Fines for Overloading – What You Need to Know

European countries have their own individual rules regarding fines associated with road traffic: there is neither a uniform overview of all penalty catalogues, nor is there a Europe-wide catalogue for traffic offences.

Platforms such as the ADAC fine calculator offer information on fines in various countries, but these are limited to common traffic offences, and camper-specific offences such as overloading are usually not included.

Information on fines for overloading in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland):

The Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) provide for a fine as a sanction for overloading, depending on how much the permissible weight is exceeded, as well as penalty points in the drivers' penalty register.

In relation to overloading, the fine catalogue generally distinguishes between cars, lorries, and the extent of the overloading. For vehicles over 7.5 tonnes as well as lorries, the law further differentiates between the driver and the vehicle owner and can impose a fine and points on both where relevant.

In Germany, there is an allowance of 2% for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes and a 5% allowance for vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes – exceeding these values means you must expect fines. An overview of fines for overloading can be found in the fine catalogue, divided into:

• Cars with trailer or caravan
• Motorhomes
• Lorries

Example:

Drivers' penalty register

This register, officially called the driving fitness register, stores legally binding decisions regarding traffic offences. These are assigned points based on type and severity, in turn deleted after 2, 5 or 10 years depending on severity. If you receive 8 points in the register, your driving licence will be withdrawn – usually for at least half a year before you can apply for reinstatement.

Austria does not have a uniform fine catalogue, so inspectors set the amount of the fine for each offence within the framework of the law on site. The fines vary depending on the severity of the offence and the type of vehicle. There is no allowance for overloading (like Germany's 2% and 5%) in Austria. Inspectors may also prohibit you from continuing your journey.

Example: For motorhomes, a fine for overloading by more than 5% can be between roughly €170 and €210. If the overload exceeds 15%, prosecution and a case-by-case penalty may be imposed. For motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes, penalties are already applicable from 5% overloading. For particularly severe offences, the fine may be as high as €5,000. The driver or vehicle owner is also responsible for the cost of the weighing.

Information on the loading, overloading and potential fines can be found on the websites of the Austrian Automobile, Motorbike and Touring Club (ÖAMTC) or the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology.

The situation is similar in Switzerland: If your vehicle is more than 5% overloaded, the fine will be set individually, and fines are generally based on the weight class of the vehicle or the combination. Prosecution and a driving ban in Switzerland are also possible. Moreover, the excess weight must be unloaded before continuing your journey.

Example: In Switzerland, the fine starts from the very first excess kilo: Up to 100 kg of overload can cost around €85, while between 100 kg and 5% overload, fines range from approximately €170 to €220. From 5% overload, the penalty is determined on a case-by-case basis.

On the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) website, you will find detailed information on traffic regulations and fines in Switzerland, including those for overloading. The complete list of Swiss fines can be viewed at the following link: https://www.fedlex.admin.ch

You can find the permissible gross weight in the vehicle registration documents. To make sure you have not overloaded the transporter, you should calculate the total weight of the loaded vehicle before your journey. To do this, start with the unladen weight of the vehicle (without the driver and with a full tank). Subtract this from the permissible gross weight. The difference indicates the weight of the total payload, including the driver.

Note: The weight of all additional occupants must also be taken into account.

Usually, you can weigh your transporter at the place where it is loaded for commercial purposes. If you use the vehicle for private purposes, there are alternatives such as weighbridges at recycling centres. On average, this service costs between 5 and 10 euros.

Note: Although such facilities are normally located nearby, you may be stopped by police checks on the way there. Even if you are on your way to a public weighbridge, overloading still constitutes a breach of the Road Traffic Regulations.

A tip from the professionals: Thanks to innovative lightweight construction technology, a lightweight AL-KO VT chassis can save a considerable amount of weight, without compromising the stability of the transporter. This means you can increase your payload, deliver to more customers each day, and save time – boosting your profitability.

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