Weights for large goods vehicles

Articulated Vehicles

There are four basic groups into which HGVs fall:

up to 32,520kg,
over 32,520kg but no more than 38,000kg
over 38,000kg but no more than 44,000kg

These weights refer to the gross vehicle weight when in use. Within these groups there are 3 routes which can be applied with a minimum specification vehicle and trailer combination.

Up to 32,520kg is an all Island limit for vehicles where the trailer has at least 2 axles and the combination does not exceed 16.5m overall length. This applies unless the route has a prescribed maximum weight limit explicitly signed at a lower level.

Over 32,520kg but no more than 38,000kg can be used on specific routes designated to carry this weight, please see the maps below. The combination consists of at least five axles, two plus three, three plus two or three plus three.
Over 38,000kg but no more than 44,000kg can be used on the limited designated routes as shown on the second map below. The vehicle combination must consist of an artic drawing vehicle plated to 44,000kg and was first used on or after the 1st April 2002. Both the vehicle and trailer must be fitted with air suspension and an anti-lock braking system. (The trailer bogie weight must not exceed 24,000kg.) This combination of vehicle and trailer can be used on the other routes provided, when loaded, it does not exceed the weight for the specific route. i.e. If a six axle combination capable of 44,000kg is loaded between 32,530kg and up to 38,000kg it can be used on the 38,000kg routes, if a six axle combination or a five axle combination is only loaded up to a gross weight of 32,520kg it can be used all Island (where no other weight limit applies).

Rigid Vehicles

On the Island we wanted to increase weights in line with GB, however, it was decided that the current infrastructure would see our road network wearing at a greater rate so we were not in a position to increase axle or bogie weights. The current basic weights are 17,000kg for a two axle vehicle, 25,000kg for a three axle vehicles and 31,000kg for a four axle vehicle. The current single axle weight of 10,170kg and the bogie weight of 18,000kg remains unchanged.

When you summate all axle weights they can sometimes weigh more than the legal gross weight. Therefore we came up with the following formulas to allow some operators to take advantage of higher weights without increasing the axle weights:

To get 18,000kg MAM you need 8,000kg front and a plated 10,170kg rear.
To get 26,000kg MAM you need 8,000kg front and a plated 18,000kg bogie.
To get 32,000kg MAM you need 8,000kg steered axles and a plated 18,000kg bogie.

To obtain these higher weights the regulations require a weighing device to be fitted to indicate to the driver the rear axle or bogie weights have not been exceeded.

For further or more detailed advice please contact the Vehicle Test Centre on +44 1624 627431.