Vehicle Mass and Overloading
The vehicle mass and overloading laws is designed to create a reasonable balance between the efficient operation of the heavy motor vehicle, within the constraints imposed by the road network, while ensuring that heavy motor vehicles are operated safely. It does this by creating limits to the permitted dimensions and mass of vehicles, with particular emphasis on large combination vehicles.
What if my vehicle does not meet the mass or dimension limits?
If your vehicle exceeds any of the mass or dimension limits, then you will not be allowed to operate it on Fiji roads, unless it is eligible to be one of the following:
Over dimension vehicles or loads
If you want to carry an indivisible load that exceeds any of the dimension limits (i.e. an over dimension load) on a legally dimensioned vehicle, or to operate a special over dimension vehicle, read Vehicle dimension and Loads Vehicle Registration and Construction Regulation 79 and 80 or contact the Over dimension Permit Issuing technical (VEO) in all region.
Overweight vehicles or loads
If the vehicle or load exceeds the maximum weights described in the Registration sticker ( wheel tax ) , and you believe you’re eligible for an overweight permit or specialist vehicle permit, contact technical section (VEO) .
What are the general mass (weight) limits on Fiji roads?
The words ‘mass’ and ‘weight’ are sometimes used interchangeably though they mean the same thing. For example, a vehicle’s tare (in kilograms) is its unladen mass, but you would measure it by using a weighbridge.
There are two different types of mass limit that apply to your vehicle and its load.
First, there is the limitation imposed by the vehicle’s design and construction. You must not exceed the vehicle ratings specified by the vehicle manufacturer for the chassis, axles, tyres and other components of the vehicle. For example, you are not allowed to load your vehicle above the specified maximum gross vehicle mass (GVM), gross combination mass (GCM), brake code mass ;(BCM) or tow a load greater than the drawbar is rated for.
Second, limits to axle mass are imposed to protect the road infrastructure. This is because certain sections of roads in Fiji are not built to the same strength specifications as in other countries.
To find the operating gross mass (weight) of your vehicle add the tare mass of the unladen vehicle to the mass of the load the vehicle is carrying. You must take into account any mass transferred to the rigid vehicle by an attached trailer. You can also measure this mass by using a weighbridge. This total mass must not exceed any of the vehicle’s design limits or the road limits.
Axles can have different types of tyres fitted to them, and the allowed mass changes depending on which type you are using.
Definition of one axle
a) if the distance between the centres of the extreme axles of any 3 axles is not greater than 5.0m the axles must be considered a tri-axle;
b) if the distance between the centre of the extreme axles of any 2 axles that are not part of a tri-axle that are not steerable axles is—
i. not greater than 3.5m - the axles must be considered a tandem axle; and
ii. not greater than 1.0m - the axles must be considered a single axle.
c) if the distance between the centre of the extreme axles of any 2 steerable axles is not greater than 2.5m - the axles must be considered a twin steer axle.
Axles
Single axle set means either one axle with single tyre or with dual tyre
Tandem axle set means there are two axles and
- all axles contain an equal number of tyres.
Tri-axle set means there are three axles and:
- all axles contain an equal number of tyres.
Twin-steer axle set means an axle set of two axles with single tyres, where both axles are connected to the same mechanism in order to steer similarly.
Quad-axle set means a set of four axles where:
- all axles contain an equal number of tyres, and
- none of the tyres is a single standard tyre.
Oscillating axle
A pair of short axles in the same line across the vehicle, each axle being:
- mounted with two wheels on it (with each wheel at least 500mm apart across the vehicle), and
- able to oscillate, that is, one wheel can rise while the other falls.
Outside turning circle
A vehicle, including a combination truck and towed vehicle or vehicles, must be able to complete a 360 degree turn, both to the left and to the right, within a 25 metre diameter circle (kerb to kerb). The only projections which can be outside this circle are collapsible mirrors. No part of a vehicle in a combination, other than its tow coupling, may come into contact with another vehicle in the combination when performing this turn.
Ways of preventing a vehicle becoming overloaded:
- Know the weights of your vehicle and load. If possible, weigh the vehicle to establish individual axle weights.
- Re-Distribute your load appropriately after any drop-offs to avoid overloading axles.
