Tourists are warned they could face a hefty fine for making a common packing mistake, especially when it comes to packing their cars before their road trip.
Tourists are warned they could face fines of £300 for a simple mistake when loading their suitcase into their car.
Whether you’re planning a road trip to France, heading to the airport for a trip further afield or opting for a holiday in the UK, drivers are advised not to breach the DVSA baggage rule. It’s a familiar scene when embarking on a vacation: cars packed with suitcases, clothes, food, drinks and so much gear it feels like you’re going away for a month.
However, experts at Howden Insurance are warning drivers that they could receive a £300 fine and three points on their license for overloading their vehicle.
How much can I be fined for overloading my vehicle?
The DVSA’s guidance on roadside checks, specifically paragraph ‘3.3 Overweight offences’, states that drivers can face a fixed fine of £300 if their vehicle is deemed to be 15 per cent or more overloaded. An overload of between 0% and 10% can result in a £100 fine, while an overload of 10% to 15% can result in a £200 fine for drivers, the Express reports.
Calculate the payload weight of your vehicle
DVSA data shows that 34.9 per cent (53/152) of car weight checks carried out between April 2020 and December 2023 resulted in overcharged bans being issued. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your vehicle does not exceed its payload weight before setting off on your journey.
Payload weight refers to the maximum amount of additional weight you can add to your car before it is considered unsafe. This includes the weight of the driver, passengers and luggage that will be loaded into the vehicle. Gross vehicle weight (GVWR) curb weight = payload weight.
The GVWR refers to the maximum weight of the car and its contents, while the curb weight refers to the weight of the car if it was empty and had a full tank of fuel. The main figure we need to focus on is the payload weight. This should be available in your vehicle’s driver’s manual and indicates how much additional weight you can add to your vehicle.
The maximum payload weight will vary depending on the size of your car. For smaller cars, such as the Kia Picanto, Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Polo, the maximum payload weight can range between 385kg and 482kg. Assuming you’re carrying four adult passengers, each with a suitcase and a carry-on, it’s pretty easy to exceed a 400kg payload.
If you’re worried about exceeding your vehicle’s maximum payload, it makes sense to weigh your luggage and passengers before your trip. If you know the combined weight of everything you have in your car, you can be sure that you are not at risk of overloading.
Load Heaviest Items First
Start your packing process by placing your heaviest luggage at the bottom of the trunk. This lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity, making it easier to handle.
Store smaller carry-on luggage under the rear passenger footwells. This prevents the trunk from becoming overloaded above the top of the rear seat, which could obstruct the driver’s rear view. If you’re worried about your luggage shifting during travel, consider getting a non-slip trunk mat or bungee cords to secure it.
An unused rear seat can also be used to store a piece of luggage. Use the available seat belt to keep it safe and prevent it from moving during transit. If you travel with a lot of clothes, vacuum sealed bags may be a good idea. While this will not affect the overall weight of the luggage, it can reduce the size of the item by up to 75 percent, allowing it to fit more in the trunk without affecting the driver’s visibility.
Consider inflating your tires to a higher pressure
To accommodate the additional weight of more passengers and luggage, it is recommended to inflate your tires beyond their normal pressure. Your vehicle manual will indicate what PSI to inflate your tires to ensure your vehicle can still be driven safely with the additional weight.
Tire pressure information is sometimes also displayed on the inside of the fuel door. Be sure to inflate your tires to the recommended PSI before beginning your trip while they are cold to get a more accurate reading. Otherwise, underinflated tires can affect braking distance, steering, and fuel consumption.
A spokesperson for Howden Insurance said: “With almost three quarters of Brits planning to go on holiday to the UK this year, many will plan to drive to the airport at the start of their trip. It’s easy to carry too much luggage when planning a holiday. , especially if you have children. The rules about excess luggage in the car are often overlooked, but if you’re not careful, it could be the difference between a worry-free start to your holiday and fines of up to £300.”
