply to road management agencies for a vehicle circulation permit.
Cargo Loading Regulations
Cargo loading on road vehicles must comply with regulations on total vehicle weight, axle load, permitted cargo height, width, and length, and must not exceed the vehicle’s designed load capacity as stated in the vehicle registration certificate. Cargo loaded on vehicles must be neatly arranged, securely fastened to prevent falling, dragging on the road, and must not obstruct vehicle operation.
Conclusion
Vehicle weight regulations are a complex yet necessary system of rules to ensure the safety and efficiency of road transportation. Vehicle owners and drivers need to thoroughly understand and strictly adhere to these regulations to avoid risks and legal violations. For more detailed information, please refer to the Law on Road Traffic and related legal documents.
