Part V Supplementary
Interpretation
61 Vehicle weights.
(1)
In this Act a reference to the plated gross weight of a goods vehicle or trailer is a reference—
(a)
in the case of a trailer which may lawfully be used in Great Britain without a Ministry plate (within the meaning of regulations under section 41 or 49 of the M1Road Traffic Act 1988), to the maximum laden weight at which the trailer may lawfully be used in Great Britain, and
(b)
otherwise, to the weight which is the maximum gross weight which may not be exceeded in Great Britain for the vehicle or trailer as indicated on the appropriate plate.
(2)
In this Act a reference to the plated train weight of a vehicle is a reference to the weight which is the maximum gross weight which may not be exceeded in Great Britain for an articulated vehicle consisting of the vehicle and any semi-trailer which may be drawn by it as indicated on the appropriate plate.
(3)
In subsections (1) and (2) “appropriate plate”, in relation to a vehicle or trailer, means—
(a)
where a Ministry plate (within the meaning of regulations under section 41 or 49 of the Road Traffic Act 1988) has been issued, or has effect as if issued, for the vehicle or trailer following the issue or amendment of a plating certificate (within the meaning of Part II of that Act), that plate, F1and
(b)
where paragraph (a) does not apply but such a certificate is in force for the vehicle or trailer, that certificate, F2. . .
F2(c)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F3(3A)
Where it appears to the Secretary of State that there is a description of document which—
(a)
falls to be treated for some or all of the purposes of the M2Road Traffic Act 1988 as if it were a plating certificate, or
(b)
is issued under the law of any state in the European Economic Area for purposes which are or include purposes corresponding to those for which such a certificate is issued,
he may by regulations provide for references in this section to a plating certificate to have effect as if they included references to a document of that description.
(4)
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F4(5)
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(6)
In this Act “weight unladen”—
(a)
in England and Wales and Scotland, has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of the M3Road Traffic Act 1988 by virtue of section 190 of that Act, and
F5(b)
in Northern Ireland, has the same meaning as it has for the purposes of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 by virtue of Article 7 of that Order.
F4(7)
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(8)
In this section “trailer” has the same meaning as in Part VIII of Schedule 1.