Transport of goods on motor vehicles and trailers

Motor vehicles and trailers must always respect the maximum total weight indicated in the registration document. This limit is essential to ensure vehicle safety, driving stability, and road protection.

If the weight exceeds the allowed limit, it is considered an overload. Penalties depend on how much the limit is exceeded: the greater the excess, the more severe the penalty. For lighter vehicles (up to 10 tons), penalties are based on percentage excess, while for heavier vehicles they are based on tonnage thresholds.

Certain eco-friendly vehicles, such as those powered by natural gas, LPG, electric, or hybrid systems, may have higher tolerance limits, provided they are equipped with electronic stability control.

If an overload exceeding 5% is detected, the vehicle cannot continue its journey until the load is reduced within legal limits. This means the driver must remove part of the load before proceeding.

Responsibility lies not only with the driver but also with the vehicle owner and the transport client. Compensation may also be required for any damage caused to the road.

Checks are carried out using weighing instruments, both static and dynamic, as well as transport documents.

The same rules apply to foreign-registered vehicles.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What is transport of goods on motor vehicles and trailers?

Transport of goods on motor vehicles and trailers is regulated by Art. 167 of the Italian Road Code, within the chapter "V. Rules of Conduct". You'll find the complete explanation above with all the essential details to pass the Italian driving theory exam.

In which chapter of the Italian Road Code is Art. 167?

Art. 167 of the Italian Road Code is in the chapter V. Rules of Conduct. You can read the original article on the official ACI portal at this link.

Is this topic important for the Italian driving licence exam?

Yes, all articles of the Italian Road Code may be subject to questions in the theory exam. To practice with real quiz questions on this topic, access our platform with 7,000+ official questions.