Overloaded vans among leading causes of DVSA prosecution

Van drivers are being warned to review their vehicle compliance after new data revealed hundreds of serious offences were reported to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for prosecution during 2024/25.

An offence reported for prosecution means the case is serious enough to go to court. Cases primarily involve vehicles exceeding legal weight limits, failing roadworthiness requirements, or drivers breaching legal obligations.

To highlight where van drivers face the greatest legal and compliance risks, temporary van insurance experts at Tempcover analysed official DVSA data, identifying the most common offences reported alongside practical steps drivers and fleet owners can take to help vehicles remain compliant and roadworthy.

Overloading Remains The Most Common Offence

Overloading was the most common LGV offence reported for prosecution in 2024/25, accounting for around two-thirds of all cases (300 of 448). This represents a 55.4% increase compared with 2023/24, when 193 overloading offences were reported.

While some overloading breaches are dealt with through fixed penalties, more serious offences are escalated for prosecution. Vehicles overloaded by 5-9% face a £100 penalty, increasing to £200 for those overloaded by 10-14% and £300 for those overloaded by 15% or more. However, vehicles found to be more than 30% overloaded are likely to face court action.

Overloading was not the only compliance issue frequently reported. Construction and use offences, covering issues such as vehicle condition and maintenance standards, were the second most common category, with 95 cases recorded in 2024/25.

Average Overloading Fines More Than Double in a Year

Of the 448 LGV offences reported for prosecution in 2024/25, 434 led to a conviction (97%). Overloading offences resulted in £11,441.53 in combined average fines across 2024/25, more than double the previous year’s figure (£5,232.99). Of the 300 overloading cases brought to court, 294 resulted in a conviction (98%).

*Combined average fines were calculated by adding the reported average fine for each offence category across all quarters of the financial year (24/25).

Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary van insurance expert at Tempcover, shares key steps van drivers and fleet owners can take to help vehicles remain compliant and roadworthy:

1.  Carry out regular vehicle checks: Routine checks and regular servicing can help identify issues before they become safety concerns. Drivers should check areas such as tyres, lights, brakes, and the overall condition of the vehicle before setting off to ensure it remains safe and roadworthy.

2.  Understand vehicle load limits: With overloading accounting for the highest number of prosecutions in 2024/25, van drivers must understand their vehicle’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) to ensure tools, materials and equipment are loaded safely within legal limits. A vehicle’s MAM can usually be found in the vehicle handbook or on the manufacturer’s plate fitted to the vehicle.

3.  Make compliance responsibilities clear: For business fleet owners where multiple employees use company vans, ensure drivers fully understand their obligations. This includes following loading requirements, verifying that required inspections and testing have passed, and confirming the vehicle is correctly taxed and registered.

4.  Ensure the van is right for the job: Anyone using a van for work should regularly assess whether it’s suitable for the equipment, materials, or workloads being carried. Using an unsuitable or undersized van significantly increases the risk of overloading, vehicle defects, and safety breaches.

Claire adds:

“Vehicle weight limits, road safety requirements, and driver responsibilities exist to protect everyone on the road. This data shows that when breaches are serious enough to reach court, the consequences are severe, leading to convictions and fines running into thousands of pounds.

“Putting clear processes in place, from regular vehicle checks to understanding your specific legal responsibilities as a driver, can help avoid these risks and keep your vehicle roadworthy.

“Where extra carrying capacity is needed, flexible options such as temporary van insurance allow tradespeople and fleet managers to insure an additional vehicle or driver on-demand without risking non-compliance.”