While loading and delivering goods on commercial trucks, it is important to know the axle weights permitted by the Chinese government. These boundaries can be of great help to you in mapping your routes and loads. These rules also help avoid any penalties.
Given in the preceding section is an overview of the legal axle weight limits for commercial vehicles in China.
China’s Axle Weight Regulations and GB 1589-2016
To regulate the commercial trucking industry, the Chinese Ministry of Transport has set specific weight limits for trucks. These limits vary depending on the type of vehicle, the number of axles, and the road type.
These limits are described in the Chinese standard GB 1589-2016 which provides an overview of these regulations and their usage in respect of the commercial vehicle traffic in China.
The GB 1589 is a standard guide in the field of axle loads and masses and dimensions of motor vehicles, trailers, and articulated vehicles. This was published in 1979 and has since been revised several times. The latest among them is referred to as GB 1589-2016.
Axle Weight Limits for Commercial Trucks
As a general rule of thumb, the following formula is applied to calculate the axle weight limit:
[(No of axle * 10 ton) – 5 ton = GTW]
Taking this into consideration, here is an overview regarding the maximum axle weight limits for different vehicle types:
| Vehicle Type | Maximum Weight Limit (in kgs) |
| Two-Axle Goods Vehicles | 18000 |
| Three-Axle Goods Vehicles | 25000 |
| Four-Axle Goods Vehicles | 32000 |
| Four-Axle Vehicle Combinations | 36000 |
| Five-Axle Vehicle Combinations | 43000 |
| Six-Axle Vehicle Combination | 49000 |
Factors Affecting Weight Limits
Several factors affect the axle load limits for commercial vehicles in China. The most important ones are:
Road Type
Highways have different limits whereas the limits on provincial roads and rural roads are different.
Vehicle Type
Different limits apply to ordinary trucks and trailers, container trucks, and special vehicles.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Overloading a commercial truck can result in very heavy fines, driver’s license suspension, and more frequent inspections.
If you fail to comply with the set limits multiple times, your vehicle may also be impounded.
Fines
Trucks are always usually fined if they are overloaded and the fines which are imposed on the culprits are usually heavy.
License Suspensions
For subsequent offenses, a suspension of the driving license for an indefinite time might be imposed.
Increased Inspections
Overloaded trucks are likely to be arrested for inspection more often than the others that are not overloaded.
Vehicle Impoundment
In some extreme conditions, your car might be towed away from the road until and unless you follow those standards.
Practical Tips for Compliance
To avoid penalties and ensure smooth operations, here is what you can easily and safely implement:
Plan Your Loads
Being a commercial truck owner, you must be aware of the limit of how much load your truck can accommodate to prevent overloading it.
Regular Inspections
You must always ensure that the weight of the truck is checked occasionally to ensure that it does not exceed the legal weight limits.
Use Reliable Equipment
Ensure that the weighing equipment that you are using is as accurate as you can get it to avoid any biases.
Stay Updated
Always keep yourself updated on any changes in weight regulations so that you do not get left behind in terms of any changes in the limits.
Final Note
Overall, good knowledge and compliance with axle load limits in China are essential for commercial vehicle operations. Taking these measures and complying with the law will help you run your business optimally and avoid undesirable consequences.
For a complete description of the axle weight limits and restrictions, you may check this helpful GB report.
Helpful Links
- Standards on weights, dimensions, and emissions of commercial vehicles in China – Source: Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China
- Chinese road transport mass and dimension regulations – Source HVTT Forum
