HGV Weight and Dimension Limits in the UK – Standards for Heavy Goods Vehicles [2026]

The rules on weights and dimensions of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) in the United Kingdom differ from EU regulations in several important respects that can catch carriers accustomed to continental standards by surprise. At the same time, the UK is in some configurations more permissive than the EU — a 44-tonne 6-axle combination is standard practice in the UK, whereas the EU standard is 40 tonnes for a 5-axle outfit. For haulage companies importing and exporting through the United Kingdom, or hiring or purchasing heavy vehicles, a thorough understanding of these rules is absolutely essential: overloading can lead to fixed penalties and prohibitions, and serious violations risk prosecution and loss of the operator's licence. This article covers the maximum gross vehicle masses for different axle configurations, axle weights, dimensions, STGO and Special Order movements, and how DVSA carries out HGV weight checks.

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Legal basis and units of measurement

The rules on HGV weights and dimensions in the UK are set out in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (as amended) and the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order 2003 (STGO).

A note on units

The UK uses metric tonnes (t) and imperial tons interchangeably. In the context of road traffic law: - 1 tonne (metric) = 1,000 kg - 1 ton (imperial) = 1,016 kg

Technical regulations use metric tonnes. When you see "44 ton" in everyday British usage, it almost always means 44 metric tonnes. The difference is small (16 kg per tonne), but official customs and type-approval documents always quote metric values.

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Maximum gross vehicle mass (GVM) – axle configurations

Rigid vehicles

Number of axles	Construction and Use (C&U)	Authorised Weight (AW)
2-axle	17,000 kg	18,000 kg
3-axle	25,000 kg (26,000 kg with road-friendly suspension)	Same as C&U
4+ axles	30,000 kg (32,000 kg with road-friendly suspension)	Same as C&U

Source: GOV.UK: HGV maximum weights. The Construction and Use and Authorised Weight regulations set separate limits; conditions (e.g. road-friendly suspension, axle spacing) apply.

Articulated combinations (tractor unit + semi-trailer)

Total number of axles	Construction and Use (C&U)	Authorised Weight (AW)
3-axle	25,000 kg (26,000 kg with road-friendly suspension)	26,000 kg
4-axle	32,520 kg (35,000 kg with road-friendly suspension)	36,000 kg (38,000 kg subject to conditions)
5-axle	38,000 kg (44,000 kg for combined transport only)	40,000 kg
6-axle	44,000 kg (combined transport only)	44,000 kg (conditions apply, incl. road-friendly suspension, Euro 2+ engine and drive-axle limits above 41,000 kg)

Key difference — UK vs EU: In the EU the standard is 40 t for a 5-axle combination. The UK permits 44 tonnes for a 6-axle combination — a significant advantage for hauliers carrying heavy loads, as more freight can be moved in a single trip without splitting the load.

Drawbar combinations (rigid + trailer)

Total number of axles	Construction and Use (C&U)	Authorised Weight (AW)
4-axle	32,520 kg (35,000 kg with road-friendly suspension)	36,000 kg
5-axle	32,520 kg (38,000 kg with road-friendly suspension)	40,000 kg
6-axle	44,000 kg	44,000 kg

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Axle weights

Exceeding the permitted axle weight is more common than exceeding the GVM — and equally serious in law. UK regulations specify:

Axle type	Maximum load
Single axle	10 tonnes (non-driving)
Tandem axle	18 tonnes driving (19 t with twin tyres and road-friendly suspension); up to 20 t non-driving; lower limits where the axles are less than 1.3–1.8 m apart
Tridem axle	24 tonnes (21 t where axle spacing is 1.3 m or less)
Drive axle	11.5 tonnes

Why do axle weights matter so much?

Roads and bridges are designed around axle loads, not the vehicle's total weight. A vehicle within its permitted GVM can still damage the road surface if the load is distributed unevenly across the axles. DVSA checks both GVM and individual axle loads.

