ICS 43.020
CCS T 04
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB 1589-2026
Replaces GB 1589-2016
Limits of dimensions, axle load and masses for motor vehicles, trailers and combination vehicles
汽车、挂车及汽车列车外廓尺寸、轴荷及质量限值
(English Translation)
Issue date: 2026-08-27 Implementation date: 2027-07-01
Issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Limits of dimensions, axle load and masses for motor vehicles, trailers and combination vehicles
1 Scope
This document specifies the limits for the dimensions, axle load and masses for motor vehicles, trailers and combination vehicles.
This document applies to motor vehicles, trailers and combination vehicles traveling on roads.
This document does not apply to the following vehicles:
- Special vehicles equipped by the military, armed police and public security special police;
- Double-articulated buses operating on restricted roads.
2 Normative references
The following documents contain requirements which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 3730.1 Terms and definitions of motor vehicles, trailers and combination vehicle - Part 1 : Types
GB/T 3730.2 Road vehicle - Masses - Vocabulary and codes
GB/T 3730.3 Motor vehicles and towed vehicles - Dimensions of vehicles - Terms and definitions
GB/T 17350 Classification, name and model compilation method for special motor vehicles and special trailers
3 Terms and definitions
For the purpose of this document, the terms and definitions defined in GB/T 3730.1, GB/T 3730.2, GB/T 3730.3 and GB/T 17350, as well as the followings apply.
3.1
vehicle length
distance between the two planes that respectively pass through the front and rear outermost endpoints of the vehicle and are parallel to the X reference plane, as measured in accordance with Annex A
3.2
vehicle width
distance between the two planes that respectively pass through the outermost endpoints of the fixed protruding parts on both sides of the vehicle and are parallel to the Y reference plane, as measured in accordance with Annex A
3.3
vehicle height
distance from the highest point of the vehicle to the Z reference plane, as measured in accordance with Annex A
3.4
tri-wheel vehicle
goods vehicle with three wheels and a maximum design speed of less than or equal to 50 km/h
3.5
low-speed goods vehicle
goods vehicle with four wheels and a maximum design speed of less than 70 km/h
3.6
fence goods vehicle
goods vehicle whose loading part is of cage or fence structure independent from the driving cab, equipped with a ceiling pole fixed to the side fence and unable to be removed and adjusted at the top
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 6.1.3]
3.7
fence semi-trailer
semi-trailer whose loading part is of cage or fence structure, equipped with a ceiling pole fixed to the side fence and unable to be removed and adjusted at the top
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 7.1.1.3]
3.8
drop slide vehicle
goods vehicle whose loading part is of drop slide structure (an on-board lifting device may be equipped)
Note: Excluding multi purpose goods vehicles and dump trucks.
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 6.1.2]
3.9
drop slide semi-trailer
semi-trailer whose loading part is of drop slide structure (an on-board lifting device may be equipped)
Note: Excluding dump semi-trailers
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 7.1.1.2]
3.10
platform goods vehicle
goods vehicle with flatbed floor and no fence at the loading part
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 6.1.1]
3.11
flatbed semi-trailer
semi-trailer with flatbed floor and no fence at the loading part
Note: Excluding low flatbed semi-trailers specially used for transporting non-detachable large goods.
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 7.1.1.1, modified]
3.12
dump truck
goods vehicle with drop slide loading part, which is equipped with automatic dumping device
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 6.1.5]
3.13
dump semi-trailer
semi-trailer with drop slide loading part, which is equipped with automatic dumping device
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 7.1.1.5]
3.14
low deck semi-trailer
transport semi-trailer that adopts a large gooseneck structure, is equipped with devices such as a cargo platform and/or ladder, has an arc-shaped rear end on the upper surface of the gooseneck, and a slope structure on the upper surface of the gooseneck that is low at the front and high at the rear (with the direction of vehicle travel as the front), which, on account of its design, manufacture and technical characteristics, is intended for transporting large indivisible objects
Note: Large gooseneck structure refers to the structure at the front end of a low deck semi-trailer whose maximum overall width is not greater than 1400 mm, whose rear horizontal section has a drop of more than 300 mm from the upper surface of the cargo platform, and which is connected to the cargo platform of the semi-trailer.
