Using Vehicular Dimensions Instead of Vehicular Weight in Defining "Heavy Vehicle" under Vehicle Parking Certificate Scheme

Mr Ng Shi Xuan asked the Acting Minister for Transport in respect of the Vehicle Parking Certificate (VPC) scheme (a) what are the policy considerations underpinning the use of vehicular weight in defining heavy vehicles; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider using vehicular dimensions to determine VPC requirements, as large-sized vehicles that are otherwise not heavy vehicles cannot fit into normal-sized parking lots.

Mr Jeffrey Siow: Commercial vehicles, in particular goods vehicles, are categorised by Maximum Laden Weight (MLW) as vehicles that are loaded beyond their designated weight are less able to steer effectively at road bends and stop quickly during an emergency. Building owners may also be concerned about the structural capacity of the carparks. Numerous countries around the world adopt this approach, including the United Kingdom and European Union member states.

As vehicles with higher MLWs are often large and could cause road safety risks if parked indiscriminately, they require vehicle parking certificate to ensure that owners of these heavy vehicles have a designated overnight parking space between 12.00 am and 6.00 am.