Circular No. 21/2001/TT-BGTVT guiding the circulation of overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles on roads.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for the operation of overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles on roads

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WHEREAS, the Road Traffic Law dated June 29, 2001;

Pursuant to Decree No. 22/CP dated March 22, 1994 of the Government on the tasks, powers, responsibilities for state management, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport;

To ensure the safety and durability of bridges and roads, and to prevent damage and destruction caused by the operation of overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles running on roads;

The Minister of Transport shall provide guidelines for the operation on roads of overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles as follows:

This technical regulation sets out technical requirements, testing methods, sampling procedures; management requirements; responsibilities of organizations and individuals producing, trading, and importing cigarettes.

1-1. The operation of overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles on roads must ensure traffic safety and bridge-road safety;

1-2. Road load capacityis the load-bearing capacity of bridges and roads;

1-3. Bridge load-bearing capacityis determined according to design standards and the actual technical condition of the bridge, expressed through the publication and weight limit signs;

1-4. Road load-bearing capacityis determined according to the axle load calculated for road design and the actual technical condition of the road;

1-5. Safe width limit of roadsis the space with limited height and width dimensions of the road, bridge, tunnel on the road that allows vehicles, including goods loaded on them, to pass safely;

1-6. Overloaded vehicleis a vehicle whose total weight, including the weight of the vehicle and cargo, exceeds the load-bearing capacity of the bridge or whose single axle load exceeds the load-bearing capacity of the road surface;

1-7. Oversized vehicleis a vehicle whose height or width, including goods loaded on it, exceeds the safe width limit of the road or bridge;

1-8. Tracked vehicle causing road surface damageis a type of vehicle where the teeth of the tracks sink into the road surface when driving, causing damage to the road surface and foundation;

1-9. Special-purpose vehicles with total weight, axle load, or size exceeding the load and width limits of the road when participating in traffic are also considered overloaded or oversized vehicles;

1-10. For overloaded and oversized vehicles mentioned in points 1-6 and 1-7 above, the vehicle owner or cargo owner should find ways to travel by rail or waterway. In cases where it is absolutely necessary to travel by road, they must discuss with the competent road management authority to resolve the issue.

II. ANNOUNCEMENT OF ROAD LOAD LIMITS AND WIDTH LIMITS

2-1. Load limits and safe width limits of roads for each route and section of national highways are announced by the Minister of Transport. Load limits and safe width limits of roads for each route and section of local roads are announced by the People's Committee of provinces and centrally-administered cities.

2-2. Vehicles operating on roads must comply with the published load limits of the vehicle, including the weight of the vehicle and cargo, axle loads; and the width limits at control points.

III. REGULATIONS ON THE OPERATION OF OVERLOADED, OVERSIZED VEHICLES AND TRACKED VEHICLES

3-1. The cargo owner or vehicle owner who needs to operate an overloaded, oversized vehicle or tracked vehicle on roads must submit an application for operation according to the forms specified in Appendices 1 and 2, along with relevant documents of the vehicle.

The competent road management authority shall issue an operation permit for overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles according to the forms specified in Appendices 3 and 4.

3-2. The authority to issue operation permits for overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles is divided as follows:

3-2.1) General Directors of Highway Management Zones issue permits for vehicles operating on the national road network;

3-2.2) Directors of Provincial Departments of Transport and Public Works, Directors of Municipal Departments of Transport and Public Works issue permits for vehicles operating within their jurisdictions, including national highways and local roads;

3-2.3) Cargo owners or vehicle owners must apply for permits from the nearest or most convenient competent authority;

3-2.4) Vietnam Highway Administration resolves the issuance of permits in special cases.

3-3. If reinforcement or other measures are required to strengthen bridges and roads or guide the operation of overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles, the cargo owner or vehicle owner must bear the costs of implementing these works.

3-4. If the cargo owner or vehicle owner does not fully implement agreed solutions for operation, causing damage to bridges and roads, they must compensate for the losses incurred, and if serious consequences result, they must be held responsible under the law.

3-5. The issuing authority is responsible for issuing permits for overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles, ensuring compliance with the appropriate criteria and solutions suitable for the condition of bridges and roads.

3-6. Project investors, cargo owners, or vehicle owners with large consignments serving major projects that need to operate on roads must submit proposals to the Ministry of Transport for study and preparation of plans.

IV. IMPLEMENTATION

4-1. Vietnam Highway Administration is responsible for unified management, guidance, and inspection of the issuance of permits and activities of overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles.

4-2. Vietnam Highway Administration is responsible for reporting the condition of bridges and roads to the Ministry of Transport to announce load limits and safe width limits for national highway routes. Provincial Departments of Transport and Public Works are responsible for reporting the condition of bridges and roads to provincial People's Committees to announce load limits and safe width limits for local road systems managed by them.

4-3. Highway Management Zones, Provincial Departments of Transport, and Public Works have the responsibility to regularly inspect and maintain the condition of bridges and roads, promptly install and supplement weight limit signs and safe width limit signs on roads; report to higher authorities on the activities of overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles on roads; organize inspections of overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles at weigh stations.

4-4. This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2002. It abolishes Circular No. 112/TT-BGTVT dated April 29, 1998 of the Ministry of Transport and previous regulations on the operation of overloaded, oversized vehicles and tracked vehicles on roads contrary to this Circular.