[Source: GB/T 17350-2024, 5.2.2.1, modified]
3.15
semi-trailer towing vehicle
motor vehicle with special devices for towing semi-trailer
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 6.6]
3.16
long nose towing vehicle
semi-trailer towing vehicle that simultaneously meets the following conditions:
- More than half of the engine body (if any) is located ahead of the foremost point of the front windshield;
- The center of the steering wheel is located behind the front quarter of the total length of the vehicle cab (the entire front end);
- The centerline of the front axle is located ahead of the foremost point of the front windshield.
3.17
long nose articulated vehicle
articulated vehicle consisting of a long nose towing vehicle and a semi-trailer
3.18
aerodynamic towing vehicle
semi-trailer towing vehicle that simultaneously has the following structural and technical characteristics:
- The distance from the R point to the foremost point of the vehicle is not less than 1700 mm;
- The windshield inclination angle is not less than 30°;
- The front axle centerline is located ahead of the R point.
3.19
aerodynamic articulated vehicle
articulated vehicle consisting of an aerodynamic towing vehicle and a semi-trailer
3.20
center axle trailer
semi-trailer whose towing device cannot move vertically (relative to the trailer), with only vertical static load not exceeding 10% of the maximum mass of the trailer or 1000kg (whichever is smaller) applied to the towing vehicle, and axle located close to the centre of gravity of the trailer (when the load is uniform)
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 7.2]
3.21
centre axle trailer of car carrier
center axle trailer equipped with a platform for loading and securing vehicles and a device for loading and unloading vehicles, used for transporting vehicles
[Source: GB/T 17350-2024, 4.3.12, modified]
3.22
centre axle trailer train of car carrier
train consisting of a goods vehicle and a center axle trailer, equipped with a platform for loading and securing vehicles and a device for loading and unloading vehicles, used for transporting vehicles
3.23
passenger/car trailer combination
combination of a passenger car with a centre-axle trailer
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 8.1, modified]
3.24
goods road train
combination of a goods vehicle and a draw-bar trailer or a center-axle trailer
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 8.3, modified]
3.25
special operation vehicle
motor vehicle, equipped with special equipment or appliances, which, on account of its design, manufacture and technical characteristics, is intended for engineering special (including health care) operations, excluding motor vehicle (other than fire fighting vehicle and police operation vehicle) equipped with special equipment or appliances, which has more than 9 seats, including the driver seat
Note: Special operation vehicle mainly includes fire fighting vehicle, police operation vehicle, special operation vehicle for oil field, municipal sanitation operation vehicles, concrete pouring operation vehicles, crane and lifting operation vehicles, emergency support operation vehicles, road construction operation vehicles, medical vehicles, etc.
[Source: GB/T 17350-2024, 3.1.4, modified]
3.26
special operation vehicle for oil field
special operation vehicle equipped with tools and equipment adapted to their functions, which, on account of its design, manufacture and technical characteristics, is intended for geological exploration, drilling, well logging, well cementing, oil production, well workover, enhanced recovery, gas impurity removal, gas filling, etc.
[Source: GB/T 17350-2024, 4.4.3]
3.27
motor caravan trailer combination
combination of a motor caravan trailer and a center-axle trailer
3.28
semi-trailer wheelbase
horizontal distance between the central axis of the semi-trailer kingpin and the horizontal geometric centerline of the non-steering axle group
3.29
front fitting radius of semi-trailer
horizontal distance from the semi-trailer kingpin axis to the point on the front end of the semi-trailer that is farthest from the kingpin axis
3.30
air suspension
suspension system in which the damping effect provided by air springs accounts for 75% or more of the overall damping effect
4 Requirements
4.1 Requirements for dimensions
4.1.1 Limits of dimensions
4.1.1.1 The dimensions of drop side vehicle, fence goods vehicle, flatbed vehicle and dump vehicle and their semi-trailers shall not exceed the limits specified in Table 1.
