Caravans and motorhomes: two days of prevention
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Quick review, no registration required
With the summer holidays approaching, the Luxembourg police are organising a two-day awareness campaign on the risks associated with overloading caravans, motorhomes and other recreational vehicles. The aim is to prevent road accidents and remind people of the most important safety and legal regulations.
This free service is available on 1 and 10 July, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., at the Bertrange Traffic Police Unit (21a, rue du Chemin de Fer). These two days, which have been organised for the past seven years, are aimed at all drivers of motorhomes and caravans, as well as cars equipped with roof tents. The check is quick and easy: in five minutes, the vehicle is weighed and owners can then talk to the officers on duty. Advice is given on how to reduce the weight of the vehicle, the necessary licences, how to secure loads on board and the height of vehicles, particularly if they have additional equipment such as solar panels or air conditioning.
No registration is required, and between 50 and 80 vehicles are checked each day during these events.
Fines ranging from €145 to €10,000
Article 12 of the Luxembourg Highway Code strictly regulates the authorised weight of vehicles:
For a combination of vehicles (single car or with trailer) up to 4,250 kg, a 10% overload results in a fine of €145 and two points on the driver’s licence. Above 4,250 kg, the same overload costs €250 and two points. An overload of more than 10% can lead to legal proceedings, with fines of up to €10,000.
In addition, there are specific penalties: €145 for an overloaded axle and €74 for an overloaded tyre.
But don’t panic, this day is specifically designed to prevent overloading. Officers will be on hand to offer advice and remind drivers of the rules.
Increased checks in summer
During the busy months of June to September, the police step up their weight checks, including for non-commercial vehicles. Although no precise statistics are available on the rate of overloading, the authorities point out that these offences are frequent and dangerous.
Throughout Europe, it is illegal to drive with an overloaded vehicle. However, tolerance thresholds and fines vary from country to country. A striking example is Switzerland, where an overload of just 3% can lead to legal proceedings, compared with 10% in Luxembourg.
Finally, an important reminder: it is prohibited to travel inside a caravan while it is in motion. In motorhomes, only seats equipped with seat belts may be used while the vehicle is in motion.