Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999

Springs and resilient material

27.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), motor vehicles and trailers shall be equipped with suitable and sufficient springs between each wheel and the frame of the vehicle.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), in the case of a track-laying vehicle—

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

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

(3) This regulation does not apply to—

(a)a wheeled vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding 4,070 kg and which is—

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

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

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

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

(b)an agricultural motor vehicle which is not driven at more than 20 mph;

(c)an agricultural trailer, or an agricultural trailed appliance;

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

(e)a motor cycle;

(f)a mobile crane;

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

(h)a road roller;

(i)a broken down vehicle; or

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

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