Teorio
Gross weight limit
The prohibition applies to vehicles where the actual gross weight is higher than indicated. For vehicle combinations, the prohibition applies to each individual vehicle. 318.2 318.2 for vehicle combinations The prohibition applies to vehicle combinations where the combined actual gross weight is higher than indicated. The prohibition also applies to individual vehicles where the actual gross weight is higher than indicated.
When you see the sign
Check the current total weight of the car and trailer combined before passing the sign. If the combined weight is higher than the number on the sign, you must stop before the sign and choose another route.
Rules
- The restriction applies to vehicle combinations, meaning a motor vehicle with one or more trailers.
- The current total weight of the car and trailer must be added together.
- Current total weight is what the vehicles actually weigh at that time, including people, cargo and equipment.
- The vehicle combination may pass if the combined current total weight is equal to or lower than the limit shown on the sign.
- If the combined current total weight is higher than the stated limit, it is prohibited to drive past the sign.
Tips
- Calculate the weight of all passengers, luggage and other cargo before driving with a trailer.
- Use a vehicle weighbridge if you are unsure of the vehicle combination's actual weight.
- Plan an alternative route when a bridge or narrow road has a total weight limit that you may exceed.
- Remember that carrying less cargo may make it legal to pass, but you must still comply with the vehicles' permitted weights and driving licence rules.
Common misconceptions
- Many people only consider the car's weight and forget that the trailer's current total weight must also be included.
- Some use the permitted total weight from the vehicle registration certificate without distinguishing it from the current total weight, which is the actual weight while driving.
- The sign is confused with sign 318.1, where the car and trailer are not counted together in the same way.
Test yourself
Easy
What does this sign mean?
- AIt prohibits all vehicles with a permitted gross weight higher than that indicated.
- BIt prohibits trucks and tractor units regardless of their weight.
- CIt prohibits vehicle combinations with a higher combined actual gross weight than that indicated.
- DIt prohibits motor vehicles on their own with an actual gross weight higher than that indicated.
Medium
The sign shows 30 tonnes. The vehicle currently weighs 18 tonnes, and the trailer currently weighs 14 tonnes. What should you do?
- AI must stop and choose another permitted route.
- BI may pass because the vehicle alone weighs less than the limit.
- CI may pass because the trailer alone weighs less than the limit.
- DI may pass if I drive at a lower speed than normal.
Hard
The sign shows 30 tonnes. The vehicle's actual gross weight is 18 tonnes, and the trailer's actual gross weight is 12 tonnes. The permitted gross weights in the registration documents total 38 tonnes. What applies?
- AThe vehicle combination may pass because its actual weight equals the limit.
- BThe vehicle combination may not pass because its permitted gross weight exceeds the limit.
- CThe vehicle combination may pass because only the vehicle's actual weight is counted.
- DThe vehicle combination may not pass because the trailer's weight must always be doubled.
Theory test tip
In the theory test, you may be given the current weight of the car and trailer separately. Add them together and compare the total with the sign; a total exactly equal to the limit is permitted.
Did you know
Sign 318.2 is used, among other places, where bridges or roads cannot support heavy vehicle combinations. The restriction may therefore be intended to protect the structure or road surface, even if the vehicles are otherwise legally loaded.
Frequently asked questions
Should the permitted total weight in the vehicle registration certificate be used in the calculation?
No, the sign applies to the combined current total weight, meaning what the car and trailer actually weigh at that time. However, the permitted weights stated in the vehicle registration certificates must still not be exceeded.
Can I pass if the vehicle combination weighs exactly the same as the number on the sign?
Yes. The restriction applies when the combined current total weight is higher than the stated limit.
Does the sign also apply to a passenger car with a trailer?
Yes. A passenger car with a trailer is a vehicle combination, and the current total weights of the car and trailer must be added together.
What is the difference between sign 318.2 and 318.1?
With sign 318.2, the car and trailer are considered one combined weight unit. This is the key difference from sign 318.1, where the car and trailer are assessed separately.
Practise for the theory test
Teorio has the complete theory syllabus in your own language. Download the app and practise whenever it suits you.
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