- Check the Gross Vehicle Weight before setting out, either using your own weighbridge, or one nearby. You are allowed to drive to the nearest available weighbridge to check your load and then go to a place where they can take off some of the load if the vehicle is overloaded.
- Do not automatically trust declared weights, invoices or delivery notes given to you by customers. Remember that you hold the responsibility for not overloading, not the customer.
- Remember that the GVW and GTW include the weight of the vehicle, load, trailer (for GTW) driver and any passengers. Also allow for the weights of any pallets or packing cases.
- Make sure that your lift / tag axle is used correctly. Not using this axle when the vehicle is loaded means that axles or gross weights could exceed their allowed limits.
The effects of overloading a vehicle:
- It makes the vehicle less stable, difficult to steer and take longer to stop. Vehicles react differently when the maximum weights which they are designed to carry are exceeded. The consequences can be fatal.
- Massive strain is put on vehicle tyres. Overloading can cause the tyres to overheat and wear rapidly which increases the chance of premature, dangerous and expensive failure (such as blow outs).
- Insurance cover is void. Overloading a vehicle is illegal and therefore insurance cover can be voided if the vehicle is involved in a crash. u It causes excessive wear and damage to roads, bridges and pavements at the expense of the tax payer.
- It is unfair on other operators. Exceeding weight limits is unfair competition as more load is moved per journey.
- Fuel consumption increases when carrying extra load, which will increase your costs.
Interpretation
'Aggregate Axle Load' means the aggregate of all of the axle loads of a vehicle;
'Articulated Vehicle' means a motor vehicle with a trailer, the trailer being called a semi-trailer, having no front axle and attached to the motor vehicle so that part of the trailer or its load is superimposed upon the motor vehicle over or ahead of its rear axle and a substantial part of the mass of the trailer or its load is borne by the motor vehicle;
'Axle' means any part of the vehicle through which weight is transmitted directly through a bearing to a road wheel and its tyre or 2 or more road wheels and their tyres where the centres of the wheels lie in the same transverse plane;
'Centre of rear axle' means in the case of a single rear axle the centre line of that axle, in the case of a tandem axle the line which is midway between the centre line of each axle comprising the tandem and in the case of a tri-axle the centre of the middle axle;
'Combination Vehicle' means a motor vehicle with a trailer the laden mass of which exceeds 3 tonnes;
'Gross Combination Mass' '(GCM)' means the maximum permissible aggregate mass of a combination vehicle or an articulated vehicle determined according to these Regulations;
'Gross Vehicle Mass' '(GVM)' means the maximum permissible aggregate mass of the vehicle determined according to these Regulations;
'Load Sharing System' means a system designed to share the load between the axles comprising a tandem, a twin steer axle or a tri-axle;
'Unladen Mass' '(UM)' means the mass of a vehicle without any load but with a full tank of fuel, teh design content of lubricants and other fluids and with spare wheel, tools and other equipment necessary for the operation of the vehicle
Vehicle Dimensions and Loads
Vehicle dimensions and measuring of wheel base
79.-(1) Except as authorised by an exemption or permit, no person may drive or use or cause or permit to be driven or used on a public street a vehicle that does not comply with the following requirements -
a) the height of the vehicle together with its load, if any, must not exceed 4.3m;
b) the length of a rigid vehicle together with its load, if any, must not exceed 11m;
c) the distance between the foremost point of a rigid vehicle and the centre of the rear axle must not exceed 8.3m;
d) the length of an articulated vehicle or a combination vehicle together with its load, if any, must not exceed 13.3m, except that the Authority may register an articulated or combination vehicle of not more than 17m if it is satisfied that -
i. there is a demonstrated special need for the vehicle; or
ii. there is a demonstrated need for the vehicle on a regular basis; and
iii. the vehicle will generally operate on public streets, including bridges, so constructed that the vehicle will be able to manoeuvre with safety to itself and other road users and is not likely to inflict damage on any road or bridge;
e) no point on a semi-trailer may project more than 1.9m in any direction forward of the axis of the pivot pin;
f) the front overhang of a vehicle must not exceed 40% of the wheel base or 2.135m whichever is the lesser.
