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

(2) This regulation 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, but nothing in this paragraph affects the application to such vehicles of the Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Interference from Ignition Apparatus) Regulations 1973.

(3) In this regulation “electrical/electronic sub-assembly” has the same meaning as in Community Directive 95/54.

Emission of smoke, vapour, gases, oily substances etc

61

(1) Subject to paragraph (3B), every vehicle shall be constructed and maintained so as not to emit any avoidable smoke or avoidable visible vapour.

(2) Every motor vehicle using solid fuel shall be fitted with—

(a) a tray or shield to prevent ashes and cinders from falling onto the road; and

(b) an efficient appliance to prevent any emission of sparks or grit.

(2A) Paragraphs (3), (3A), (3C), (4A), (5)(b), (5)(c), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10) and (11) shall not apply to motor vehicles first used on or after 1st January 2001.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) and to the exemptions specified in an item in column 4 of Table I, every wheeled vehicle of a class specified in that item in column 2 shall be constructed so as to comply with the requirements specified in that item in column 3.

(3A) A motor vehicle to which an item in Table II applies shall be so constructed as to comply with the requirements relating to conformity of production models set out in the provisions specified in that item in column (4) of that Table.

(3B) Instead of complying with paragraph (1) a vehicle may comply with a relevant instrument.

(3C) Instead of complying with such provisions of items 1, 2 and 3 in Table I as apply to it, a vehicle may at the time of its first use comply with a relevant instrument.

(4) For the purposes of paragraphs (3B) and (3C), a reference to a vehicle complying with a relevant instrument is a reference to a vehicle complying—

(a) if it is propelled by a compression ignition engine—

(i) in the case of an agricultural vehicle first used before 1st January 2001, with Community Directive 77/537, or

(ii) in the case of any other vehicle, either—

(aa) Community Directive 72/306, as last amended by Community Directive 2005/21, or

(bb) ECE Regulation 24.01, 24.02 or 24.03; or

(b) if it is propelled by a spark ignition engine, with any instrument mentioned in column (4)(a) of Table II.

(4A) In relation to a vehicle which—

(a) has an engine the cylinder capacity of which is less than 700 cc and has a rated power speed of more than 3,000 revolutions per minute;

(b) is first used before 1st October 1998,

Community Directive 91/542 shall have effect for the purposes of this regulation as if for the figure “0.15” in the Table in paragraph 6.2.1 and 8.3.1.1 there were substituted “0.25”.

For the purposes of this paragraph, “rated power speed” has the same meaning as in Community Directive 96/1.

(5) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road any motor vehicle—

(a) from which any smoke, visible vapour, grit, sparks, ashes, cinders or oily substance is emitted if that emission causes, or is likely to cause, damage to any property or injury or danger to any person who is, or who may reasonably be expected to be, on the road;

(b) which is subject to the requirement in item 2 of Table I (whether or not it is deemed to comply with that requirement by virtue of paragraph (4)), if the fuel injection equipment, the engine speed governor or any other parts of the engine by which it is propelled have been altered or adjusted so as to increase the emission of smoke; or

(c) which is subject to the requirement in item 1 of the Table if the device mentioned in column 2 in that item is used while the vehicle is in motion.

(6) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a motor vehicle to which item 3 of Table I applies unless it is so maintained that the means specified in column 3 of that item are in good working order.

(7) Subject to paragraphs ... (8), (9) and (10), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a motor vehicle to which an item in Table II applies if, in relation to the emission of the substances specified in column (6) of the item, the vehicle does not comply with the requirements relating to conformity of production models specified in column (4) unless the following conditions are satisfied in respect to it–

(a) the failure to meet those requirements in relation to the emission of those substances does not result from an alteration to the propulsion unit or exhaust system of the vehicle,

(b) neither would those requirements be met in relation to the emission of those substances nor would such emissions be materially reduced if maintenance work of a kind which would fall within the scope of a normal periodic service of the vehicle were to be carried out on the vehicle, and

(c) the failure to meet those requirements in relation to such emissions does not result from any device designed to control the emission of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen or particulates fitted to the vehicle being other than in good and efficient working order.

(7A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7E) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7F) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7G) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7H) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(8) Paragraph (7) shall not apply to a vehicle first used before 26th June 1990.

(9) Where–

(a) a vehicle is fitted with a device of the kind referred to in sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (7),

(b) the vehicle does not comply with the requirements specified in that paragraph in respect to it, and

nothing in paragraph (7) shall prevent the vehicle being driven to a place where the device is to be repaired or replaced.

(10) Where a vehicle is constructed or assembled by a person not ordinarily engaged in the business of manufacturing motor vehicles of that description and is first used before 1st July 1998, the date on which it is first used shall, for the purposes of paragraphs (3A), (7), (8) and (9), be regarded as being the 1st January immediately preceding the date of manufacture of the engine by which it is propelled.

However, the date on which a vehicle is first used shall not, by virtue of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, be regarded in any circumstances as being later than the date on which it would otherwise have been regarded as being first used had those provisions been omitted.

(10A) Without prejudice to paragraphs (1) and (7) and subject to the following provisions of this regulation, no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used on a road, a vehicle first used on or after 1st August 1975 and propelled by a four-stroke spark ignition engine, if the vehicle is in such a condition and running on such fuel that—

(a) when the engine is idling the carbon monoxide content of the exhaust emissions from the engine exceeds—

(i) in the case of a vehicle first used before 1st August 1986, 4.5%; or

(ii) in the case of a vehicle first used on or after 1st August 1986, 3.5%;

of the total exhaust emissions from the engine by volume; and

(b) when the engine is running without load at a rotational speed of 2,000 revolutions per minute, the hydrocarbon content of those emissions exceeds 0.12% of the total exhaust emissions from the engine by volume.

(10AA) Without prejudice to paragraphs (1) and (7) and subject to the following provisions of this regulation, no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used on a road, a vehicle to which this paragraph applies and which is propelled by a spark ignition engine, if the vehicle is in such a condition and running on such fuel that Part I of Schedule 7B applies to the vehicle.

(10AB) Subject to paragraph (10B), paragraph (10AA) applies to—

(a) a passenger car which—

(i) is first used on or after 1st August 1992 and before 1st August 1995, and

(ii) is of a description mentioned in the Annex to the emissions publication;

(b) a vehicle which—

(i) is not a passenger car,

(ii) is first used on or after 1st August 1994 ..., and

(iii) is of a description mentioned in the Annex to the emissions publication; ...

(ca) a vehicle which—

(i) is not a passenger car,

(ii) is first used on or after 1st July 2002, and

(iii) has a maximum gross weight not exceeding 3,500kg;

(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

and in this paragraph, “emissions publication” has the meaning given in Part I of Schedule 7B.

(10AC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10AD) Paragraph (10A) does not apply to —

(a) a vehicle to which paragraph (10AA) applies; or

(b) a vehicle if, at the date that the engine was manufactured, that engine was incapable of meeting the requirements specified in that paragraph.

(10AE) Paragraph (10AA) does not apply to a vehicle if, at the date that the engine was manufactured, that engine was incapable of meeting the requirements specified in that paragraph.

(10B) Paragraphs (10A) and (10AA) do not apply to—

(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) a vehicle being driven to a place where it is to undergo repairs;

(c) a vehicle which was constructed or assembled by a person not ordinarily engaged in the business of manufacturing motor vehicles of that description and is first used before 1st July 1998;

(d) an exempt vehicle within the meaning given by paragraph (12)(a) ...;

(e) a goods vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3,500 kg;

(f) engineering plant, an industrial tractor, or a works truck; ...

(g) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . or

(h) a vehicle first used before 1st August 1987 if the engine is a rotary piston engine; and for the purposes of this paragraph “the engine”, in relation to a vehicle, means the engine by which it is propelled.

(10BA) Without prejudice to paragraphs (1) and (7), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used on a road, a vehicle propelled by a compression ignition engine, if the vehicle is in such a condition and running on such fuel that Part II of Schedule 7B applies to the vehicle.

(10BB) Paragraph (10BA) shall not apply to—

(a) a vehicle if, at the date that the engine was manufactured, that engine was incapable of meeting the requirements specified in that paragraph;

(b) a vehicle being driven to a place where it is to undergo repairs;

(d) engineering plant, an industrial tractor or a works truck; and

(e) a vehicle in Class III, IV, V , VI or VII within the meaning of the Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981 and first used before 1st August 1979.

