Legalize / United Kingdom / Statutory-Instrument

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

Type Statutory-Instrument

Publication 1986-06-25

Last updated 2025-04-29

State In force

Department Westlaw

Source legislation.gov.uk

PDF Download

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

(1A) Save as provided in paragraphs (2),(3), (3A) and (5), the braking system of every wheeled vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table which, in the case of a motor vehicle, is first used on or after the relevant date or which, in the case of a trailer, is manufactured on or after the relevant date shall comply with the construction, fitting and performance requirements specified in Annexes I, II and VII to Community Directive 85/647, and if relevant, Annexes III, IV, V, VI, VIII, X, XI and XII to that Directive in relation to the category of vehicles specified in that item in column 3.

Provided that it shall be lawful for any vehicle of such a class which, in the case of a motor vehicle, was first used before the relevant date or which, in the case of a trailer, was manufactured before the relevant date to comply with the said requirements instead of complying with paragraph (1) or with regulations 16 and 17.

(1B) In paragraph (1A), the relevant date in relation to a vehicle of a class specified in item 1 or 2 of the Table is 1st April 1990, in relation to a vehicle specified in item 4 of that Table is 1st April 1992, in relation to a vehicle in items 7, 8, 9 or 10 of that Table is 1st October 1988 and in relation to a vehicle of any other class is 1st April 1989.

(1C) Save as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), (3A) and (5A), the braking system of every wheeled vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table which, in the case of a motor vehicle, is first used on or after 1st April 1992 or which, in the case of a trailer, is manufactured on or after 1st October 1991 shall comply with the construction, fitting and performance requirements specified in Annexes I, II and VII to Community Directive 88/194, and if relevant, Annexes III, IV, V, VI, VIII, X, XI and XII to that Directive in relation to the category of vehicles specified in that item in column 3.

Provided that it shall be lawful for any vehicle of such a class which, in the case of a motor vehicle, was first used before 1st April 1992 or which, in the case of a trailer, was manufactured before 1st October 1991 to comply with the said requirements instead of complying with paragraph (1) or (1A) or with regulations 16 and 17.

(1D) Save as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), (3A) and (5A), the braking system of every wheeled vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table which, in the case of a motor vehicle, is first used on or after 1st April 1995 or which, in the case of a trailer, is manufactured on or after that date shall comply with the construction, fitting and performance requirements specified in Annexes I, II, and VII to Community Directive 91/422, and if relevant, Annexes III, IV, V, VI, VIII, X, XI and XII to that Directive in relation to the category of vehicles specified in that item in column 3.

Provided that it shall be lawful for any vehicle of such a class which, in the case of a motor vehicle, was first used before 1st April 1995 or which, in the case of a trailer, was manufactured before that date to comply with the said requirements instead of complying with paragraph (1), (1A) or (1C) or with regulations 16 and 17.

(1E) Save as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), (3A), (5A) and (5B) the braking system of every wheeled vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table which, in the case of a motor vehicle, is first used on or after 1st May 2002 or which, in the case of a trailer, is manufactured on or after 1st May 2002 shall comply with the construction, fitting and performance requirements of Annexes I, II and VII to Community Directive 98/12/EC and if relevant, Annexes III, IV, V, VI, VIII, X, XI, XII, XIII and XIV to that Directive in relation to the category of vehicles specified in that item in column 3.

Provided that it shall be lawful for any vehicle of such a class which, in the case of a motor vehicle, was first used before 1st May 2002 or which, in the case of a trailer, was manufactured before 1st May 2002 to comply with the said requirements instead of complying with paragraphs (1), (1A), (1C) or (1D) or with regulations 16 and 17.

(2) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1), (1A), (1C), (1D) and (1E) do not apply to—

(a) an agricultural trailer that is not drawn at a speed exceeding 40 km/h;

(aa) an agricultural trailed appliance that is not drawn at a speed exceeding 20 mph;

(b) a locomotive;

(d) an agricultural motor vehicle , not being a category T tractor, unless it is first used after 1st June 1986 and is driven at more than 20 mph;

(da) a category T tractor unless it is first used after 1st June 1986 and is driven at more than 40 km/h;

(e) a vehicle which has a maximum speed not exceeding 25 km/h;

(f) a works trailer;

(g) a works truck;

(h) a public works vehicle;

(i) a trailer designed and constructed, or adapted, to be drawn exclusively by a vehicle to which sub–paragraph (b), (c), (e), (g) or (h) of this paragraph applies;

(j) a trailer falling within regulation 16(3)(b), (bb), (bc), (d), (e), (f) or (g);

(ja) a trailer which is manufactured before 1st January 1997 and has a maximum total design axle weight that does not exceed 750 kg; or

(k) a vehicle manufactured by Leyland Vehicles Limited and known as the Atlantean Bus, if first used before 1st October 1984.

(3) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1), (1A), (1C), (1D) and (1E) shall apply to the classes of vehicles specified in the Table so that—

(a) in item 3, the testing requirement specified in paragraph 1.5.1 and 1.5.2 of Annex II to Community Directives 79/489, 85/647, 88/194, 91/422 and 98/12 shall apply to every vehicle specified in that item other than—

(i) a double–decked vehicle first used before 1st October 1983, or

(ii) a vehicle of a type in respect of which a member state of the European Economic Community has issued a type approval certificate in accordance with Community Directive 79/489, 85/647, 88/194, 91/422 or 98/12;

(b) in items 2 and 3—

(i) the requirements specified in paragraph 1.1.4.2 of Annex II to Community Directive 79/489, 85/647, 88/194, 91/422 and 98/12 shall not apply in relation to any vehicle first used before 1st April 1996;

(ii) those requirements shall not apply in relation to any relevant bus first used on or after that date;

(iii) sub–note (2) to paragraph 1.17.2 of Annex I to Community Directive 85/647, 88/194, 91/422 and 98/12 shall not apply in relation to any vehicle,

and for the purposes of this sub-paragraph “relevant bus” means a bus that is not a coach;

(c) in items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, in the case of vehicles constructed or adapted for use by physically handicapped drivers, the requirement in paragraph 2.1.2.1 of Annex I to Community Directive 79/489 that the driver must be able to achieve the braking action mentioned in that paragraph from his driving seat without removing his hands from the steering control shall be modified so as to require that the driver is able to achieve that action while continuing to steer the vehicle; and

(d) in items 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, the requirement specified in paragraph 1.1.4.2 of Annex II to Community Directive 79/489 shall not apply to a vehicle first used (in the case of a motor vehicle) or manufactured (in the case of a trailer) before the relevant date as defined in paragraph (1B) if either—

(i) following a test in respect of which the fee numbered 26024/26250 to 26257, prescribed in Schedule 1 to the Motor Vehicles (Type Approval and Approval Marks) (Fees) Regulations 1990, or the corresponding fee prescribed under any corresponding previous enactment is payable, a document is issued by the Secretary of State indicating that, at the date of manufacture of the vehicle, the type to which it belonged complied with the requirements specified in Annex 13 to ECE Regulation 13.03, 13.04, 13.05, 13.06, 13.07, 13.08 or 13.09; or

(ii) as a result of a notifiable alteration to the vehicle within the meaning of regulation 3 of the Plating and Testing Regulations, a fitment has been approved as complying with the requirements mentioned in sub–paragraph (i).

(3A) The requirements specified in paragraphs (1A), (1C), (1D) and (1E) shall apply to a road tanker subject to the exclusion of paragraph 4.3 of Annex X to Community Directive 85/647.

(3B) No motor vehicle to which paragraph (1D) or (1E) applies and which is first used on or after 1st April 1996 shall be fitted with an integrated retarder unless either—

(a) the motor vehicle is fitted with an anti–lock device which acts on the retarder and which complies with the requirements specified in Annex X to Community Directive 91/422 or Community Directive 98/12; or

(b) the retarder is fitted with a cut–out device which allows the combined control to apply the service braking system alone and which can be operated by the driver from the driving seat;

and expressions (other than the word “vehicle”) used in this paragraph which are also used in Annex I to Community Directive 85/647 shall, for the purposes of this paragraph, have the same meanings as in that Annex save that “retarder” shall not in any circumstances include a regenerative braking system.

(4) Instead of complying with paragraph (1) of this regulation, a vehicle to which this regulation applies may comply with ECE Regulation 13.03, 13.04, 13.05, 13.06, 13.07, 13.08 or 13.09.

(5) Instead of complying with paragraph (1A) of this regulation, a vehicle to which this regulation applies may comply with ECE Regulation 13.05, 13.06, 13.07, 13.08 or 13.09.

(5A) Instead of complying with paragraph (1C) or (1D) of this regulation, a vehicle to which this regulation applies may comply—

(a) in the case of a trailer manufactured before 1st April 1992, with ECE Regulation 13.05 or 13.06; or

(b) in the case of any vehicle not falling within sub–paragraph (a), with ECE Regulation 13.06 13.07, 13.08 or 13.09.

