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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

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“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

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(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

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(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;

(b) “mirror” means any device with a reflecting surface, excluding devices such as periscopes, intended to give a clear view to the rear, side or front of the vehicle;

(c) “interior mirror” means a device defined in sub-paragraph (a), which can be fitted in the passenger compartment of a vehicle;

(d) “exterior mirror” means a device defined in sub-paragraph (a), which can be fitted on the external surface of a vehicle;

(e) “class IV” and “class V”, in relation to mirrors, have the meanings given in point 1.1.1.14 of Annex I to Community Directive 2003/97; and

(f) “a relevant vehicle” means a vehicle which—

(i) would be a goods vehicle of a class referred to in column 2 of item 4 or 6 of the Table if “1st January 2000” were substituted for “26th January 2007”; and

(ii) is not outside the scope of Community Directive 2007/38 by virtue of article 2(2)(b) or (c) of that Directive.

(8) In the case of—

(a) an agricultural motor vehicle, or

(b) a vehicle described in items 2 or 8 in the Table,

when drawing a trailer the references to a vehicle in the definitions in paragraph (7) shall be construed as including references to that trailer.

(9) Where a provision is applied by paragraph (6C) or (6D) to a vehicle which was first used on or after 1st January 2000, that provision applies to the vehicle whatever the date of manufacture of the vehicle, and regulation 4(2) is disapplied accordingly.

(10) A vehicle within scope of paragraph (1) will be deemed compliant with the requirements of this regulation if it has a camera-monitor system where the requirements in ECE Regulation 46.04, other than those at paragraphs 13, 14, and 17 to 21 of that Regulation, are met.

