The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

PART IIIE+W+SPLATES, MARKINGS, TESTING AND INSPECTION

Plates for goods vehicles and busesE+W+S

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; F1...

(v)save as provided in sub-paragraph (b) below, a passenger vehicle; [F2or

(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;

(c)a wheeled locomotive or motor tractor first used on or after 1st April 1973 not being—

(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.

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

[F3(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.]

Vehicle identification numbersE+W+S

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

(c)the approval reference number of either—

(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 appliancesE+W+S

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;

(c)the maximum gross weight;

(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 cyclesE+W+S

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

(c)a pedestrian-controlled vehicle.

(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 platesE+W+S

70.—(1) Every goods 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.

[F4(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.]

Speed limiters—platesE+W+S

[F570A.—(1) This regulation applies to every vehicle to which regulation 36A or 36B applies and which is fitted with a speed limiter.

(2) Every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be equipped with a plate which meets the requirements specified in paragraph (3).

(3) [F6Subject to regulation 36B(11A),] the requirements are that the plate is in conspicuous position in the driving compartment of the vehicle and is clearly and indelibly marked with the speed at which the speed limiter has been set.]

[F7Plate relating to dimensionsE+W+S

70B.—(1) This regulation applies to a vehicle which is not a goods vehicle fitted in accordance with regulation 70 with a Ministry plate containing the particulars required by Schedule 10A or 10C and which is either—

(a)a bus or a heavy motor car and which was manufactured after 31st May 1998; or

(b)a trailer used in combination with a vehicle falling within paragraph (a) and manufactured after 31st May 1998.

(2) A vehicle to which this regulation applies shall not be used unless—

(a)the vehicle is equipped with a plate securely attached to the vehicle in a conspicuous and readily accessible position and containing the particulars as to the dimensions of the vehicle specified in Annex III of Community Directive 96/53/EC; or

(b)those particulars are included in the particulars shown on the plate with which the vehicle is equipped in accordance with regulation 66.]

Marking of weights on certain vehiclesE+W+S

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;

(c)[F8a bus] which is registered under the 1971 Act (or any enactment repealed thereby) F9...; or

(d)an unbraked wheeled trailer, other than one mentioned in [F10regulation 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.

[F11Marking of date of manufacture of trailersE+W+S

71A.—(1) This regulation applies to a trailer that—

(a)is not a motor vehicle;

(b)is manufactured on or after 1st January 1997; and

(c)has a maximum total design axle weight not exceeding 750 kg.

(2) The year of manufacture of every trailer to which this regulation applies shall be marked on the chassis, frame or other similar structure on the nearside 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.]

Additional markingsE+W+S

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 discsE+W+S

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

(c)the number of the vehicle testing station shown in that certificate.

Testing and InspectionE+W+S

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 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;

(c)no such person shall test or inspect any vehicle on any premises unless—

(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.