(5B) Instead of complying with paragraph (1E) of this regulation, a vehicle to which this regulation applies may comply with ECE Regulation 13.09.

(6) In paragraph (3A), the expression “road tanker” means any vehicle or trailer which carries liquid fuel in a tank forming part of the vehicle or trailer other than that containing the fuel which is used to propel the vehicle, and also includes any tank with a capacity exceeding 3m3 carried on a vehicle.

(7) In this regulation, and in relation to the application to any vehicle of any provision of Community Directive 85/647, 88/194, 91/422 or 98/12, the definitions of “semi–trailer”, “full trailer” and “centre–axle trailer” set out in that Directive shall apply and the meaning of “semi–trailer” in column 2 of the Table in regulation 3(2) shall not apply.

(8) For the purposes of the preceding provisions of this regulation the date on which a trailer was manufactured shall be taken to be the date on which its manufacture was completed except that, in the case of a trailer whose manufacture has been completed for more than 8 years and which has been the subject of a notifiable alteration under regulation 30 of the Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1988, it shall be taken to be the date on which the notifiable alteration was completed.

(9) A trailer, whose manufacture has been completed for more than eight years and which has been the subject of a notifiable alteration under regulation 30 of the Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1988, shall comply with all requirements of Community Directives relating to braking systems which applied to the trailer at the date when the notifiable alteration was completed.

1	2	3
Item	Class of Vehicle	Vehicle Category in the Community Directive
1	Passenger vehicles and dual–purpose vehicles which have 3 or more wheels except—dual–purpose vehicles constructed or adapted to carry not more than 2 passengers exclusive of the driver;motor cycles with sidecar attached;vehicles with three wheels, an unladen weight not exceeding 410kg, a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h and an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc;buses.	M1
2	Buses having a maximum gross weight which does not exceed 5000 kg.	M2
3	Buses having a maximum gross weight which exceeds 5000 kg.	M3
4	Dual–purpose vehicles not within item 1; and goods vehicles, having a maximum gross weight which does not exceed 3500 kg, and not being motor cycles with a sidecar attached.	N1
	Goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight which—
5	exceeds 3500 kg but does not exceed 12,000 kg;	N2
6	exceeds 12,000 kg.	N3
	Trailers with a maximum total design axle weight which—
7	does not exceed 750 kg;	01
8	exceeds 750 kg but does not exceed 3500 kg;	02
9	exceeds 3500 kg but does not exceed 10,000 kg;	03
10	exceeds 10,000 kg.	04

Braking systems of vehicles to which regulation 15 does not apply

16

(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), this regulation applies to every vehicle to which regulation 15 does not apply.

(2) Paragraph (4) of this regulation does not apply to a vehicle which complies with regulation 15 by virtue of the proviso to regulation 15(1), (1A), (1C), (1D) or (1E), or which complies with Community Directive 79/489, 85/647, 88/194, 91/422 or 98/12 or ECE Regulation 13.03, 13.04, 13.05, 13.06, 13.07, 13.08 or 13.09.

(3) This regulation does not apply to the following vehicles, except in the case of a vehicle referred to in (a) insofar as the regulation concerns parking brakes (requirements 16 to 18 in Schedule 3)—

(a) a locomotive first used before 2nd January 1933, propelled by steam, and with an engine which is capable of being reversed;

(b) a trailer which is designed for use and used for street cleansing and does not carry any load other than its necessary gear and equipment;

(ba) a trailer which has a maximum total design axle weight that does not exceed 750 kg;

(bb) a trailer which—

(i) is an agricultural trailer manufactured before 1st July 1947;

(ii) is being drawn by a motor tractor or an agricultural motor vehicle at a speed not exceeding 10 mph;

(iii) has a laden weight not exceeding 4070 kg; and

(iv) is the only trailer being drawn;

(bc) a trailer which is being drawn by a motor cycle in accordance with regulation 84;

(d) an agricultural trailed appliance conveyor;

(e) a broken down vehicle;

(f) before 1st October 1986—

(i) a trailer with an unladen weight not exceeding 102 kg which was manufactured before 1st October 1982; and

(ii) a gritting trailer; or

(g) on or after 1st October 1986, a gritting trailer with a maximum gross weight not exceeding 2000 kg.

(4) Save as provided in paragraph (7), a vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall comply with the requirements shown in column 3 in that item, subject to any exemptions or modifications shown in column 4 in that item, reference to numbers in column 3 being references to the requirements so numbered in Schedule 3.

1	2	3	4
Item	Class of vehicle	Requirements in Schedule 3	Exemptions or modifications
	Motor cars
1	First used before 1st January 1915.	3, 6, 7, 13, 16	Requirements 13 and 16 do not apply to a motor car with less than 4 wheels.
2	First used on or after 1st January 1915 but before 1st April 1938.	1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 16	A works truck within items 1 to 11 is not subject to requirements 1, 2, 3 or 4 if it is equipped with one braking system with one means of operation.
3	First used on or after 1st April 1938 and being either a track-laying vehicle or a vehicle first used before 1st January 1968.	1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16
4	Wheeled vehicles first used on or after 1st January 1968.	1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 18
	Heavy motor cars
5	First used before 15th August 1928.	1, 6, 16
6	First used on or after 15th August 1928 but before 1st April 1938.	1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 16
7	First used on or after 1st April 1938 and being either a track-laying vehicle or a vehicle first used before 1st January 1968.	1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16
8	Wheeled vehicles first used on or after 1st January 1968.	1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 18
	Motor cycles
9	First used before 1st January 1927.	3, and, in the case of three-wheeled vehicles, 16
10	First used on or after 1st January 1927 but before 1st January 1968.	2, 7, and, in the case of three-wheeled vehicles, 16
11	First used on or after 1st January 1968 and not being a motor cycle to which paragraph (5) applies.	2, 7, and, in the case of three-wheeled vehicles, 18
	Locomotives
12	Wheeled vehicles first used before 1st June 1955.	3, 6, 12, 16
13	Wheeled vehicles first used on or after 1st June 1955 but before 1st January 1968.	3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18
14	Wheeled vehicles first used on or after 1st January 1968.	3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18
15	Track-laying vehicles.	3, 6, 16
	Motor tractors
16	Wheeled vehicles first used before 14th January 1931 and track-laying vehicles first used before 1st April 1938.	3, 4, 6, 7, 16	Industrial tractors within items 16 to 19 are subject to requirement 5 instead of requirement 4.
17	Wheeled vehicles first used on or after 14th January 1931 but before 1st April 1938.	3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 16
18	Wheeled vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1938 but before 1st January 1968.	3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16
19	Wheeled vehicles first used on or after 1st January 1968.	3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18
20	Track-laying vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1938.	3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 16
	Wheeled agricultural motor vehicles (other than category T tractors) not driven at more than 20 mph
21	First used before 1st January 1968.	3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 16
22	First used on or after 1st January 1968 but before 9th February 1980.	3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 18
23	First used on or after 9th February 1980.	3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18
	Invalid carriages
24	Whenever first used.	3, 13
	Trailers
25	Manufactured before 1st April 1938.	3, 10, 14, 17
26	Manufactured on or after 1st April 1938 and being either a track-laying vehicle, an agricultural trailer or a vehicle manufactured before 1st January 1968.	3, 8, 10, 14, 17	Agricultural trailers are not subject to requirement 8.
27	Wheeled vehicles manufactured on or after 1st January 1968, not being an agricultural trailer.	3, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18	Trailers equipped with brakes which come into operation on the overrun of the vehicle are not subject to requirement 15.
	Category T tractors not driven at more than 40 km/h
28	First used before 1st January 1968.	3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 16
29	First used on or after 1st January 1968 but before 9th February 1980.	3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 18
30	First used on or after 9th February 1980.	3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18

Provided that wheeled agricultural motor vehicles , not being category T tractors, not driven at more than 20 mph are excluded from all items other than items 21 to 23 and provided further that category T tractors not driven at more than 40 km/h are excluded from all items other than items 28 to 30.

(5) Subject to paragraphs (5B) and (6), the braking system of a motor cycle to which this regulation applies and which is—

(a) of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table below; and

(b) first used on or after 1st April 1987 and before 22nd May 1995;

shall comply with ECE Regulation 13.05, 78 or 78.01 or Community Directive 93/14 in relation to the category of vehicles specified in that item in column 3.

(5A) Subject to paragraph (6), the braking system of a motor cycle to which this regulation applies and which is—

(a) of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table below; and

(b) first used on or after 22nd May 1995;

shall comply with ECE Regulation 78.01 or Community Directive 93/14 in relation to the category of vehicles specified in that item in column 3.

