Whether your vehicle is for work or leisure it is crucial to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when it comes to the GVM capacity. The GVM is the maximum that a vehicle can legally weigh; this includes the vehicle chassis and body, accessories such as bullbars and winches, the weight of the vehicles occupants, fuel and personal equipment.

If your vehicle exceeds the maximum GVM then your vehicle is unroadworthy, unsafe and will not meet insurance requirements. This is an issue for a privately owned vehicles and an issue for fleet vehicles. Businesses need protection from claims for OH&S breaches and negligence claims.

GVM upgrades can be done with Federal or State compliance. If the vehicle is brand new and still unregistered then a Federal compliance plate can be applied – this process ensures that your vehicle is legal no matter which state its registration plates apply to. If the vehicle has been registered already then a State compliance will be required – in Queensland a State compliance is done with a blue modification plate.