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

Part III

1.  The power of an engine, which is to be shown only in the case of a compression ignition engine on the plate in respect of item 3 in Part I of this Schedule, shall be the amount in kilowatts equivalent to the installed power output shown in a type test certificate issued—

(a)by a person authorised by the Secretary of State for the Environment for the type of engine to which the engine conforms; and

(b)in accordance with either—

(i)the provisions relating to the installed brake power output specified in the British Standard Specification for the Performance of Diesel Engines for Road Vehicles published on 19th May 1971 under the number BS AU 141a: 1971;

(ii)the provisions relating to the net power specified in Community Directive 80/1269 but after allowance has been made for the power absorbed by such equipment at its minimum power setting, driven by the engine of the vehicle as is fitted for the operation of the vehicle (other than its propulsion) such power being measured at the speed corresponding to the engine speed at which maximum engine power is developed; or

(iii)the provisions of Annex 10 of ECE Regulation 24.02 as further amended with effect from 15th February 1984 or Annex 10 of ECE Regulation 24.03 or Community Directive 88/195 relating to the method of measuring internal combustion engine net power, but after allowance has been made for the power absorbed by any disconnectable or progressive cooling fan, at its maximum se tting, and by any other such equipment, at its minimum power setting, driven by the engine of the vehicle as is fitted for the operation of the vehicle (other than its propulsion), such power being measured at the speed corresponding to the engine speed at which maximum engine power is developed.

2.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) the weights to be shown on the plate in relation to items 6, 7 and 8 in Part I and in relation to items 4, 5 and 6 in Part II shall be the weight limits at or below which the vehicle is considered by the manufacturer fit for use, having regard to its design, constructions and equipment and the stresses to which it is likely to be subject in use.

(2) Where alternations are made to a vehicle which may render the vehicle fit for use at weights which exceed those referred to in sub-paragraph (1) and shown on the plate—

(a)there may be shown on the plate, in place of any of those weights, such new weights as the manufacturer of the vehicle or any person carrying on business as a manufacturer of motor vehicles or trailers (or a person duly authorised on behalf of that manufacturer or any such person) or a person authorised by the Secretary of State for the Environment, considers to represent the weight limits at or below which the vehicle will then be fit for use, having regard to its design, construction and equipment and to those alterations and to the stresses to which it is likely to be subject in use; and

(b)the name of the person who has determined the new weights shall be shown on the plate as having made that determination and, where he is a person authorised by the Secretary of State for the Environment, his appointment shall be so shown.

(3) In relation to a vehicle manufactured on or after 1st October 1972, in sub-paragraph (2)—

(a)the references to equipment shall not be treated as including a reference to the type of tyres with which the vehicle is equipped; and

(b)for the words “weight limits at or below” in both places where they occur there shall be substituted the words “maximum weights at”.

3.  The weights to be shown on the plate in respect of—

(a)item 9 in Part I shall be the weights shown at item 6 in that Part and in respect of item 7 in Part II shall be the weights shown at item 4 in that Part, in each case reduced so far as necessary to indicate the maximum weight applicable to each axle of the vehicle, if the vehicle is not to be used in contravention of regulations 28, 87, 90 or 91, and if the tyres with which the vehicle is equipped are not, as respects strength, to be inadequate to support the weights to be so shown at item 9 and item 7;

(b)item 10 in Part I shall be the weight shown at item 7 in that Part and in respect of item 8 in Part II shall be the weight shown at item 6 in that Part, in each case reduced so far as necessary to indicate the maximum permissible weight applicable if the vehicle is not to be used in contravention of regulation 86 if the tyres with which the vehicle is equipped are not, as respects strength, to be inadequate to support the weights to be so shown at item 10 and item 8.

4.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) weights on plates first affixed to a vehicle on or after 31st December 1976 shall be shown in kilograms, and weights on plates first so affixed before that date may be shown in—

(i)kilograms; or

(ii)tons and decimals thereof together with the equivalent weight in kilograms; or

(iii)tons and decimals thereof.

(2) Where a new weight is first shown on a plate by virtue of paragraph 2(2) the weight shall be shown as if it was on a plate first affixed to a vehicle on the date it was first shown.

5.  All letters and figures shown on the plate shall be not less than 6mm in height.

6.  In this Schedule references to the manufacturer of a motor vehicle or trailer are in relation to—

(a)a motor vehicle or a trailer constructed with a chassis which has not previously formed part of another vehicle, references to the person by whom that chassis was made;

(b)any other motor vehicle or trailer, references to the person by whom that vehicle was constructed.