• The source states that these figures come from the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998.
• Actual permitted weight can be lower if the vehicle does not meet all regulatory requirements.
• Axle spread is a key factor: generally, greater axle spread permits a greater maximum gross weight.

4.1 2 AXLED RIGID

• Maximum gross weight: 18,000 kg, subject to the required axle spread.
• Low-carbon alternative-fuel vehicles: 19,000 kg where the weight of the fuel tanks or batteries exceeds the weight of the corresponding conventional components.

4.2 3 AXLED RIGID

• Maximum gross weight: 26,000 kg where road-friendly suspension and axle-spread requirements are met.
• Low-carbon alternative-fuel vehicles: 27,000 kg where the stated fuel-tank/battery weight condition is met.
• Road-friendly suspension means air suspension or an equivalent system.

4.3 4 AXLED RIGID

• Maximum gross weight: 32,000 kg where the stated suspension and axle-spread requirements are met.

4.4 3 AXLED ARTICULATED VEHICLE

• Maximum gross weight: 26,000 kg where road-friendly suspension is fitted on all drive axles and axle-spread requirements are met.
• For an articulated vehicle, axle spread is measured from the king pin to the rearmost axle on the semi-trailer.

4.5 4 AXLED ARTICULATED VEHICLE (2 AXLED UNIT AND 2 AXLED SEMI-TRAILER)

• Maximum gross weight: 38,000 kg where the stated road-friendly suspension and axle-spread requirements are met.

4.6 5 AXLED ARTICULATED VEHICLE

• 2-axle tractor unit with 3-axle semi-trailer: 40,000 kg, subject to the stated axle-spread requirements.
• 3-axle tractor unit with 2-axle semi-trailer: 40,000 kg, subject to the stated axle-spread requirements.

4.7 6 AXLED ARTICULATED VEHICLE

• Maximum gross weight: 44,000 kg where the vehicle has a Euro 2 or better engine and road-friendly suspension on the tractor drive axles and semi-trailer axles.

4.8 RIGID VEHICLE/DRAWBAR COMBINATION (4 AXLES)

• Maximum gross weight: 36,000 kg.
• The distance between the rear axle of the vehicle and front axle of the trailer must be at least 3 m.
• Rigid vehicle/drawbar combinations are often called roadtrains.
• Maximum weight is affected by axle number, axle spread, overall combination length and the distance between the rear vehicle axle and trailer front axle.

4.9 RIGID VEHICLE/DRAWBAR TRAILER COMBINATION (5 AXLES)

• 5-axle roadtrain with at least 3 m between the rear vehicle axle and front trailer axle: 40,000 kg.

4.10 RIGID VEHICLE/DRAWBAR TRAILER COMBINATION (6 AXLES)

• Maximum gross weight: 44,000 kg where the stated Euro 2 or better engine, road-friendly suspension and 3 m minimum separation requirements are met.

4.11 DRAWBAR TRAILER ALONE (2 AXLES)

• Maximum gross weight: 18,000 kg where minimum axle-spread requirements are met.

4.12 GROSS WEIGHTS IN THE REST OF THE EU

• The training material gives these general limits for EU operation:
• 2-axle rigid: 18,000 kg.
• 3-axle rigid: 26,000 kg.
• 4-axle rigid: 32,000 kg.
• 4-axle artic: 38,000 kg.
• 5- or 6-axle artic: 40,000 kg.
• 4-axle roadtrain: 36,000 kg.
• 5- or 6-axle roadtrain: 40,000 kg.
• Specific countries may vary, but the material states that operating within these limits should generally permit EU operation.