1	2	3
Item	Class of Vehicle	Vehicle Category in ECE Regulations or Community Directive 93/14 (as the case may be)
1	Vehicles (without a sidecar attached) with two wheels, an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc and a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h.	L1
2	Vehicles with three wheels (including two-wheeled vehicles with a sidecar attached) and with an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc and a maximum design speed not exceeding 50 km/h.	L2
3	Vehicles with two wheels (without a sidecar attached) and with—an engine capacity exceeding 50 cc, ora maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h.	L3
4	Vehicles with two wheels, a sidecar attached and—an engine capacity exceeding 50 cc, ora maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h.	L4
5	Vehicles with three wheels (excluding two-wheeled vehicles with a sidecar attached) and with—an engine capacity exceeding 50cc, ora maximum design speed exceeding 50km/h.	L5

(5B) In relation to a motor cycle with two wheels manufactured by Piaggio Veicoli Europei Societa per Azione and known as the Cosa 125, the Cosa 125E, the Cosa L125, the Cosa LX125, the Cosa 200, the Cosa 200E, the Cosa L200 or the Cosa LX200, paragraph (5) shall have effect as if ECE Regulation 13.05 were modified by–

(a) the omission of paragraph 4.4 (approval marks), and

(b) in paragraph 5.3.1.1, (independent braking devices and controls), the omission of the word “independent” in the first place where it appears,

but this paragraph shall not apply to a motor cycle first used on or after 1st July 1991.

(6) Paragraph (5) does not apply to a works truck or to a vehicle constructed or assembled by a person not ordinarily engaged in the business of manufacturing vehicles of that description.

(6A) Paragraph (5A) does not apply to—

(a) a vehicle with a maximum speed not exceeding 25 km/h; or

(b) a vehicle fitted for an invalid driver.

(7) Instead of complying with the provisions of paragraph (4) of this Regulation an agricultural motor vehicle may comply with Community Directive 76/432 or 96/63.

Vacuum or pressure brake warning devices

17

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), every motor vehicle which is equipped with a braking system which embodies a vacuum or pressure reservoir or reservoirs shall be equipped with a device so placed as to be readily visible to the driver of the vehicle and which is capable of indicating any impending failure of, or deficiency in, the vacuum or pressure system.

(2) The requirement specified in paragraph (1) does not apply in respect of—

(a) a vehicle to which paragraph (1), (1A), (1C), (1D) or (1E) of regulation 15 applies, or which complies with the requirements of that regulation, of Community Directives 79/489, 85/647, 88/194, 91/422 or 98/12 or of ECE Regulation 13.03, 13.04, 13.05, 13.06, 13.07, 13.08 or 13.09;

(b) an agricultural motor vehicle which complies with Community Directive 76/432 or 96/63;

(c) a vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding 3050 kg propelled by an internal combustion engine, if the vacuum in the reservoir or reservoirs is derived directly from the induction system of the engine, and if, in the event of a failure of, or deficiency in, the vacuum system, the brakes of that braking system are sufficient under the most adverse conditions to bring the vehicle to rest within a reasonable distance; or

(d) a vehicle first used before 1st October 1937.

Maintenance and efficiency of brakes

18

(1) Every part of every braking system and of the means of operation thereof fitted to a vehicle shall be maintained in good and efficient working order and be properly adjusted.

(1A) Without prejudice to paragraph (3), where a vehicle is fitted with an anti-lock braking system (“the ABS”), then while the condition specified in paragraph (1B) is fulfilled, any fault in the ABS shall be disregarded for the purposes of paragraph (1).

(1B) The condition is fulfilled while the vehicle is completing a journey at the beginning of which the ABS was operating correctly or is being driven to a place where the ABS is to undergo repairs.

(1C) Where a goods vehicle of category N₂ or N₃ is being used to tow a trailer of category O₃ or O₄ and both vehicles are fitted with an ISO 7638 connector to provide a dedicated power supply to the ABS, then these connectors shall be used regardless of any alternative method available on the vehicles to provide such power.

(2) Paragraph (3) applies to every wheeled motor vehicle except—

(a) an agricultural motor vehicle , not being a category T tractor, which is not driven at more than 20 mph;

(aa) a category T tractor which is not driven at more than 40 km/h;

(b) a works truck; ...

(d) an industrial tractor.

(3) Every vehicle to which this paragraph applies and which is of a class specified in an item in column 2 of Table I shall, subject to any exemption shown for that item in column 4, be so maintained that—

(a) its service braking system has a total braking efficiency not less than that shown in column 3(a) for that item; and

(b) if the vehicle is a heavy motor car, a motor car first used on or after 1st January 1915 or a motor-cycle first used on or after 1st January 1927, its secondary braking system has a total braking efficiency not less than that shown in column 3(b) for those items.

Provided that a reference in Table I to a trailer is a reference to a trailer required by regulation 15 or 16 to be equipped with brakes.

1	2	3	3	3	4
Item	Class of vehicle	Efficiencies (%)	Efficiencies (%)	Efficiencies (%)	Exemptions
		(a)	(a)	(b)
1	A vehicle , not included in item 1A, to which regulation 15 applies or which complies in all respects other than its braking efficiency with the requirements of that regulation or with Community Directives 79/489, 85/647, 88/194, 91/422 or 98/12 or with ECE Regulation 13.03, 13.04, 13.05, 13.06, 13.07, 13.08 or 13.09—				A motor cycle.
1A	A vehicle of a class specified in item 1 of the Table in regulation 15 and first used on or after 25th July 2010.	58	58	29
	(a) when not drawing a trailer;	50	50	25
	(b) when drawing a trailer	45	45	25
2	A vehicle, not included in item 1 and not being a motor cycle, which is first used on or after 1st January 1968—
	(a) when not drawing a trailer;	50	50	25
	(b) when not drawing a trailer manufactured on or after 1st January 1968;	50	50	25
	(c) when drawing a trailer manufactured before 1st January 1968	40	40	15
3	Goods vehicles and buses (in each case) first used on or after 15th August 1928 but before 1st January 1968 having an unladen weight exceeding 1525 kg being—
	(a) rigid vehicles with 2 axles not constructed to form part of an articulated vehicle—
	(i) when not drawing a trailer	45	45	20
	(ii) when drawing a trailer	40	40	15
	(b) other vehicles, including vehicles constructed to form part of an articulated vehicle, whether or not drawing a trailer	40	40	15
3A	A category T tractor which is driven at more than 40 km/h—
	(a) when not drawing a trailer	50	50	25
	(b) when drawing a non-agricultural trailer	45	45	25
4	Vehicles not included in items 1 to 3A—				(a) a bus;
	(a) having at least one means of operation applying to at least 4 wheels;	50	50	25	(b) an articulated vehicle;
	(b) having 3 wheels and at least one means of operation applying to all 3 wheels and not being a motor cycle with sidecar attached—				(c) a vehicle constructed or adapted to form part of an articulated vehicle;
	(i) when not drawing a trailer	40	40	25	(d) a heavy motor car which is a goods vehicle first used before 15th August 1928.
	(ii) in the case of a motor cycle when drawing a trailer	40	40	25
	(c) other
	(i) when not drawing a trailer	30	30	25
	(ii) in the case of a motor cycle when drawing a trailer.	30	30	25

(3A) For a category T tractor which is driven at more than 40 km/h, when drawing an agricultural trailer each component of the combination shall comply with the requirements of that component specified in item 3A(a) of Table I and with paragraph (5)(c).

(4) A goods vehicle shall not be deemed to comply with the requirements of paragraph (3) unless it is capable of complying with those requirements both at the laden weight at which it is operating at any time and when its laden weight is equal to—

(a) if a plating certificate has been issued and is in force for the vehicle, the design gross weight shown in column (3) of that certificate or, if no such weight is so shown, the gross weight shown in column (2) of that certificate; and

(b) in any other case, the design gross weight of the vehicle.

Provided that in the case of a goods vehicle drawing a trailer, references in this paragraph to laden weight refer to the combined laden weight of the drawing vehicle and the trailer and references to gross weight and design gross weight are to be taken as references to train weight and design train weight respectively.

(4A) A bus shall be deemed not to comply with the requirements of paragraph (3) unless it is capable of complying with those requirements both at its laden weight for the time being and at its relevant weight.

(4B) For the purposes of paragraph (4A), the relevant weight,—

(a) in relation to a bus first used on or after 1st April 1982, is its maximum gross weight; and

(b) in relation to a bus first used before that date, is the weight specified in paragraph (4C).

(4C) The weight referred to in paragraph (4B)(b) is—

$$X+63.5(Y+Z)kg$where—X is the unladen weight of that bus in kilograms;Y is the number of passengers that the bus is constructed or adapted to carry seated in addition to the driver; andZ is—in the case of a PSV which is not an articulated bus and has a standing capacity exceeding 8 persons, the standing capacity minus 8;in the case of a PSV which is an articulated bus, the standing capacity; orin any other case, nil.$

(5) The brakes of—

(a) an agricultural motor vehicle, not being a category T tractor, which is first used on or after 1st June 1986 and is not driven at more than 20 mph;

(b) a category T tractor which is first used on or after 1st June 1986 and is not driven at more than 40 km/h; and

shall be capable of achieving a braking efficiency of not less than 25% when the weight of the vehicle is equal to the total maximum axle weights which the vehicle is designed to have.

