Maximum Authorised Mass And Specialist Equipment
The maximum weight of a vehicle that may be used on the road is known as the 'maximum authorised mass' (mam). It may also be described as the 'gross vehicle weight' or 'permissible maximum weight'. This is normally shown on the plate fitted to the vehicle.
There is no specific method of calculating the weight of specialist equipment such as tail lifts or wheelchair security fittings, but an allowance of 750kgs is proposed to allow for extra equipment for minibuses which have been designed or substantially and permanently adapted for the safe carriage of passengers with disabilities or wheelchair users.
This would cover minibuses with a mam of 4.25 tonnes and would be comparable with the weight threshold which new drivers of cars/light goods vehicles are permitted to drive.
