Motorhome police weighbridge

confusion21

Hi

Regarding a motorhome and traffic law, if the police stop you thinking you are overloaded can they force you to go to a weighbridge, what can they do if you say no? Apparently people say they need specially authorized officers, and not all police officers are.

Just love to know what they do if you say no to going to the weighbridge as they can not prove you are overloaded..

Herzlos

They'll be allowed to prevent you driving off if they feel the vehicle is unsafe.

Why would you refuse to go to a weighbridge? Worried about being overweight or the inconvenience?

Edit: this link says they need written authorization from a chief inspector, but also implies the written authorization is only for the DVSA staff and not the uniformed police officer:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/weighing-vehicles-for-enforcement-consolidated-code-of-practice/consolidated-code-of-practice-enforcement-weighing-of-vehicles

But I suspect that insisting on the evidence will result in waiting at the side of the road until a fresh form is printed out and brought over, and whilst you may technically be able to drive off, you'll get stopped shortly after anyway.

facade

They can direct you to a weighbridge. If you don't go you get a fine. (You are not supposed to stop off at home and unload on the way).  I would expect that even if they are not authorised that they would summon someone who was whilst they keep you at the roadside. weight is a VOSA (or whatever they are called at the moment- Highways?) thing, but surely if Police spot an obviously dangerously overloaded vehicle they have the authority to do something about it.

No doubt they can prosecute you for careless driving, not being in control or similar if the overweight is causing it to wander all over the road and that is why they stopped you.

RTA 1960 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/8-9/16/part/VII/crossheading/power-of-police-to-stop-vehicles-and-weighing-of-vehicles/enacted?view=plain

If it is just slightly overweight then it would have to be a spotcheck, and that is done by the correctly authorised personnel, they have portable weighing equipment for axle loading.

Car_54

facade said:

No doubt they can prosecute you for careless driving, not being in control or similar if the overweight is causing it to wander all over the road and that is why they stopped you.

Or, specifically, section 40A Road Traffic Act 1988:

"Using vehicle in dangerous condition etc.

A person is guilty of an offence if he uses, or causes or permits another to use, a motor vehicle or trailer on a road when ...

(d)the weight, position or distribution of its load, or the manner in which it is secured,

is such that the use of the motor vehicle or trailer involves a danger of injury to any person."

forgotmyname

Wonder if they can just impound the vehicle? Local beat bobby is unlikely to check your weights it will be a traffic car.

Been at enough weighbridges over the years and seen vans, caravans and motorhomes with big yellow stickers on them.
Overloaded then the journey is over until you can reduce the weight.

Had one VOSA guy spend 10 minutes trying and failing to prise the tread off the rear tyres, remould rear tyres on the trucks
and it left a groove around the outer edge. He must have thought they were delaminating or something.

Had another who thought I was taking the 'P' when he asked what weight I was carrying,  17ton lorry with just 7kg and 3 empty
pallets. Yep a 60 mile round trip for a single 7kg item.

DB1904

Herzlos said:

They'll be allowed to prevent you driving off if they feel the vehicle is unsafe.

Why would you refuse to go to a weighbridge? Worried about being overweight or the inconvenience?

Edit: this link says they need written authorization from a chief inspector, but also implies the written authorization is only for the DVSA staff and not the uniformed police officer:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/weighing-vehicles-for-enforcement-consolidated-code-of-practice/consolidated-code-of-practice-enforcement-weighing-of-vehicles

But I suspect that insisting on the evidence will result in waiting at the side of the road until a fresh form is printed out and brought over, and whilst you may technically be able to drive off, you'll get stopped shortly after anyway.

Police officers are authorised by the Chief Constable and should provide evidence that have that authorisation at the time.

DB1904

forgotmyname said:

Wonder if they can just impound the vehicle? Local beat bobby is unlikely to check your weights it will be a traffic car.

Been at enough weighbridges over the years and seen vans, caravans and motorhomes with big yellow stickers on them.
Overloaded then the journey is over until you can reduce the weight.

Had one VOSA guy spend 10 minutes trying and failing to prise the tread off the rear tyres, remould rear tyres on the trucks
and it left a groove around the outer edge. He must have thought they were delaminating or something.

Had another who thought I was taking the 'P' when he asked what weight I was carrying,  17ton lorry with just 7kg and 3 empty
pallets. Yep a 60 mile round trip for a single 7kg item.

How much did they compensate you per mile?

Jumblebumble

forgotmyname said:

Wonder if they can just impound the vehicle? Local beat bobby is unlikely to check your weights it will be a traffic car.

Been at enough weighbridges over the years and seen vans, caravans and motorhomes with big yellow stickers on them.
Overloaded then the journey is over until you can reduce the weight.

Had one VOSA guy spend 10 minutes trying and failing to prise the tread off the rear tyres, remould rear tyres on the trucks
and it left a groove around the outer edge. He must have thought they were delaminating or something.

Had another who thought I was taking the 'P' when he asked what weight I was carrying,  17ton lorry with just 7kg and 3 empty
pallets. Yep a 60 mile round trip for a single 7kg item.

Sounds absurd for VOSA to care
You could be perfectly well be delivering a second hand lorry or returning from a job empty

marlot

They can use portable weigh pads - I've seen them set up in motorway service areas.

Here are the code of practice: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/weighing-vehicles-for-enforcement-consolidated-code-of-practice/consolidated-code-of-practice-enforcement-weighing-of-vehicles

For a small overweight (up to 15%), there is a fine but no points.  But the vehicle would need to be unloaded to a legal weight before it could continue its journey.  

Penalties are in this document:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-graduated-fixed-penalties-financial-deposits/dvsa-roadside-checks-fines-and-financial-deposits

Grey_Critic

If a police Officer has reason to believe a vehicle is in an unroadworthy condition he has only to call it in and get someone qualified to come out and confirm it. We used to get regular calls from some young plod or other asking out advice on Construction & Use - we helped him save getting egg on his face.

forgotmyname

DB1904 said:

How much did they compensate you per mile?

Not my concern, I was working for a company so just went where they sent me. Had a fuel card so made sure to fillup
at the motorway services to get the free vouchers.  Averaged 90 to 120 litres every 2 days depending on the route/day.

14mpg though at todays prices the item would have been worth less than the cost to deliver it.

VOSA guy didn't really care he just thought I was winding him up when I said where I had been and where I was going,
he would not have known whether I was going to collect something which would overload the lorry on the way back.
Opening the back door to show one small item just got me on my was a lot quicker, no need to have the tank dipped or
wait for the weighbridge.

Same thing when they started using defect books, had my book in the cab and noted a bulb out, he says pop the indicator
or and sees the bulb now working so knows he is less likely to find unfixed faults. Got me on my way faster.