The C21 'Maximum Gross Weight' traffic sign indicates a restriction on the total weight allowed for a vehicle or vehicle combination. This sign is crucial for maintaining road safety and protecting infrastructure with limited load capacity. If your vehicle or combined vehicle and trailer setup exceeds the weight specified on the sign, you must not proceed past it and should find an alternative route. Always check your vehicle's gross weight against the sign's limit before entering the regulated section.
Learn the key details of the C21 - Maximum Gross Weight (Vehicle and Combination) road sign, including its function, what it communicates to drivers, and how it applies in real traffic situations in Sweden. Use this overview to understand the sign clearly and recognise it confidently during the Swedish driving theory exam.
This sign sets a maximum permitted gross weight for both single vehicles and vehicle combinations (such as a truck with trailer). It is used where infrastructure has limited load capacity and where heavy combinations could cause damage or create safety risks. The value shown indicates the highest allowed gross weight. If your total gross weight exceeds the limit, you must not enter beyond the sign and must choose an alternative route. The restriction applies from the sign location for the regulated road section ahead.
Vehicles and vehicle combinations above the stated gross weight are not allowed.
Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the C21 - Maximum Gross Weight (Vehicle and Combination) road sign. Learn how the sign works, what rules it represents, and how it affects real driving situations. This FAQ strengthens your understanding and supports accurate decision making for the Swedish driving theory exam in Sweden.
The C21 sign means that vehicles and vehicle combinations (like a truck with a trailer) are prohibited from proceeding if their total gross weight exceeds the maximum limit shown on the sign. This limit is in place to protect roads and bridges from damage or to ensure safety on specific routes.
For a single vehicle, the gross weight is the vehicle's own weight plus any load. For a vehicle combination, it's the total weight of the towing vehicle, the trailer, and any load carried by either. Always consider the entire setup; even if the truck is light, a heavy trailer could put you over the limit.
If your vehicle and trailer combination exceeds the weight indicated on the C21 sign, you must not enter the area beyond the sign. You need to find an alternative route that does not have this restriction or is designed for heavier vehicles. It's important to plan your route in advance if you are driving a heavy vehicle.
The C21 sign affects any vehicle or combination of vehicles where the total gross weight, including any load, exceeds the specified limit. This is particularly relevant for larger vehicles like lorries, buses, or cars towing heavy trailers, campers, or caravans. Always check your vehicle's specifications and load carefully.
A common trap is focusing only on the weight of the towing vehicle and forgetting to add the trailer's weight. Another is not understanding that 'gross weight' refers to the total combined weight of the vehicle and its load. Always consider the maximum permitted gross weight for the specific combination and ensure it is within the posted limit.
A clear reference image of the C21 - Maximum Gross Weight (Vehicle and Combination) road sign used in Sweden.
The C21 - Maximum Gross Weight (Vehicle and Combination) road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The C21 - Maximum Gross Weight (Vehicle and Combination) road sign is part of the Prohibitory Signs (C) category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.