Millions of van drivers are overloading their vehicles, risking fines or even a custodial sentence, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has warned.
Its survey of 1,000 van drivers in the UK saw almost half (48%) admit that they overloaded their vans last year. Yet 89% said they knew the legal weight restriction for their light commercial vehicle.
Drivers aged 18-24 are most likely to overload their vehicle, with 66% admitting to it, followed by over 65-year-olds, where 63% said they were guilty of the practice.
Among tradespeople, carpenters are the most likely to overload their vans (63%); closely followed by builders (60%), electricians (55%) and painter decorators (55%).
Overloading your vehicle by as much as 30% of its gross vehicle weight could lead to a fine of up to £300, meaning the nation’s van drivers are risking a combined £703m in penalties. But if a van is above 30% overloaded, offenders could even face a court summons and a custodial sentence in the most serious cases.
In the UK, the maximum gross vehicle weight for an LCV is 3,500kg, rising to 4,250kg for an alternatively fuelled vehicle, such as VW’s all-electric ID. Buzz.
| Percentage overweight (of gross vehicle weight) |
Penalty charge |
| 5 – 9.99% | £100 fine |
| 10 – 14.99% | £200 fine |
| 15 – 29.99% | £300 fine |
| Over 30% | Court summons |
Volkswagen said it was essential that drivers know and adhere to the DVSA’s regulations, purchasing the right-sized van in order to minimise the risk of overloading vehicles. Its ‘Working With You’ promise supports customers throughout the entire vehicle purchasing process, including the selection of the correct van for business requirements.
A DVSA spokesperson said: “DVSA’s priority is to protect everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure their vehicle is safe to drive. They should make sure they know the maximum permitted gross vehicle weight and limits on each axle of their vehicle.
“We take enforcement action against drivers and operators who risk people’s lives by overloading or not securely loading their vehicles. Our accessible online guidance provides everyone with the information they need to load their vehicle safely and avoid risking the lives of other road users.”
