What is the difference between unladen weight and gross weight

The different vehicle categories on your driving licence tell you what type of vehicle you are permitted to drive and can be dependent on your age. These categories are set by the weight of the vehicle. The unladen weight of any vehicle is the vehicle's own weight when not carrying any goods or burden.

This is:. The term maximum authorised mass MAM , used in the context of driving licences, is the maximum weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load that can be carried safely while used on the road. This is also known as gross vehicle weight GVW or permissible maximum weight. It will be listed in the owner's manual and is normally shown on a plate or sticker fitted to the vehicle.

The plate or sticker may also show a gross train weight GTW. If a vehicle is unlikely to be used at its potential maximum weight, it may be down-plated, so that a lower weight is given on the plate. The manufacturer should be contacted and a replacement plate sought to reflect the new weights. The maximum weights at which vehicles, trailers and articulated combinations can be used are marked on the vehicle's plate or can be found in the owner's manual.

On some vehicles the maximum weights may also be listed on the vehicle registration certificate V5C NI. If in any doubt the vehicle or trailer manufacturer should be contacted. We will not reply to your feedback. Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers. If you read more from other car magazines, you can see that the above definition may differ a little bit from the definitions of others.

Yes, it is true. Many organizations often define curb weight with other variables and fixed levels of engine oil and fuel to equalize the value for the comparison of different vehicles. Depending on the manufacturer, unladen mass unladen weight can be the same as curb weight.

However, unladen mass is often defined as the total mass of the vehicle without the weight of drive, additional equipment or engine oil and fluid,…. The actual weight of a car is known as the gross vehicle mass or weight GVW. It refers to the current weight of a vehicle will all of its parts and everything inside it including cargo and passengers.

On the other hand, the gross vehicle weight rating GVWR indicates the highest load that an automobile can carry. The number is assigned by the manufacturer and it does not change under any circumstance. It includes the weight of all the components of the car, driver, passengers, cargo, fuel, and other things. Knowing the exact gross vehicle weight rating is important, especially for the drivers who transport heavy cargo and drive in the delicate areas.

You can change your cookie settings at any time. Vehicle categories on driving licences can depend on the weight of the vehicle - the different terms you might see are explained below. This is also known as gross vehicle weight GVW or permissible maximum weight. This is the total weight of the tractor unit plus trailer plus load. This means that a lower weight is shown on the plate or sticker attached to the vehicle.

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