How many tons can be transported in Ukraine

Oversized transportation is a popular service. Transportation of large loads is in demand in the repair and construction, agricultural, engineering industries and other industries. Oversized cargo is mainly agricultural machinery, industrial equipment, rolled metal and plastic pipes of large length and diameter, mining installations, reinforced concrete products. The rules of cargo transportation limit the weight of the cargo and the vehicle that moves along the roads of Ukraine and Europe.

It is customary to call oversized cargo goods that exceed the standard parameters in size, volume, weight. For example, we are talking about an oversized item if its width exceeds 2.55 meters, and the height of the vehicle, together with the load, is more than 4 meters. When regulating oversized cargo transportation, the legislation of Ukraine implies a number of restrictions that necessitate carefully developing the route of a truck. When developing a route, the capacity of the route, the presence of possible obstacles in the form of railway rails, bridges, power lines crossing the road are taken into account. Failure to comply with the norms indicated by law leads to the imposition of penalties.

Vehicle selection

One of the important preparatory stages is the selection of a vehicle. When choosing a truck, take into account such parameters as the length, width, height of the object being transported, the maximum weight of the truck after loading. For example, if the load has a large height, you will need a load platform with an underestimated frame. An important characteristic of the vehicle is its carrying capacity, which must be adequate when transporting goods of a certain weight. The maximum load capacity of a truck is about 15-22 tons. This indicator depends on the type of semi-trailer and the number of wheel axles. The most common type of truck is the eurotruck (tarpaulin semi-trailer). The main characteristics of the euro truck:

• The number of rear axles is 2 or 3.
• Length – about 13.5 meters.
• Width – about 2.5 meters.
• Height – about 2.6 meters.

The permissible weight of a truck in Ukraine depends on the number of axles. In a truck tractor, the rear axle consists of two combined axles. The permitted maximum mass of a truck in Ukraine, if we are talking about a road train of a 2-axle truck tractor and a three-axle eurotruck semi-trailer, is 40 tons. When preparing for the transportation of goods, the weight of the tractor and semi-trailer must be taken into account, which together is about 14 tons. A simple calculation will help determine the maximum allowable weight of transported goods – 26 tons.

According to the new rules in 2022, for a 2-axle truck tractor and a semi-trailer with two axles, the maximum weight is 36 tons. For a 3-axle tractor with a 2-axle or 3-axle semi-trailer, the value is 40 tons. 42 tons can be transported on a 2-axle container tractor with a 3-axle semi-trailer. The answer to the question, how many tons can be transported by truck, if we are talking about a container ship – 44.

Maximum allowable vehicle weight

As part of the fight against unscrupulous carriers that release trucks in excess of the maximum weight and size standards, new standards are being introduced in Ukraine. The benchmark in this matter is Europe. How many tons can be transported in Ukraine depends on the number of axles. The permitted weight of a truck with two axles is 18 tons. For a truck with three axles, this figure is 25 tons, with four axles – 32 tons. For a 4-axle truck with 2 steering axles, driving axles and twin wheels, the figure is 38 tons. It turns out that the maximum allowable axle load in Ukraine is about 8-9 tons. The truck size control reform began in 2021. Even then, the law increased liability for the permissible overload of a truck, as well as for other offenses:

• Refusal to comply with the requirements of the Ukrtrans Security inspector.
• Refusal to undergo the control weighing procedure.
• Lack of necessary accompanying documents indicating the weight of the vehicle and cargo.

Responsibility for offenses on a parity basis is assigned to all market participants in the field of transport logistics. The possibility of switching to European standards is due to the technical characteristics of newly built roads in Ukraine, in particular, the availability of automatic weighing sites.

Responsibility for exceeding the permissible mass of the vehicle

Since October 2021, a program for fixing offenses has been in place, which works automatically. An important tool of the program is the WIM (Weigh-in-Motion) system, which is designed for dynamic weighing of trucks in order to detect overloading. The system helps to collect data on the weight and axle loads of vehicles. A secondary function of the system is the rational planning of repair activities on the roads, taking into account the data on the total weight load as a result of the movement of vehicles.

The WIM site uses sensors built into the road surface to record the mass of the truck. License plate recognition cameras identify the vehicle. The data is sent to the information center. After checking by the inspector, a resolution with an electronic signature is formed. The resolution in printed form is sent to the address of the violator. The sites of the system completely cover the road transport network of Ukraine, so it is impossible to bypass them. Today, there are more than 100 WIM sites in the country. The amount of fines for exceeding the norms of dimensions and weight:

• Up to 10% – UAH 8.5 thousand.
• More by 10-20% – 17 thousand UAH.
• More by 20-30% – 34 thousand UAH.
• More by 31% and more – 51 thousand UAH.

The driver of the tractor will have to pay a fine of UAH 51,000 for such offenses as evading the weighing procedure, exceeding the speed limit, and failing to comply with the requirements prescribed by road signs.