A total of 448 light goods vehicle (LGV) offences were reported for prosecution during the financial year, according to official Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency data analysed by temporary insurance provider Tempcover. Of those cases, 434 resulted in convictions, giving an overall conviction rate of 97%.
Overloading cases rise by more than half
Overloading was by far the most common offence, with 300 cases reported for prosecution in 2024/25. That was 55.4% more than the 193 cases recorded a year earlier.
The figures cover offences serious enough to be referred for court proceedings. Less severe overloading breaches may instead be dealt with through fixed penalties.
According to the information cited by Tempcover, vehicles found to be 5-9% over their permitted weight can face a £100 penalty, rising to £200 for excess weight of 10-14% and £300 where a vehicle is overloaded by 15% or more. Cases involving vehicles more than 30% over the limit are likely to be taken to court.
Of the 300 overloading prosecutions recorded in 2024/25, 294 ended in conviction, equivalent to a 98% conviction rate.
Construction and use offences were the second-largest category, with 95 cases. These include breaches relating to vehicle condition and maintenance standards.
Tachograph and records offences accounted for 14 cases, followed by 13 miscellaneous offences and 10 plating and testing cases. Six prosecutions concerned the absence of an operator licence, while four related to driving licences and another four to drivers’ hours. Two vehicle excise duty cases were also recorded.
Fine figures also increase
Tempcover’s analysis found that the combined average fine figure for overloading reached £11,441.53 in 2024/25, more than double the £5,232.99 recorded for the previous year.
The figure does not represent the total amount of fines imposed in all cases. Tempcover calculated it by adding the reported average fine for each offence category across the four quarters of the financial year.
Construction and use offences had a combined average fine figure of £4,368.41, while vehicle excise duty cases reached £2,300. Plating and testing offences stood at £1,699.55 and tachograph and records offences at £1,503.01.
Conviction rates varied between categories. Construction and use offences resulted in convictions in 97.9% of cases, while all recorded vehicle excise duty, plating and testing, miscellaneous and drivers’ hours prosecutions ended in conviction. The rate was 85.7% for tachograph and records offences and 66.7% for cases involving no operator licence.
Fleets urged to pay closer attention to vehicle weights
Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary van insurance expert at Tempcover, said operators and drivers should pay particular attention to vehicle weights and routine roadworthiness checks.
She advised drivers to inspect tyres, lights, brakes and the overall condition of a van before setting off, while fleet managers should ensure employees understand their responsibilities for loading, inspections, testing, taxation and registration.
Drivers also need to know the vehicle’s maximum authorised mass (MAM), which can usually be found in the handbook or on the manufacturer’s plate. Tempcover said businesses should also consider whether the van being used is large enough for the equipment, materials or workload it is expected to carry.
“Vehicle weight limits, road safety requirements and driver responsibilities exist to protect everyone on the road,” Wills-McKissick said. She added that breaches serious enough to reach court can result in convictions and substantial fines.
The data used in the analysis was taken from official DVSA statistics and was correct as of July 2026.