(10BC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(10C) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) any rotary piston engine shall be deemed to be a four-stroke engine; and

(b) “rotary piston engine” means an engine in which the torque is provided by means of one or more rotary pistons and not by any reciprocating piston.

(11) Subject to Schedule 7XA, in this regulation, a reference to a vehicle to which an item in Table II applies is a reference to a vehicle which–

(a) is of a class specified in that item in column (2) of that Table,

(b) is first used on or after the date specified in that item in column (3) of that Table, and

and for the purposes of determining whether a vehicle is a vehicle to which any item numbered 8 or more in that Table applies, regulation 4(2) shall be disregarded

(11A) In this regulation, “passenger car” means a motor vehicle which—

(a) is constructed or adapted for use for the carriage of passengers and is not a goods vehicle;

(b) has no more than five seats in addition to the driver’s seat; and

(12) In Table II and paragraphs (10B) and (10BB)–

(a) “exempt vehicle” means–

(i) a vehicle with less than 4 wheels,

(ii) a vehicle with a maximum gross weight of less than 400 kg,

(iii) a vehicle with a maximum speed of less than 25 km/h, or

(iv) an agricultural motor vehicle;

(b) “direct injection” means a fuel injection system in which the injector communicates with an open combustion chamber or the main part of a divided combusion chamber.

(c) “indirect injection” means a fuel injection system in which the injector communicates with the subsidiary part of a divided combustion chamber.

(d) a reference in column (5) to a vehicle complying with an item is a reference to a vehicle that complies with the provisions specified in that item in column (4) whether the vehicle is or is not within the class of vehicles to which that item applies and any instrument mentioned in that item shall for the purposes of the reference have effect as if it applied to the vehicle in question (whether it would otherwise have done so or not).

1	2	3	4
Item	Class of vehicle	Requirements	Exemptions
1	Vehicles propelled by a compression ignition engine and equipped with a device designed to facilitate starting the engine by causing it to be supplied with excess fuel.	Provision shall be made to ensure the device cannot readily be operated by a person inside the vehicle.	a work truck;a vehicle on which the device is so designed and maintained that— its use after the engine has started cannot cause the engine to be supplied with excess fuel, orit does not cause any increase in the smoke or visible vapour emitted from the vehicle.
2	Vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1973 and propelled by a compression ignition engine.	The engine of the vehicle shall be of a type for which there has been issued by a person authorised by the Secretary of State a type test certificate in accordance with the British Standard Specification for the Performance of Diesel Engines for Road Vehicles published on 19th May 1971 under number BS AU 141a: 1971. In the case of an agricultural motor vehicle , not being a category T tractor (other than an agricultural motor vehicle which is first used after 1st June 1986 and is driven at more than 20 mph) , a category T tractor (other than one which is first used after 1st June 1986 and is driven at more than 40 km/h), an industrial tractor, a works truck or engineering plant, for the purposes of that Specification as to the exhaust gas opacity, measurements shall be made with the engine running at 80% of its full load over the speed range from maximum speed down to the speed at which maximum torque occurs as declared by the manufacturer of the vehicle for those purposes.	(a) a vehicle manufactured before 1st April 1973 and propelled by an engine known as the Perkins 6.354 engine; (b) a vehicle propelled by an engine having not more than 2 cylinders and being an agricultural motor vehicle , not being a category T tractor (other than an agricultural motor vehicle which is first used on or after 1st June 1986 and which is driven at more that 20 mph) , a category T tractor (other than one which is first used on or after 1st June 1986 and is driven at more than 40 km/h), an industrial tractor, a works truck or engineering plant.
3	Vehicles first used on or after 1st January 1972 and propelled by a spark ignition engine other than a 2-stroke engine.	The engine shall be equipped with means sufficient to ensure that, while the engine is running, any vapours or gases in the engine crank case, or in any other part of the engine to which vapours or gases may pass from that case, are prevented, so far as is reasonably practicable, from escaping into the atmosphere otherwise than through the combustion chamber of the engine.	(a) a two-wheeled motor cycle with or without a sidecar attached;... (c) a vehicle to which any item in Table II applies.
. . .
(1)Item	(2)Class of Vehicle	(3)Date of First Use	(4)Design, construction and equipment requirements
---	---	---	---
			(a)Instrument

1	Vehicles propelled by a spark ignition engine.	1st October 1982	Community Directive 78/665or ECE Regulation 15.03
2	All vehicles.	1st April 1991	Community Directive 83/351or ECE Regulation 15.04
3	Industrial tractors, works trucks and engineering plant propelled in each case by a compression ignition engine.	1st April 1993	ECE Regulation 49
4	Passenger vehicles which—are constructed or adapted to carry not more than 5 passengers excluding the driver, andhave a maximum gross weight of not more than 2,500 kg, not being off-road vehicles.	1st April 1991	Community Directive 88/76orCommunity Directive 89/458or ECE Regulation 83
5	Vehicles which are not of a description specified in this column in item 4 but which—are propelled by a spark ignition engine and have a maximum gross weight of not more than 2,000 kg,orare propelled by a compression ignition engine and have a maximum gross weight of more than 3,500 kg.	1st April 19921st April 1991	Community Directive 88/76or ECE Regulation 83
6	All vehicles propelled by compression ignition engines.	1st April 1991	Community Directive 88/77or ECE Regulation 49.01
7	Passenger vehicles which—are constructed or adapted to carry not more than 5 passengers excluding the driver,have a maximum gross weight of not more than 2,500 kg, andare propelled by a compression ignition engine of the indirect injection type.	1st April 1991	Community Directive 88/436
8	All vehicles.	31st December 1992	Community Directive 91/441or ECE Regulation 83.01
9	All vehicles propelled by a compression ignition engine.	1st October 1993	Community Directive 91/542or ECE Regulation 49.02
10	All vehicles propelled by a compression ignition engine.	1st October 1996	Community Directive 91/542or ECE Regulation 49.02
11	All vehicles.	1st October 1994	Community Directive 93/59 or ECE Regulation 83.02
12	All vehicles.	1st January 1997	Community Directive 94/12 or ECE Regulation 83.03
13	All vehicles.	1st October 1997	Community Directive 96/69 or ECE Regulation 83.04
14	Vehicles falling withinClass II or III, as specified in the Annex to Community Directive 96/69, of category N1, orCategory M and specified in footnote (²) of that Annex.Note: references to categories M and N1 are to those categories as specified in Annex II of the Framework Directive.	1st October 1998	Community Directive 96/69 or ECE Regulation 83.04

Closets etc

62

(1) No wheeled vehicle first used after 15th January 1931 shall be equipped with any closet or urinal which can discharge directly on to a road.

(2) Every tank into which a closet or urinal with which a vehicle is equipped empties, and every closet or urinal which does not empty into a tank, shall contain chemicals which are non-inflammable and non-irritant and provide an efficient germicide.

Wings

63

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (4), this regulation applies to—

(a) invalid carriages;

(b) heavy motor cars, motor cars and motor cycles, not being agricultural motor vehicles or pedestrian-controlled vehicles;

(ca) category T tractors driven at more than 40 km/h; and

(d) trailers.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (5), every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be equipped with wings or other similar fittings to catch, so far as practicable, mud or water thrown up by the rotation of its wheels or tracks.

(3) The requirements specified in paragraph (2) apply, in the case of a trailer with more than two wheels, only in respect of the rearmost two wheels.

(4) Those requirements do not apply in respect of—

(a) a works truck;

(b) a living van;

(d) an agricultural trailer drawn by a motor vehicle which is not driven at a speed in excess of 40 km/h;

(e) an agricultural trailed appliance;

(f) an agricultural trailed appliance conveyor;

(g) a broken down vehicle;

(h) a heavy motor car, motor car or trailer in an unfinished condition which is proceeding to a workshop for completion;

(i) a trailer used for or in connection with the carriage of round timber and the rear wheels of any heavy motor car or motor car drawing a semi-trailer so used; or

(j) a trailer drawn by a motor vehicle the maximum speed of which is restricted to 20 mph or less under Schedule 6 to the 1984 Act.

(5) Instead of complying with paragraph (2) a vehicle may comply with Community Directive 78/549.

