There has been a significant increase in the number of drivers being fined for overloading their vehicles, according to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Convictions for overloading light goods vehicles rose from 187 in the 2023/24 financial year to 208 in 2024/25 – an increase of around 11%. These offences resulted in £391,964.90 in fines, according to GoCompare van insurance.
Exceeding a vehicle’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) can lead to both fines and court summons.
Related offences around construction and use regulations, including driving with insecure or uneven loads, accounted for a further £50,924 in penalties.
Combined convictions for overloaded and improperly loaded vans hit 270 in 2024/25, with total fines amounting to £450,000.
Motoring expert at GoCompare, Steve Ramsey, said: “Avoiding an overloading fine really comes down to awareness and routine. Know your van’s weight limit, factor in everything you’re carrying, not just the cargo, and get into the habit of checking daily. It’s easy to assume you’re under the limit, but it doesn’t take much to cross the line. A couple of extra toolboxes, some building materials, or even a second passenger can tip the balance.”
This rising trend in fines reflects the serious approach authorities are taking to enforcement. A hearing at Bristol Magistrates Court in May saw fleet company, Starling Distribution Services, ordered to pay a whopping £759,000 in fines after repeated overloading offences.
Ramsey finished: “Offences like overloading or construction and use breaches can lead to higher premiums, limited options, or even policy cancellation. That’s a steep price for something that’s easily preventable.”