(6) Every vehicle or combination of vehicles specified in an item in column 2 of Table II shall be so maintained that its brakes are capable, without the assistance of stored energy, of holding it stationary on a gradient of at least the percentage specified in column 3 in that item.

1	2	3
Item	Class of vehicle or combination	Percentage gradient
1	A vehicle specified in item 1 of Table I—
	(a) when not drawing a trailer	16
	(b) when drawing a trailer	12
2	A vehicle to which requirement 18 in Schedule 3 applies by virtue of regulation 16.	16
3	A vehicle, not included in item 1, drawing a trailer manufactured on or after 1st January 1968 and required, by regulation 15 or 16, to be fitted with brakes.	16

(7) For the purpose of this regulation the date of manufacture of a trailer which is a composite trailer shall be deemed to be the same as the date of manufacture of the semi-trailer which forms part of the composite trailer.

(8) A vehicle which is subject to, and which complies with the requirements in, item 1 in Tables I and II shall not be treated as failing, by reason of its braking efficiency, to comply with regulation 15 or with Community Directives 79/489, 85/647, 88/194, 91/422 or 98/12 or with ECE Regulation 13.03, 13.04, 13.05, 13.06, 13.07, 13.08 or 13.09.

(9) In this regulation—

“PSV” means a public service vehicle within the meaning of section 1 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981;

“standing capacity”, in relation to a PSV, means the number of persons that can be carried standing without an offence being committed under section 26 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981.

Application of brakes of trailers

19

Where a trailer is drawn by a motor vehicle the driver (or in the case of a locomotive one of the persons employed in driving or tending the locomotive) shall be in a position readily to operate any brakes required by these Regulations to be fitted to the trailer as well as the brakes of the motor vehicle unless a person other than the driver (or in the case of a locomotive a person other than one of the persons employed in driving or tending the locomotive) is in a position and competent efficiently to apply the brakes of the trailer.

C — WHEELS, SPRINGS, TYRES AND TRACKS

General requirement as to wheels and tracks

20

Every motor cycle and invalid carriage shall be a wheeled vehicle, and every other motor vehicle and every trailer shall be either a wheeled vehicle or a track-laying vehicle.

Diameter of wheels

21

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Springs and resilient material

22

(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), every motor vehicle and every trailer shall be equipped with suitable and sufficient springs between each wheel and the frame of the vehicle.

(2) Save as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4)in the case of a track-laying vehicle—

(a) resilient material shall be interposed between the rims of the weight-carrying rollers and the road surface so that the weight of the vehicle, other than that borne by any wheel, is supported by the resilient material; and

(b) where the vehicle is a heavy motor car, motor car, or trailer it shall have suitable springs between the frame of the vehicle and the weight-carrying rollers.

(3) This regulation does not apply to—

(a) a wheeled vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding 4070 kg and which is—

(i) a motor tractor any unsprung wheel of which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre;

(ii) a motor tractor used in connection with railway shunting and which is used on a road only when passing from one railway track to another in connection with such use;

(iii) a vehicle specially designed, and mainly used, for work on rough ground or unmade roads and every wheel of which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre and which is not driven at more than 20 mph;

(iv) a vehicle constructed or adapted for, and being used for, road sweeping and every wheel of which is fitted with either a pneumatic tyre or a resilient tyre and which is not driven at more than 20 mph;

(b) an agricultural motor vehicle , not being a category T tractor, which is not driven at more than 20 mph;

(ba) a category T tractor which is not driven at more than 40 km/h;

(d) a trailer used solely for the haulage of felled trees;

(e) a motor cycle;

(f) a mobile crane;

(g) a pedestrian-controlled vehicle all the wheels of which are equipped with pneumatic tyres;

(h) a road roller;

(i) a broken down vehicle; or

(j) a vehicle first used on or before 1st January 1932.

(4) Paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) do not apply to a works truck or a works trailer.

Wheel loads

23

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) this regulation applies to—

(a) a semi-trailer with more than 2 wheels;

(b) a track-laying vehicle with more than 2 wheels; and

(2) This regulation does not apply to a road roller.

(3) Save as provided in paragraphs (4) and (5), every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be fitted with a compensating arrangement which will ensure that under the most adverse conditions every wheel will remain in contact with the road and will not be subject to abnormal variations of load.

(4) Paragraph (3) does not apply in respect of a steerable wheel on which the load does not exceed—

(a) if it is a wheeled vehicle, 4250 kg; and

(b) if it is a track-laying vehicle, 2540 kg.

(5) In the application of paragraph (3) to an agricultural motor vehicle, wheels which are in line transversely on one side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle shall be regarded as one wheel.

Tyres

24

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), every wheel of a vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall be fitted with a tyre of a type specified in that item in column 3 which complies with any conditions specified in that item in column 4.

(2) The requirements referred to in paragraph (1) do not apply to a road roller and are subject, in the case of any item in the Table, to the exemptions specified in that item in column 5.

1	2	3	4	5
Item	Class of vehicle	Type of tyre	Conditions	Exemptions
1	Locomotives not falling in item 6	Pneumatic or resilient
2	Motor tractors not falling in item 6	Pneumatic or resilient	No re-cut pneumatic tyre shall be fitted to any wheel of a vehicle with an unladen weight of less than 2540 kg unless the diameter of the rim of the wheel is at least 405 mm
3	Heavy motor cars not falling in item 6	Pneumatic		The following, if every wheel not fitted with a pneumatic tyre is fitted with a resilient tyre— (a) a vehicle mainly used for work on rough ground; (b) a tower wagon; (c) a vehicle fitted with a turn-table fire escape; (d) a refuse vehicle; (e) a works truck; (f) a vehicle first used before 3rd January 1933.
4	Motor cars not falling in item 6	Pneumatic	No re-cut tyre shall be fitted to any wheel of a vehicle unless it is— (a) an electrically propelled goods vehicle or, (b) a goods vehicle with an unladen weight of at least 2540 kg and the diameter of the rim of the wheel is at least 405 mm.	The following, if every wheel not fitted with a pneumatic tyre is fitted with a resilient tyre— a vehicle mainly used for work on rough ground;a refuse vehicle;a works truck;a vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding— 1270 kg if electrically propelled;1020 kg in any other case;a tower wagon;a vehicle fitted with a turn-table fire escape;a vehicle first used before 3rd January 1933.
5	Motor cycles	Pneumatic	No re-cut tyre shall be fitted	The following, if every wheel not fitted with a pneumatic tyre is fitted with a resilient tyre— (a) a works truck; (b) a pedestrian-controlled vehicle
6	(a) agricultural motor vehicles, not being category T tractors, which are not driven at more than 20 mph; and(b) category T tractors which are not driven at more than 40 km/h	Pneumatic or resilient	The same as for item 2	The requirement in column 3 does not apply to a vehicle of which—every steering wheel is fitted with a smooth-soled tyre which is not less than 60 mm wide where it touches the road; andin the case of a wheeled vehicle, every driving wheel is fitted with a smooth-soled tyre which— is not less than 150 mm wide if the unladen weight of the vehicle exceeds 3050 kg, or 76 mm wide in any other case, and eitheris shod with diagonal cross-bars not less than 76 mm wide or more than 20 mm thick extending the full breadth of the tyre and so arranged that the space between adjacent bars is not more than 76 mm; oris shod with diagonal cross-bars of resilient material not less than 60 mm wide extending the full breadth of the tyre and so arranged that the space between adjacent bars is not more than 76 mm.
7	Trailers	Pneumatic	Except in the case of a trailer mentioned in paragraph (d) of column 5, no re-cut tyre shall be fitted to any wheel of a trailer drawn by a heavy motor car or a motor car if the trailer—has an unladen weight not exceeding— if it is a living van, 2040 kg; orin any other case, 1020 kg; oris not constructed or adapted to carry any load, other than plant or other special appliance which is a permanent or essentially permanent fixture and has a gross weight not exceeding 2290 kg	an agricultural trailer manufactured before 1st December 1985;an agricultural trailed appliance;a trailer used to carry water for a road roller being used in connection with road works;the following if every wheel which is not fitted with a pneumatic tyre is fitted with a resilient tyre— a works trailer;a refuse vehicle;a trailer drawn by a heavy motor car every wheel of which is not required to be fitted with a pneumatic tyre;a broken down vehicle; ora trailer drawn by a vehicle which is not a heavy motor car or a motor car.

(3) Save as provided in paragraph (4) a wheel of a vehicle may not be fitted with a temporary use spare tyre unless either—

(a) the vehicle is a passenger vehicle (not being a bus) first used before 1st April 1987; or

(b) the vehicle complies at the time of its first use with ECE Regulation 64 or Community Directive 92/23.