Spray suppression devices

64

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), this regulation applies to every wheeled goods vehicle which is—

(a) a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1986 having a maximum gross weight exceeding 12,000 kg;

(b) a trailer manufactured on or after 1st May 1985 having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg; or

(2) This regulation does not apply to—

(a) a motor vehicle so constructed that the driving power of its engine is, or can by use of its controls be, transmitted to all the wheels on at least one front axle and on at least one rear axle;

(b) a motor vehicle of which no part which lies within the specified area is less than 400 mm vertically above the ground when the vehicle is standing on reasonably flat ground;

(d) a works trailer;

(e) a broken down vehicle;

(f) a motor vehicle which has a maximum speed not exceeding 30 mph;

(g) a vehicle of a kind specified in sub-paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (j), (k), (o) or (p) of regulation 51(2);

(h) a vehicle specially designed, and not merely adapted, for the carriage and mixing of liquid concrete; or

(i) a vehicle which is being driven or towed to a place where by previous arrangement a device is to be fitted so that it complies with the requirements specified in paragraph (3).

(2A) This regulation shall not apply to a vehicle fitted with a spray-suppression system in accordance with the requirements of Annex III of Community Directive 91/226(3) if the spray suppression devices with which the vehicle is equipped are legibly and permanently marked with a designated approval mark.

(3) A vehicle to which this regulation applies and which is of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall not be used on a road on or after the date specified in column 3 in that item, unless it is fitted in relation to the wheels on each of its axles, with such containment devices as satisfy the technical requirements and other provisions about containment devices specified in the British Standard Specification, provided that in the case of a containment device fitted before 1st January 1985 the said requirements shall be deemed to be complied with if that containment device substantially conforms to those requirements.

1	2	3
Item	Class of Vehicle	Date
1	A trailer manufactured before 1st January 1975	1st October 1987
2	A trailer manufactured on or after 1st January 1975 but before 1st May 1985	1st October 1986
3	A trailer manufactured on or after 1st May 1985	1st May 1985
4	A motor vehicle	1st April 1986

(4) In this regulation—

“the British Standard Specification” means— in relation to a containment device fitted before 1st May 1987, Part 1a of the amended Specification and Part 2 of the original Specification; andin relation to a containment device fitted on or after 1st May 1987, Part 1a and Part 2a of the amended Specification;

“designated approval mark” means the marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 30 in Schedule 4 to those Regulations;

“the original Specification” means the British Standard Specification for Spray Reducing Devices for Heavy Goods Vehicles published under the reference BS AU 200: Part 1: 1984 and BS AU 200; Part 2: 1984;

“the amended Specification” means the original Specification as amended and published under the reference BS AU 200: Part 1a: 1986 and BS AU 200: Part 2a: 1986;

“containment device” means any device so described in the original Specification or the amended Specification;

“the specified area” means the area formed by the overall length of the vehicle and the middle 80% of the shortest distance between the inner edges of any two wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle (such distance being ascertained when the vehicle is fitted with suitable tyres inflated to a pressure recommended by the manufacturer, but excluding any bulging of the tyres near the ground) .

(5) Nothing in this regulation derogates from any requirement specified in regulation 63.

Maintenance of spray suppression devices

65

Every part of every containment device with which a vehicle is required to be fitted by the provisions of regulation 64 shall at all times when the vehicle is on a road be maintained free from any obvious defect which would be likely to affect adversely the effectiveness of the device.

PART III — PLATES, MARKINGS, TESTING AND INSPECTION

Plates for goods vehicles and buses

66

(1) This regulation applies to—

(a) a wheeled heavy motor car or motor car first used on or after 1st January 1968 not being—

(i) a dual-purpose vehicle;

(ii) an agricultural motor vehicle;

(iii) a works truck;

(iv) a pedestrian-controlled vehicle; ...

(v) save as provided in sub-paragraph (b) below, a passenger vehicle; or

(vi) a vehicle which is exempt from section 63(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 by virtue of regulation 14(6) of the Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996.

(b) a bus (whether or not it is an articulated bus) first used on or after 1st April 1982;

(i) an agricultural motor vehicle;

(ii) an industrial tractor;

(iii) a works truck;

(iv) engineering plant; or

(v) a pedestrian-controlled vehicle;

(d) a wheeled trailer manufactured on or after 1st January 1968 which exceeds 1020 kg in weight unladen not being—

(i) a trailer not constructed or adapted to carry any load, other than plant or special appliances or apparatus which is a permanent or essentially permanent fixture, and not exceeding 2290 kg in total weight;

(ii) a living van not exceeding 2040 kg in weight unladen and fitted with pneumatic tyres;

(iii) a works trailer;

(iv) a trailer mentioned in regulation 16(3)(b) to (g); or

(v) a trailer which was manufactured and used outside Great Britain before it was first used in Great Britain; and

(e) a converter dolly manufactured on or after 1st January 1979.

(2) Every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be equipped with a plate securely attached to the vehicle in a conspicuous and readily accessible position which either—

(a) contains the particulars required, in the case of a motor vehicle by Part I of Schedule 8 or, in the case of a trailer, by Part II of that Schedule, and complies with the provisions of Part III of that Schedule; or

(b) complies with the requirements specified in the Annex to Community Directive 78/507 or, in the case of a vehicle first used before 1st October 1982, in the Annex to Community Directive 76/114, such requirements being in any case modified as provided in paragraph (3).

(3) Instead of the particulars required by items 2.1.4 to 2.1.7 of that Annex, the plate required by paragraph (2)(b) shall show, for a vehicle of a class specified in column 2 of the Table against an item of that Annex so specified in column 1, the following particulars—

(a) the maximum permitted weight for that class, if any, shown in column 3 of the Table;

(b) where the maximum weight shown in column 4 of the Table exceeds the maximum permitted weight, the maximum weight in a column on the plate to the right of the maximum permitted weight; and

(c) if no weight is shown in column 3 of the Table, the maximum weight shown in column 4 of the Table, in the right hand column of the plate.

1	2	3	4
Item in Annex to Directive	Class of vehicle	Maximum permitted weight	Maximum weight
2.1.4 (Laden weight of vehicle)	(i) Motor vehicles	The maximum gross weight in Great Britain referred to in item 10 in Part I of Schedule 8.	The maximum gross weight referred to in item 7 in Part I of Schedule 8 .
	(ii) Trailers, other than semi-trailers	The maximum gross weight in Great Britain referred to in item 8 in Part II of Schedule 8.	The maximum gross weight referred to in item 6 in Part II of Schedule 8.
	(iii) Semi-trailers		The maximum gross weight referred to in item 6 in Part II of Schedule 8.
2.1.5 (Train weight of motor vehicle)	Motor vehicles constructed to draw a trailer	The lower of—(a) the maximum train weight referred to in item 8 in Part I of Schedule 8; and(b) the maximum laden weight specified, in the case of vehicles constructed to form part of an articulated vehicle, in regulation 77, and, in other cases, in regulation 76.	The maximum train weight referred to in item 8 in Part I of Schedule 8.
2.1.6 (Axle weight of vehicle)	(i) Motor vehicles	The maximum weight in Great Britain for each axle referred to in item 9 in Part I of Schedule 8 .	The maximum weight for each axle referred to in item 6 in Part I of Schedule 8 .
	(ii) Trailers	The maximum weight in Great Britain for each axle referred to in item 7 in Part II of Schedule 8.	The maximum weight for each axle referred to in item 4 in Part II of Schedule 8.
2.1.7 (Load imposed by semi-trailer)	Semi-trailers		The maximum load imposed on the drawing vehicle referred to in item 5 in Part II of Schedule 8.

(4) Part III of Schedule 8 applies for determining the relevant weights to be shown on a plate in accordance with this regulation.

(5) Where, in accordance with the provisions of this regulation and of Schedule 8, a motor vehicle first used, or a trailer manufactured, after 31st December 1998, is required to be equipped with a plate showing the maximum gross weight in Great Britain or the maximum weight in Great Britain for each axle of the vehicle, the plate may instead show particulars of the maximum authorised weight for the vehicle or, as the case may be, the maximum authorised weight for each axle of the vehicle.

(6) In paragraph (5) the references to the maximum authorised weight for a vehicle and maximum authorised for each axle of a vehicle mean those weights determined in accordance with the Motor Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998.

(7) The plate for a vehicle which falls within paragraph (1)(a) and which is a motor vehicle first used after 31st December 1998 need not include the particulars referred to in paragraph 9 or 10 of Part I of Schedule 8.

