Overloaded and improperly loaded vehicles cause severe damage to roads, bridges, underground pipework and adjoining property which are all expensive to repair.

We carry out weight checks on roads throughout the county to deter this practice which also goes against our service objective of ensuring fair and honest competition between traders.

How do I know how much weight my vehicle is permitted to carry?
All vehicles must have either a manufacturer’s plate or a Department of Transport plate which gives maximum permitted axle weights and gross weights for use in the UK.

Do not confuse the gross train weight (or GTW) with the gross vehicle weight (or GVW). The gross train weight only applies if you are towing a trailer.

If the plated weights are exceeded on the highway, you will be committing an offence.

Who can weigh my vehicle?
A Police Officer or authorised person. These are Trading Standards Officers and Department of Transport Officers.

What if I refuse?
If you refuse to comply or obstruct the officer, you commit an offence.

What happens If I am overloaded?
First of all you may be issued with a Prohibition Notice. This stops you from continuing your journey until you unload sufficient goods to bring your vehicle’s weight down to the plated weight or, in the case of an axle overload, redistribute the load to correct the overload.

You may be directed to travel to a particular place to off load, on specific roads and subject to a maximum speed at which you may travel.

Before you continue your journey, you must receive a Removal of Prohibition Notice. Driving whilst prohibited is an offence.

Who is liable for overloading?
The driver of this vehicle, the owner or user of the vehicle and any other person who causes or permits the vehicle to be used.

What can I do to avoid overloading?
Know your plated weights, not forgetting individual axle weights (see section above)

• Distribute your load to avoid axle overloads
• Check-weigh on the nearest weighbridge, each and every load you carry. Individual axles can be checked on conventional weighbridges
• Know your vehicle’s tare weight
• Use documents, such as delivery notes to ascertain the load carried.
• After off loading part of a load, remember to check the distribution of the remaining load
• Remember the gross weight, for overloading purposes, includes the driver and passengers.