1	2	3	4	5
*Item*	*Class of vehicle*	*Mirrors or other devices for indirect vision to be fitted*	*Requirements to be complied with by any mirrors fitted*	*Requirements to be complied with by any other devices for indirect vision where fitted*
1	A motor vehicle which is—drawing a trailer, if a person is carried on the trailer so that he has an uninterrupted view to the rear and has an efficient means of communicating to the driver the effect of signals given by the drivers of other vehicles to the rear;a works truck;a track-laying agricultural motor vehicle; anda wheeled agricultural motor vehicle first used before 1st June 1978, if, in each case, the driver can easily obtain a view to the rear;a pedestrian-controlled vehicle;a chassis being driven from the place where it has been manufactured to the place where it is to receive a vehicle body; oran agricultural motor vehicle which has an unladen weight exceeding 7370 kg and which—is a track-laying vehicle oris a wheeled vehicle first used before 1st June 1978.	No requirement.	aIf the vehicle is a wheeled vehicle first used on or after 1st June 1978, Item 2 of Annex I to Community Directive 71/127 or 79/795 or Annex II to Community Directive 86/562 or 88/321 or paragraphs 4 to 8 of ECE Regulation 46.01 and paragraph (4) of this regulation.bIn other cases, none, except as specified in paragraph (3).	None
2.	A motor vehicle not included in item 1, which is—a wheeled locomotive or a wheeled motor tractor first used in either case on or after 1st June 1978;an agricultural motor vehicle, not being—a track laying vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding 7370 kg (which falls in item 11);a category T tractor first used after 1st June 1986 which is driven at more than 40 km/h (which falls in item 8);a wheeled agricultural vehicle, other than a category T tractor, first used after 1st June 1986 which is driven at more than 20 mph (which falls in item 8); ora works truck.	At least one exterior mirror fitted on the offside.	None, except as specified in paragraphs (2) and (3).	None.
3.	A wheeled motor vehicle not included in items 1 or 4 first used on or after 1st April 1983 which is—aa bus; or ba goods vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg (not being an agricultural motor vehicle or one which is not driven at more than 20 mph) other than a vehicle described in item 5.	Mirrors complying with item 3 of Annex I to Community Directive 79/795 or with paragraph 2.1 of Annex III to Community Directive 86/562 or 88/321 or paragraph 16.2.1 of ECE Regulation 46.01 or, except in the case of a goods vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1985, mirrors as required in the entry in this column in item 8.	Item 2 of Annex I to Community Directive 71/127 or 79/795 or Annex II to Community Directive 86/562 or 88/321 or paragraphs 4 to 8 of ECE Regulation 46.01.	None.
4.	A wheeled motor vehicle not included in item 1 first used on or after 26th January 2007 which is— aa bus; ba goods vehicle with a maximum gross weight—iexceeding 3500 kg but not exceeding 7500 kg; oriiexceeding 7500 kg but not exceeding 12,000 kg; (not being an agricultural motor vehicle or one which is not driven at more than 20 mph).	(a) and (b)(ii) Mirrors and other devices for indirect vision complying with Annex III to Community Directive 2003/97 or 2005/27 or paragraph 15 of ECE Regulation 46.02.(b)(i) Mirrors or other devices for indirect vision complying with Community Directive 2005/27.	Paragraph 6 of Annex I and Annex II to Community Directive 2003/97 or 2005/27 or paragraphs 4, 5 and 6.1 of ECE Regulation 46.02.	Part B of Annex II to Community Directive 2003/97 or paragraph 4, 5 and 6.2 of ECE Regulation 46.02.
5.	A goods vehicle not being an agricultural motor vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 12,000 kg which is first used on or after 1st October 1988 and before 26th January 2007.	Mirrors complying with paragraph 2.1 of Annex III to Community Directive 86/562 or 88/321 or paragraph 16.2.1 of ECE Regulation 46.01.	Annex II to Community Directive 86/562 or 88/321 or paragraphs 4 to 8 of ECE Regulation 46.01.	None
6.	A goods vehicle not being an agricultural motor vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 12,000 kg which is first used on or after 26th January 2007.	Mirrors or other devices for indirect vision complying with Annex III to Community Directive 2003/97 or 2005/27 or paragraph 15 of ECE Regulation 46.02.	Paragraph 6 of Annex I and Annex II to Community Directive 2003/97 or 2005/27 or paragraphs 4, 5 and 6.1 of ECE Regulation 46.02.	Part B of Annex II to Community Directive 2003/97 or paragraph 4, 5 and 6.2 of ECE Regulation 46.02.
7.	A two-wheeled motor cycle with or without a sidecar attached.	No requirement.	aIf the vehicle is first used on or after 1st October 1978, Item 2 of Annex I to Community Directive 71/127, 79/795 or 80/780 or Annex II to Community Directive 86/562 or 88/321 or paragraphs 4 to 8 of ECE Regulation 46.01 and paragraph (4) of this regulation.bIn other cases, none.	None.
8.	A wheeled motor vehicle not in items 1 to 7, which is first used on or after 1st June 1978 (or, in the case of a Ford Transit motor car, 10th July 1978) and before 26th January 2010.	iAt least one exterior mirror fitted on the offside of the vehicle; andiiat least one interior mirror, unless a mirror so fitted would give the driver no view to the rear of the vehicle; andiiiat least one exterior mirror fitted on the nearside of the vehicle unless an interior mirror gives the driver an adequate view to the rear.	Item 2 of Annex I to Community Directive 71/127 or 79/795 or Annex II to Community Directive 86/562 or 88/321 or paragraphs 4 to 8 of ECE Regulation 46.01 and paragraphs (2) and (4) of this regulation.	None.
9.	A wheeled motor vehicle not in items 1 to 7, which is first used on or after 26th January 2010.	Mirrors complying with Annex III to Community Directive 2003/97 or 2005/27 or paragraph 15 of ECE Regulation 46.02.	Paragraph 6 of Annex I and Annex II to Community Directive 2003/97 or 2005/27 or paragraphs 4, 5 and 6.1 of ECE Regulation 46.02.	If fitted to comply with Part B of Annex II to Community Directive 2003/97 or paragraphs 4, 5 and 6.2 of ECE Regulation 46.02.
10.	A wheeled motor vehicle, not in items 1 to 7, first used before 1st June 1978 (or in the case of a Ford Transit motor car, 10th July 1978) and a track-laying motor vehicle which is not an agricultural motor vehicle first used on or after 1st January 1958, which in either case is—a bus;a dual-purpose vehicle; ora goods vehicle.	At least one exterior mirror fitted on the offside of the vehicle and either one interior mirror or one exterior mirror fitted on the near-side of the vehicle.	None, except as specified in paragraph (3).	None.
11.	A motor vehicle, whether wheeled or track-laying, not in items 1 to 10.	At least one interior or exterior mirror.	None, except as specified in paragraph (3).	None.

