Kerb Weight in the Registration Document
Where kerb weight appears in the German registration document (field G), what it includes, and how to calculate your van's permitted payload.
Editorial and specialist review: Max Valjan · Last updated: August 9, 2026
Delivery & transport operations
A vehicle's kerb weight (Leergewicht, officially Leermasse) appears in the German registration certificate part I (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I, colloquially still "Fahrzeugschein") in field G — "mass of the vehicle in running order". Anyone loading a van needs this value to calculate the permitted payload and avoid overloading.
Where exactly does it appear?
| Field | Entry | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| G | Kerb weight (Leermasse) | Mass of the vehicle in running order — for cars and many vans including 75 kg for the driver and fluids filled to 90 % (fuel, oil, coolant) |
| F.1 | Technically permissible maximum laden mass | Upper limit approved by the manufacturer |
| F.2 | Maximum laden mass permitted in the country of registration | The limit that matters day to day — the basis for the payload |
In the old Fahrzeugschein (issued before October 2005), the kerb weight appears under item 14 and the permitted gross weight under item 15.
What is the Leermasse (field G)?
Leermasse is the official term for kerb weight. Field G describes the vehicle in running order: body and equipment, fluids filled to 90 %, and — per the EU standard — 75 kg for the driver. Retrofitted items such as racking or a tow bar are not included; they come out of your payload.
How do I calculate the payload?
The formula is simple:
Permitted maximum mass (F.2) − kerb weight (G) = maximum payload
Example van: 3,500 kg (F.2) − 2,400 kg (G) = 1,100 kg payload. Note: passengers, accessories, racking, and tools count towards the payload — not just the cargo. Since field G already includes the driver, don't subtract them twice.
Why this matters in transport
- Overloading is expensive: Mobile-scale checks are common; from about 5 % overload fines apply, and 3.5-tonne vans can be barred from continuing until unloaded.
- Safety: An overloaded vehicle brakes longer and handles worse — and the cargo must also be properly secured (see load securing).
- The 3.5-tonne limit: Many vans are deliberately rated at 3.5 t so they can be driven with a category-B car licence. Payload is correspondingly limited — for heavy single items, check field G before driving.
Practical: the right vehicle instead of maths
If you have furniture, machines, or pallets to move, you don't have to calculate anything: when booking a small transport, simply pick the right vehicle size — the driver brings a vehicle with sufficient payload.