salty1z
Member
Worst case scenario is if you are over GVWR and you are in an accident where someone suffers serious bodily injury or death, you will likely be criminally charged with a felony offense along the lines of gross vehicular manslaughter, vehicular homicide, or other similar charge depending on the jurisdiction.
Examples:
California Vehicle Code Section 35551(a): Overweight Vehicle | Simmrin Law Group
Commercial drivers can face criminal charges if they overload their vehicles. Find out more about California Vehicle Code Section 35551(a): Overweight Vehicle and its penalties here.
www.simmrinlawgroup.com
Also…some states like California has non-commercial licensing requirements for privately owned RV’s, trailers, etc for certain weights:
License Classes and Requirements - California DMV
Noncommercial License Classes: License classes are based on the size of the vehicle you wish to drive or the weight of the trailer you wish to tow. No passenger vehicle, pickup truck, or RV may tow more than one other vehicle without a Commercial Class A license with the proper endorsement. You...
www.dmv.ca.gov
California SB287 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session
Bill Text (2021-10-07) Vehicles: trailers. [Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 610, Statutes of 2021.]
There are a lot of RV’ers who are not aware of these laws and many of them only find out after an accident happens and they’re facing fines or criminal charges, or both.
Hope this helps. Be safe. Stay within your equipment’s limits and make sure your license covers the operation of that equipment.
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