Windscreen wipers and washers

34

(1) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), every vehicle fitted with a windscreen shall, unless the driver can obtain an adequate view to the front of the vehicle without looking through the windscreen, be fitted with one or more efficient automatic windscreen wipers capable of clearing the windscreen so that the driver has an adequate view of the road in front of both sides of the vehicle and to the front of the vehicle.

(2) Save as provided in paragraphs (3), (4) and (5), every wheeled vehicle required by paragraph (1) to be fitted with a wiper or wipers shall also be fitted with a windscreen washer capable of cleaning, in conjunction with the windscreen wiper, the area of the windscreen swept by the wiper of mud or similar deposit.

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

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

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

(b) a track-laying vehicle;

(d) a vehicle being used to provide a local service, as defined in the Transport Act 1985.

(4) Instead of complying with paragraphs (1) and (2), a vehicle may comply with Community Directive 78/318.

(5) Instead of complying with paragraph (1) an agricultural motor vehicle may comply with Community Directive 79/1073.

(6) Every wiper and washer fitted in accordance with this regulation shall at all times while a vehicle is being used on a road be maintained in efficient working order and be properly adjusted.

F — INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT

Speedometers

35

(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), every motor vehicle shall be fitted with a speedometer which, if the vehicle is first used on or after 1st April 1984, shall be capable of indicating speed in both miles per hour and kilometres per hour, either simultaneously or, by the operation of a switch, separately.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to—

(a) a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 25 mph;

(b) a vehicle which it is at all times unlawful to drive at more than 25 mph;

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

(d) a motor cycle first used before 1st April 1984 the engine of which has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 100 cc;

(e) an invalid carriage first used before 1st April 1984;

(f) a works truck first used before 1st April 1984;

(g) a vehicle first used before 1st October 1937; or

(h) a vehicle equipped with recording equipment marked with a marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 3 in Schedule 4 to those Regulations (whether or not the vehicle is required to be equipped with that equipment) and which, as regards the visual indications given by that equipment of the speed of the vehicle, complies with the requirements relating to the said indications and installations specified in the EU Tachographs Regulation.

(3) Instead of complying with paragraph (1) a vehicle may comply with Community Directive 97/39 or with ECE Regulation 39.

Maintenance of speedometers

36

(1) Every instrument for indicating speed fitted to a motor vehicle—

(a) in compliance with the requirements of regulation 35(1) or (3); or

(b) to which regulation 35(2)(h) relates and which is not, under the EU Tachographs Regulation, required to be equipped with the recording equipment mentioned in that paragraph,

shall be kept free from any obstruction which might prevent its being easily read and shall at all material times be maintained in good working order.

(2) In this regulation “all material times” means all times when the motor vehicle is in use on a road except when—

(a) the vehicle is being used on a journey during which, as a result of a defect, the instrument ceased to be in good working order; or

(b) as a result of a defect, the instrument has ceased to be in good working order and steps have been taken to have the vehicle equipped with all reasonable expedition, by means of repairs or replacement, with an instrument which is in good working order.

Audible warning instruments

37

(a) Subject to sub-paragraph (b), every motor vehicle which has a maximum speed of more than 20 mph shall be fitted with a horn, not being a reversing alarm or a two-tone horn.

(b) Sub-paragraph (a) shall not apply to an agricultural motor vehicle , not being a category T tractor, unless it is being driven at more than 20 mph.

(2) Subject to paragraph (6), the sound emitted by any horn, other than a reversing alarm or a two-tone horn, fitted to a wheeled vehicle first used on or after 1st August 1973 shall be continuous and uniform and not strident.

(3) A reversing alarm fitted to a wheeled vehicle shall not be strident.

(4) Subject to paragraphs (5), (6) and (7) no motor vehicle shall be fitted with a bell, gong, siren or two-tone horn.

