3.1 ULW – UNLADEN WEIGHT

• ULW is the total weight of the empty vehicle, including the body and parts as used on the road.
• Exclude water, tools, loose equipment and fuel/accumulators used for propulsion.
• Crew members and load are not included.
• Goods vehicle taxation is now primarily based on gross vehicle weight rather than unladen weight.

3.2 KERBSIDE WEIGHT

• Kerbside weight = ULW plus water, fuel, loose tools and equipment.
• Crew members and load are still excluded.

3.3 GVW – GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT

• GVW is the maximum weight that can legally be transmitted to the road by all wheels of a vehicle or trailer.
• Other expressions include gross plated weight (GPW), permissible maximum weight (PMW), maximum gross weight (MGW) and maximum authorised mass (MAM).
• GVW is an overall legal limit which the vehicle must remain within at all times.

3.4 GCW – GROSS CONSTRUCTION WEIGHT

• GCW represents the manufacturer's maximum axle and vehicle weights for which the vehicle was designed.
• Where design weights exceed UK legal limits, braking efficiencies must equal the relevant design weight.
• Design weights appear on the manufacturer's plate and are entered on the DVSA plate (VTG6) and plating certificate (VTG7).

3.5 GTW – GROSS TRAIN WEIGHT

• GTW applies to a rigid vehicle operated with a drawbar trailer.
• It is the maximum permitted laden weight of the rigid vehicle, trailer and their loads that may be imposed on the road.