Vehicle loading and unloading

An incorrectly loaded vehicle is a safety hazard and can be illegal. Unsecured loads and cargo can become projectiles in a sudden stop or crash and be dangerous to other road users.

Follow the advice below about safe vehicle loads and loading.

Safe loads and cargo

To keep your vehicle occupants and other road users safe:

• transport all loads and cargo in a cargo area, not unrestrained in the vehicle cabin
• don’t exceed the vehicle’s or trailer’s legal carrying capacity
• position the load in a way that won’t affect the vehicle’s balance or stability, and reduce its steering and braking performance
• restrain the load properly, so it won’t move under any driving conditions, including emergency braking
• ensure the load won’t become dislodged and fall from the vehicle or trailer.

Carrying capacity

All vehicles, including trucks and light commercial vehicles, are designed with a maximum carrying capacity, known as the vehicle’s gross vehicle mass (GVM). This carrying capacity includes the weight of the driver, passengers, accessories, fuel, tools and equipment, and the vehicle body.

You can find a vehicle’s GVM on its compliance plate, in the vehicle’s owner manual and sometimes on a plaque on the side of larger vehicles.

As the driver, you must not exceed the vehicle’s GVM, as this is illegal and may compromise the safety of the vehicle. If you’re ever unsure, you can weigh the fully loaded vehicle to ensure that the total weight isn’t exceeding the GVM.

Safe loads and loading

Slips, trips and falls can happen when a person accesses the tray of a ute or a heavy vehicle. To reduce these risks:

• use access ladders or steps
• don’t jump from the tray to the ground
• work from the ground where possible
• wear appropriate safety footwear with serviceable, non-slip soles
• clean any mud from footwear before climbing onto a tray
• clear the tray of any objects that a person might trip over
• avoid using vehicles that aren’t fitted with non-slip trays and steps for loading purposes (note: you should specify such requirements at the time of purchase)
• ensure that passengers never ride on the vehicle tray.

Projecting loads

A ‘projecting’ load is longer, wider or higher than the vehicle that’s carrying the load. You should familiarise yourself with the legislation for maximum vehicle load dimensions, which is outlined on the Queensland Government website.

A long load can’t extend past the:

• front of a vehicle by more than 1.2 metres
• rear of a vehicle by more than 1.2 metres without a warning flag during the day and a red light at night.

It is good practice to:

• use a warning flag on projecting loads that are less than 1.2 metres long when the load is difficult to see
• always be aware of the vehicle’s increased dimensions and drive with additional caution, particularly in confined spaces.

Scrap and demolition materials

Loads with scrap and demolition material could contain many different objects and substances, including paper, which could be affected by wind and airflow over the vehicle.

Therefore, scrap and demolition materials can be challenging to load and transport safely, and be hazardous to other road users.

To keep all road users safe, carefully restrain any loads that contain scrap and demolition materials, and cover them with a tarpaulin or cargo net.

Read more about load security, long and projecting loads, and the safe use of vehicle trays on the Queensland Government website.