Fine of up to Dh15,000 for violating the maximum weight and dimensions for heavy trucks

The United Arab Emirates has announced the maximum weight and dimensions of heavy vehicles on federal roads. Violators of the specifications will be fined up to Dh15,000, as the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure revealed the administrative penalties.

According Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the new law was passed to improve road safety and reduce traffic accidents. He said it supports the infrastructure and transport sectors, increases the life of roads and reduces the carbon footprint of land transport.

The maximum weight allowed for heavy vehicles will vary depending on the number of axles. Two-axle heavy vehicles can only weigh up to 21 tons, while three-axle vehicles can weigh up to 34 tons. Four-axle vehicles can weigh up to 45 tons, five-axle vehicles 56 tons, and six-axle vehicles 65 tons.

Other requirements

The resolution has stipulated that a single heavy vehicle can only measure up to 12.5 m long, 2.6 m wide and 4.6 m high. The head of the truck and the semi-trailer must have a total length of 21 m, a width of 2.6 m and a height of 4.6 m. The head of the truck, trailer and semi-trailer can have a length of up to 28 m, a width of 2.6 m and a height of 4.6 m, and the heavy vehicle carrying small vehicles only needs to measure a total length of 23 m. a width of 2.6 and a height of 4.75 m.

The federal decree establishes that:

• The fine for a heavy vehicle that exceeds the maximum gross weight by less than 10% of the weight during a single trip is Dh400 for each ton or part thereof.
• However, if a heavy vehicle exceeds the maximum gross weight by 10% to 20% of the weight during a single trip, the fine is set at Dh500 for each ton or part thereof.
• If a heavy vehicle exceeds the maximum gross weight by more than 20% of the weight during a single trip, the fine is set at Dh600 for each ton or part thereof, with a maximum limit of Dh15,000.
• In the event that the weight per axle exceeds the specified maximum limits, the fine is set at Dh1,500 for each individual axle or group of tandem axles in a single trip.
• Exceeding any of the specified maximum dimensions carries a fine of Dh3,000 on a single trip.

The resolution also establishes that an intentional evasion of weighing stations or control points carries a fine of 5,000 dirhams and the fine for non-compliance with controls on permits for the transportation of loads that are not easily divisible is 5,000 dirhams in a single trip. The fine for submitting incorrect information in the application for a transport permit for loads that are not easily divisible is also Dh5,000, and the fine for failure to comply with the instructions of the authorized person is Dh2,500.

The resolution clarifies that neither Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure nor may the competent authority impose more than one fine for the same violation if it is committed during a single trip, even if said violation is detected more than once.

In case of repeated violation of any of the specified rules within a period of one month, or when the value of unpaid fines for the violations committed exceeds 45,000 dirhams, the competent authority may confiscate the heavy vehicle or prevent it from traveling on the roads. . for a period not exceeding 30 days. The competent authority may annul the seizure penalty against the owner of the heavy vehicle in exchange for the payment of a fine not exceeding 200 dirhams for each day of seizure imposed, subject to the payment of unpaid fines for the violations committed.

The resolution emphasized the importance of heavy vehicle operators installing devices approved by the granting authority to detect the weight, load and dimensions of the vehicle and connecting these devices to the systems of the competent authority.

The provisions of the resolution apply to heavy vehicles that use UAE roads, including those that are licensed from other countries and are allowed to enter the UAE. However, vehicles owned by security, military, police and civil defense authorities are exempt from the resolution.

News Source: Khaleej Times