(8) In Great Britain a maximum gross weight of 18000 kg may be displayed on the plate of a motor vehicle with two axles which falls within sub-paragraph (1)(b) and which first came into use after 31st December 1998 where the maximum gross weight determined in accordance with the Motor Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 exceeds 18000 kg.

Vehicle identification numbers

67

(1) This regulation applies to a wheeled vehicle which is first used on or after 1st April 1980 and to which the Type Approval (Great Britain) Regulations apply.

(2) A vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be equipped with a plate which is in a conspicuous and readily accessible position, is affixed to a vehicle part which is not normally subject to replacement and shows clearly and indelibly—

(a) the vehicle identification number in accordance with the requirements specified—

(i) in the case of a vehicle first used before 1st April 1987, in paragraphs 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 of the Annex to Community Directive 76/114/EEC ; or

(ii) in any case, in sections 3 and 4 of the Annex to Community Directive 78/507/EEC;

(b) the name of the manufacturer; and

(i) the type approval certificate which relates to the vehicle model or the model variant of the vehicle model, as the case may be, issued in accordance with the provisions of regulation 9(1) of, and Part I of Schedule 3 to, the Type Approval (Great Britain) Regulations; or

(ii) the Minister's approval certificate which relates to the vehicle, issued in accordance with the provisions of regulation 9(2) of, and Part 1A of Schedule 4 to, the said Regulations.

Provided that the information required under sub-paragraph (c) above may be shown clearly and indelibly on an additional plate which is fitted in a conspicuous and readibly accessible position and which is affixed to a vehicle part which is not normally subject to replacement.

(3) The vehicle identification number of every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be marked on the chassis, frame or other similar structure, on the off side of the vehicle, in a clearly visible and accessible position, and by a method such as hammering or stamping, in such a way that it cannot be obliterated or deteriorate.

Plates—agricultural trailed appliances

68

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (3) below, every wheeled agricultural trailed appliance manufactured on or after 1st December 1985 shall be equipped with a plate affixed to the vehicle in a conspicuous and readily accessible position and which is clearly and indelibly marked with the particulars specified in paragraph (2) below.

(2) Those particulars are—

(a) the name of the manufacturer of the appliance;

(b) the year in which the appliance was manufactured;

(d) the unladen weight; and

(e) the maximum load which would be imposed by the appliance on the drawing vehicle.

(3) In the case of a towed roller consisting of several separate rollers used in combination, a single plate shall satisfy the requirement specified in paragraph (2) above.

Plates—motor cycles

69

(1) This regulation applies to every motor cycle first used on or after 1st August 1977 which is not—

(a) propelled by an internal combustion engine with a cylinder capacity exceeding 150 cc if the vehicle was first used before 1st January 1982 or 125 cc if it was first used on or after 1st January 1982;

(b) a mowing machine; or

(2) Every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be equipped with a plate which is securely affixed to the vehicle in a conspicuous and readily accessible position and which complies with the requirements of Schedule 9.

Ministry plates

70

(1) Every ... vehicle to which the Plating and Testing Regulations apply and in respect of which a plating certificate has been issued shall, from the date specified in paragraph (2), be equipped with a Ministry plate securely affixed, so as to be legible at all times, in a conspicuous and readily accessible position, and in the cab of the vehicle if it has one.

(2) That date is in the case of—

(a) a vehicle to which the Type Approval for Goods Vehicles Regulations apply, the date of the fourteenth day after the plate was issued; or

(b) any other vehicle, the date by which it is required, by the said Regulations, to be submitted for examination for plating.

(3) In these Regulations “Ministry plate” means a plate which–

(a) is issued by the Secretary of State following the issue or amendment of a plating certificate; and

(b) subject to paragraph (4), contains the particulars required by Schedule 10, 10A, 10B or 10C.

(4) Instead of particulars of the gross weight, train weight and axle weights of the vehicle to which it relates, a Ministry plate may contain particulars of the maximum authorised weight for the vehicle, maximum authorised weight for a combination of which the vehicle forms part and maximum authorised axle weights for the vehicle, determined in accordance with the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 and the form of the plate shall be amended accordingly.

Marking of weights on certain vehicles

71

(1) This regulation applies to a vehicle (other than an agricultural motor vehicle which is either a track-laying vehicle not exceeding 3050 kg in unladen weight or a wheeled vehicle) which is—

(a) a locomotive;

(b) a motor tractor;

(d) an unbraked wheeled trailer, other than one mentioned in regulation 16(3)(b), (bb), (bc), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g).

(2) There shall be plainly marked in a conspicuous place on the outside of a vehicle to which this regulation applies, on its near side—

(a) if it is a vehicle falling in paragraph (1)(a), (b), or (c), its unladen weight; and

(b) if it is a vehicle falling in paragraph (1)(d), its maximum gross weight.

Additional markings

72

(1) This regulation applies to every goods vehicle to which the Plating and Testing Regulations apply and for which a plating certificate has been issued.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of regulation 70, any weight which by virtue of regulation 80 may not be exceeded in the case of a goods vehicle to which this regulation applies may be marked on either side, or on both sides, of the vehicle.

(3) Where at any time by virtue of any provision contained in regulation 75 a goods vehicle to which this regulation applies may not be used in excess of a weight which is less than the gross weight which may not be exceeded by that vehicle by virtue of regulation 80, the first mentioned weight may be marked on either side, or on both sides, of the vehicle.

(4) Where at any time by virtue of any provision contained in regulation 76 and 77 a goods vehicle to which this regulation applies is drawing, or being drawn by, another vehicle and those vehicles may not be used together in excess of a laden weight applicable to those vehicles by virtue of any such provision, that weight may be marked on either side, or on both sides, of that goods vehicle.

Test date discs

73

(1) Every Ministry test date disc which is issued, following the issue of a goods vehicle test certificate, in respect of a trailer to which the Plating and Testing Regulations apply and for which a plating certificate has been issued shall be carried on the trailer in a legible condition and in a conspicuous and readily accessible position in which it is clearly visible by daylight from the near side of the road, from the date of its issue until but not beyond the date of expiry of that test certificate or the date of issue of a further test certificate for that trailer, whichever date is the earlier.

(2) In this regulation “Ministry test date disc” means a plate issued by the Secretary of State for a goods vehicle, being a trailer, following the issue of a goods vehicle test certificate for that trailer under the Plating and Testing Regulations and containing the following particulars—

(a) the identification mark allotted to that trailer and shown in that certificate;

(b) the date until which that certificate is valid; and

Testing and Inspection

74

(1) Subject to the conditions specified in paragraph (2), the following persons are hereby empowered to test and inspect the brakes, silencers, steering gear and tyres of any vehicle, on any premises where that vehicle is located—

(a) a police constable in uniform;

(b) a person appointed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to inspect public carriages for the purpose of the Metropolitan Public Carriage Act 1869;

(c) a person appointed by the police authority or local policing body for a police area to act for the purposes of section 53 of the 1972 Act;

(d) a goods vehicle examiner as defined in section 56 of the 1972 Act;

(e) a certifying officer as defined in section 7(1) of the 1981 Act; and

(f) a public service vehicle examiner appointed as mentioned in section 7(2) of the 1981 Act.

(2) Those conditions are—

(a) any person empowered as there mentioned shall produce his authorisation if required to do so;

(b) no such person shall enter any premises unless the consent of the owner of those premises has first been obtained;

(i) the owner of the vehicle consents thereto;

(ii) notice has been given to that owner personally or left at his address not less than 48 hours before the time of the proposed test or inspection, or has been sent to him at least 72 hours before that time by the recorded delivery service to his address last known to the person giving the notice; or

(iii) the test or inspection is made within 48 hours of an accident to which section 25 of the 1972 Act applies and in which the vehicle was involved.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation, the owner of the vehicle shall be deemed to be in the case of a vehicle—

(a) which is for the time being registered under the 1971 Act, and is not being used under a trade licence under that Act the person appearing as the owner of the vehicle in the register kept by the Secretary of State under that Act;

(b) used under a trade licence, the holder of the licence; or

(c) exempt from excise duty by virtue of the Motor Vehicles (International Circulation) Order 1975, the person resident outside the United Kingdom who has brought the vehicle into Great Britain;

and in cases (a) and (b) the address of the owner as shown on the said register or, as the case may be, on the licence may be treated as his address.