Contents
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Requirements
5 Implementation of the standard
Annex A (Normative) Provisions for measuring dimensions
Annex B (Normative) Measurement methods for vehicle turning circle and outward swing value
ICS 43.020
CCS T 04
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB 1589-2026
Replaces GB 1589-2016
Limits of dimensions, axle load and masses for motor vehicles, trailers and combination vehicles
汽车、挂车及汽车列车外廓尺寸、轴荷及质量限值
(English Translation)
Issue date: 2026-08-27 Implementation date: 2027-07-01
Issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People's Republic of China
the Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China
Limits of dimensions, axle load and masses for motor vehicles, trailers and combination vehicles
1 Scope
This document specifies the limits for the dimensions, axle load and masses for motor vehicles, trailers and combination vehicles.
This document applies to motor vehicles, trailers and combination vehicles traveling on roads.
This document does not apply to the following vehicles:
- Special vehicles equipped by the military, armed police and public security special police;
- Double-articulated buses operating on restricted roads.
2 Normative references
The following documents contain requirements which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 3730.1 Terms and definitions of motor vehicles, trailers and combination vehicle - Part 1 : Types
GB/T 3730.2 Road vehicle - Masses - Vocabulary and codes
GB/T 3730.3 Motor vehicles and towed vehicles - Dimensions of vehicles - Terms and definitions
GB/T 17350 Classification, name and model compilation method for special motor vehicles and special trailers
3 Terms and definitions
For the purpose of this document, the terms and definitions defined in GB/T 3730.1, GB/T 3730.2, GB/T 3730.3 and GB/T 17350, as well as the followings apply.
3.1
vehicle length
distance between the two planes that respectively pass through the front and rear outermost endpoints of the vehicle and are parallel to the X reference plane, as measured in accordance with Annex A
3.2
vehicle width
distance between the two planes that respectively pass through the outermost endpoints of the fixed protruding parts on both sides of the vehicle and are parallel to the Y reference plane, as measured in accordance with Annex A
3.3
vehicle height
distance from the highest point of the vehicle to the Z reference plane, as measured in accordance with Annex A
3.4
tri-wheel vehicle
goods vehicle with three wheels and a maximum design speed of less than or equal to 50 km/h
3.5
low-speed goods vehicle
goods vehicle with four wheels and a maximum design speed of less than 70 km/h
3.6
fence goods vehicle
goods vehicle whose loading part is of cage or fence structure independent from the driving cab, equipped with a ceiling pole fixed to the side fence and unable to be removed and adjusted at the top
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 6.1.3]
3.7
fence semi-trailer
semi-trailer whose loading part is of cage or fence structure, equipped with a ceiling pole fixed to the side fence and unable to be removed and adjusted at the top
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 7.1.1.3]
3.8
drop slide vehicle
goods vehicle whose loading part is of drop slide structure (an on-board lifting device may be equipped)
Note: Excluding multi purpose goods vehicles and dump trucks.
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 6.1.2]
3.9
drop slide semi-trailer
semi-trailer whose loading part is of drop slide structure (an on-board lifting device may be equipped)
Note: Excluding dump semi-trailers
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 7.1.1.2]
3.10
platform goods vehicle
goods vehicle with flatbed floor and no fence at the loading part
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 6.1.1]
3.11
flatbed semi-trailer
semi-trailer with flatbed floor and no fence at the loading part
Note: Excluding low flatbed semi-trailers specially used for transporting non-detachable large goods.
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 7.1.1.1, modified]
3.12
dump truck
goods vehicle with drop slide loading part, which is equipped with automatic dumping device
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 6.1.5]
3.13
dump semi-trailer
semi-trailer with drop slide loading part, which is equipped with automatic dumping device
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 7.1.1.5]
3.14
low deck semi-trailer
transport semi-trailer that adopts a large gooseneck structure, is equipped with devices such as a cargo platform and/or ladder, has an arc-shaped rear end on the upper surface of the gooseneck, and a slope structure on the upper surface of the gooseneck that is low at the front and high at the rear (with the direction of vehicle travel as the front), which, on account of its design, manufacture and technical characteristics, is intended for transporting large indivisible objects
Note: Large gooseneck structure refers to the structure at the front end of a low deck semi-trailer whose maximum overall width is not greater than 1400 mm, whose rear horizontal section has a drop of more than 300 mm from the upper surface of the cargo platform, and which is connected to the cargo platform of the semi-trailer.