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Maximum HGV dimensions

Length

Vehicle type	Maximum length
Rigid vehicle	12 m
Trailer or semi-trailer	12 m (semi-trailer: 12 m measured from the kingpin to the rear; 13.6 m is a common body length, not a legal limit)
Articulated combination (tractor + semi-trailer)	16.5 m (16.65 m for 45 ft intermodal containers; 18 m with a low loader)
Drawbar combination (motor vehicle + one trailer that is not a semi-trailer)	18.75 m
Motor vehicle drawing two or more trailers	25.9 m (C&U reg. 7(5); longer only if the Schedule 12 conditions, incl. police notice, are met)

Width

Vehicle type	Maximum width
Standard HGV	2.55 m
Refrigerated vehicle	2.60 m
Abnormal load	>2.55 m → only under C&U load rules or STGO conditions (police notice above 2.9–3 m overall width)

Height

The UK does not set a general maximum height for goods vehicles (the 4.57 m limit in C&U reg. 9 applies to buses). However: - A vehicle over 3 m overall travelling height must display a height notice in the cab (C&U reg. 10) - Bridges, tunnels and level crossings carry posted limits - The driver is responsible for knowing the route and avoiding structures with insufficient clearance - Many HGV-specific GPS devices (e.g. Garmin dezl, TomTom Trucker) allow route planning with vehicle height taken into account

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Abnormal loads — STGO and Special Orders

When a vehicle or load exceeds the standard limits, a special authorisation is required.

STGO (Special Types General Order)

STGO is a regulation that automatically authorises certain classes of abnormal vehicles without the need for an individual permit, provided specific requirements are met. There are three categories:

STGO category	Max. mass	Requirements
Category 1	Up to 46 tonnes (5 axles) or 50 tonnes (6 axles)	2 working days' notice to highway and bridge authorities, speed restrictions apply
Category 2	50–80 tonnes	Notification mandatory, speed restrictions apply
Category 3	80–150 tonnes	5 working days' notice to highway and bridge authorities, speed restrictions apply

Special Order

For loads over 150 tonnes (or 16.5 tonnes per axle) or wider than 6.1 m. Special Orders are issued on behalf of the Secretary of State by National Highways (vehicle special orders by the VCA); 5 working days' notice to highway and bridge authorities and 2 working days' notice to police.

Notifying police and highway authorities

Notification requirements depend on the category and dimensions: - Highway and bridge authorities (including National Highways for motorways and trunk roads): generally 2 working days' notice for Category 1 and 2 (weight); 5 working days' notice for Category 3 - Police: 2 days' notice where required for over-width or over-length movements Source: GOV.UK: Special types enforcement guide.

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DVSA weight checks — how do they work?

DVSA carries out HGV weight checks in several ways:

Weigh-in-Motion (WIM)

Inductive loops or piezoelectric sensors embedded in the road surface. A vehicle passing over them is weighed without being stopped. If the WIM reading indicates a potential breach, the vehicle may be directed to a static check.

Static roadside weighing

DVSA officers use portable axle weighpads or direct vehicles to a fixed weighbridge. They check: - GVM (gross vehicle mass) - Individual axle loads - Vehicle documents (operator licence, tachograph records)

DVSA mobile enforcement units

DVSA runs patrols on the road network with mobile weighing equipment. Vehicles are stopped and weighed on the spot — no fixed enforcement site is needed.

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Penalties for overloading and exceeding dimensions

Overloading and exceeding permitted dimensions can lead to a fixed penalty, a prohibition preventing the vehicle from continuing until the load is corrected, or prosecution. Penalty amounts depend on the offence — check current DVSA guidance.

Seizure

In cases of very serious breaches, or where immediate correction is not possible, DVSA may seize the vehicle. The costs of storage and release are borne by the operator.

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UK vs EU — comparison of key limits

Parameter	UK	EU (Directive 96/53/EC)
Max. GVM (standard)	44 t (6-axle)	40 t (5-axle)
Max. length: articulated / drawbar	16.5 m / 18.75 m	16.5 m / 18.75 m
Max. width	2.55 m	2.55 m
Single axle	10 t	10 t
Drive axle	11.5 t	11.5 t
Tandem axle	18 t	18 t
Tridem axle	24 t	24 t
Max. height	No general limit for goods vehicles	4 m

Practical implication: Directive 96/53/EC sets 40 tonnes for 5- or 6-axle combinations in international traffic (44 t only for a 3-axle tractor carrying containers up to 45 ft in intermodal transport), and national limits differ between member states. Check the limit in each country on the route before loading a 44-tonne UK outfit. This is worth bearing in mind when planning routes and loads for export customers.

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Special applications — construction and agricultural vehicles

Construction vehicles (Construction & Use)

Mobile cranes, concrete mixers, concrete pumps and other construction vehicles may be covered by special C&U provisions: - Mobile crane carriers: up to 44 t and beyond, subject to STGO conditions - Concrete mixers: standard GVM limits; check DVSA drivers' hours guidance for any tachograph exemption

Agricultural tractors

Agricultural tractors and farm machinery have their own separate rules: - Maximum speed: 25 mph (40 km/h) on public roads - Weight: separate limits apply — confirm them with DVSA before use - No operator's licence required