PART IV — CONDITIONS RELATING TO USE

A — LADEN WEIGHT

Maximum permitted laden weight of a vehicle

75

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), the laden weight of a vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall not exceed the maximum permitted laden weight specified in that item in column 3.

(2) The maximum permitted laden weight of a vehicle first used before 1st June 1973 which falls in item 1 or 2 shall not be less than would be the case if the vehicle fell in item 9.

1	2	3
Item	Class of vehicle	Maximum permitted laden weight
		(kg)
1	A wheeled heavy motor car or motor car which is not described in items 1A, 2, 4 or 5 and which complies with the relevant braking requirement (see regulation 78(3) to (6) in relation to buses)	The weight determined in accordance with Part I of Schedule 11
1A	A wheeled heavy motor car or motor car which is not described initem 2, 4, or 5, which complies with the relevant braking requirementand in which—every driving axle not being a steering axle is fitted with twin tyres; andeither every driving axle is fitted with road friendly suspension or no axle has an axle weight exceeding 9,500kg.	The weight determined in accordance with Part IA of Schedule 11
2	A wheeled heavy motor car or motor car (not being an agricultural motor vehicle) which forms part of an articulated vehicle and which complies with the relevant braking requirement	The weight specified in column (5) in Part II of Schedule 11 in the item which is appropriate having regard to columns (2), (3) and (4) in that Part
3	A wheeled trailer, including a composite trailer, but not including a semi-trailer, which is drawn by a motor tractor, heavy motor car or motor car which complies with the relevant braking requirement, other than a trailer described in items 6, 7, 8 or 11	As for item 1
4	An articulated bus (see regulation 78(3) to (5))	27,000
5	A wheeled agricultural motor vehicle	As for item 1, but subject to a maximum of 24,390
6	A balanced agricultural trailer, as defined in paragraph (4), which is not described in items 8, 11 or 16	As for item 1, but subject to a maximum of 18,290
7	An unbalanced agricultural trailer, as defined in paragraph (4) which is not described in items 8, 11 or 16	18,290 inclusive of the weight imposed by the trailer on the drawing vehicle
8	A wheeled trailer manufactured on or after 27th February 1977 and fitted with brakes which automatically come into operation on the over-run of the trailer (whether or not it is fitted with any other brake), except an agricultural trailer which is being drawn by an agricultural motor vehicle, which complies with the requirements specified in items 3, 14 and 17 of Schedule 3 and of which the brakes can be applied either by the driver of the drawing vehicle or by some other person on that vehicle or on the trailer	3,500
9	A wheeled heavy motor car or motor car not described in items 1, 2, 4 or 5—
	(a) with not more than 4 wheels	14,230
	(b) with more than 4 but not more than 6 wheels	20,330
	(c) with more than 6 wheels	24,390
10	A wheeled trailer not described in items 3, 6, 7, 8 or 11 having less than 6 wheels, and not forming part of an articulated vehicle; and an agricultural trailed appliance	14,230
11	A trailer manufactured before 27th February 1977 and having no brakes other than—(i) a parking brake and(ii) brakes which come into operation on the overrun of the trailer	3,560
12	A wheeled locomotive, not described in item 5, which is equipped with suitable and sufficient springs between each wheel and the vehicle's frame and with a pneumatic tyre or a tyre of soft or elastic material fitted to each wheel—
	(a) if having less than 6 wheels	22,360
	(b) if having 6 wheels	26,420
	(c) if having more than 6 wheels	30,490
13	A track-laying locomotive with resilient material interposed between the rims of the weight-carrying rollers and the road so that the weight of the vehicle (other than that borne by any wheels and the portion of the track in contact with the road) is supported by the resilient material.	22,360
14	A locomotive not described in items 5, 12 or 13	20,830
15	A track-laying heavy motor car or motor car	22,360
16	A track-laying trailer	13,210

(3) The maximum total weight of all trailers, whether laden or unladen, drawn at any one time by a locomotive shall not exceed 44,000 kg.

(3A) Nothing in item 1 or 1A of the Table shall prevent a vehicle being used on a road if—

(a) a plating certificate in respect of the vehicle was in force immediately before the 1st January 1993; and

(b) the laden weight of the vehicle does not exceed the weight shown in that certificate as being the weight not to be exceeded in Great Britain.

(4) In this Part of these Regulations and in Schedule 11—

“air spring” means a spring operated by means of air or other compressible fluid under pressure;

“air suspension” means a suspension system in which at least 75 per cent of the spring effect is caused by an air spring.

“balanced agricultural trailer” means an agricultural trailer the whole of the weight of which is borne by its own wheels; and

“unbalanced agricultural trailer” means an agricultural trailer of which some, but not more than 35%, of the weight is borne by the drawing vehicle and the rest of the weight is borne by its own wheels.

(5) For the purposes of this Part of these Regulations and Schedule 11, an axle shall be regarded as fitted with a road friendly suspension if its suspension is—

(a) an air suspension, or

(b) a suspension, not being an air suspension, which is regarded as being equivalent to an air suspension for the purposes of Community Directive 92/7.

(6) For the purposes of this Part of these Regulations and Schedule 11, an axle shall be regarded as fitted with twin tyres if it would be regarded as fitted with twin tyres for the purposes of Community Directive 92/7.

Maximum permitted laden weight of a vehicle and trailer, other than an articulated vehicle

76

(1) The total laden weight of a motor vehicle and the trailer or trailers (other than semi-trailers) drawn by it shall not, in a case specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, exceed the maximum permitted train weight specified in that item in column 3.

(1A) This regulation is subject to Schedule 11A (exemptions relating to intermodal transport operations).

(2) In this regulation, the expressions “road friendly suspension”, “twin tyres” and “unbalanced agricultural trailer” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 75(4), (5) and (6).

1	2	3
Item	Vehicle Combination	Maximum permitted train weight
		(kg)
1	A wheeled trailer which is drawn by a wheeled motor tractor, heavy motor car (not being in any case an agricultural motor vehicle), where—the combination has a total of 4 axles and is being used for international transport; andthe drawing vehicle is a vehicle which was first used on or after 1st April 1973 and complies with the relevant braking requirement	35,000
1A	A wheeled trailer which is drawn by a wheeled motor tractor, heavy motor car or motor car (not being in any case an agricultural motor vehicle), where the combination has a total of 4 axles and the following conditions are satisfied in relation to the drawing vehicle, namely—it was first used on or after 1st April 1973;it complies with the relevant braking requirement;every driving axle not being a steering axle is fitted with twin tyres; andevery driving axle is fitted with road friendly suspension	35,000
1AA	A wheeled trailer which is drawn by a wheeled motor tractor, heavy motor car or motor car (not being in any case an agricultural motor vehicle), where the combination has a total of 5 or more axles and the following conditions are satisfied in relation to the drawing vehicle, namely—it was first used on or after 1st April 1973;it complies with the relevant braking requirement;every driving axle not being a steering axle is fitted with twin tyres; andeither every driving axle is fitted with road friendly suspension or no axle has an axle weight exceeding 8,500kg	38,000
1B	A wheeled trailer, not being part of a combination described in items 1, 1A or 1AA which is drawn by a wheeled motor tractor, heavy motor car or motor car (not being in any case an agricultural motor vehicle), where—the trailer is fitted with power–assisted brakes which can be operated by the driver of the drawing vehicle and are not rendered ineffective by the non– rotation of its engine; andthe drawing vehicle is equipped with a warning 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	32,520
1C	A wheeled trailer which is of a description specified in item 8 in the Table of regulation 75 drawn by a wheeled motor tractor, heavy motor car or motor car (not being in any case an agricultural motor vehicle), the drawing vehicle being a vehicle which— (a) was first used on or after 1st April 1973; and (b) complies with the relevant braking requirement	29,500
2	A wheeled agricultural motor vehicle drawing a wheeled unbalanced agricultural trailer, if the distance between the rearmost axle of the trailer and the rearmost axle of the drawing vehicle does not exceed 2.9 m	20,000
2A	A category T tractor drawing one wheeled agricultural trailer (other than (i) an agricultural trailed appliance conveyor or (ii) a wheeled unbalanced agricultural trailer where the distance between the rearmost axle of the unbalanced trailer and the rearmost axle of the drawing vehicle is 2.9 m or less).	31,000
3	A wheeled trailer or trailers drawn by a wheeled motor tractor, heavy motor car, motor car or agricultural motor vehicle, not being a combination of vehicles mentioned in items 1 , 1A, 1AA, 1B, 1C , 2 or 2A	24,390
4	A track-laying trailer drawn by a motor tractor, heavy motor car or motor car, whether wheeled or track-laying and a wheeled trailer, drawn by a track-laying vehicle being a motor tractor, heavy motor car or motor car	22,360

Maximum permitted laden weight of an articulated vehicle

77

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the laden weight of an articulated vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall not exceed the weight specified in column 3 in that item.

