The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1994

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations further amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. The main effect of these Regulations is as follows.

Height

2.  Regulation 9(2) of the 1986 Regulations provided that if an articulated vehicle had a laden weight exceeding 32,520kg, no part of the structure of the semi–trailer could be more than 4.2 metres above the ground. The provision is amended so that it applies only where the total laden weight exceeds 35,000kg.

3.  A new paragraph (2A) is added to regulation 9 which applies to vehicles drawing a trailer which is not a semi–trailer where the total laden weight of the combination exceeds 35,000kg. In the case of such vehicles, no part of the structure of any of the vehicles in the combination may be more than 4.2 metres above the ground.

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

4.  Regulation 76 of the 1986 Regulations imposed a train weight limit of 35,000kg on certain combinations of vehicles which do not constitute an articulated vehicle. The regulation is amended so as to raise the limit in certain cases to 38,000kg. Some changes are made in the details relating to other weight limits applicable to such combinations.

Maximum permitted laden weight of an articulated vehicle

5.  Regulation 77 of and Schedule 11 to the 1986 Regulations, impose train weight limits on articulated vehicles. Previously the maximum train weight depended on (amongst other things) the overall length of the motor vehicle and semi–trailer. The regulation and Schedule are amended so that the maximum permitted train weight no longer depends on overall length as such. However, it continues to depend on (amongst other things) the distance between the rear axle of the motor vehicle and the rear axle of the semi–trailer.

Combined transport operations

6.  Regulations 76 and 77 of the 1986 Regulations as amended by these Regulations impose a limit of 38,000kg on combinations of vehicles.

7.  A new Schedule 11A is added to the 1986 Regulations exempting vehicles from regulations 76 and 77 when being used on combined transport operations provided that certain conditions are satisfied. “Combined transport operation” is defined in the new Schedule and is, broadly, the transport of a bi–modal vehicle or a receptacle which meets certain requirements on a journey part of which is by road and part of which is by rail.

8.  One of the conditions is that the laden weight must not exceed the weight specified in the Schedule applicable to the combination. The limit is in no case more than 44 tonnes. Another condition is that the combination must have at least 6 axles.

Plated weights

9.  One of the weights shown on Ministry plates issued in the past is the train weight. The definition of “Ministry plate” in regulation 3(2) of the 1986 Regulations is amended so as to introduce two new forms of Ministry plate each of which contain a space for maximum train weight as well as train weight. The two new forms of plate are set out in new Schedules 10B and 10C. These are in addition to the forms shown in Schedules 10 and 10A.

10.  The Road Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988/1478) require plating certificates to contain the particulars shown in Schedule 10 to the 1986 Regulations. S.I. 1994/328 amends the 1988 Regulations so that future plating certificates will contain the particulars required to be shown in the new Schedule 10B.

11.  Regulation 80 of the 1986 Regulations provides that (amongst other things) a vehicle must not be used on a road if any one of the weights shown on its plating certificate is exceeded. Regulation 80 is amended so that when a vehicle has the benefit of the new Schedule 11A, the vehicle can be used without contravening the regulation by reason of its train weight, if its train weight does not exceed the amount shown on the plating certificate as the maximum train weight. In other cases, the train weight must not exceed the amount shown on plating certificate as the train weight as in the past.

12.  The new forms of Ministry plate, unlike the previous forms, do not require a statement of the unladen weight of a vehicle so far as applicable.

Marking of unladen weights on certain vehicles

13.  Regulation 71 of the 1986 Regulations provided (amongst other things) that if the unladen weight of a heavy motor car was not shown on its Ministry plate, its unladen weight had to be marked in a conspicuous place on the outside of the vehicle. This requirement is replaced by a requirement for buses to be so marked. Buses do not have to be fitted with Ministry plates.