Payloads leeway

[JSB]

Hi, I am very new to motorhoming so please forgive me for my ignorance. I have read on gov.U.K. that there is up to a 5% leeway on payloads before you get fined for the vehicle being overweight.
Quote: A £100 penalty will be given for a 0% to 9.99% overload, but DVSA examiners will allow a 5% leeway before issuing a fixed penalty or prohibition, unless the relevant weight has been exceeded by 1 tonne or more.
Is this 5% of the total 3.5T ie 175kilos or 5% of the payload?
Our vehicle was down rated from 3850 to 3500 because of our licences. Thanks Sue

 

[Nanniemate]

I wish they’d spend some money on fixing the roads, rather than just technology for enforcement…

they upgraded the weight allowances when most 38ton vehicles were carrying 44tons I'm happy to know that they are stopping the 44ton becoming 50ton+ illegally
I dont fancy being a truck sandwich when an overweight vehicle cannot stop. If there is one offence often there are others including maintenance
I would like to think it does not reflect the MH community but it would be interesting to know how many >3.5tons are being driven on the incorrect licences I suspect quiet a few some knowingly other through ignorance

 

[dunnah01]

Always feel a bit uneasy that my 2400kg Alko axle needs bigger wheels, tyres and disc brakes to stop it but overloaded cart sprung axles with 15" wheels, smaller tyres and drum brakes are almost the norm for motorhomes.

 

[Lenny HB]

sprung axles with 15" wheels, smaller tyres and drum brakes are almost the norm for motorhomes.

Maybe in the last century, all Motorhomes these days have discs all round most have 16" wheels & a high proportion of them have Al-Ko chassis.

 

[dunnah01]

Maybe in the last century, all Motorhomes these days have discs all round most have 16" wheels & a high proportion of them have Al-Ko chassis.

Fair doos was thinking more of those older models with light axles based on van chassis

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[suavecarve]

Agree completely and just typed the same without noticing your post. The issue I think would be that the 5% leeway is academic as your not licenced to drive >3.5T.

If they do you for driving otherwise in accordance with your licence then driving without insurance is in the ball park for them as well.

 

[Jo662]

Don't forget that if you annoy them enough to nick you, say you were 200kg overweight (so many are this much!). Then you may be inviting further penalties by overloading an axle and having incorrect tyre loading. These are separate offences.

Many years ago I had to deliver some truck parts urgently,and as my truck was being MOT‘d I had to use a Ford Escort van. I got stopped by the police and taken to a weighbridge. Even though I was within the vehicle weight ,I was 27% over weight on the back axle. I got fined £450 as the driver,and my business got fined £650.
The quoted fines in the article above maybe guidelines,and every case is different.
As my case was many,many years ago,things may have changed.

 

[RioRob]

I think you will find that weighbridge tolerances are +/- 110kg for a plate weighbridge and +/-150kg per axle on a dynamic weighbridge.
So as long as you are 300kg under you will be fine.

Thanks for correcting me on that Lenny. My info. was given to me by the dealer who was trying to convince me that a new van I was buying was OK because it's quoted payload for type approval took it's weight to 9kg below 3500. Needless to say I didn't continue with it.

 

[gus-lopez]

EVans are heading this way to give them an advantage

& is discriminatory & should not be allowed unless ice vehicles are accorded the same weight allowance.

 

[Verteuil Man]

Thanks for correcting me on that Lenny. My info. was given to me by the dealer who was trying to convince me that a new van I was buying was OK because it's quoted payload for type approval took it's weight to 9kg below 3500. Needless to say I didn't continue with it.

Are the allowances only for the UK, or does Europe have the same variations?

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[Lenny HB]

Are the allowances only for the UK, or does Europe have the same variations?

Allowances are only guidelines so best to ignore them as if you get stopped it comes down to which side the bloke got out of bed.

 

[Crazylegs]

Are the allowances only for the UK, or does Europe have the same variations?

I’m led to believe that there is little if any leeway regarding weight issues outside the UK.

 

[Verteuil Man]

I’m led to believe that there is little if any leeway regarding weight issues outside the UK.

I thought I would ask for clarification for the other members. I would never knowingly go out in the motorhome if it was not legal to do so.

 

[Basildog]

Are the allowances only for the UK, or does Europe have the same variations?

Normally depends on how well you know the local Mayor or how many euro notes you accidentally left in your drivers license / passport

 

[nicholsong]

Normally depends on how well you know the local Mayor or how many euro notes you accidentally left in your drivers license / passport

Spoken from personal experience of either, or both?

[I assume you have not been a mayor overseas]

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[Basildog]

Spoken from personal experience of either, or both?

Both

 

[Nanniemate]

Both

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