Overloading: From exceptions to automatic checks – what fleets can expect now

Economic pressure in the transport industry is increasing: maximum payload is now crucial for efficiency and margins. As a result, almost 30% of trucks inspected in Europe are overloaded: In a random sample in Belgium, the figure was 28.3%. Until now, the risk of being caught was low – statistically, each vehicle is only weighed once every 30 years. But this situation is currently changing.

Europe is testing and implementing weight-in-motion (WIM) systems: devices that check vehicle weights while they are in motion – at slow speeds using special lanes or, in the future, even at highway speeds. Czechia already has its first high-speed systems in operation, while Austria is using low-speed weighing lanes. WIM is also already in use in Luxembourg. Germany is operating a pilot system on the A4, with regular operation set to begin in 2026. Sixteen checkpoints are to be established by 2028.

Overloading not only affects costs and fines. Studies show that overloading is a significant risk factor for serious truck accidents. The reason: overloading impairs braking performance, driving stability, and responsiveness. At the same time, overloaded trucks put strain on road infrastructure—which is why political pressure is mounting. 

The smart answer to increasing weight checks is the new iC Plus trailer chassis generation from BPW. It displays the trailer's axle load after just a few meters of driving with a maximum deviation of ten percent and can be monitored at any time via telematics:  

• No guesswork. No flying blind. No risk.
• Optimal utilization and cost-effectiveness per transport
• Protection against overloading – and thus against penalties
• Full transparency for dispatchers and fleet managers 

The fact is: digitization and automation in road transport are gaining momentum across Europe. Knowing the axle load thanks to iC Plus means more efficient and safer transport. Get advice now!