To ensure the smooth and legal operation of goods transportation by truck, performing a truck load capacity lookup is an extremely important step. Understanding load capacity regulations not only helps you avoid fines but also ensures traffic safety and protects road infrastructure. This article from Xe Tải Mỹ Đình, a website specializing in trucks and related issues, will provide you with a comprehensive overview of this topic.
I. Current Legal Regulations Regarding Truck Load Capacity
The regulations on truck load capacity are issued to control vehicle weight, protect road traffic infrastructure, ensure traffic safety, and limit the situation of overloaded vehicles causing many negative consequences. Below are the main contents regulated in the current legal documents:
1. Road Load Capacity and Load Bearing Capacity
Road load capacity is defined as the load-bearing capacity of bridges and roads, to ensure the lifespan of the project according to the original design. This capacity is determined based on the design documents and actual technical conditions and is announced or shown by traffic signs “weight limit” or “axle weight limit”.
2. Roadway Clearance
Roadway clearance is the limited space in height and width of roads, bridges, ferry terminals, and road tunnels, ensuring that vehicles and goods on the vehicle can move safely. The normal height limit is 4.75 meters for highways, levels I, II, III and 4.5 meters for level IV roads or lower. The width limit depends on the technical level of the road and the construction terrain.
3. Announcement of Load Capacity and National Highway Clearance
For national highways that have been upgraded and synchronously renovated, the conventional single axle load is 10 tons/axle and the bridge design load is according to the H30-XB80 or HL93 load diagram. The national highway clearance is announced according to the technical level of the road and the construction terrain. Bridges that have not been upgraded synchronously will have signs limiting load capacity and separate clearance.
Annually, the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam will update and adjust the announcement of load capacity and clearance of national highways based on the actual situation and road construction and upgrade projects.
4. Vehicle Operation and Compliance
Motor vehicles must comply with the regulations on load capacity and clearance that have been announced. When traveling through bridges with restriction signs, these signs must be strictly observed.
On other roads other than national highways, vehicle owners and drivers must comply with regulations on load capacity and clearance announced by the People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities or according to traffic signs on the road.
In case it is necessary to transport goods that cannot be dismantled or overloaded or oversized vehicles, a vehicle circulation permit must be obtained from the competent road management agency before participating in traffic.
II. Overloaded, Oversized, and Tracked Vehicles: Circulation Regulations
1. Definition of Overloaded and Oversized Vehicles
- Overloaded vehicle: A vehicle whose total weight or axle load exceeds the load-bearing capacity of the bridge or road.
- Oversized vehicle: A vehicle whose overall dimensions (length, width, height) exceed the maximum allowable dimensions.
- Specialized vehicles with total weight, axle load or dimensions exceeding regulations are also considered overloaded or oversized vehicles.
2. Tracked Vehicles and Measures to Protect Road Surfaces
When participating in traffic on roads, tracked vehicles need to implement measures to protect the road surface such as installing track shoes, laying paving slabs, steel bars or similar measures. If these measures are not implemented, tracked vehicles must be transported by other means of transport.
tracked vehicle on the road with protection measures
3. Circulation of Overloaded, Oversized and Tracked Vehicles
The circulation of overloaded, oversized, and tracked vehicles must ensure traffic safety and safety for road works. These vehicles need to have a vehicle circulation permit issued by a competent authority and must comply with the regulations stated in the permit.
Important note: Vehicles carrying goods exceeding the vehicle’s designed load capacity or vehicles exceeding the road’s clearance are not allowed to circulate on roads.
III. Transportation of Super-Long, Super-Heavy Goods
1. Definition of Super-Long, Super-Heavy Goods
- Super-long goods: Goods that cannot be dismantled, which when loaded onto the vehicle have dimensions exceeding:
- Length > 20.0 meters
- Width > 2.5 meters
- Height > 4.2 meters (for container trucks)
- Super-heavy goods: Goods that cannot be dismantled, weighing > 32 tons.
2. Means of Transport and Circulation
Transporting super-long and super-heavy goods requires the use of specialized vehicles designed to be suitable. Circulation must comply with regulations on overloaded and oversized vehicles and requires a vehicle circulation permit.