1	2	3
Item	Class of vehicle	Maximum permitted laden weight
		(kg)
1	An articulated vehicle which complies with the relevant braking requirement.	Whichever is the lower of— (a) the weight specified in column (3) of Part III of Schedule 11 in the item in which the spacing between the rearmost axles of the motor vehicle and the semi-trailer is specified in column (2), ...; and (b) if the vehicle is of a description specified in an item in column (2) of Part IV of Schedule 11, the weight specified in column (3) of that item
2	An articulated vehicle which does not comply with the relevant braking requirement if the trailer has—
	(a) less than 4 wheels	20,330
	(b) 4 wheels or more	24,390

(2) This regulation does not apply to an agricultural motor vehicle, an agricultural trailer or an agricultural trailed appliance.

(2A) This regulation is subject to Schedule 11A (exemptions relating to intermodal transport operations).

(3) In Part IV of Schedule 11, “road friendly suspension” and “twin tyres” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 75(5) and (6).

Maximum permitted wheel and axle weights

78

(1) The weight transmitted to the road by one or more wheels of a vehicle as mentioned in an item in column 2 of the Table shall not exceed the maximum permitted weight specified in that item in column 3.

(2) The Parts of the Table have the following application—

(a) Part I applies to wheeled heavy motor cars, motor cars and trailers which comply with the relevant braking requirement and to wheeled agricultural motor vehicles, agricultural trailers and agricultural trailed appliances; items 1(b) and 2 also apply to buses;

(b) Part II applies to wheeled heavy motor cars, motor cars and trailers which do not fall in Part I;

(d) Part IV applies to track-laying vehicles.

1	2	3
Item	Wheel criteria	Maximum permitted weight
		(kg)
1	Two wheels in line transversely each of which is fitted with a wide tyre or with two pneumatic tyres having the centres of their areas of contact with the road not less than 300 mm apart, measured at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle—
	(a) if the wheels are on the sole driving axle of a motor vehicle not being a bus,	10,500
	(b) if the vehicle is a bus which has 2 axles and of which the weight transmitted to the road surface by its wheels is calculated in accordance with regulation 78(5),	10,500
	(c) in any other case	10,170
2	Two wheels in line transversely otherwise than as mentioned in item 1	9,200
3	More than two wheels in line transversely—
	(a) in the case of a vehicle manufactured before 1st May 1983 where the wheels are on one axle of a group of ... closely spaced axles ...,	10,170
	(b) in the case of a vehicle manufactured on or after 1st May 1983,	10,170
	(c) in any other case	11,180
4	One wheel not transversely in line with any other wheel—
	(a) if the wheel is fitted as described in item 1,	5,090
	(b) in any other case	4,600
1	2	3
---	---	---
Item	Wheel criteria	Maximum permitted weight
		(kg)
5	More than two wheels transmitting weight to a strip of the road surface on which the vehicle rests contained between two parallel lines at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle—
	(a) less than 1.02 m apart,	11,180
	(b) 1.02 m or more apart but less than 1.22 m apart,	16,260
	(c) 1.22 m or more apart but less than 2.13 m apart	18,300
6	Two wheels in line transversely	9,200
7	One wheel, where no other wheel is in the same line transversely.	4,600
1	2	3
---	---	---
Item	Wheel criteria	Maximum permitted weight
		(kg)
8	Two wheels in line transversely (except in the case of a road roller, or a vehicle with not more than four wheels first used before 1st June 1955)	11,180
9	Any two wheels in the case of a wheeled locomotive having not more than four wheels first used before 1st June 1955 , not being— a road roller;an agricultural motor vehicle (other than a category T tractor) which is driven at or below 20 mph; ora category T tractor which is driven at or below 40 km/h.	Three quarters of the total weight of the locomotive.
1	2	3
---	---	---
Item	Wheel criteria	Maximum permitted weight
		(kg)
10	The weight of a heavy motor car, motor car or trailer transmitted to any strip of the road surface on which the vehicle rests contained between two parallel lines 0.6 m apart at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle	10,170
11	Two wheels in line—
	(a) heavy motor cars or motor cars with 2 wheels,	8,130
	(b) heavy motor cars or motor cars with more than 2 wheels	7,630
12	One wheel, where no other wheel is in the same line transversely, on a heavy motor car or a motor car	4,070

(3) In the case of an articulated bus, or, subject to paragraph (4), of a bus first used before 1st April 1988, the laden weight, for the purposes of ... regulation 75, and the weight transmitted to the road surface by wheels of the vehicle, for the purposes of items 1 and 2 of the Table in this regulation, shall be calculated with reference to the vehicle when it is complete and fully equipped for service with—

(a) a full supply of water, oil and fuel; and

(b) weights of 63.5 kg for each person (including crew)—

(i) for whom a seat is provided in the position in which he may be seated; and

(ii) who may by or under any enactment be carried standing, the total of such weights being reasonably distributed in the space in which such persons may be carried, save that in the case of a bus (not being an articulated bus) only the number of such persons exceeding 8 shall be taken into account.

(4) The weights for the purposes referred to in paragraph (3) may, in the case of a bus to which that paragraph applies, be calculated in accordance with paragraph (5) instead of paragraph (3).

(5) In the case of a bus first used on or after 1st April 1988, the weights for the purposes referred to in paragraph (3) shall be calculated with reference to the vehicle when it is complete and fully equipped for service with—

(a) a full supply of water, oil and fuel;

(b) a weight of 65 kg for each person (including crew)—

(i) for whom a seat is provided, in the position in which he may be seated; and

(ii) who may by or under any enactment be carried standing, the total of such weights being reasonably distributed in the space in which such persons may be so carried, save that in the case of a bus (not being an articulated bus) only the number of such persons exceeding 4 shall be taken into account;

(c) all luggage space within the vehicle but not within the passenger compartment loaded at the rate of 100 kg per m³ or 10 kg per person mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) above, whichever is the less; and

(d) any area of the roof of the vehicle constructed or adapted for the storage of luggage loaded with a uniformly distributed load at the rate of 75 kg per m².

(6) Regulation 75 shall not apply to a two axle bus if—

(a) its laden weight as calculated in accordance with paragraph (5) does not exceed 17,000kg; and

(b) the distance between the two axles is at least 3.0m.

Maximum permitted weights for certain closely-spaced axles etc

79

(1) This regulation applies to—

(a) a wheeled motor vehicle which complies with the relevant braking requirement;

(b) a wheeled trailer which is drawn by such a motor vehicle; and

(2) Save as provided in paragraph (5), where a vehicle to which this regulation applies is of a description specified in an item in column 2 of Part V of Schedule 11 and has two closely-spaced axles, the total weight transmitted to the road surface by all the wheels of those axles shall not exceed the maximum permitted weight specified in column 3 of that item.

(3) Save as provided in paragraph (5), where a vehicle to which this regulation applies is of a description specified in an item in column 2 of Part VI of Schedule 11 and has three closely-spaced axles, the total weight transmitted to the road surface by all the wheels of those axles shall not exceed the weight specified in column 3.

(4) Save as provided by paragraph (5), where a vehicle is fitted with four or more closely-spaced axles, the weight transmitted to the road surface by all the wheels of those axles shall not exceed 24,000kg.

(5) Nothing in paragraphs (2), (3) or (4) of this regulation shall apply so as to prevent a vehicle first used before 1st June 1973 from being used on a road at a weight as respects those axles at which it could be used if it fell within item 5 in the Table in regulation 78 and nothing in those paragraphs shall prevent a vehicle being used on a road if—

(a) a plating certificate in respect of the vehicle was in force immediately before the 1st January 1993; and

(b) no axle has an axle weight exceeding the weight shown in that certificate as being the weight not to be exceeded in Great Britain for that axle.

(6) In Parts V and VI of Schedule 11, “air-suspension” “road friendly suspension” and “twin tyres” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 75(4), (5) and (6).

