What is the permissible payload?

The permissible payload refers to the maximum weight of cargo and passengers that a vehicle is allowed to carry. According to German traffic rules, it is calculated as the difference between the permissible gross mass (the total allowed weight of the vehicle when fully loaded) and the unladen mass (the vehicle's weight without any load). This ensures the vehicle is not overloaded, which could affect safety and vehicle performance. Therefore, both the maximum permissible load and the calculation as the difference between gross mass and unladen mass correctly describe the permissible payload. The permissible gross mass itself is not the payload but the total allowable weight of the vehicle including its own weight and the payload.