Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

136 Meaning of “motor vehicle” and other expressions relating to vehicles. E+W

(1) In this Act, subject to section 20 of the M1 Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (which makes special provision with respect to invalid carriages), “motor vehicle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads, and “trailer” means a vehicle drawn by a motor vehicle.

(2) In this Act “motor car” means a mechanically propelled vehicle, not being a motor cycle or an invalid carriage, which is constructed itself to carry a load or passengers and of which the weight unladen—

(a) if it is constructed solely for the carriage of passengers and their effects, is adapted to carry not more than 7 passengers exclusive of the driver, and is fitted with tyres of such type as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State, does not exceed 3050 kilograms;

(b) if it is constructed or adapted for use for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description, does not exceed 3050 kilograms (or 3500 kilograms if the vehicle carries a container or containers for holding, for the purposes of its propulsion, any fuel which is wholly gaseous at 17·5 degrees Celsius under a pressure of 1·013 bar or plant and materials for producing such fuel); or

(c) in a case falling within neither of the foregoing paragraphs, does not exceed 2540 kilograms.

(3) In this Act “heavy motor car” means a mechanically propelled vehicle, not being a motor car, which is constructed itself to carry a load or passengers and of which the weight unladen exceeds 2540 kilograms.

(4) In this Act (except for the purposes of [F1 sections 57 and 63]) “motor cycle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle (not being an invalid carriage) with fewer than 4 wheels, of which the weight unladen does not exceed 410 kilograms.

(5) In this Act “invalid carriage” means a mechanically propelled vehicle of which the weight unladen does not exceed 254 kilograms and which is specially designed and constructed, and not merely adapted, for the use of a person suffering from some physical default or disability and is used solely by such a person.

(6) In this Act “motor tractor” means a mechanically propelled vehicle which is not constructed itself to carry a load, other than excepted articles, and of which the weight unladen does not exceed 7370 kilograms.

(7) In this Act “light locomotive” and “heavy locomotive” mean a mechanically propelled vehicle which is not constructed itself to carry a load, other than excepted articles, and of which the weight unladen—

(a) in the case of a light locomotive, exceeds 7370 but does not exceed 11690 kilograms, and

(b) in the case of a heavy locomotive, exceeds 11690 kilograms.

(8) In subsections (6) and (7) above “excepted articles” means any of the following, that is to say, water, fuel, accumulators and other equipment used for the purpose of propulsion, loose tools and loose equipment.

Extent Information

E1 This version of this provision extends to England and Wales only; a separate version has been created for Scotland only

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 136(4) substituted (1.2.2001) by 2000 c. 38, s. 271(3); S.I. 2001/57, art. 3(1), Sch. 2 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions and savings in Sch. 2 Pt. II)

Marginal Citations

M1 1970 c. 44(81:3).

136 Meaning of “motor vehicle" and other expressions relating to vehicles. S

(1) In this Act, subject to section 20 of the M2 Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (which makes special provision with respect to invalid carriages), “motor vehicle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads, and “trailer” means a vehicle drawn by a motor vehicle.

(2) In this Act “motor car” means a mechanically propelled vehicle, not being a motor cycle or an invalid carriage, which is constructed itself to carry a load or passengers and of which the weight unladen—

(a) if it is constructed solely for the carriage of passengers and their effects, is adapted to carry not more than 7 passengers exclusive of the driver, and is fitted with tyres of such type as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State, does not exceed 3050 kilograms;

(b) if it is constructed or adapted for use for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description, does not exceed 3050 kilograms (or 3500 kilograms if the vehicle carries a container or containers for holding, for the purposes of its propulsion, any fuel which is wholly gaseous at 17·5 degrees Celsius under a pressure of 1·013 bar or plant and materials for producing such fuel); or

(c) in a case falling within neither of the foregoing paragraphs, does not exceed 2540 kilograms.

(3) In this Act “heavy motor car” means a mechanically propelled vehicle, not being a motor car, which is constructed itself to carry a load or passengers and of which the weight unladen exceeds 2540 kilograms.

(4) In this Act (except for the purposes of [F2 sections 57 and 63]) “motor cycle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle (not being an invalid carriage) with fewer than 4 wheels, of which the weight unladen does not exceed 410 kilograms.

(5) In this Act “invalid carriage” means a mechanically propelled vehicle of which the weight unladen does not exceed 254 kilograms and which is specially designed and constructed, and not merely adapted, for the use of a person suffering from some physical default or disability and is used solely by such a person.

(6) In this Act “motor tractor” means a mechanically propelled vehicle which is not constructed itself to carry a load, other than excepted articles, and of which the weight unladen does not exceed 7370 kilograms.

(7) In this Act “light locomotive” and “heavy locomotive” mean a mechanically propelled vehicle which is not constructed itself to carry a load, other than excepted articles, and of which the weight unladen—

(a) in the case of a light locomotive, exceeds 7370 but does not exceed 11690 kilograms, and

(b) in the case of a heavy locomotive, exceeds 11690 kilograms.

(8) In subsections (6) and (7) above “excepted articles” means any of the following, that is to say, water, fuel, accumulators and other equipment used for the purpose of propulsion, loose tools and loose equipment.

Extent Information

E2 This version of this provision extends to Scotland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales only

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in s. 136(4) substituted (1.4.2001) by 2001 asp 2, s. 78(3) (with s. 66); S.I. 2001/132, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3, 4)

Marginal Citations

M2 1970 c. 44(81:3).