Over-riding weight restrictions

80

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2), (2B), (2C) and (4) , no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a vehicle—

(a) fitted with a plate in accordance with regulation 66, but for which no plating certificate has been issued, if any of the weights shown on the plate is equalled or exceeded;

(b) for which a plating certificate has been issued, if any of the weights shown in column (2) of the plating certificate is equalled or exceeded; or

(c) required by regulation 68 to be fitted with a plate, if the maximum gross weight referred to in paragraph (2)(c) of that regulation is equalled or exceeded.

(2) Where any two or more axles are fitted with a compensating arrangement in accordance with regulation 23 the sum of the weights shown for them in the plating certificate shall not be equalled or exceeded. In a case where a plating certificate has not been issued the sum of the weights referred to shall be that shown for the said axles in the plate fitted in accordance with regulation 66.

(2A) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a vehicle for which a plating certificate has been issued in the form set out in Schedule 10A or 10C where—

(a) the vehicle is being used for international transport; and

(b) none of the weights shown in column (3) of the plating certificate is equalled or exceeded.

(2B) Where both a train weight and a maximum train weight are shown in column (2) of a plating certificate issued for a motor vehicle, paragraph (1)(b) in so far as it relates to train weights shall not apply to the motor vehicle if—

(a) the motor vehicle is a wheeled heavy motor car drawing a wheeled trailer and the requirements set out in Part II of Schedule 11A are for the time being fulfilled; or

(b) the motor vehicle is comprised in an articulated vehicle and the requirements set out in Part III of Schedule 11A are for the time being fulfilled,

and the train weight of the motor vehicle does not equal or exceed the maximum train weight shown in column (2) of the certificate.

(3) Nothing in regulations 75 to 79 or in the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 shall permit any such weight as is mentioned in the preceding provisions of this regulation to be equalled or exceeded and nothing in this regulation shall permit any weight prescribed by regulations 75 to 79 or in the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 in relation to the vehicle in question to be equalled or exceeded.

(4) Paragraph (1) shall not apply where a vehicle is used on a road before 1st January 2000 if–

(a) the vehicle is fitted with a plate in accordance with regulation 66(1)(b) and the maximum gross weight and the maximum weight for any axle of the vehicle are not exceeded; or

(b) there is in force a plating certificate for the vehicle that was issued before 1st January 1999 and the design weight of the vehicle is not exceeded; and

(c) in either case the maximum authorised weight for the vehicle, maximum authorised weight for a combination of which the vehicle forms part and maximum authorised weight for any axle of the vehicle, determined in accordance with the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998, are not exceeded.

B — DIMENSIONS OF LADEN VEHICLES

Restrictions on use of vehicles carrying wide or long loads or having fixed appliances or apparatus

81

For the purposes of this regulation, regulation 82 and Schedule 12—

(a) “lateral projection”, in relation to a load carried by a vehicle, means that part of the load which extends beyond a side of the vehicle;

(b) the width of any lateral projection shall be measured between longitudinal planes passing through the extreme projecting point of the vehicle on that side on which the projection lies and that part of the projection furthest from that point;

(c) references to a special appliance or apparatus, in relation to a vehicle, are references to any crane or other special appliance or apparatus fitted to the vehicle which is a permanent or essentially permanent fixture;

(d) “forward projection” and “rearward projection”—

(i) in relation to a load carried in such a manner that its weight is borne by only one vehicle, mean respectively that part of the load which extends beyond the foremost point of the vehicle and that part which extends beyond the rearmost point of the vehicle;

(ii) in relation to a load carried in such a manner that part of its weight is borne by more than one vehicle, mean respectively that part of the load which extends beyond the foremost point of the foremost vehicle by which the load is carried except where the context otherwise requires and that part of the load which extends beyond the rearmost point of the rearmost vehicle by which the load is carried; and

(iii) in relation to any special appliance or apparatus, mean respectively that part of the appliance or apparatus which, if it were deemed to be a load carried by the vehicle, would be a part of a load extending beyond the foremost point of the vehicle and that part which would be a part of a load extending beyond the rearmost point of the vehicle,

and references in regulation 82 and Schedule 12 to a forward projection or to a rearward projection in relation to a vehicle shall be construed accordingly;

(e) the length of any forward projection or of any rearward projection shall be measured between transverse planes passing—

(i) in the case of a forward projection, through the foremost point of the vehicle and that part of the projection furthest from that point; and

(ii) in the case of a rearward projection, through the rearmost point of the vehicle and that part of the projection furthest from that point;

In this and the foregoing sub-paragraph “vehicle” does not include any special appliance or apparatus or any part thereof which is a forward projection or a rearward projection;

(f) references to the distance between vehicles, in relation to vehicles carrying a load, are references to the distance between the nearest points of any two adjacent vehicles by which the load is carried, measured when the longitudinal axis of each vehicle lies in the same vertical plane.

For the purposes of this sub-paragraph, in determining the nearest point of two vehicles any part of either vehicle designed primarily for use as a means of attaching the one vehicle to the other and any fitting designed for use in connection with any such part shall be disregarded;

(g) references to a combination of vehicles, in relation to a motor vehicle which is drawing one or more trailers, are references to the motor vehicle and the trailer or trailers drawn thereby, including any other motor vehicle which is used for the purpose of assisting in the propulsion of the trailer or the trailers on the road;

(h) the overall length of a combination of vehicles shall be taken as the distance between the foremost point of the drawing vehicle comprised in the combination and the rearmost point of the rearmost vehicle comprised therein, measured when the longitudinal axis of each vehicle comprised in the combination lies in the same vertical plane;

(i) the extreme projecting point of a vehicle is the point from which the overall width of the vehicle is calculated in accordance with the definition of overall width contained in regulation 3(2);

(j) without prejudice to sub-paragraph (e) the foremost or, as the case may be, the rearmost point of a vehicle is the foremost or rearmost point from which the overall length of the vehicle is calculated in accordance with the definition of overall length contained in regulation 3(2); and

(k) an agricultural, horticultural or forestry implement rigidly but not permanently mounted on an agricultural motor vehicle, agricultural trailer or agricultural trailed appliance, whether or not part of its weight is supported by one or more of its own wheels, shall not be treated as a load, or special appliance, on that vehicle.

82

(1) No load shall be carried on a vehicle so that the overall width of the vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of its load exceeds 4.3m.

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, no load shall be carried on a vehicle so that—

(a) the load has a lateral projection or projections on either side exceeding 305mm; or

(b) the overall width of the vehicle and of any lateral projection or projections of its load exceeds 2.9m.

Provided that this paragraph does not apply to the carriage of—

(i) loose agricultural produce not baled or crated; or

(ii) an indivisible load if—

(A) it is not reasonably practicable to comply with this paragraph and the conditions specified in paragraphs 1 and 5 of Schedule 12 are complied with; and

(B) where the overall width of the vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of its load exceeds 3.5m, the conditions specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule 12 are complied with.

(3) Where a load is carried so that its weight rests on a vehicle or vehicles, the length specified in paragraph (5) shall not exceed 27.4m.

(4) A load shall not be carried so that its weight is borne by a vehicle or vehicles if either—

(a) the length specified in paragraph (5) exceeds 18.65m; or

(b) the load is borne by a trailer or trailers and the length specified in paragraph (6) exceeds 25.9m,

unless the conditions specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part I of Schedule 12 are complied with.

(5) The length referred to in paragraphs (3) and (4)(a) is—

(a) where the weight of the load is borne by a single vehicle, the overall length of the vehicle together with the length of any forward and rearward projection of the load;

(b) where the weight of the load is borne by a motor vehicle and one trailer, whether or not forming an articulated vehicle, the overall length of the trailer together with the length of any projection of the load in front of the foremost point of the trailer and of any rearward projection of the load; and

(c) in any other case, the overall length of all the vehicles which bear the weight of the load, together with the length of any distance between them and of any forward or rearward projection of the load.

(6) The length referred to in paragraph (4)(b) is the overall length of the combination of vehicles, together with the length of any forward or rearward projection of the load.

(7) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a vehicle, not being a straddle carrier, carrying a load or fitted with a special appliance or apparatus if the load, appliance or apparatus has a forward projection of a length specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, or rearward projection of a length specified in an item in column 3, unless the conditions specified in that item in column 4 are complied with.

