Truck Load, Weight and Size Limits in Qatar: What the Traffic Law Allows

Truck drivers, movers and delivery companies are asked about load limits often, and breaking them risks fines and impoundment. This guide uses the English text of Articles 85 and 86 of the Traffic Law (Decree-Law No. 19 of 2007, amended by Law No. 5 of 2010) on Al Meezan, which we read in October 2026. The English axle table is compressed, so check it against the official source. We did not read the Executive Regulation. It is general information, not legal advice.

Securing a load (Article 85)

Article 85 says loads must be arranged and secured safely so they are not likely to move or fall. In particular a load:

1. must not endanger people or damage public or private property;

2. must not make an irritating noise, or give off emissions harmful to health or the environment or bothering passers-by;

3. must not block the driver's view or hide traffic lights, hand signals, direction signals, vehicle lights, reflectors or number plates;

4. must not upset the vehicle's balance or driveability.

Gulf Times reported on 7 November 2022 that the Traffic Directorate issued its delivery-bike box rules under Article 85, with a QR 1,500 fine for company owners. See delivery rider jobs in Qatar.

Maximum size (Article 86)

• **Height:** no more than 4.2 metres from the road surface, including load or anything sticking out.
• **Width:** no more than 2.6 metres including any load or protruding item.
• **Exceeding in an emergency:** written authorization from the Licensing Authority is needed before such a vehicle is driven.

Weight limits (Article 86)

• **Single axle:** the weight on one wheel or the wheels of one axle may not exceed 13 tonnes, or the manufacturer's limit if lower.
• **Two adjacent axles (as the English table reads):**

• **Total weight:** the maximum load of a vehicle, or of a vehicle with trailer or semi-trailer, is the lowest of the manufacturer's specification, the axle limits above, and 45 tons for the combined load of a group of trailers.
• **Above the limit:** written permission from the Licensing Authority is needed to carry goods above the weight limit.

Length of the load and warning marks

A load may not extend more than one metre in front of the vehicle or more than two metres behind the body. If the goods cannot be divided and are longer, written permission is needed. In all cases clear red warning marks must be placed at the edge of the load.

Body extensions and stickers

Extending a truck body to increase its length, width or height is not permitted. A Licensing Authority sticker must be fixed on vehicles with an unladen weight of three tons or more, showing gross weight and passenger limit. The offender is responsible for removing whatever causes the offence.

Penalties and impounding

Article 94 lists Article 85 and the first to fifth paragraphs of Article 86 with a court range of one month to three years in prison or a fine of QR 10,000 to QR 50,000. Article 95 lists the sixth to ninth paragraphs of Article 86 with one week to one year or QR 3,000 to QR 10,000. Article 88 allows impounding for up to 90 days for exceeding weight or length restrictions. See impounded vehicle in Qatar. These are court ranges, and the roadside amounts in the compounding table were not available to us.

Parking and driving rules for heavy vehicles

• Buses, trucks, heavy machinery, tractors and vehicles towing a trailer must keep to the right and not overtake (Article 43). See wrong-way driving, reversing and highway stops.
• Trucks, tractors, trailers and semi-trailers may park only in places authorised by ministerial decision (Article 78 bis).
• A heavy goods vehicle needs its own driving licence type (Article 30), with a minimum age of 21 (Article 31).

Practical checklist for operators

These points are our advice.

1. Weigh the vehicle and check each axle before long trips.

2. Check the height of the load against bridges and tunnels.

3. Fit red warning flags for overhanging loads, and carry any written permission in the cab.

4. Secure the load and check it at the first stop.

5. Employers that use drivers on heavy vehicles should check licences. See lending or selling your car for owner liability, and moving companies in Qatar.

What we could not verify

• The Executive Regulation and any ministerial decisions on special permits, route restrictions and weighbridge enforcement.
• The roadside fine for each load offence.
• Whether the English axle table is exact, since the text is compressed.
• Any amendment to Articles 85 and 86 after the 2010 version.