Maximum Authorised Weights for HGVs

This information is intended for use by HGV drivers as a guide. Over time it may become out of date but was correct as of May 2006.

For reference, 1 tonne is 1000 kilograms.

Maximum Authorised Weights for Rigid Vehicles

• 2 axles: 18 tonnes
• 3 axles: 26 tonnes
• 4 axles: 32 tonnes*

*Applies to a vehicle with either a driving axle (provided it is not a steering axle but is fitted with twin tyres and road friendly suspension) or each driving axle fitted with twin tyres and an axle weight of less than 9.5 tonnes.

Maximum Authorised Weights for Drawbar Vehicles

• Rigid motor vehicle towing a trailer with 3 axles: 22 tonnes
• Rigid motor vehicle towing a trailer with 3 axles: 26 tonnes*
• Rigid motor vehicle towing a trailer with 4 axles: 30 tonnes
• Rigid motor vehicle towing a trailer with 4 axles: 36 tonnes*
• Rigid motor vehicle towing a trailer with 5 or more axles: 34 tonnes
• Rigid motor vehicle towing a trailer with 5 or more axles: 40 tonnes*
• Rigid motor vehicle towing a trailer with 6 or more axles: 41 tonnes**
• Rigid motor vehicle towing a trailer with 6 or more axles: 44 tonnes***

* Where the distance between the rear axle on the rigid truck and the front axle on the trailer is no less than 3 metres.

** Where the distance between the rear axle on the rigid truck and the front axle on the trailer is no less than 3 metres, the axle weight of the driving axles do not exceed 10.5 tonnes, the trailer axles have road friendly suspension, the driving axles over 8.5 tonnes have twin tyres and road friendly suspension and each vehicle comprised in the combination has a minimum of 3 axles.

*** Where the distance between the rear axle on the rigid truck and the front axle on the trailer is no less than 3 metres, the axle weight of the driving axles do not exceed 10.5 tonnes, the trailer axles have road friendly suspension, the driving axles over 8.5 tonnes have twin tyres and road friendly suspension, each vehicle comprised in the combination has a minimum of 3 axles and applies only to vehicles powered by low pollution engines (i.e. those that comply with emission regulations).

Maximum Authorised Weights for Articulated Vehicles

• Articulated motor vehicle towing a trailer with 3 axles: 26 tonnes
• Articulated motor vehicle towing a trailer with 4 axles: 36 tonnes
• Articulated motor vehicle towing a trailer with 4 axles: 38 tonnes*
• Articulated motor vehicle towing a trailer with 5 or more axles: 40 tonnes
• Articulated motor vehicle towing a trailer with 6 or more axles: 41 tonnes**

* Applies where the combination is a 2 axle tractor unit with a 2 axle trailer, the weight of the tractor unit is less than 18 tonnes, the sum of the axle weights of the semi-trailer does not exceed 20 tonnes and the driving axle is fitted with twin tyres and road friendly suspension.

** Where the axle weight of the driving axles do not exceed 10.5 tonnes, the trailer axles have road friendly suspension, the driving axles over 8.5 tonnes have twin tyres and road friendly suspension and each vehicle comprised in the combination has a minimum of 3 axles.