(5) The provisions of paragraph (4) shall not apply to motor vehicles—

(a) used for fire brigade Scottish Fire and Rescue Service or, in England or Wales, fire and rescue authority or, in England, fire and rescue authority... or police purposes;

(aza) used for ambulance purposes or for the purpose of providing a response to an emergency at the request of an NHS ambulance service;

(aa) as regards England and Wales, and so far as relating to the functions of the Serious Organised Crime Agency which are exercisable in or as regards Scotland and which relate to reserved matters (within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998), used for Serious Organised Crime Agency purposes;

(ab) so far as relating to the functions of the Serious Organised Crime Agency which are exercisable in or as regards Scotland and which do not (within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998) relate to reserved matters, used for Serious Organised Crime Agency purposes;

(b) owned by a body formed primarily for the purposes of fire salvage and used for those or similar purposes;

(c) owned by the Forestry Commission or by local authorities and used from time to time for the purposes of fighting fires;

(ca) owned by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of their functions under the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 and used from time to time for the purposes of fighting fires,

(d) owned by the Secretary of State for Defence and used for the purposes of the disposal of bombs or explosives;

(e) used for the purposes of the Blood Transfusion Service provided under the National Health Service Act 1977 or under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1947;

(f) used by Her Majesty's Coastguard or the Coastguard Auxiliary Service to aid persons in danger or vessels in distress on or near the coast;

(g) used for the purposes of rescue operations at mines;

(h) owned by the Secretary of State for Defence and used by the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service for the purposes of rescue operations in connection with crashed aircraft or any other emergencies; ...

(i) owned by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and used for the purposes of launching lifeboats;

(j) a vehicle under the lawful control of the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and used from time to time for the purposes of investigation of serious crime (which, save for the omission of the words “and, where the authorising officer is within subsection (5)(h), it relates to an assigned matter within the meaning of section 1(1) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979”, has the meaning given by section 93(4) of the Police Act 1997); ...

(k) owned or operated by the Secretary of State for Defence and used—

(i) for the purpose of any activity—

(aa) which prevents or decreases the exposure of persons to radiation arising from a ... radiation emergency; or

(bb) in connection with an event which could lead to a ... radiation emergency; or

(ii) for special forces purposes ; or

(l) used for mountain rescue purposes.

(6) The provisions of paragraphs (2) and (4) shall not apply so as to make it unlawful for a motor vehicle to be fitted with an instrument or apparatus (not being a two-tone horn) designed to emit a sound for the purpose of informing members of the public that goods are on the vehicle for sale.

(7) Subject to paragraph (8), the provisions of paragraph (4) shall not apply so as to make it unlawful for a vehicle to be fitted with a bell, gong or siren—

(a) if the purpose thereof is to prevent theft or attempted theft of the vehicle or its contents; or

(b) in the case of a bus, if the purpose thereof is to summon help for the driver, the conductor or an inspector.

(8) Every bell, gong or siren fitted to a vehicle by virtue of paragraph (7)(a), and every device fitted to a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st October 1982 so as to cause a horn to sound for the purpose mentioned in paragraph (7)(a), shall be fitted with a device designed to stop the bell, gong, siren or horn emitting noise for a continuous period of more than five minutes; and every such device shall at all times be maintained in good working order.

(9) Instead of complying with paragraphs (1), (2) and (4) to (8), a vehicle may comply with Community Directive 70/388 or ECE Regulation 28 or, if the vehicle is an agricultural motor vehicle, with Community Directive 74/151.

(9A) In this regulation—

“radiation emergency” has the same meaning as in the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019;

“special forces” means those units of the home forces the maintenance of whose capabilities is the responsibility of the Director of Special Forces or which are for the time being subject to the operational command of that Director; and

“special forces purposes” means, in relation to the use of a vehicle, the use of a vehicle by the special forces in response, or for training or practice in responding, to a national security emergency.

(10) In this regulation and in regulation 99—

(a) “horn” means an instrument, not being a bell, gong or siren, capable of giving audible and sufficient warning of the approach or position of the vehicle to which it is fitted;

(b) references to a bell, gong or siren include references to any instrument or apparatus capable of emitting a sound similar to that emitted by a bell, gong or siren;

(c) “reversing alarm” means a device fitted to a motor vehicle and designed to warn persons that the vehicle is reversing or is about to reverse; and

(d) “two-tone horn” means an instrument which, when operated, automatically produces a sound which alternates at regular intervals between two fixed notes.

Motor cycle sidestands

38

(1) No motor cycle first used on or after 1st April 1986 shall be fitted with any sidestand which is capable of—

(a) disturbing the stability or direction of the motor cycle when it is in motion under its own power; or

(b) closing automatically if the angle of the inclination of the motor cycle is inadvertently altered when it is stationary.