(4) Paragraph (3) does not apply to a vehicle constructed or assembled by a person not ordinarily engaged in the trade or business of manufacturing vehicles of that description.

Tyre Loads and Speed Ratings

25

(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (3), (4), (7A) and (7B) any tyre fitted to the axle of a vehicle–

(a) which is a class of vehicle specified in an item in column 2 of Table I; and

(b) in relation to which the date of first use is as specified in that item in column 3 of that Table;

shall comply with the requirements specified in that item in column 4 of that Table.

1	2	3	4
Item	Class of vehicle	Date of first use	Requirements
1	Vehicles which are of one ormore of the following descriptions, namely–goods vehicles,trailers,buses,vehicles of a class mentioned in column 2 in Table III	Before 1st April 1991	The requirements of paragraphs (5) and (6)
2	Vehicles which are of one ormore of the following descriptions–goods vehicles,trailers,buses,vehicles of a class mentioned in column 2 in Table III,and do not fall within item 3 below	On or after1st April 1991	The requirements of paragraphs (5), (6) and (7)
3	Vehicles of a class mentioned in paragraph (2)	On or after1st April 1991	The requirements of paragraph (5)

(2) The classes of vehicle referred to in item 3 in column 2 of Table I are–

(a) engineering plant;

(b) track-laying vehicles;

(d) works trucks; and

(e) motor vehicles with a maximum speed not exceeding 30 mph, not being vehicles of a class specified in–

(i) items 2 and 3 of Table II; or

(ii) paragraph (7A) or sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) of this paragraph;

or trailers while being drawn by such vehicles.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any tyre fitted to the axle of a vehicle if the vehicle is–

(a) broken down or proceeding to a place where it is to be broken up; and

(b) being drawn by a motor vehicle at a speed not exceeding 20 mph.

(4) Where in relation to any vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1991 a tyre supplied by a manufacturer for the purposes of tests or trials of that tyre is fitted to an axle of that vehicle, paragraph (7) shall not apply to that tyre while it is being used for those purposes.

(5) The requirements of this paragraph are that the tyre, as respects strength, shall be designed and manufactured adequately to support the maximum permitted axle weight for the axle.

(6) The requirements of this paragraph are that the tyre shall be designed and manufactured adequately to support the maximum permitted axle weight for the axle when the vehicle is driven at the speed shown in column 3 in Table II in the item in which the vehicle is described in column 2 (the lowest relevant speed being applicable to a vehicle which is described in more than one item).

1	2	3	4
Item	Class of vehicle	Speed (mph)	Variation to the load-capacity index expressed as a percentage	Variation to the load-capacity index expressed as a percentage
			Tyres marked in accordance with ECE Regulation 30, 30.01 or 30.02 and relevant car tyres	Tyres marked in accordance with ECE Regulation 54 and relevant commercial vehicle tyres
1	A vehicle of a class for which maximum speeds are prescribed by Schedule 6 to the 1984 Act other than an agricultural motor vehicle	The highest speed so prescribed	Single wheels: none	None
			Dual wheels: 95.5%
2	An electrically propelled vehicle used as a multi-stop local collection and delivery vehicle and having a maximum speed of not more than 25 mph	The maximum speed of the vehicle	None	150%
3	An electrically propelled vehicle used as a multi-stop local collection and delivery vehicle and having a maximum speed of more than 25 mph and not more than 40 mph	The maximum speed of the vehicle	None	130%
4	An electrically propelled vehicle used only within a radius of 25 miles from the permanent base at which it is normally kept and having a maximum speed of more than 40 mph and not more than 50 mph	The maximum speed of the vehicle	None	115%
5	A local service bus	50	None	110%
6	A restricted speed vehicle	50	None	The relevant % variation specified in Annex 8 to ECE Regulation 54 or Appendix 8 to Annex II to Community Directive 92/23
7	A low platform trailer , an agricultural motor vehicle, an agricultural trailer, an agricultural trailed appliance or an agricultural trailed appliance conveyor	40	None	The relevant % variation specified in Annex 8 to ECE Regulation 54 or Appendix 8 to Annex II to Community Directive 92/23
8	A municipal vehicle	40	None	115%
9	A multi-stop local collection and delivery vehicle if not falling within the class of vehicle described in items 2 or 3 above	40	None	115%
10	A light trailer or any trailer equipped with tyres of speed category F or G	60	Single wheels: 110%	The relevant variation specified in Annex 8 to ECE
			Dual wheels: 105%	Regulation 54 or Appendix 8 to Annex II to Community Directive 92/23
11	A trailer not falling in items 6–10	60	Single wheels: none	None
			Dual wheels: 95.5%
12	A motor vehicle not falling in items 1–11	70	Single wheels: none	None
			Dual wheels: 95.5%

(7) The requirement of this paragraph is that the tyre when first fitted to the vehicle was marked with a designated approval mark or complied with the requirements of ECE Regulation 30, 30.01, 30.02 or 54, or, in the case of a retreaded tyre, with the requirements of ECE Regulation 108 or 109.

(7A) The requirements of paragraphs (6) and (7) shall not apply to any tyre fitted to the axle of a vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of Table III while the vehicle is being driven or drawn at a speed not exceeding that specified in that item in column 3 of that Table.

1	2	3
Item	Class of vehicle	Speed ...
1	Agricultural motor vehicles other than category T tractors	20 mph
2	Agricultural trailers	40 km/h
3	Agricultural trailed appliances	20 mph
4	Agricultural trailed appliance conveyors	20 mph
5	Works trailers	18 mph
6	Category T tractors	40 km/h

(7B) Paragraph (7C) applies where a tyre fitted to the axle of a vehicle—

(a) bears a speed category symbol and load–capacity index, being marks that were moulded on to or into the tyre at the time that it was manufactured;

(b) is designed and manufactured so as to be capable of operating safely at the speed and load indicated by those marks; and

(c) is designed so as to be capable of being fitted to the axle of a vehicle of a class specified in item 1, 2, 3 or 4 in column 2 of Table III above.

(7C) In the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (7B), paragraph (7) shall not apply to the tyre if—

(a) the vehicle is being driven or drawn at a speed that does not exceed the speed indicated by the speed category symbol or 50 mph (whichever is the less), and

(b) the load on the tyre does not exceed the load indicated by the load–capacity index.

(8) A vehicle of a class described in column 2 in Table II first used on or after 1st April 1991 shall not be used on a road–

(a) in the case where there is no entry in column 4 specifying a variation to the load-capacity index expressed as a percentage, if the load applied to any tyre fitted to the axle of the vehicle exceeds that indicated by the load-capacity index; or

(b) in the case where there is such an entry in column 4, if the load applied to any tyre fitted to the axle of the vehicle exceeds the variation to the load-capacity index expressed as a percentage.

(9) In this regulation–

“designated approval mark” means the marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 33 in Schedule 4 to those Regulations (that item being a marking relating to Community Directive 92/23);

“dual wheels” means two or more wheels which are to be regarded as one wheel by virtue of paragraph 7 of regulation 3 in the circumstances specified in that paragraph;

“load-capacity index” has the same meaning as in paragraph 2.28 of Annex II to Community Directive 92/23 or paragraph 2 of ECE Regulation 30.02 or ECE Regulation 54, or as “load index” in paragraph 2 of ECE Regulation 108 or ECE Regulation 109;

“local service bus” means a bus being used in the provision of a local service as defined in section 2 of the Transport Act 1985;

“municipal vehicle” means a motor vehicle or trailer limited at all times to use by a local authority, or a person acting in pursuance of a contract with a local authority, for road cleansing, road watering or the collection and disposal of refuse, night soil or the contents of cesspools, or the purposes of the enactments relating to weights and measures or the sale of food and drugs;

“multi-stop local collection and delivery vehicle” means a motor vehicle or trailer used for multi-stop collection and delivery services to be used only within a radius of 25 miles from the permanent base at which it is normally kept;

“single wheels” means wheels which are not dual wheels; and

“speed category” has the same meaning as in paragraph 2.29 of Annex II to Community Directive 92/23 or paragraph 2.28 of ECE Regulation 54.

(9A) For the purposes of this regulation, a tyre is a “relevant car tyre” if—

(a) it has been marked with a designated approval mark, and

(b) the first two digits of the approval number comprised in the mark are “02”.

(9B) For the purposes of this regulation, a tyre is a “relevant commercial vehicle tyre” if—

(a) it has been marked with a designated approval mark, and

(b) the first two digits of the approval number comprised in the mark are “00”.

(10) In this regulation any reference to the first use shall, in relation to a trailer, be construed as a reference to the date which is 6 months after the date of manufacture of the trailer.

Mixing of tyres

26

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (5) pneumatic tyres of different types of structure shall not be fitted to the same axle of a wheeled vehicle.