IV. Limits on Loading Goods on Vehicles
The loading of goods on trucks must comply with regulations on the total weight of the vehicle, axle load, height, width, length of loading and must not exceed the vehicle’s design load capacity.
1. Axle Load and Total Vehicle Weight
Maximum axle load:
- Single axle: ≤ 10 tons/axle
- Dual axle group: 16-18 tons (depending on axle spacing)
- Triple axle group: 21-24 tons (depending on axle spacing)
Maximum total vehicle weight (rigid vehicle):
- 2 axles: ≤ 16 tons
- 3 axles: ≤ 24 tons
- 4 axles: ≤ 30 tons
- 5 axles or more: ≤ 34 tons
Maximum total vehicle weight (tractor-semi-trailer combination):
- 3 axles: ≤ 26 tons
- 4 axles: ≤ 34 tons
- 5 axles or more: ≤ 40 tons
Maximum total vehicle weight (rigid vehicle-trailer combination): ≤ 45 tons
2. Height of Goods Loading
- Closed truck: Height limited within the vehicle’s cargo box as designed.
- Open truck: The height of the goods loaded must not exceed:
- Trucks from 5 tons or more: ≤ 4.2 meters
- Trucks from 2.5 to under 5 tons: ≤ 3.5 meters
- Trucks under 2.5 tons: ≤ 2.8 meters
- Specialized vehicles, container trucks: Height ≤ 4.2 meters (applied from 01/01/2011).
- Vehicles carrying bulk goods, construction materials: Height does not exceed the height of the vehicle’s cargo box.
truck with height restrictions for cargo
3. Width and Length of Goods Loading
- Width: Width of the vehicle’s cargo box as designed.
- Length: Not greater than 1.1 times the total length of the vehicle and not exceeding 20.0 meters. Goods longer than the cargo box need to have signals and be securely fastened.
V. Procedures for Issuing Permits for Overloaded and Oversized Vehicles
1. Cases Requiring a Permit
A vehicle circulation permit for overloaded and oversized vehicles is necessary in the following cases:
- Transporting goods that cannot be dismantled with dimensions or weight exceeding regulations.
- Circulating vehicles with total weight or dimensions exceeding the load capacity or clearance of the road.
- Circulating tracked vehicles on roads.
2. Dossier Requesting Permit Issuance
The dossier includes:
- Request for permit issuance (according to the form).
- Vehicle schematic drawing (clearly stating dimensions).
- Copy of vehicle registration certificate.
- Copy of valid certificate of technical safety and environmental protection inspection.
- Commitment regarding vehicle ownership.
3. Authority to Issue Permits
- Directorate for Roads of Vietnam: Issues permits for special cases requiring mandatory conditions such as lead vehicles, escorts, and road reinforcement.
- Road Management Zone: Issues permits for operations on the nationwide road network (except for cases under the authority of the Directorate for Roads).
- Department of Transport: Issues permits for operations within the local area under management (except for cases under the authority of the Directorate for Roads).
4. Term and Order of Permit Issuance
- Time limit for considering permit issuance: No more than 02 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier.
- Order: Prepare the dossier, submit the dossier and fees, conduct inspection or road reinforcement (if required), receive the permit.
VI. Truck Load Capacity Lookup Information
To look up truck load capacity accurately and quickly, you can refer to the following sources:
- Vehicle registration certificate: Information about the design load capacity and allowable load capacity is clearly stated in the vehicle registration certificate.
- Manufacturer’s specifications: The vehicle manufacturer’s website or documents provide detailed information about the vehicle’s load capacity and dimensions.
- Traffic signs on the road: Traffic signs limiting load capacity and clearance are placed on roads, bridges, and tunnels.
- Road management agency: Contact the local road management agency or the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam directly for the most accurate information.
- Website of the Directorate for Roads of Vietnam: The official website of the Directorate can provide legal documents and announcements related to load capacity and clearance.
Advice from Xe Tải Mỹ Đình:
Looking up truck load capacity and complying with legal regulations is the responsibility of every vehicle owner and driver. Be proactive in finding information, preparing all necessary documents, and following the correct procedures to ensure that transportation activities are safe, efficient, and legal. If you have any questions related to trucks and transportation regulations, do not hesitate to contact Xe Tải Mỹ Đình for the best advice and support.