(2) In this regulation “sidestand” means a device fitted to a motor cycle which, when fully extended or pivoted to its open position, supports the vehicle from one side only and so that both the wheels of the motor cycle are on the ground.

G — FUEL

Petrol tanks

39

(1) This regulation applies to every fuel tank which is fitted to a wheeled vehicle for the purpose of supplying fuel to the propulsion unit or to an ancillary engine or to any other equipment forming part of the vehicle.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) , (3A) and (4), every fuel tank to which this regulation applies—

(a) shall be constructed and maintained so that the leakage of any liquid from the tank is adequately prevented;

(b) shall be constructed and maintained so that the leakage of vapour from the tank is adequately prevented; and

(c) if it contains petroleum spirit (as defined in section 23 of the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928) and is fitted to a vehicle first used on or after 1st July 1973, shall be—

(i) made only of metal; and

(ii) fixed in such a position and so maintained as to be reasonably secure from damage.

(3) Notwithstanding the requirement of paragraph (2)(b), the fuel tank may be fitted with a device which, by the intake of air or the emission of vapour, relieves changes of pressure in the tank.

(3A) Sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph 2(c) shall not have effect in relation to a two-wheeled motor cycle (with or without a side-car) first used on or after 1st February 1993.

(4) Instead of complying with the requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) as to construction, a vehicle may comply with the requirements of Community Directive 70/221 (insofar as they relate to fuel tanks) or ECE Regulation 34 or 34.01 or, if the vehicle is an agricultural motor vehicle, of Community Directive 74/151.

Gas propulsion systems and gas-fired appliances

40

(1) A vehicle which is—

(a) a motor vehicle which first used gas as a fuel for its propulsion before 19th November 1982; or

(b) a trailer manufactured before 19th November 1982 to which there is fitted a gas container,

shall be so constructed that it complies either with the provisions of Schedule 4 or with the provisions of Schedule 5.

(2) Subject to paragraph (2A), a vehicle which is—

(a) a motor vehicle which first used liquefied petroleum gas as a fuel for its propulsion on or after 19th November 1982; or

(b) a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st May 1984 or a trailer manufactured on or after 19th November 1982 which is in either case equipped with a gas container or a gas-fired appliance,

shall comply with the provisions of Schedule 5 or with ECE Regulation 67 or 67.01.

(2A) A vehicle which first used liquefied petroleum gas as a fuel for its propulsion on or after 13th November 1999 shall comply with the provisions of Schedule 5 or ECE Regulation 67.01.

(3) The requirements of this regulation are in addition to, and not in derogation from, the requirements of any regulations made under powers conferred by the petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Control of Pollution Act 1974 or any other Act or of any codes of practice issued under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

(4) In this regulation “gas container” has the meaning given in Schedule 4 where compliance with the provisions of that Schedule is concerned and otherwise has the meaning given in Schedule 5.

H — MINIBUSES

Minibuses

41

The requirements specified in Schedule 6 shall apply to every minibus first used on or after 1st April 1988 except a vehicle—

(a) manufactured by Land Rover U.K. Limited and known as the Land Rover; or

(b) constructed or adapted for the secure transport of prisoners.

Fire extinguishing apparatus

42

(1) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a minibus first used on or after 1st April 1988 unless it carries suitable and efficient apparatus for extinguishing fire which is of a type specified in Part I of Schedule 7.

(2) The apparatus referred to in paragraph (1) above shall be—

(a) readily available for use;

(b) clearly marked with the appropriate British Standards Institution specification number; and

(3) This regulation does not apply to a vehicle manufactured by Land Rover U.K. Limited and known as the Land Rover.

First aid equipment

43

(1) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a minibus first used on or after 1st April 1988 unless it carries a receptacle which contains the items specified in Part II of Schedule 7.

(2) The receptacle referred to in paragraph (1) above shall be—

(a) maintained in a good condition;

(b) suitable for the purpose of keeping the items referred to in the said paragraph in good condition;

(d) prominently marked as a first aid receptacle.

(3) The items referred to in paragraph (1) above shall be maintained in good condition and shall be of a good and reliable quality and of a suitable design.

(4) This regulation does not apply to a vehicle manufactured by Land Rover U.K. Limited and known as the Land Rover.

