Guide to Vehicle Weighing

Fines & Penalties:

As of early 2010, there is now a simple graduated fixed penalty (GFP) system, which targets the driver of a vehicle for overloading.

For vehicles up to 10% overloaded - £60 fine
Vehicles 10 – 15% overloaded - £120 fine
Vehicle over 15% overloaded - £200 fine

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GFP’s affect your OCRS score, meaning VOSA are more likely to stop and check you time and time again as a non-compliant operator.

In addition, another £60 fixed fine and three penalty points on the driver’s licence can be gained, if VOSA feel the driver is using the vehicle in a dangerous condition, which includes weight position and distribution of the load.

However, VOSA or the police may decide to prosecute, in the case of repeat offenders or for serious overloads, then both the operator and the driver are liable for a fine of up to £ 5,000 per offence. This means that a 3.5T vehicle could have a fine of up to £ 15,000 (one offence for each of front, rear and gross), which could apply to both driver and company separately. A Traffic Commissioner can also take your Operator licence away if they feel you are likely to re-offend, and it is extremely difficult (or very expensive in sub-contract fees) to run a fleet with no ‘O’ Licence!