1	2	3	4	4
Item	Length of forward projection	Length of rearward projection	Conditions to be complied with	Conditions to be complied with
			(a)	(b)
			if the load consists of a racing boat propelled solely by oars.	in any other case
1	Exceeding 1 m but not exceeding 2 m	—	Para 4 of Schedule 12	—
2	Exceeding 2 m but not exceeding 3.05 m	—	Para 4 of Schedule 12	Paras 2 and 3 of Schedule 12
3	Exceeding 3.05 m	—	Paras 1 and 4 of Schedule 12	Paras 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12
4	—	Exceeding 1 m but not exceeding 2 m	Para 4 of Schedule 12	Para 4 of Schedule 12
5	—	Exceeding 2 m but not exceeding 3.05 m	Para 4 of Schedule 12	Para 3 of Schedule 12
6	—	Exceeding 3.05 m	Paras 1 and 4 of Schedule 12	Paras 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12

(8) Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a straddle carrier carrying a load if—

(a) the load has a rearward projection exceeding 1 m unless the conditions specified in paragraph 4 of Schedule 12 are met;

(b) the load has a forward projection exceeding 2 m or a rearward projection exceeding 3m; or

(c) the overall length of the vehicle together with the length of any forward projection and of any rearward projection of its load exceeds 12.2m

Provided that—

(i) sub-paragraph (a) does not apply to a vehicle being used in passing from one part of private premises to another part thereof or to other private premises in the immediate neighbourhood;

(ii) sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) do not apply to a vehicle being used as in proviso (i) above if—

(A) the vehicle is not being driven at a speed exceeding 12 mph; and

(B) where the overall length of the vehicle together with the length of any forward projection and of any rearward projection of its load exceeds 12.2m, the conditions specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12 are complied with.

(9) Where another vehicle is attached to that end of a vehicle from which a projection extends, then for the purposes of any requirement in this regulation to comply with paragraph 3 or 4 of Schedule 12, that projection shall be treated as a forward or rearward projection only if, and to the extent that it extends beyond the foremost point or, as the case may be, the rearmost point, of that other vehicle, measured when the longitudinal axis of each vehicle lies in the same vertical plane.

(10) In the case of a vehicle being used—

(a) 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 or for defence purposes (including civil defence purposes);

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

(b) in connection with the removal of any obstruction to traffic,

if compliance with any provision of this regulation would hinder or be likely to hinder the use of the vehicle for the purpose for which it is being used, that provision does not apply to that vehicle while it is being so used.

(11) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road an agricultural, horticultural or forestry implement rigidly, but not permanently, mounted on a wheeled agricultural motor vehicle, agricultural trailer, or agricultural trailed appliance, whether or not part of its weight is supported by one or more of its own wheels if—

(a) the overall width of the vehicle together with the lateral projection of the implement exceeds 2.55m; or

(b) the implement projects more than 1m forwards or rearwards of the vehicle,

so however, that this restriction shall not apply in a case where—

(i) part of the weight of the implement is supported by one or more of its own wheels; and

(ii) the longitudinal axis of the greater part of the implement is capable of articulating in the horizontal plane in relation to the longitudinal axis of the rear portion of the vehicle.

C — TRAILERS AND SIDECARS

Number of trailers

83

(1) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a wheeled vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table drawing a trailer, subject to any exceptions which may be specified in that item in column 3.

1	2	3
Item	Class of vehicles	Exceptions
1	A straddle carrier	—
2	An invalid carriage	—
3	An articulated bus	—
4	A bus not being an articulated bus or a minibus	(a) 1 broken down bus where no person other than the driver is carried in either vehicle or (b) 1 trailer
5	A locomotive	3 trailers
6	A motor tractor	1 trailer,2 trailers if neither is laden
7	A heavy motor car or a motor car not described in item 1, 3 or 4	2 trailers if one of them is a towing implement and part of the other is secured to and either rests on or is suspended from that implement1 trailer in any other case
8	An agricultural motor vehicle	in respect of trailers other than agricultural trailers and agricultural trailed appliances, such trailers as are permitted under items 5, 6, or 7 above, as the case may be; orin respect of agricultural trailers and agricultural trailed appliances— 2 unladen agricultural trailers, or1 agricultural trailer and I agricultural trailed appliance, or2 agricultural trailed appliances

(2) For the purposes of items 5, 6 and 7 of the Table—

(a) an unladen articulated vehicle, when being drawn by another motor vehicle because it has broken down, shall be treated as a single trailer; and

(b) a towed roller used for the purposes of agriculture, horticulture or forestry and consisting of several separate rollers shall be treated as one agricultural trailed appliance.

(3) No track-laying motor vehicle which exceeds 8 m in overall length shall draw a trailer other than a broken down vehicle which is being drawn in consequence of the breakdown.

(4) For the purpose of this regulation, the word “trailer” does not include a vehicle which is drawn by a steam powered vehicle and which is used solely for carrying water for the purpose of the drawing vehicle.

Trailers drawn by motor cycles

84

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a motor cycle—

(a) drawing behind it more than one trailer;

(b) drawing behind it any trailer carrying a passenger;

(d) with not more than 2 wheels, without a sidecar, and with an engine capacity which does not exceed 125 cc, drawing behind it any trailer; or

(e) with not more than 2 wheels, without a sidecar and with an engine capacity exceeding 125 cc, drawing behind it any trailer unless—

(i) the trailer has an overall width not exceeding 1 m;

(ii) the distance between the rear axle of the motor cycle and the rearmost part of the trailer does not exceed 2.5 m;

(iii) the motor cycle is clearly and indelibly marked in a conspicuous and readily accessible position with its kerbside weight;

(iv) the trailer is clearly and indelibly marked in a conspicuous and readily accessible position with its unladen weight; and

(v) the laden weight of the trailer does not exceed 150 kg or two thirds of the kerbside weight of the motor cycle, whichever is the less.

(2) The provisions of paragraph (1)(b), (d) and (e) do not apply if the trailer is a broken down motorcycle and one passenger is riding it.

Trailers drawn by agricultural motor vehicles

85

(1) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road a wheeled agricultural motor vehicle drawing one or more wheeled trailers if the weight of the drawing vehicle is less than a quarter of the weight of the trailer or trailers, unless the brakes fitted to each trailer in compliance with regulation 15 or 16 are operated directly by the service braking system fitted to the motor vehicle.

(2) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road, any motor vehicle drawing an agricultural trailer of which—

(a) more than 35% of the weight is borne by the drawing vehicle; or

(b) the gross weight exceeds 14,230 kg, unless it is fitted with brakes as mentioned in paragraph (1).

(3) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road an agricultural trailer manufactured on or after 1st December 1985 which is drawn by a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st June 1986 unless the brakes fitted to the trailer—

(a) in accordance with regulation 15 can be applied progressively by the driver of the drawing vehicle, from his normal driving position and while keeping proper control of that vehicle, using a means of operation mounted on the drawing vehicle; or

(b) automatically come into operation on the over-run of the trailer.

Distance between motor vehicles and trailers

86

(1) Where a trailer is attached to the vehicle immediately in front of it solely by means of a rope or chain, the distance between the trailer and that vehicle shall not in any case exceed 4.5 m, and shall not exceed 1.5 m unless the rope or chain is made clearly visible to any other person using the road within a reasonable distance from either side.

(2) For the purpose of determining the said distance any part of either vehicle designed primarily for use as a means of attaching the one vehicle to the other and any fitting designed for use in connection with any such part shall be disregarded.

Unbraked trailers

87

(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, on a road an unbraked wheeled trailer if—

(a) its laden weight exceeds its maximum gross weight; or

(b) it is drawn by a vehicle of which the kerbside weight is less than twice the sum of the unladen weight of the trailer and the weight of any load which the trailer is carrying.

(2) This regulation does not apply to—

(a) an agricultural trailer; or

(b) a trailer mentioned in paragraph (b), (bb), (bc), (c), (d), (e), (f) or (g) of regulation 16(3).

Use of bridging plates between motor vehicle and trailer

88

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

Leaving trailers at rest

89

No person in charge of a motor vehicle, or trailer drawn thereby, shall cause or permit such trailer to stand on a road when detached from the drawing vehicle unless one at least of the wheels of the trailer is (or, in the case of a track-laying trailer, its tracks are) prevented from revolving by the setting of a parking brake or the use of a chain, chock or other efficient device.

Passengers in trailers

90

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.