Drivers of a popular vehicle type have been warned they could be slapped with penalties of up to £300 this summer as part of new road safety operations.
The operation launched by police and the DVSA looks to intensify enforcement of weight regulations across the UK’s road network, with drivers of horseboxes warned to follow the rules.
The DVSA has deployed sophisticated weigh-in-motion sensors connected to Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at 14 locations nationwide to help identify overloaded vehicles.
The National Association of Racing Staff has alerted its members about three separate horseboxes being stopped in recent enforcement actions, particularly warning those operating smaller 3.5-tonne vehicles.
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|Drivers can be fined £300 for failing to meet the UK road weight standards
The technology, which has been operational since 2007, automatically detects vehicles exceeding their registered weight limits and flags them for immediate inspection.
With the peak holiday season underway, equestrians travelling to camps and events have been urged to verify their vehicles remain within legal weight restrictions before setting off.
The automated detection system operates continuously, with sensors embedded in road surfaces measuring vehicle weights as they pass over.
These measurements are instantly cross-referenced with DVLA records through linked ANPR cameras, enabling enforcement officers to identify violations in real-time.
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|The DVSA has put up 14 enforcement cameras across the UK to ensure drivers follow the weight limit
A DVSA spokesperson confirmed to Horse and Hound that the technology has been progressively developed since initial trials began in June 2004.
Chris Facer of Equine Rescue Services warned that enforcement officers are taking a stricter approach to weight violations. "This is a busy time, with school holidays, camps and events," he stated, warning that the increased activity coincides with heightened scrutiny from vehicle inspectors.
The penalty for weight violations operates on a graduated scale, with fines ranging from £100 for minor infractions to £300 for serious overloading.
Vehicles exceeding their maximum authorised mass (MAM) by less than 10 per cent incur a £100 penalty, while those between 10 and 15 per cent face £200 fines.
The most severe penalties apply when vehicles exceed weight limits by 15 per cent or more. DVSA examiners typically allow a five per cent tolerance before issuing penalties, unless the excess weight reaches one tonne or more.
Beyond financial penalties, enforcement officers can issue prohibition notices preventing vehicles from continuing their journey until the weight issue is resolved.
Drivers may also receive penalty points on their licences for certain violations, with "immediate roadside immobilisation" possible for vehicles posing significant safety risks.
Facer warned that "overloading can damage a vehicle's suspension and puts greater pressure on tyres, which can overheat and blow out," adding that brakes also suffer increased strain.
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|Drivers have been warned they must follow the weight limit for towing horseboxes
The weight calculations quickly accumulate for equestrians with a typical pony weighing between 350 and 480 kilograms, while essential supplies add considerably more with water containers contributing 45kg, small hay bales 15-18kg, and shavings 15-20kg per bale.
Facer said: "You're overworking the engine by carrying so much weight, and you're also going to use more fuel."
The DVSA spokesperson stated that horses represent "precious cargo", making it crucial for owners to understand their vehicle's unladen weight and calculate total loads accurately.
Routine maintenance becomes particularly vital during intensive summer use, with racers revealing that tyre-related issues account for approximately 15 to 20 per cent of breakdowns, often due to age-related deterioration rather than punctures.