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V5 Load safety

Bronze requirement V5 is divided into five sub-requirements applicable to the different vehicle types.

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Evidence required
V5.1 Load safety for HGV
V5.2 Load safety for PCV
V5.3 Load safety for vans
V5.4 Load safety for cars
V5.5 Load safety for PLV

V5.1 Load safety for HGV

Requirement

To load vehicles and trailers safely and within the legal limits.

Purpose

To ensure that vehicle and trailer loads are restrained so that they do not endanger the driver, any passengers or other road users.

Demonstration

FORS Operators shall have a policy, equipment, training and documentation in place for safe loading and load restraint. The policy shall include:

  • Correct vehicle and trailer types for the load to be carried
  • The load types to be carried by each vehicle and trailer type
  • Load restraint and safe loading and unloading practices
  • Compliance with load documentation such as risk assessments and method statements
  • Safe coupling of trailers to towing vehicles
  • Information on the location and use of weighbridges
  • The method used to monitor compliance with maximum weights and dimensions

Where relevant, the load documentation shall include:

  • Vehicle gross and axle weight limits
  • Nature of the load
  • Load weight and dimensions
  • Loading and unloading instructions
  • Load distribution
  • Load restraint
  • Use of lifting equipment
  • Any other special precautions that are necessary

The correct equipment shall be issued to maintain safe loads.

The dimensions, laden weight and axle weights shall be determined before vehicles are driven on public roads. An onboard overload protection system should be considered.

If the overall vehicle height is 9 feet 10 inches (three metres) or above, a height indicator shall be displayed in the cab showing the overall height of the vehicle and load in feet and inches.

Documentation, records and data relevant to load safety shall be:

V5.2 Load safety for PCV

Requirement

To load vehicles and trailers safely and within the legal limits.

Purpose

To ensure that luggage and vehicle equipment are restrained and within the vehicle weight limits so that they do not endanger the driver, any passengers or other road users.

Demonstration

FORS Operators shall have a policy, equipment, training and documentation in place for safe stowage. The policy shall include:

  • Safe stowage of passenger luggage and ancillary vehicle items
  • Compliance with stowage documentation such as risk assessments and method statements
  • Correct trailer types for any luggage or cargo to be carried
  • Safe coupling of trailers to towing vehicles

Where relevant, the stowage documentation shall include:

  • Vehicle gross and axle weight limits
  • Maximum passenger carrying capacity
  • Luggage distribution and restraint in the stowage area
  • Luggage distribution and restraint on-board including access to emergency exits
  • Location and restraint of ancillary equipment
  • Any other special precautions that are necessary

The correct equipment shall be issued to maintain safe loads.

Maximum passenger and luggage weight limits shall be considered.

If the overall vehicle height is 9 feet 10 inches (three metres) or above, a height indicator shall be displayed in the cab showing the overall height of the vehicle and load in feet and inches.

Documentation, records and data relevant to stowage safety shall be:

V5.3 Load safety for vans

Requirement

To load vehicles and trailers safely and within the legal limits.

Purpose

To ensure that any vehicle and trailer loads are restrained so that they do not endanger the driver, any passengers or other road users.

Demonstration

FORS Operators shall have a policy, equipment, training and documentation in place for safe cargo. The policy shall include:

  • Correct vehicle and trailer types for the cargo to be carried
  • The cargo types to be carried by each vehicle and trailer
  • Safe loading and unloading practices
  • Compliance with cargo documentation such as risk assessments and method statements
  • Safe coupling of trailers to towing vehicles
  • The method used to monitor compliance with load restraint and maximum weights and dimensions

Where relevant, cargo documentation shall include:

  • Vehicle gross and axle weight limits
  • Nature of the cargo
  • Cargo weight and dimensions
  • Loading and unloading instructions
  • Cargo distribution
  • Cargo restraint system such as partitioning, racking, shelving, netting or sheeting

The correct equipment shall be issued to maintain safe loads.

If the overall vehicle height is 9 feet 10 inches (three metres) or above, a height indicator shall be displayed in the cab showing the overall height of the vehicle and load in feet and inches. A height indicator should be displayed in vehicles with an overall vehicle height of less than 9 feet 10 inches (three metres).

Documentation, records and data relevant to load safety shall be:

V5.4 Load safety for cars

Requirement

To load vehicles and trailers safely and within the legal limits.

Purpose

To ensure that any vehicle and trailer loads are restrained so that they do not endanger the driver, any passengers or other road users.

Demonstration

FORS Operators shall have a policy, equipment, training and documentation in place for safe cargo. The policy shall include:

  • Correct vehicle and trailer types for the items to be carried
  • The items to be carried by each vehicle and trailer
  • Safe loading and unloading practices
  • Compliance with vehicle manufacturer’s handbook and any supporting load documentation
  • Safe coupling of trailers to towing vehicles

Where relevant, the vehicle manufacturer’s handbook and any supporting load documentation shall include:

  • Vehicle weight limits
  • Nature of the load items
  • Load weight and dimensions
  • Loading and unloading instructions
  • Load distribution
  • Load restraint system such partitioning, netting and roof racks

The correct equipment shall be issued to maintain safe loads.

Documentation, records and data relevant to load safety shall be:

V5.5 Load safety for PLV

Requirement

To load vehicles safely and within the legal limits.

Purpose

To ensure that any powered light vehicle loads are restrained so that they do not endanger the rider or other road users.

Demonstration

FORS Operators shall have a policy, equipment, training and documentation in place for safe loads. The policy shall include:

  • Correct vehicle types for the load to be carried
  • The load types to be carried by each vehicle
  • Safe loading and unloading practices
  • Compliance with vehicle manufacturer’s handbook and any supporting load documentation

Load documentation shall include:

  • Nature of the load
  • Load weight
  • Loading and unloading instructions
  • Load distribution
  • Load restraint system

Load documentation may include delivery notes, risk assessments or method statements.

The correct equipment shall be issued to maintain safe loads.

Documentation, records and data relevant to load safety shall be:

Prepare the following evidence

A documented load safety and load restraint policy and procedure.

Load documentation demonstrating that all relevant load safety criteria are considered and recorded.

Evidence of load restraint equipment being available and in use, such as:

  • Load restraint issue records or asset registers showing allocation to vehicles or drivers
  • Load restraint systems presented on vehicles or photographic evidence of equipment in use
  • Vehicle equipment lists confirming load restraint equipment carried as standard
  • Maintenance, inspection or replacement records demonstrating controlled management of load restraint equipment.

Evidence that drivers and relevant loading staff have received training in safe loading, load distribution and load restraint, such as:

  • Training matrices and supporting records
  • Training certificates (internal or external)
  • Toolbox talks with signed attendance records
  • Digital learning management system reports
  • Trainer records or internal training logs
  • Induction records confirming load restraint training has been completed

Evidence that vehicle dimensions, gross vehicle weight and axle weights are determined before the vehicle is driven.

Where vehicles and loads exceed 9 feet 10 inches (3 metres) in height, evidence that vehicles display a height indicator in the cab showing the overall vehicle and load height in feet and inches, such as:

  • Visual confirmation or photographs of cab-mounted height indicators
  • Loading documentation showing the recorded vehicle and load height
  • Walkaround check records confirming height checks following loading or re-loading
  • Height declaration forms or loading sheets
  • Driver confirmation records demonstrating that height indicators are updated when load heights change

Where vehicle or load height changes between journeys, processes must ensure the displayed height is updated before the vehicle is used on the road.

Evidence must demonstrate that checks on vehicle weight, axle weights and dimensions are completed before commencing a journey where required.

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