Tilt test (vehicle safety test)

The tilt test is a safety test that certain government vehicle certification bodies require new vehicle designs to pass before being allowed on the road, race, or rail track. ^{[1] [2]}

The test assesses the weight distribution and hence the position of the centre of gravity of the vehicle, and can be carried out in a laden or unladen state, i.e. with or without passengers or freight. ^[3] The test can be applied to automobiles, trucks, buses, and rail vehicles. ^[4]

The test involves tilting the vehicle in the notional direction of its side on a movable platform. To pass the test, the vehicle must not tip over before the table reaches the specified tilt angle.

United States

In the United States, an automotive tilt table testing center in Nevada designed and built an in-house tilt table to test vehicle capabilities in accordance with regulatory and industry standards. The table tilts at approximately 0.09 degrees per second and determines the static roll properties of vehicles. It has a surface area of 800 sq. ft. and a lifting capacity of 350,000 lbs. ^[5]    

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, double-decker buses must be capable of leaning fully laden at an angle of 28 degrees without toppling over. ^{[6] [2]}

Hong Kong

The same 28-degree requirement applies in Hong Kong to double-decker buses. For single-deckers, the requirement is 35 degrees. ^{[7] [8] [9] [10]}

See also

• Vehicle metrics
• Weight distribution
• Moose test

References

1. "IC Handbook - Tilt Test". www.fsaeonline.com. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
2. "These Amazing "Tilt Test" Photos From the Past Prove That Double-Decker Buses Were Safe and Not a Tipping Hazard" . Retrieved 2025-11-24.
3. Pena, Lucía (2024-02-26). "Load stability tester: Is tilt simulation the same as horizontal acceleration testing?". Safe Load Testing Technologies. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
4. Turck. "Critical Angle Sensing". Turck Inc. USA. Archived from the original on 2025-09-08. Retrieved 2025-12-01.
5. "Tilt Table Testing". NATC. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
6. Public record of a debate in the UK parliament about a recent coach crash, Column 512 Mr Parkison 05 June 1990
7. "Vehicle Control" (PDF). Report on Enhancement of Highway Safety (Report). Transport and Housing Bureau. 27 November 2003.
8. "Legislative Council Panel on Transport: Measures to enhance the safety of franchised bus operation" (PDF). Hong Kong Legislative Council.
9. "Official Report of Proceedings" (PDF). Hong Kong Legislative Council. 24 November 1982.
10. "Official Report of Proceedings" (PDF). Hong Kong Legislative Council. 12 November 1986.