Carriage of dangerous substances

44

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road a minibus by which any highly inflammable or otherwise dangerous substance is carried unless that substance is carried in containers so designed and constructed, and unless the substance is so packed, that, notwithstanding an accident to the vehicle, it is unlikely that damage to the vehicle or injury to passengers in the vehicle will be caused by the substance.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply in relation to the electrolyte of a battery installed in an electric wheelchair provided that the wheelchair is securely fixed to the vehicle.

(3) This regulation does not apply to a vehicle manufactured by Land Rover U.K. Limited and known as the Land Rover.

I — POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO

Power to weight ratio

45

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

J — PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS

Seat belt anchorage points

46

(1) This regulation applies to a motor vehicle which is not an excepted vehicle and is—

(a) a bus first used on or after 1st April 1982;

(b) a wheeled motor car first used on or after 1st January 1965;

(c) a three-wheeled motor cycle which has an unladen weight exceeding 255 kg and which was first used on or after 1st September 1970; or

(d) a heavy motor car first used on or after 1st October 1988.

(2) Each of the following is an excepted vehicle—

(a) a goods vehicle (other than a dual-purpose vehicle)—

(i) first used before 1st April 1967;

(ii) first used on or after 1st April 1980 and before 1st October 1988 and having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg; or

(iii) first used before 1st April 1980 or, if the vehicle is of a model manufactured before 1st October 1979, first used before 1st April 1982 and, in either case, having an unladen weight exceeding 1525 kg;

(b) an agricultural motor vehicle;

(d) a works truck;

(e) an electrically propelled goods vehicle first used before 1st October 1988;

(f) a pedestrian-controlled vehicle;

(g) a vehicle which has been used on roads outside Great Britain, whilst it is being driven from the place at which it arrived in Great Britain to a place of residence of the owner or driver of the vehicle, or from any such place to a place where, by previous arrangement, it will be provided with such anchorage points as are required by this regulation and with such seat belts as are required by regulation 47;

(h) a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 16 mph;

(i) a motor cycle equipped with a driver’s seat of a type requiring the driver to sit astride it, and which is constructed or assembled by a person not ordinarily engaged in the trade or business of manufacturing vehicles of that description;

(j) a locomotive.

(3) A vehicle which falls within a description specified in column (2) of an item in the Table below shall be equipped with anchorage points for seat belts for the use of persons sitting in the seats specified in column (3) of that item and those anchorage points (“mandatory anchorage points”) shall comply with the requirements specified in column (4).

(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)
Item	Description of vehicle	Seats for which mandatory anchorage points are to be provided	Technical and installation requirements
1.	Any vehicle first used before 1st April 1982	The driver’s seat and specified passenger seat (if any)	Anchorage points must be designed to hold seat belts securely in position on the vehicle
2.	Minibus constructed or adapted to carry not more than 12 seated passengers in addition to the driver, motor ambulance or motor caravan which, in any such case, was first used on or after 1st April 1982 but before 1st October 1988	The driver’s seat and specified passenger seat (if any)	The technical and installation (but not the testing) requirements of Community Directive 76/115, 81/575, 82/318, 90/629 or 96/38 or ECE Regulation 14, 14.01, 14.02, 14.03, 14.04 or 14.05 whether or not those instruments apply to the vehicle
3.	Minibus (not being a vehicle falling within item 7 or 8) having a gross weight not exceeding 3500 kg, motor ambulance or motor caravan which, in any such case, was first used on or after 1st October 1988	The driver’s seat and each forward-facing front seat	The requirements specified in column (4) of item 2
4.	Goods vehicle first used on or after 1st October 1988 but before 1st October 2001 and having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg	The driver’s seat and each forward-facing front seat	2 or 3 anchorage points designed to hold seat belts securely in position
5.	Goods vehicle first used on or after 1st October 2001 and having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg	All forward-facing front seats	The technical and installation requirements of Community Directive 96/38 or ECE Regulation 14.04 or 14.05
6.	Coach first used on or after 1st October 1988 but before 1st October 2001	All exposed forward-facing seats	The requirements specified in column (4) of item 2 or, if the anchorage points were fitted before 1st October 2001 and form part of a seat, a requirement that they do not, when a forward horizontal force is applied to them, become detached from the seat before the seat becomes detached from the vehicle
7.	Bus (other than an urban bus) having a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3500 kg and first used on or after 1st October 2001	Anchorage points for every forward-facing and every rearward-facing seat	The requirements specified in column (4) of item 5
8.	Bus (other than an urban bus) having a gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3500 kg and first used on or after 1st October 2001	Every forward-facing and every rearward-facing seat	The requirements specified in column (4) of item 5
9.	Passenger or dual-purpose vehicle (other than a bus) first used on or after 1st April 1982 and not falling within any of items 2 to 8	Every forward-facing seat constructed or adapted to accommodate no more than one adult	The requirements specified in column (4) of item 2
10.	Vehicle (other than a bus) first used on or after 1st April 1982 and not falling within any of items 2 to 9	Every forward-facing front seat and every non-protected seat	The requirements specified in column (4) of item 2