[Source: GB/T 17350-2024, 5.2.2.1, modified]
3.15
semi-trailer towing vehicle
motor vehicle with special devices for towing semi-trailer
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 6.6]
3.16
long nose towing vehicle
semi-trailer towing vehicle that simultaneously meets the following conditions:
- More than half of the engine body (if any) is located ahead of the foremost point of the front windshield;
- The center of the steering wheel is located behind the front quarter of the total length of the vehicle cab (the entire front end);
- The centerline of the front axle is located ahead of the foremost point of the front windshield.
3.17
long nose articulated vehicle
articulated vehicle consisting of a long nose towing vehicle and a semi-trailer
3.18
aerodynamic towing vehicle
semi-trailer towing vehicle that simultaneously has the following structural and technical characteristics:
- The distance from the R point to the foremost point of the vehicle is not less than 1700 mm;
- The windshield inclination angle is not less than 30°;
- The front axle centerline is located ahead of the R point.
3.19
aerodynamic articulated vehicle
articulated vehicle consisting of an aerodynamic towing vehicle and a semi-trailer
3.20
center axle trailer
semi-trailer whose towing device cannot move vertically (relative to the trailer), with only vertical static load not exceeding 10% of the maximum mass of the trailer or 1000kg (whichever is smaller) applied to the towing vehicle, and axle located close to the centre of gravity of the trailer (when the load is uniform)
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 7.2]
3.21
centre axle trailer of car carrier
center axle trailer equipped with a platform for loading and securing vehicles and a device for loading and unloading vehicles, used for transporting vehicles
[Source: GB/T 17350-2024, 4.3.12, modified]
3.22
centre axle trailer train of car carrier
train consisting of a goods vehicle and a center axle trailer, equipped with a platform for loading and securing vehicles and a device for loading and unloading vehicles, used for transporting vehicles
3.23
passenger/car trailer combination
combination of a passenger car with a centre-axle trailer
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 8.1, modified]
3.24
goods road train
combination of a goods vehicle and a draw-bar trailer or a center-axle trailer
[Source: GB/T 3730.1-2022, 8.3, modified]
3.25
special operation vehicle
motor vehicle, equipped with special equipment or appliances, which, on account of its design, manufacture and technical characteristics, is intended for engineering special (including health care) operations, excluding motor vehicle (other than fire fighting vehicle and police operation vehicle) equipped with special equipment or appliances, which has more than 9 seats, including the driver seat
Note: Special operation vehicle mainly includes fire fighting vehicle, police operation vehicle, special operation vehicle for oil field, municipal sanitation operation vehicles, concrete pouring operation vehicles, crane and lifting operation vehicles, emergency support operation vehicles, road construction operation vehicles, medical vehicles, etc.
[Source: GB/T 17350-2024, 3.1.4, modified]
3.26
special operation vehicle for oil field
special operation vehicle equipped with tools and equipment adapted to their functions, which, on account of its design, manufacture and technical characteristics, is intended for geological exploration, drilling, well logging, well cementing, oil production, well workover, enhanced recovery, gas impurity removal, gas filling, etc.
[Source: GB/T 17350-2024, 4.4.3]
3.27
motor caravan trailer combination
combination of a motor caravan trailer and a center-axle trailer
3.28
semi-trailer wheelbase
horizontal distance between the central axis of the semi-trailer kingpin and the horizontal geometric centerline of the non-steering axle group
3.29
front fitting radius of semi-trailer
horizontal distance from the semi-trailer kingpin axis to the point on the front end of the semi-trailer that is farthest from the kingpin axis
3.30
air suspension
suspension system in which the damping effect provided by air springs accounts for 75% or more of the overall damping effect
4 Requirements
4.1 Requirements for dimensions
4.1.1 Limits of dimensions
4.1.1.1 The dimensions of drop side vehicle, fence goods vehicle, flatbed vehicle and dump vehicle and their semi-trailers shall not exceed the limits specified in Table 1.
Contents of GB 1589-2026
Contents
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Requirements
5 Implementation of the standard
Annex A (Normative) Provisions for measuring dimensions
Annex B (Normative) Measurement methods for vehicle turning circle and outward swing value
