Back of an Open Goods Vehicle

If passengers are carried on the back of an open goods vehicle (e.g. a truck, bakkie, pickup), the sides of the carrying area must be:

i. 350mm above the seating surface if the passengers are seated.

ii. 900mm high if the passengers are standing.

Total Number of Passengers

You are allowed to carry one adult per 380mm of seat (back width).

Seat Width Calculations for Children

Seat width calculations for children are done as follow:

i. Up to 6 years of age: two children are regarded as one adult = 380mm

ii. 6 to 13 years of age: three children are regarded as two adults = 760mm

Standing Passengers in Motor Cars

No standing passengers are allowed in light motor vehicles.

Touching the Road Surface

No part of any load on a vehicle may touch the road surface.

Securing the Load

The load must be securely fastened or be placed inside the vehicle in such manner that it does not hinder the driver’s control of the vehicle or view of the road ahead.

Projection Limits

i. Not more than 300mm beyond the front of the vehicle.

ii. Not more than 1.8m beyond the rear of the vehicle.

iii. Not more than 4.3m high (from the ground) on goods vehicles, and not more than half the height of the vehicle if loaded on the roof of a car, unless the load is a bicycle.

iv. Not more than 2.5m wide, or 2.6m in the case of a goods vehicle with a mass of 12 000 kg and above, except in the case of abnormal loads for which permission must be arranged with the local traffic authorities.

Safety Markings - Loads that project 150 mm or more to the side of the vehicle, or more than 300 mm to the rear of the vehicle, must be marked with:

i. Daytime: 300mm square red flags attached at each corner (front and rear) of the load.

ii. Nighttime: white reflectors on each corner in the front, red reflectors at each corner at the back, and yellow reflectors on the sides.

Loads less than 600 mm wide that project 300 mm or more beyond the rear of the vehicle must be marked with:

i. Daytime: a single 300mm square red fl ag at the back end of the load.

ii. Nighttime: one red reflector at the back end of the load.