Axle Load Rules

AXLE LOAD CONTROL: Rules and regulations.

As a leading cargo transport company in Nairobi, RGS Kenya insists you know the permitted axle load limits and gross vehicle weights, as a driver, truck owner or loader.

The axle load limits for the various axle/wheel configurations, maximum gross vehicle weight, maximum vehicle dimensions and the minimum fines for excess axle load or gross vehicle weight are set in the Traffic Act (Cap. 403). of Kenya Law

LEGAL LIMITS FOR VEHICLES
Permissible Maximum Axle Loads

Axle Group (with Pneumatic Tyres) Maximum Axle Load (Kg)
A Single Steering Axle (2 wheels –single tyres) 8,000
B Single Axle (4 wheels –dual tyres) 10,000
C Tandem Axle Group (8 wheels- dual tyres) 16,000
D Triple Axle Group (12 wheels-dual tyres) 24,000

Maximum Gross Vehicle Weights

Vehicle and Axle Configuration (Pneumatic Tyres) Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight
A Vehicle with 2 axles 18,000
B Vehicle with 3 axles 24,000
C Vehicle and semi-trailer with total of 3 axles 28,000
D Vehicle with 4 axles 28,000
E Vehicle and semi-trailer with total of 4 axles 34,000
F Vehicle and drawbar trailer with total of 4 axles 36,000
G Vehicle and semi-trailer with total of 5 axles 42,000
H Vehicle and drawbar trailer with total of 5 axles 42,000
I Vehicle and semi-trailer with total of 6 axles 48,000
J Vehicle and drawbar trailer with total of 6 axles 48,000

Bulk Liquid Tankers

Type of Vehicle or Trailer Maximum Volume Bulk Liquid Tank
Two axle goods vehicle not exceeding 7,000 kg tare weight 11
Three axle goods vehicle not exceeding 7,000 kg tare weight 18
Three axle goods vehicle whose tare weight exceeds7,000 kg but does not exceed 10,000 kg 14
Two axle draw bar trailer not exceeding 6,000 kg tare weight 12
Three axle draw bar trailer not exceeding 8,000 kg tare weight 17
Three axle semi-trailer drawn by a three axle prime mover not exceeding 18,000 kg total tare weight 35
Three axle semi-trailer drawn by a two axle prime mover not exceeding 17,000 kg total tare weight 28
Two axle semi-trailer drawn by a three axle prime mover not exceeding 17,000 kg total tare weight 24
Two axle semi-trailer drawn by a two axle prime mover not exceeding 15,000 kg total tare weight 19

MINIMUM FINES FOR OVERLOADING

Degree of Each Axle Overloading or Excess Gross Vehicle Weight in Kilograms Minimum Fines (KSh)
Fine on First Conviction Fine on Second or Subsequent Conviction
Less than 1,000 kg KSh 5,000 KSh 10,000
1,000 kg or more but less than 2,000 kg KSh 10,000 KSh 20,000
2,000 kg or more but less than 3,000 kg KSh 15,000 KSh 30,000
3,000 kg or more but less than 4,000 kg KSh 20,000 KSh 40,000
4,000 kg or more but less than 5,000 kg KSh 30,000 KSh 60,000
5,000 kg or more but less than 6,000 kg KSh 50,000 KSh 100,000
6,000 kg or more but less than 7,000 kg KSh 75,000 KSh 150,000
7,000 kg or more but less than 8,000 kg KSh 100,000 KSh 200,000
8,000 kg or more but less than 9,000 kg KSh 150,000 KSh 300,000
9,000 kg or more but less than 10,000 kg KSh 175,000 KSh 350,000
10,000 kg or more KSh 200,000 KSh 400,000

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BULK LIQUID TANK

The Weights and Measures Act (Cap. 513) requires bulk liquid tanks to:
i) Have an identification plate affixed and containing information on name of manufacturer, year of manufacture of the measure, serial number, registration number of the vehicle, for measure mounted on a vehicle and the nominal capacity of the measure
ii) All tankers must be calibrated by an officer of the Department of Weights and Measures.

No. Station Name Weighbridge Type
1 Mariakani (Along A109) Static
2 Athi River (Along A104) Static
3 Gilgil (Along A104) Static
4 Webuye (Along A104) Static
5 Isebania (Along A1) Static
6 Juja (Along A2) Portable
7 Maai Mahiu (Along B3) Portable
8 Eldoret (Along A104) Portable
9 Malaba (Along A104) Portable
10 Busia (Along B1) Portable
11 Kisumu (Along B1) Portable
12 Isinya (Along A104) Portable
13 Mtwapa (Along B8) Portable