g) the rear overhang of a rigid vehicle the overall length of which is less than 9.5m must not exceed 60% of the wheel base or 3.2m whichever is the lesser;
h) the rear overhang of a vehicle the length of which is 9.5m or more must not exceed 60% of the wheel base or 3.7m whichever is the lesser;
i) the length of the loading space to the rear of the rear axle of a vehicle the unladen mass of which does not exceed 3.5 tonnes must not exceed half of the distance between the rear and the front axles of the vehicle or the length of the loading space forward of the rear axle whichever is the greater;
j) the length of the loading space to the rear of the rear axle of a vehicle the unladen mass of which exceeds 3.5 tonnes must not be more than the loading space forward of the rear axle;
(k) subject to paragraph (1) the width of a vehicle together with all fixtures other than signaling devices, lamps or mirrors required to be fitted under these Regulations and any load carried on the vehicle must not exceed 2.5m;
I) the width of a vehicle together with its load must not exceed 3m; and
m) in the case of a combination vehicle -
i. the length from the pivot point of the trailer to the rear of the trailer must not exceed ll m;
ii. the distance from the rear of the towing vehicle to the front of the trailer must not exceed 4m;
iii. where the trailer has only one axle, the length from the pivot point of the trailer to the centre of the trailer axle must not exceed 8.5m and the rear overhang must not exceed 3.7m; and
iv. if the trailer has more than one axle, the length from the front of the trailer, excluding the draw bar, must not exceed 8.5m and the rear overhang must not exceed 3.2m.
(2) A wheel base is measured horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle between the front and the rear wheel centrelines at unladen mass
Maximum loads
80.-(1)The maximum load in respect of any wheel on a vehicle—
a) fitted with a normal tyre - is 2.7 tonnes; or
b) fitted with a large tyre - is 3.5 tonnes; or
c) is the rated capacity of the tyre, whichever is the least.
(2) The maximum axle load in respect of any axle of a vehicle—
a) fitted with two wheels with normal tyres - is 5.4 tonnes;
b) fitted with two wheels with large tyres is - 7 tonnes; and
c) in any other case - is 10 tonnes.
(3) The maximum aggregate axle load in respect of a tandem not being a twin steer axle—
a) fitted with not less than 8 wheels - is 16 tonnes;
b) fitted with 6 wheels with normal tyres - is 13.4 tonnes;
c) fitted with 6 wheels with at least two large tyres - is 14 tonnes;
d) fitted with 4 wheels with normal tyres - is 10.8 tonnes;
e) fitted with 4 wheels with large tyres - is 14 tonnes.
(4) The maximum aggregate axle load in respect of a tri-axle is 20 tonnes.
(5) The maximum aggregate axle load in respect of twin steer axles is 10.4 tonnes if the twin steer axles are fitted with a load sharing system and 8 tonnes in any other case.
(6) The maximum axle or aggregate axle load of any axle, tandem or tri-axle must not exceed the aggregate of the rated tyre capacities or the vehicle manufacturer's rated capacity.
(7) For the purpose of this regulation, a large tyre must have—
a) a width of not less than 330mm and an overall tyre diameter of not less than
1080mm; or
b) a width of not less than 355mm and an overall tyre diameter of not less than
1049mm, and a tyre not conforming to the dimensions is deemed to be normal tyre.
(8) In the case of a vehicle equipped with two single axles, the proportion of weight on one axle must not be less than 20% of the aggregate of the axle weights
(9) The maximum permissible aggregate mass, expressed as the GVM or GCM of the vehicle, in respect of all the axles of a motor vehicle, a trailer, articulated vehicle or combination vehicle is -
a) the maximum aggregate of the axle loads in respect of all the axles of the vehicle determined under sub-regulations (1) to (6);
b) in the case of a vehicle equipped with a tandem or a tri-axle which does not incorporate a load sharing system 30 tonnes or in the case of a vehicle equipped with a tandem or tri-axle which incorporates a load sharing system - 32 tonnes;
c) in the case of a combination vehicle - 32 tonnes; or
d) the manufacturer's gross vehicle mass or gross combination mass as the case may be, whichever is the least.
(10) In the case of any motor vehicle, trailer or combination vehicle with an unladen mass greater than 3.5 tonnes, the maximum axle loads determined under this regulation must be shown on the registration certificate of the vehicle, including the minimum tyre specification relating to such loads.