Overloading

Who’s affected?

All vehicle users.

What do the regulations say?

The Road Traffic Act 1988 requires “vehicle users” to ensure that vehicles are not overloaded. Loads must also be properly packed, secured and distributed across axles.

Enforcement

DVSA and the police.

Penalties

Graduated fixed penalties and points on the driver’s licence. However severe offences could well constitute an offence of using a vehicle in a dangerous condition (see No 5, ‘Roadworthiness’, above).