What does "overloading" a vehicle mean?

Overloading a vehicle refers to the act of carrying more weight than the vehicle’s rated capacity. Every vehicle is designed to handle a specific amount of weight based on its construction and engineering, which includes not just the load being carried but also factors like the weight of the vehicle itself, passengers, and cargo. When a vehicle is overloaded, it can compromise handling, braking, and stability, leading to dangerous driving conditions and increased risk of accidents. Additionally, overloading can cause excessive wear and tear on the vehicle’s components, potentially leading to mechanical failures and costly repairs.

The other choices, while related to vehicle operation, do not accurately define overloading. Driving with too many passengers pertains to passenger capacity rather than weight capacity, transporting oversized loads without permits is about load compliance rather than weight limits, and driving on restricted roadways concerns legal access rather than the issue of weight that comes with overloading.