(4) Any anchorage fitted after 1st October 2001 to a bus not falling within item 7 or 8 of the Table in paragraph (3) must comply with the technical and installation (but not the testing) requirements of Community Directive 76/115, 81/575, 82/318, 90/629 or 96/38 or ECE Regulation 14, 14.01, 14.02, 14.03, 14.04 or 14.05 whether or not those instruments apply to the vehicle.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), where a vehicle to which this regulation applies and which falls within a class specified in an item of the Table in paragraph (3) is fitted with non-mandatory anchorage points, those anchorage points shall comply with the requirements applicable to the mandatory anchorage points specified for that item.

(6) Paragraph (5) does not apply to non-mandatory anchorage points fitted to—

(a) a minibus before 1st April 1986; or

(b) any other vehicle before 1st October 1988.

(7) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) the expressions “exposed forward-facing seat”, “forward-facing front seat”, “lap belt”, “seat belt” and “specified passenger’s seat” have the same meaning as in regulation 47(8);

(b) “mandatory anchorage points” has the meaning given in paragraph (3) and “non-mandatory anchorage points” means anchorage points which are not mandatory anchorage points;

(c) a seat is a “non-protected seat” if it is not a front seat and the screen zones within the protected area have a combined surface of less than 800 cm²;

(d) “screen zone” and “protected area” in relation to a seat shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 4.3.3 of Annex I to Community Directive 81/575; and

(e) “urban bus” means a bus designed for urban use with standing passengers and includes a vehicle which is—

(i) a Class I vehicle as defined by paragraph 2.1.2.1.3.1.1 of Annex I of Community Directive 97/27/EC;

(ii) a Class II vehicle as defined by paragraph 2.1.2.1.3.1.2 of that Annex; or

(iii) a Class A vehicle as defined by paragraph 2.1.2.1.3.2.1 of that Annex.

(8) A vehicle which is not required by this regulation to comply with the technical and installation requirements of Community Directive 76/115, 81/575, 82/318, 90/629 or 96/38 or ECE Regulation 14, 14.01, 14.02, 14.03, 14.04 or 14.05 shall nevertheless be taken to comply with the provisions of this regulation if it does comply with those requirements.

Seat belts

47

(1) This regulation applies to every vehicle to which regulation 46 applies.

(2) Save as provided in paragraph (4) a vehicle to which—

(a) this regulation applies which was first used before 1st April 1981 shall be provided with—

(i) a body-restraining ... belt, designed for use by an adult, for the driver's seat; and

(ii) a body-restraining ... belt for the specified passenger's seat (if any);

(b) this regulation applies which is first used on or after 1st April 1981 shall be provided with three-point ... belts for the driver's seat and for the specified passenger's seat (if any);

(c) item 9 or 10 of the Table in regulation 46(3) applies which is first used on or after 1st April 1987 shall be fitted with seat belts additional to those required by sub-paragraph (b) as follows—

(i) for any forward-facing front seat alongside the driver's seat, not being a specified passenger's seat, a seat belt which is a three-point belt, or a lap belt installed in accordance with paragraph 3.1.2.1 of Annex 1 to Community Directive 77/541 or a disabled person's belt;

(ii) in the case of a passenger or dual-purpose vehicle having not more than two forward-facing seats behind the driver's seat with either—

(A) an inertia reel belt for at least one of those seats, or

(B) a three-point belt, a lap belt, a disabled person's belt or a child restraint for each of those seats;

(iii) in the case of a passenger or dual-purpose vehicle having more than two forward-facing seats behind the driver's seat, with either—

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