Weights, Dimensions, and Transport of Persons
General Loading Principles
Properly loading a vehicle is crucial for safety. The fundamental rule is to never exceed the vehicle's Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) or the number of authorized seats. Driving with an overloaded vehicle is dangerous and strictly prohibited.
Procedure for Loading and Unloading
The process of loading and unloading goods must be conducted with care and respect for traffic rules and public order:
- Location: Always perform loading and unloading off the road whenever possible. It is forbidden to deposit goods on the carriageway, hard shoulder, or pavement.
- Manner: The process should be carried out as quickly as possible, avoiding unnecessary noise and disturbances. You must always respect local stopping and parking regulations, including any time restrictions set by municipal authorities in urban areas.
- Safety: Operations should be conducted from the side of the vehicle closest to the edge of the carriageway.
Securing the Load
How a load is placed and secured affects the vehicle's handling and safety:
- Placement: Loads should preferably be placed in the boot to maintain a low center of gravity. When using a roof rack, ensure the load does not compromise the vehicle's stability.
- Security: The load must be arranged so it does not obscure the vehicle's lights, registration plates, or the driver's manual signals. It is illegal to drive with the boot or doors open to accommodate a larger load.
- Special Materials: Any materials that could produce dust or be spilled must be transported completely and effectively covered.
Load Protrusion Rules
Loads may sometimes extend beyond the vehicle's bodywork, but this is subject to strict rules that vary by vehicle type.
Passenger Cars
In a standard passenger car, a load may only protrude from the rear. It is never permitted to extend from the front or beyond the lateral edges of the vehicle (e.g., through side windows).
- Divisible Load: May protrude up to 10% of the vehicle's length.
- Indivisible Load: May protrude up to 15% of the vehicle's length.
Goods Vehicles
- Vehicles under 5 metres long: An indivisible load may protrude by one-third of the vehicle's length from the front.
- Vehicles over 5 metres long: An indivisible load may protrude up to 2 metres from the front and 3 metres from the rear.
Vehicles Under 1 Metre Wide (e.g., Motorcycles)
- Rear Protrusion: The load may protrude a maximum of 0.25 metres from the rearmost point.
- Front Protrusion: The load may never protrude from the front.
- Lateral Protrusion: The load may not protrude more than 0.50 metres on each side of the vehicle's longitudinal axis.
Signalling Protruding Loads
A protruding load must be clearly marked to warn other road users.
- V-20 Panel: A square panel (50x50 cm) with diagonal red and white stripes is required for all rear-protruding loads. It must be placed at the rearmost end of the load. If the load covers the entire width of the vehicle, two panels must be used, forming an inverted 'V' shape. This panel is required day and night. Note: This signal is not required for loads on vehicles under 1 metre wide.
- Night and Low Visibility Conditions: In addition to the V-20 panel, a rear-protruding load must be marked with a red light at the rear. If the load also protrudes from the front, it must have a white light at the front.
- Wide Loads at Night: Loads that protrude laterally must be marked at night with white lights/reflectors at the front and red lights/reflectors at the rear.
Transport of Persons
General Rules
A vehicle cannot transport more people than the number of authorized seats it has. Before opening any door, you must ensure it will not create a danger or obstruction for other road users, particularly cyclists.
Children in Vehicles
The rules for transporting children are based on their height:
- Under 1.35 metres: Minors under this height must use an approved child restraint system appropriate for their weight and size. They must be seated in the rear seats.
- Over 1.35 metres: Children taller than 1.35 metres may use the vehicle's standard adult seat belts and are permitted to occupy a front seat.
- Rear-Facing Child Seats: If you must place a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat, it is absolutely mandatory to deactivate the front passenger airbag first.
Passengers on Motorcycles, Mopeds, and Bicycles
- Motorcycles: Passengers must be at least 12 years old. An exception allows children from age 7 to ride as a passenger if the driver is their parent, legal guardian, or a person authorized by them. The passenger must always sit behind the driver, never between the driver and the handlebars. The driver is responsible for ensuring the passenger wears a helmet. Carrying a passenger increases the vehicle's weight and therefore its braking distance.
- Bicycles: An adult cyclist may carry one child up to seven years old in a type-approved additional seat.
Transporting Animals
Animals transported in a vehicle must be properly secured to ensure they do not interfere with the driver or compromise safety.
Other Vehicle and Driving Considerations
Towing with Motorcycles
Motorcycles and similar vehicles (including three-wheeled vehicles) may only tow a trailer or semi-trailer under specific conditions:
- Towing is only permitted during daylight hours and in good visibility conditions.
- The mass of the trailer must not exceed 50% of the towing vehicle's unladen mass.