(2) Save as provided in paragraphs (3) or (5), a wheeled motor vehicle having only two axles each of which is equipped with one or two single wheels shall not be fitted with—

(a) a diagonal-ply tyre or a bias-belted tyre on its rear axle if a radial-ply tyre is fitted on its front axle; or

(b) a diagonal-ply tyre on its rear axle if a bias-belted tyre is fitted on the front axle.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to a vehicle to an axle of which there are fitted wide tyres not specially constructed for use on engineering plant or to a vehicle which has a maximum speed not exceeding 30 mph.

(4) Save as provided in paragraph (5) pneumatic tyres fitted to—

(a) the steerable axles of a wheeled vehicle; or

(b) the driven axles of a wheeled vehicle, not being steerable axles,

shall all be of the same type of structure.

(5) Paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) do not prohibit the fitting of a temporary use spare tyre to a wheel of a passenger vehicle (not being a bus) unless it is driven at a speed exceeding 50 mph.

(6) In this regulation—

“axle” includes— two or more stub axles which are fitted on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle so as to form—a pair in the case of two stub axles; andpairs in the case of more than two stub axles; anda single stub axle which is not one of a pair;

“a bias-belted tyre” means a pneumatic tyre, the structure of which is such that the ply cords extend to the bead so as to be laid at alternate angles of substantially less than 90 degrees to the peripheral line of the tread, and are constrained by a circumferential belt comprising two or more layers of substantially inextensible cord material laid at alternate angles smaller than those of the ply cord structure;

“a diagonal-ply tyre” means a pneumatic tyre, the structure of which is such that the ply cords extend to the bead so as to be laid at alternate angles of substantially less than 90 degrees to the peripheral line of the tread, but not being a bias-belted tyre;

“a driven axle” means an axle through which power is transmitted from the engine of a vehicle to the wheels on that axle;

“a radial-ply tyre” means a pneumatic tyre, the structure of which is such that the ply cords extend to the bead so as to be laid at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the peripheral line of the tread, the ply cord structure being stabilised by a substantially inextensible circumferential belt;

“stub axle” means an axle on which only one wheel is mounted; and

“type of structure”, in relation to a tyre, means a type of structure of a tyre of a kind defined in the foregoing provisions of this paragraph.

Condition and maintenance of tyres

27

(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (2), (3) and (4), and subject to paragraph (1A), a wheeled motor vehicle or trailer a wheel of which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre shall not be used on a road, if—

(a) the tyre is unsuitable having regard to the use to which the motor vehicle or trailer is being put or to the types of tyres fitted to its other wheels;

(b) the tyre is not so inflated as to make it fit for the use to which the motor vehicle or trailer is being put;

(c) the tyre has a cut in excess of 25 mm or 10% of the section width of the tyre, whichever is the greater, measured in any direction on the outside of the tyre and deep enough to reach the ply or cord;

(d) the tyre has any lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure;

(e) the tyre has any of the ply or cord exposed;

(f) the base of any groove which showed in the original tread pattern of the tyre is not clearly visible;

(g) either—

(i) the grooves of the tread pattern of the tyre do not have a depth of at least 1 mm throughout a continuous band measuring at least three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and round the entire outer circumference of the tyre; or

(ii) if the grooves of the original tread pattern of the tyre did not extend beyond three-quarters of the breadth of the tread, any groove which showed in the original tread pattern does not have a depth of at least 1 mm; ...

(h) the tyre is not maintained in such condition as to be fit for the use to which the vehicle or trailer is being put or has a defect which might in any way cause damage to the surface of the road or damage to persons on or in the vehicle or to other persons using the road;

(i) the tyre is not a retreaded tyre and—

(i) the week of manufacture marked on its sidewall in accordance with ECE Regulation 30 or 54 falls more than 10 years before the date on which the motor vehicle is used on the road; or

(ii) it does not have a week of manufacture marking which complies with ECE Regulation 30 or 54 (whether because it was manufactured before the ECE Regulations applied or otherwise);

(j) the tyre is a retreaded tyre and—

(i) the week of retreading marked on its sidewall in accordance with ECE Regulation 108 or 109 falls more than 10 years before the date on which the motor vehicle is used on the road; or

(ii) it does not have a week of retreading marking which complies with ECE Regulation 108 or 109 (whether because it was retreaded before the ECE Regulations applied or otherwise); or

(k) a date marked on the tyre sidewall in accordance with ECE Regulation 30, 54, 108 or 109 is illegible.

(1A) Subject to paragraph (4)(a) and (ca), and notwithstanding anything in regulation 25—

(a) paragraph (1)(i) and (j) only applies to tyres fitted—

(i) to a front axle of a bus other than a minibus;

(ii) in single configuration on any axle of a minibus;

(iii) to a front axle of a goods vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3,500 kg;

(b) in sub-paragraph (a)—

(i) “front axle” means any axle, forward of the mid-point of the chassis on which the wheels are controlled by the steering system;

(ii) “single configuration” means where no more than one wheel and tyre assembly is mounted at the end of the axle concerned;

(i) buses (including minibuses);

(ii) goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3,500 kg.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not prohibit the use on a road of a motor vehicle or trailer by reason only of the fact that a wheel of the vehicle or trailer is fitted with a tyre which is deflated or not fully inflated and which has any of the defects described in sub-paragraph (c), (d) or (e) of paragraph (1), if the tyre and the wheel to which it is fitted are so constructed as to make the tyre in that condition fit for the use to which the motor vehicle or trailer is being put and the outer sides of the wall of the tyre are so marked as to enable the tyre to be identified as having been constructed to comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

(3) Paragraph (1)(a) does not prohibit the use on a road of a passenger vehicle (not being a bus) by reason only of the fact that a wheel of the vehicle is fitted with a temporary use spare tyre, unless the vehicle is driven at a speed exceeding 50 mph.

(a) Nothing in paragraph (1)(a) to (g) and (i) to (k) applies to—

(i) an agricultural motor vehicle , not being a category T tractor, that is not driven at more than 20 mph;

(ii) an agricultural trailer;

(iii) an agricultural trailed appliance; ...

(iv) a broken down vehicle or a vehicle proceeding to a place where it is to be broken up, being drawn, in either case, by a motor vehicle at a speed not exceeding 20 mph; or

(v) a category T tractor that is not driven at more than 40 km/h.

(b) Nothing in paragraph (1)(f) and (g) applies to—

(i) a three-wheeled motor cycle the unladen weight of which does not exceed 102 kg and which has a maximum speed of 12 mph; or

(ii) a pedestrian-controlled works truck.

(ca) Nothing in paragraph (1)(i) to (k) applies to a vehicle of historical interest used for non-commercial purposes, and for this purpose “vehicle of historical interest” means a vehicle which is considered to be of historical interest to Great Britain and which—

(i) was manufactured or registered for the first time at least 40 years previously;

(ii) is of a type no longer in production, where “type” in relation to a vehicle has the same meaning as “type of vehicle” in Article 3(32) of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles; and

(iii) has been historically preserved or maintained in its original state and has not undergone substantial changes in the technical characteristics of its main components.

(d) With effect from 1st January 1992, paragraph 1(f) and (g) shall not apply to the vehicles specified in sub-paragraph (e) of this paragraph but such vehicles shall comply with the requirements specified in sub-paragraph (f) of this paragraph.

(e) The vehicles mentioned in sub-paragraph (d) are–

(i) passenger vehicles other than motor cycles constructed or adapted to carry no more than 8 seated passengers in addition to the driver;

(ii) goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight which does not exceed 3500 kg; and

(iii) light trailers not falling within sub-paragraph (ii);

first used on or after 3rd January 1933.

(f) The requirements referred to in sub-paragraph (d) are that the grooves of the tread pattern of every tyre fitted to the wheels of a vehicle mentioned in sub-paragraph (e) shall be of a depth of at least 1.6 mm throughout a continuous band comprising the central three-quarters of the breadth of tread and round the entire outer circumference of the tyre.

(5) A recut pneumatic tyre shall not be fitted to any wheel of a motor vehicle or trailer if—

(a) its ply or cord has been cut or exposed by the recutting process; or

(b) it has been wholly or partially recut in a pattern other than the manufacturer's recut tread pattern.

(a) In this regulation—

“breadth of tread” means the breadth of that part of the tyre which can contact the road under normal conditions of use measured at 90 degrees to the peripheral line of the tread;

“original tread pattern” means in the case of— a retreaded tyre, the tread pattern of the tyre immediately after the tyre was retreaded;a wholly recut tyre, the manufacturer's recut tread pattern; a partially recut tyre, on that part of the tyre which has been recut, the manufacturer's recut tread pattern, and on the other part, the tread pattern of the tyre when new, andany other tyre, the tread pattern of the tyre when the tyre was new.

“tie-bar” means any part of a tyre moulded in the tread pattern of the tyre for the purpose of bracing two or more features of such tread pattern;

“tread pattern” means the combination of plain surfaces and grooves extending across the breadth of the tread and round the entire outer circumference of the tyre but excludes any— tie bars or tread wear indicators;features which are designed to wear out substantially before the rest of the pattern under normal conditions of use; andother minor features; and

“tread wear indicator” means any bar, not being a tie-bar, projecting from the base of a groove of the tread pattern of a tyre and moulded between two or more features of the tread pattern of a tyre for the purpose of indicating the extent of the wear of such tread pattern.

