The maximum authorised mass (gross vehicle weight) is the highest weight a vehicle including its load may have. It determines driving licence category, toll liability and driving bans, among other things.
Germany: vehicle combinations such as articulated trucks may weigh up to 40 t, up to 44 t in combined transport (Section 34 StVZO).
Toll thresholds: truck tolls in Germany and Austria above 3.5 t; Eurovignette and the UK HGV Levy from 12 t.
Payload: maximum authorised mass minus unladen weight.