Rationale for Maximum Weight Limit of Commercial Vehicles in HDB Carparks

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the rationale for HDB to limit the maximum unladen/laden weight of commercial vehicles to less than 2,000 kg if the vehicles are able to fit into a standard parking lot whereas such weight requirements are not applicable to passenger vehicles; and (b) whether HDB will consider raising the maximum weight limit to minimise the inconvenience to residents driving such vehicles.

In general, commercial vehicles with unladen weight exceeding 2,000 kilograms are not allowed to park in HDB residential car parks for safety reasons. This is because the vehicles tend to protrude from the car lot and obstruct the view of other car park users, block passengers in vehicles next to theirs from opening their doors, or generate noise and air pollution that impacts residents.

However, HDB does exercise flexibility to allow drivers of commercial vehicles that marginally exceed 2,000 kilograms to park their vehicles at surface residential car parks, if the vehicle is able to fit within the car lot, does not obstruct or endanger other car park users, and does not create noise or air pollution.

HDB also exercises similar flexibility for parking in multi-storey car parks (MSCPs). However, as the MSCPs are not designed to withstand vehicular weights beyond a certain limit, only commercial vehicles near the 2,000-kilogram limit, and which fit within the car lot, can be allowed.

Vehicles that are unable to park in HDB car parks can park at commercial and industrial car parks, as well as purpose-built heavy vehicle parks instead.