[TeamG]

As a retired magistrate, I have seen such cases come through the courts. These tend to be when grossly over the allowable weights, but then the penalties are much higher. The ones I have seen involved the police escorting to a weigh bridge and separating towing vehicle and trailer when the overall weight of either is in question, or measuring each axle when connected. The driver and passengers must remain in the vehicle when weighed.

Penalty starting points are valid up to 10% over the axle weights, then increase by 10% for every additional 1% of overloading. I have seen an axle weight overloaded by 160%. The sentencing guidelines are available to all and in the public domain.

If it’s a weight, distribution or position of load offence, the starting point fines are greater than an axle load offence. If it’s a second offence, there is a mandatory minimum 6 month disqualification.