(b) The references in this regulation to grooves are references—

if a tyre has been recut, to the grooves of the manufacturer's recut tread pattern; and

if a tyre has not been recut, to the grooves which showed when the tyre was new.

(c) A reference in this regulation to first use shall, in relation to a trailer, be construed as a reference to the date which is 6 months after the date of manufacture of the trailer.

Tracks

28

(1) Every part of every track of a track-laying vehicle which comes into contact with the road shall be flat and have a width of not less than 12.5 mm.

(2) The area of the track which is in contact with the road shall not at any time be less than 225 cm² in respect of every 1000 kg of the total weight which is transferred to the road by the tracks.

(3) The tracks of a vehicle shall not have any defect which might damage the road or cause danger to any person on or in the vehicle or using the road, and shall be properly adjusted and maintained in good and efficient working order.

D — STEERING

Maintenance of steering gear

29

All steering gear fitted to a motor vehicle shall at all times while the vehicle is used on a road be maintained in good and efficient working order and be properly adjusted.

E — VISION

View to the front

30

(1) Every motor vehicle shall be so designed and constructed that the driver thereof while controlling the vehicle can at all times have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle.

(2) Instead of complying with the requirement of paragraph (1) a vehicle may comply with Community Directive 77/649, 81/643 , 88/366, 90/630 or, in the case of an agricultural motor vehicle, 79/1073.

(3) All glass or other transparent material fitted to a motor vehicle shall be maintained in such condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven on a road.

Glass

31

(1) This regulation applies to a motor vehicle which is—

(a) a wheeled vehicle, not being a caravan, first used before 1st June 1978;

(b) a caravan first used before 1st September 1978; or

(2) The glass fitted to any window specified in an item in column 3 of the Table of a vehicle of a class specified in that item in column 2 shall be safety glass.

1	2	3
Item	Class of vehicle	Windows
1	Wheeled vehicles first used on or after 1st January 1959, being passenger vehicles or dual-purpose vehicles.	Wind screens and all outside windows.
2	Wheeled vehicles first used on or after 1st January 1959, being goods vehicles (other than dual-purpose vehicles), locomotives or motor tractors.	Windscreens and all windows in front of and on either side of the driver's seat.
3	Wheeled vehicles not mentioned in item 1 or 2.	Windscreens and windows facing to the front on the outside, except glass fitted to the upper decks of a double-decked vehicle.
4	Track-laying vehicles.	Windscreens and windows facing to the front.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation any windscreen or window at the front of the vehicle the inner surface of which is at an angle exceeding 30 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle shall be deemed to face to the front.

(4) In this regulation and in regulation 32–

“caravan” means a trailer which is constructed (and not merely adapted) for human habitation; and

“designated approval mark” means the marking designated as an approval mark by Regulation 5 of the Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 31 or 32 in Schedule 4 to those Regulations (those items being markings relating to Community Directive 92/22); and

“safety glass” means glass so constructed or treated that if fractured it does not fly into fragments likely to cause severe cuts.

(5) Paragraph (2) does not apply to glass which is legibly and permanently marked with a designated approval mark.

32

(1) This regulation applies to—

(a) a caravan first used on or after 1st September 1978, and

(b) a wheeled motor vehicle and a wheeled trailer, not being a caravan, first used on or after 1st June 1978.

(2) Save as provided in paragraphs (3) to (9) the windows specified in column 2 of Table I in relation to a vehicle of a class specified in that column shall be constructed of the material specified in column 3 of that Table.

1	2	3
Item	Window	Material
1	Windscreens and other windows wholly or partly on either side of the driver's seat fitted to motor vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1985.	Specified safety glass (1980).
2	Windscreens and other windows wholly or partly on either side of the driver's seat fitted to a motor vehicles first used before 1st April 1985.	Specified safety glass, or specified safety glass (1980).
3	All other windows.	Specified safety glass, specified safety glass (1980), or safety glazing.

(3) The windscreens and all other windows of security vehicles or vehicles being used for police purposes shall not be subject to the requirements specified in paragraph (2), but shall be constructed of either safety glass or safety glazing.

(4) The windscreens of motorcycles not equipped with an enclosed compartment for the driver or for a passenger shall not be subject to the requirements specified in paragraph (2), but shall be constructed of safety glazing.

(5) Any windscreens or other windows which are wholly or partly in front of or on either side of the driver's seat, and which are temporarily fitted to motor vehicles to replace any windscreens or other windows which have broken, shall—

(a) be constructed of safety glazing; and

(b) be fitted only while the vehicles are being driven or towed either to premises where new windscreens or other windows are to be permanently fitted to replace the windscreens or other windows which have broken, or to complete the journey in the course of which the breakage occurred.

(6) Windows forming all or part of a screen or door in the interior of a bus first used on or after 1st April 1988, shall be constructed either of safety glazing or of specified safety glass (1980).

(7) Windows being—

(a) windows (other than windscreens) of motor vehicles being engineering plant, industrial tractors, agricultural motor vehicles (save as provided in paragraph (7A)) which are wholly or partly in front of or on either side of the driver's seat;

(b) windows of the upper deck of a double-decked bus; or

shall be constructed of either specified safety glass, specified safety glass (1980) or safety glazing.

(7A) Paragraph (7)(a) does not apply to—

(a) category T tractors first used on or after 1st June 1986 and driven at more than 40 km/h; or

(b) agricultural motor vehicles, not being category T tractors, first used on or after 1st June 1986 and driven at more than 20 mph.

(8) In the case of motor vehicles and trailers which have not at any time been fitted with permanent windows and which are being driven or towed to a place where permanent windows are to be fitted, any temporary windscreens and any other temporary windows shall be constructed of either specified safety glass, specified safety glass (1980) or safety glazing.

(9) No requirement in this regulation that a windscreen or other window shall be constructed of specified safety glass or of specified safety glass (1980) shall apply to a windscreen or other window which is—

(a) manufactured in France;

(b) marked with a marking consisting of the letters “TP GS” or “TP GS E”; and

(10) Save as provided in paragraph (11), the windscreens or other windows constructed in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this regulation of specified safety glass, specified safety glass (1980) or safety glazing and specified in column 3 of Table II in relation to a vehicle of a class specified in column 2 of that Table shall have a visual transmission for light of not less than the percentage specified in relation to those windows in column 4 when measured perpendicular to the surface in accordance with the procedure specified in a document specified in relation to those windows in column 5.

1	2	3	4	5
Item	Class of Vehicles	Windows	Percentage	Documents specifying procedure
1	Motor vehicles first used before 1st April 1985	All windows	70	British Standard Specification No. 857 or No. 5282
2	Motor vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1985 and trailers	(a) Windscreens	75	The documents mentioned in sub-paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of the definition in paragraph (13) of “specified safety glass (1980).”
		(b) All other windows	70

(11) Paragraph (10) does not apply to—

(a) any part of any windscreen which is outside the vision reference zone;

(b) windows through which the driver when in the driver's seat is unable at any time to see any part of the road on which the vehicle is waiting or proceeding;

(c) windows in any motor ambulance which are not wholly or partly in front of or on either side of any part of the driver's seat; or

(d) windows in any bus, goods vehicle, locomotive, or motor tractor other than windows which—

(i) are wholly or partly in front of or on either side of any part of the driver's seat;

(ii) face the rear of the vehicle; or

(iii) form the whole or part of a door giving access to or from the exterior of the vehicle.

(11A) Paragraphs (10) and (11) have effect in relation to any tint, film or other substance or material applied to a windscreen or window as they have effect in relation to the windscreen or window itself.

(12) For the purposes of this regulation any window at the rear of the vehicle is deemed to face the rear of the vehicle if the inner surface of such window is at an angle exceeding 30 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

(12A) Paragraphs (2), (6), (7) and (8) do not apply to a window which is legibly and permanently marked with a designated approval mark.

(12B) Paragraph (10) does not apply to a window if—

(a) it is a window to which paragraph 12C applies and is legibly and permanently marked with a designated approval mark which does not comprise the Roman numeral “V” (other than as part of the combination “VI”); or

(b) it is not a window to which paragraph 12C applies and is legibly and permanently marked with a designated approval mark.

(12C) This paragraph applies to a side or rear window if—

(a) any part of it is on either side of or forward of the driver’s seat; or

(b) any part of it is within the driver’s indirect field of view obtained by means of the mirror or mirrors which are required to be fitted by regulation 33 when such mirrors are properly adjusted;

and for the purposes of this paragraph a mirror shall not be regarded as being required to be fitted by regulation 33 if, were it to be removed, the vehicle would nevertheless meet the requirements of regulation 33.

