Permissible total mass
The gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the sum of the curb weight plus the maximum payload of a vehicle or a combination of vehicles. In the German StVO and StVZO the term permissible total weight (ZGG) is also used synonymously , while in Austria the term maximum permissible total weight (HzG) is used.
Vehicles are divided into a corresponding weight class depending on their gross vehicle weight, which in many countries is decisive for the required driving license (see e.g. driving license (EU law) ).
Situation in Germany
In Germany, the maximum permissible mass for vehicles is described in Section 34 of the StVZO . The information in brackets in the table below relates to vehicles with air suspension .
Vehicles with two or fewer axles: | |
Motor vehicle and trailer each | 18 t |
Vehicles with 3 axles: | |
Motor vehicle | 25 t (26 t) |
pendant | 24 t |
Omnibus as an articulated vehicle | 28 t |
Motor vehicle with 2 double axles: | 32 t |
Vehicle combinations (vehicle and trailer): | |
with 3 axes | 28 t |
with 4 axes (2 + 2) | 36 t |
with 4 axes (3 + 1) | 35 t (36 t) |
more than 4 axes | 40 t |
Tractor unit and semitrailer: | |
with 3 axes | 28 t |
with 4 axes (3 + 1) | 35 t (36 t) |
with 4 axes (2 + 2) | 36 t (38 t) |
with 5/6 axles (only in combined transport ) | 44 t |
Exceptions in heavy transport | |
Tractor units with 2 double axles | 35 t |
Trailer with 4 tires | 10 t per axle |
Semi-trailer (low or flat bed) with 4 tires | 12 t per axle |
Semi-trailer (low or flat bed) with 8 tires | 20 t per axle |
Furthermore, the zGM is decisive for driving license classes in driving license law .
In the current regulation texts of the StVO and StVZO, the two terms permissible total weight and permissible total mass are used synonymously.
toll
Since October 1, 2015, the truck toll has been in effect in Germany for trucks with a GVW of 7.5 t or more - previously the limit was 12.0 t. Since 2019, the permissible total mass has been used to calculate the infrastructure load, not the number of axles as before. In Austria, the maximum permissible mass for the truck toll is not taken into account.
See also
Web links
- § 34 StVZO (Germany): axle load and total weight