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Tema 7: loads, trailers and carrying passengers in the DGT exam

Figures for size, load and people. Learn each figure with its vehicle: what holds for a lorry does not for a motorbike.

Reviewed on 6 October 2026 · sources: BOE and DGT

This tema is about figures for size, load and people. Learn each figure with its vehicle.

  • Load included, a vehicle is as a rule at most 2.55 m wide and 4.00 m high.
  • Maximum length: road train 18.75 m; articulated 16.50 m; motor vehicle or trailer 12.00 m.
  • The load is arranged and secured so that it cannot drag, fall or shift dangerously.
  • At most one person per authorised seat travels, and only where the vehicle is fitted out for it.
  • A motorcycle or moped passenger is over 12, wears an approved helmet and sits astride behind the rider.

Watch out: Laden mass is vehicle, load and occupants; it is neither the tare nor the MMA.

In DrivingLingo: practise with the road signs, review the journey and equipment topic and the seat belt, airbag and child restraint one, and do .

Source: RGV anexo IX, 3.1 and 4.1.2.1; RGC arts. 13, 14, 9.1 and 12; TRLSV anexo I.

Key rules of topic 7

Dimensions and masses

Load included, a vehicle is as a rule at most 2.55 m wide and 4.00 m high.

  • Maximum length: road train 18.75 m; articulated 16.50 m; motor vehicle or trailer 12.00 m.
  • An indivisible load that exceeds the limits needs a complementary authorisation.
  • Unbraked trailer: half the tractor's tare plus 75 kg, never over 750 kg.

Source: RGV anexo IX, 3.1 (tabla 3) y 4.1.2.1; RGC art. 13; TRLSV anexo I, conceptos 35-37

Load: stowing and unloading

The load is arranged and secured so that it cannot drag, fall or shift dangerously.

  • Nor may it endanger stability, make avoidable noise or dust, or hide lights, plates or signals.
  • A load that makes dust or may fall is always covered completely and effectively.
  • Load and unload off the road; if there is no alternative, on the kerb side and without leaving goods on the calzada (carriageway), arcén (hard shoulder) or pedestrian area.

Source: RGC art. 14; RGC art. 16

Overhanging load

A long indivisible load on a goods vehicle over 5 m may project 2 m at the front and 3 m at the rear.

  • Up to 5 m, one third of its length at each end; if wider, 0.40 m each side without exceeding 2.55 m.
  • Other vehicles: 10 % of their length at the rear, 15 % if indivisible.
  • What projects at the rear carries the V-20 panel; at night, a red light behind and a white one in front.

Source: RGC art. 15

Seats and group transport

At most one person per authorised seat travels, and only where the vehicle is fitted out for it.

  • Seats in buses and public-service vehicles are shown on plates inside; passengers and luggage never exceed the MMA.
  • In goods vehicles people may ride in the load area, only on the conditions the rules set.
  • Group transport: smooth stops and starts at the right-hand edge; no animals, except guide dogs; the driver refuses or removes offenders.

Source: RGC art. 9.1; RGC art. 10; RGC art. 11

Motorcycles: passenger and trailer

A motorcycle or moped passenger is over 12, wears an approved helmet and sits astride behind the rider.

  • Exception: over-7s with a parent, guardian or authorised adult, in an approved helmet.
  • Trailer: up to 50 % of the motorcycle's unladen mass, by day only and in good visibility.
  • It travels 10 % below the generic speed, with nobody in the trailer.

Source: RGC art. 12

Learn the rule, then practise it

Study topic 7 step by step: the rule, its citation and exam-style questions.

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