G V W offence

[trem1]

Can anyone help me find some information which i need to prove to my supervisor at work that im right.
I drive an iveco 3512 van which is plated at 3.5 tonne, because of roadworks i have an access issue with one of my customers which means the public road is closed at 10am and access is available from the other end of town but it has a 3 tonne GVW limit.

I say i'm not allowed over the bridge as my GVW is 3.5 tonne so clearly more than 3 tonne BUT my supervisor says as long as i'm under 3 tonne im ok,Is he right or am I??

Also does anyone know what the penalty is IF i go over the bridge illegally ie: points on license or just a fine??

a weblink that explains it in simple terms would be my best bet as he's not mechanically minded at all and doesnt understand things like this

Many Thanks for any help you can be
Neil

[john_h]

from what i understand is that if the bridge states 3 tonne, and your vehicle is plated 3.5 tonne gvw then it is illegal to cross. as you cannot be sure if the vehicle is under 3 ton in total (unless you have a vosa weighstation)

i will clear this up with me dad (he drives buses for a living and will know this inside out) tomorrow.

also i understand that it is up to driver discretion to not go to places they do not want to - if they feel uncomfortable doing it or breaking the law. its like illegal orders (breaking H&S or genenva convention) in the forces.

hope this helps mate.

[Gox]

Originally Posted by cck2k9

from what i understand is that if the bridge states 3 tonne, and your vehicle is plated 3.5 tonne gvw then it is illegal to cross.

I think I would disagree!

The GVW is the maximum load of the vehicle. That would be the vehicle, full tank of fuel, driver, passenger and any load in it. The GVW cannot be exceeded to keep within the law. The bridge sign will indicate the maximim weight of any vehicle passing over it.

However, if the vehicle is empty of any load then it'll be well below the GVW and will be what is known as "unladen weight" - which is way below the GVW.

[Charlie]

As an ex (still have the licence) HGV driver - the plated weight is deemed to be the weight of the vehicle in law.

All restrictions apply to the weight stated on the vehicle plate....it makes NO difference whether you are full or empty, have passengers or not. (unless you are over the plated weight in which case you are into a whole new world of pain)

If a weight restriction states 3.0 tons - that applies to the plated weight of the vehicle. You will be in breach of traffic laws if you cross in a 3.5t plated vehicle...it is heavy shit they throw at you (and your employer) for doing that ....

[clanless]

So what is GVW?

The weight of an empty vehicle or the weight of a loaded vehicle?

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by clanless

So what is GVW?

The weight of an empty vehicle or the weight of a loaded vehicle?

The Gross Vehicle Weight is the maximum permitted weight of the vehicle complete with a full load.

As far as the police and VOSA are concerned, it does not matter whether it is fully or part loaded if you breach a maximum weight restriction sign.

The weight restriction applies to the vehicle's goods plate not to the actual weight of the vehicle at the time. Even if you are empty but plated over the restriction you will still be prosecuted

Breaching weight limits, running over loaded etc is heavy stuff - serious penalties can be imposed on the driver, the transport manager and the company directors.

If you are seriously overweight - you can also run into breaches of license entitlement as well as insurance problems.

[Charlie]

Dupe post ...........again

[clanless]

Well, as they say, you learn something everyday.

So a lorry with 3.5 tonne GVW is unloaded and actually weighs 2 tonne. If that lorry goes over a road which can carry a max 3 tonne weight - then that it illegal.

Never knew that.

By the way, the avatar is not a picture of me. I just thought his expression summed up the coalition government nicely.

[john_h]

just cleared this up with my dad, he says if it is the only way into the area and you have a legitimate reason to be there ie business and its your job then you can cross and they cant do feck all...but if your taking that route as a shortcut and do not have a legitimate reason to be there then you are breaking the law.

thats 14 years+ of driving busses that weight 7.5 tonne on average and there is a route that has a 4 tonne limit which busses go over.

[chopper1192]

Its the plated weight that scores, irrespective of how actually heavy the vehicle is at the time.

There are often local exemptions, such as 'access only' or for buses, and these may be arranged by negotiation directly between the local authorities and the operator (most usually bus companies) and these exemptions may not be signposted, but the local dibble will nevertheless be aware, such as in parts of Northampton. So, if the Fat Bastard Bus company breeze past the sign, don't assume it's ok for you to do so. Otherwise, you can only enter if it's also posted "Access Only" - tough tit if it doesn't say that and you're in a lardy vehicle. It's up the the firm to use a smaller vehicles(s). Without it you can't lawfully just plough onwards just because your delivery is in that zone as some have intimated.

Points and fine at the discretion of the court. If it's found that you were ordered or pressured to breach the regs then the firm, and most usually the 'Transport Manager' personally, will also cop a hefty smack in the wallet. TBH, apart from round the local industrial estate where the surrounding residential roads are weight-restricted to stop lazy Yorkie munchers taking a shortcut, it's been a while since I stuck anyone on for ignoring a weight restricted zone.