(13) In this regulation, unless the context otherwise requires—

“British Standard Specification No. 857” means the British Standard Specification for Safety Glass for Land Transport published on 30th June 1967 under the number BS 857 as amended by Amendment Slip No. 1 published on 15th January 1973 under the number AMD 1088;

“British Standard Specification No. 5282” means the British Standard Specification for Road Vehicle Safety Glass published in December 1975 under the number BS 5282 as amended by Amendment Slip No. 1 published on 31st March 1976 under the number AMD 1927, and as amended by Amendment Slip No. 2 published on 31st January 1977 under the number AMD 2185;

“British Standard Specification BS AU 178” means the British Standard Specification for Road Vehicle Safety Glass published on 28th November 1980 under the number BS AU 178;

“designated approval mark” means—in relation to a windscreen, the marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 31 in Schedule 4 to those Regulations, andin relation to a window other than a windscreen, the markings designated as approval marks by regulation 5 of those Regulations and shown at item 32 in Schedule 4 to those Regulations.

“safety glazing” means material (other than glass) which is so constructed or treated that if fractured it does not fly into fragments likely to cause severe cuts;

“security vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is constructed (and not merely adapted) for the carriage of either— persons who are likely to require protection from any criminal offence involving violence; ordangerous substances, bullion, money, jewellery, documents or other goods or burden which, by reason of their nature or value, are likely to require protection from any criminal offence;

“specified safety glass” means glass complying with the requirements of either— British Standard Specification No. 857 (including the requirements as to marking); orBritish Standard Specification No. 5282 (including the requirements as to marking);

“specified safety glass (1980)” means glass complying with the requirements of either— the British Standard Specification for Safety Glass for Land Transport published on 30th June 1967 under the number BS 857 as amended by Amendment Slip No. 1 published on 15th January 1973 under the number AMD 1088, Amendment Slip No. 2 published on 30th September 1980 under the number AMD 3402, and Amendment Slip No. 4 published on 15th February 1981 under the number AMD 3548 (including the requirements as to marking); orBritish Standard Specification BS AU 178 (including the requirements as to marking); orECE Regulation 43 (including the requirements as to marking).

“vision reference zone” means either— the primary vision area as defined in British Standard Specification No. 857;Zone 1, as defined in British Standard Specification No. 5282;Zone B (as regards passenger vehicles other than buses) and Zone 1 (as regards all other vehicles) as defined in British Standard Specification BS AU 178 and in ECE Regulation 43; and

“windscreen” includes a windshield;

Mirrors

33

(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (5) to (6H) and (10), a motor vehicle (not being a road roller) which is of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall be fitted with such mirror or mirrors or other device for indirect vision, if any, as are specified in that item in column 3; and any mirror or other device for indirect vision which is fitted to such a vehicle shall, whether or not it is required to be fitted, comply with the requirements, if any, specified in that item in columns 4 and 5.

(2) Save as provided in paragraph (5), each exterior mirror with which a vehicle is required to be fitted in accordance with item 2 or 8 of the Table shall, if the vehicle has a technically permissible maximum weight (as mentioned in Annex 1 to Community Directive 71/127) exceeding 3500 kg, be a Class II mirror (as described in that Annex) and shall in any other case be a Class II or a Class III mirror (as described in that Annex).

(3) Save as provided in paragraph (5), in the case of a wheeled motor vehicle described in item 1, 2, 10 or 11 of the Table which is first used on or after 1st April 1969 the edges of any interior mirror shall be surrounded by some material such as will render it unlikely that severe cuts would be caused if the mirror or that material were struck by any occupant of the vehicle.

(4) Save as provided in paragraph (5), in the case of a motor vehicle falling within paragraph (a) in column 4 of items 1 and 7, or within item 8, of the Table—

(a) each mirror shall be fixed to the vehicle in such a way that it remains steady under normal driving conditions;

(b) each exterior mirror on a vehicle fitted with windows and a windscreen shall be visible to the driver, when in his driving position, through a side window or through the portion of the windscreen which is swept by the windscreen wiper;

(c) where the bottom edge of an exterior mirror is less than 2 m above the road surface when the vehicle is laden, that mirror shall not project more than 20 cm beyond the overall width of the vehicle or, in a case where the vehicle is drawing a trailer which has an overall width greater than that of the drawing vehicle, more than 20 cm beyond the overall width of the trailer;

(d) where the bottom edge of an exterior mirror, which complies with the requirements of Community Directive 2003/97 or 2005/27 or ECE Regulation 46.02, is less than 2 m above the road surface when the vehicle is laden, that mirror shall not project more than 25 cm beyond the overall width of the vehicle or, in the case where the vehicle is drawing a trailer which has an overall width greater than that of the drawing vehicle, more than 25 cm beyond the overall width of the trailer;

(e) each interior mirror shall be capable of being adjusted by the driver when in his driving position; and

(f) except in the case of a mirror which, if knocked out of its alignment, can be returned to its former position without needing to be adjusted, each exterior mirror on the driver’s side of the vehicle shall be capable of being adjusted by the driver when in his driving position, but this requirement shall not prevent such a mirror from being locked into position from the outside of the vehicle.

(5) Instead of complying with paragraphs (1) to (4) a vehicle may comply—

(a) if it is a goods vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg first used on or after 1st April 1985 and before 1st August 1989, with Community Directive 79/795, 85/205, 86/562 or 88/321 or ECE Regulation 46.01;

(b) if it is a goods vehicle first used on or after 1st August 1989 and before 26th January 2007—

(i) in the case of a vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg but not exceeding 12,000 kg, with Community Directive 79/795, 85/205, 86/562 or 88/321 or ECE Regulation 46.01; and

(ii) in the case of a vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 12,000 kg, with Community Directive 85/205, 86/562 or 88/321 or ECE Regulation 46.01;

(c) if it is an agricultural motor vehicle, with Community Directive 71/127, 74/346, 79/795, 85/205, 86/562 or 88/321 or ECE Regulation 46.01;

(d) if it is a two-wheeled motor cycle with or without a side-car, with Community Directive 71/127, 79/795, 80/780, 85/205, 86/562 or 88/321 or ECE Regulation 46.01; and

(e) if it is any other vehicle, with Community Directive 71/127, 79/795, 85/205, 86/562 or 88/321 or ECE Regulation 46.01.

(6) Instead of complying with the provisions of column 4 in items 3, 4, 7 or 8 of the Table a mirror may comply with the requirements as to construction and testing set out in—

(a) Annex I to Community Directive 71/127, excluding paragraphs 2.3.4 and 2.6;

(b) Annex I to Community Directive 79/795, excluding paragraphs 2.3.3 and 2.6;

(d) Annex II to Community Directive 2005/27, excluding paragraph 3.4.

(6A) The requirements set out in paragraph (1) and the Table are modified as set out in paragraphs (6C) and (6D) in so far as those requirements relate to a relevant vehicle and to the fitting of class IV and class V mirrors on the passenger’s side of that vehicle.

(6B) The alternative requirements set out in paragraph (5) do not apply in so far as those requirements relate to a relevant vehicle and to the fitting of class IV and class V mirrors on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.

(6C) Subject to paragraph (6F), a relevant vehicle which would otherwise be required to meet the requirements set out in item 3 of the Table shall instead meet the requirements set out in item 4 which are applicable to a vehicle of the same maximum gross weight.

(6D) Subject to paragraph (6F), a relevant vehicle which would otherwise be required to meet the requirements set out in item 5 of the Table shall instead meet the requirements set out in item 6.

(6E) For the purposes of paragraphs (6C) and (6D)—

(a) the words “and other devices for indirect vision” are omitted from item 4; and

(b) the words “or other devices for indirect vision” are omitted from items 4 and 6.

(6F) A relevant vehicle does not have to comply with paragraph (6C) or (6D) (whichever is applicable to the vehicle) in the circumstances set out in paragraph (6G) or (6H).

(6G) The first set of circumstances is where the vehicle is equipped in the manner described in article 3(2) of Community Directive 2007/38.

(6H) The second set of circumstances is where the vehicle cannot, for want of available, economically viable, technical solutions—

(a) comply with paragraph (6C) or (6D) (whichever is applicable to the vehicle); or

(b) be equipped in the manner described in article 3(2) of Community Directive 2007/38,

but is equipped in the manner described in article 3(3) of Community Directive 2007/38.

(7) In this regulation—

(a) “devices for indirect vision” mean devices to observe the traffic area adjacent to the vehicle which cannot be observed by direct vision and may include conventional mirrors, camera-monitors or other devices able to present information about the indirect field of vision to the driver;

Reading this document does not replace reading the official text published on legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies arising from the conversion of the original CLML XML to this format.

This text is published under legislation.gov.uk's own terms of reuse, not a Legalize or public-domain licence. legislation.gov.uk
Open Government Licence v3.0 (attribution required)
© Crown and database right. Derived from content available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 from legislation.gov.uk.