The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

PART IPRELIMINARY

1Commencement and citation

3Interpretation

3AModification of Regulations in relation to vehicles for which a Minister’s approval certificate has been issued under the Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996

4Application and Exemptions

5Trade Descriptions Act 1968

6Compliance with Community Directives and ECE Regulations

PART IIREGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES

ADIMENSIONS AND MANOEUVRABILITY

10Indication of overall travelling height

10AWarning devices where certain high level equipment is fitted to a vehicle

10BVehicles to which regulation 10A applies

10CInterpretation of regulations 10A and 10B

12Minimum ground clearance

13Turning circle—buses

13ATurning circle—articulated vehicles other than those incorporating a car transporter

13BTurning circle—articulated vehicles incorporating a car transporter

13CTurning circle—heavy motor car

14Connecting sections and direction-holding of articulated buses

15Braking systems of certain vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1983

16Braking systems of vehicles to which regulation 15 does not apply

17Vacuum or pressure brake warning devices

17ACouplings on trailer pneumatic braking systems

18Maintenance and efficiency of brakes

19Application of brakes of trailers

CWHEELS, SPRINGS, TYRES AND TRACKS

20General requirement as to wheels and tracks

21Diameter of wheels

22Springs and resilient material

25Tyre Loads and Speed Ratings

26Mixing of tyres

27Condition and maintenance of tyres

29Maintenance of steering gear

View to the front

30(1) Every motor vehicle shall be so designed and constructed...

31(1) This regulation applies to a motor vehicle which is—...

32(1) This regulation applies to— (a) a caravan first used...

33Mirrors and other devices for indirect vision

34Windscreen wipers and washers

FINSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT

36Maintenance of speedometers

36ASpeed limiters

36B(1) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (14), this regulation applies...

36CSpeed limiters — authorised sealers

37Audible warning instruments

38Motor cycle sidestands

39A(1) Every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be...

39B(1) Subject to paragraph (2), every fuel tank fitted to...

40Gas propulsion systems and gas-fired appliances

41AAlternative means of compliance

42Fire extinguishing apparatus

43First aid equipment

44Carriage of dangerous substances

IPOWER TO WEIGHT RATIO

45Power to weight ratio

JPROTECTIVE SYSTEMS

46Seat belt anchorage points

48Maintenance of seat belts and anchorage points

48AMinibuses and coaches to be fitted with additional seat belts when used in certain circumstances

49Rear under-run protection

50Maintenance of rear under-run protective device

52Maintenance of sideguards

53AStrength of superstructure

53BAdditional exits from double-decked coaches

53CAlternative means of compliance

KCONTROL OF EMISSIONS

54Silencers-general

55Noise limits—certain vehicles with 3 or more wheels—general

55ANoise limits—certain vehicles first used on or after 1st October 1996—general

56Noise limits—agricultural motor vehicles and industrial tractors

57Noise limits construction requirements relating to motor cycles

57AExhaust systems motor cycles

57BNoise limits maintenance requirements relating to motor cycles

58Noise limits—vehicles not subject to regulations 55 to 57, first used on or after 1st April 1970

59Exceptions to regulations 55 to 57B

60Radio interference suppression

61Emission of smoke, vapour, gases, oily substances etc

61AEmission of smoke, vapour, gases, oily substances etc—further requirements for certain motor vehicles first used on or after 1st January 2001

64Spray suppression devices

65Maintenance of spray suppression devices

PART IIIPLATES, MARKINGS, TESTING AND INSPECTION

66Plates for goods vehicles and buses

67Vehicle identification numbers

68Plates—agricultural trailed appliances

69Plates—motor cycles

70Ministry plates

70ASpeed limiters—plates

70BPlate relating to dimensions

71Marking of weights on certain vehicles

71AMarking of date of manufacture of trailers

72Additional markings

73Test date discs

74Testing and Inspection

PART IVCONDITIONS RELATING TO USE

75Maximum permitted laden weight of a vehicle

76Maximum permitted laden weight of a vehicle and trailer, other than an articulated vehicle

77Maximum permitted laden weight of an articulated vehicle

78Maximum permitted wheel and axle weights

79Maximum permitted weights for certain closely-spaced axles etc

79ASaving for the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998

80Over-riding weight restrictions

BDIMENSIONS OF LADEN VEHICLES

Restrictions on use of vehicles carrying wide or long loads or having fixed appliances or apparatus

81For the purposes of this regulation, regulation 82 and Schedule...

82(1) No load shall be carried on a vehicle so...

CTRAILERS AND SIDECARS

83Number of trailers

84Trailers drawn by motor cycles

85Trailers drawn by agricultural motor vehicles

86Distance between motor vehicles and trailers

86AUse of secondary coupling on trailers

86BUse of mechanical coupling devices

87Unbraked trailers

88Use of bridging plates between motor vehicle and trailer

89Leaving trailers at rest

90Passengers in trailers

91Attendants on trailers and certain other vehicles

92Attachment of sidecars

93Use of sidecars

CAUSE OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE CARRIAGE OR HAULAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS

93AAdditional braking requirements for motor vehicles carrying or hauling dangerous goods

DUSE OF GAS PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND GAS-FIRED APPLIANCES

94Use of gas propulsion systems

95Use of gas-fired appliances—general

96Use of gas-fired appliances when a vehicle is in motion

ECONTROL OF NOISE

97Avoidance of excessive noise

98Stopping of engine when stationary

99Use of audible warning instruments

FAVOIDANCE OF DANGER

100Maintenance and use of vehicle so as not to be a danger, etc

100A(1) No person shall use, or cause or permit to...

101Parking in darkness

102Passengers on motor cycles

104Driver's control

105Opening of doors

107Leaving motor vehicles unattended

108Securing of suspended implements

109Television sets

110Mobile telephones

SCHEDULE 1REGULATIONS REVOKED BY REGULATION 2

SCHEDULE 2COMMUNITY DIRECTIVES AND ECE REGULATIONS

SCHEDULE 2AVEHICLES FOR WHICH A MINISTER'S APPROVAL CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN ISSUED UNDER THE MOTOR VEHICLES (APPROVAL) REGULATIONS 1996

PART IINTERPRETATION

1General Interpretation

2Interpretation of references to a vehicle complying with the approval requirements and to a vehicle exempt from the approval requirements

PART IIMODIFICATION OF THE REGULATIONS

3Part exemption from regulation 32 (glazing)

4Exemption from regulation 33 (mirrors)

5Exemption from regulation 35 (speedometers)

6Exemption from regulation 39(2)(c)(i) (fuel tanks to be made of metal)

7Exemption from regulation 46 (seat belt anchorages)

8Part exemption from regulation 47 (seat belts)

9Modifications to regulation 61 (emissions)

9AParagraphs (10A), (10AA) and (10BA) of regulation 61 shall not...

9BModifications to regulation 61A (emissions)

10Modification to regulation 67 (vehicle identification numbers)

SCHEDULE 3BRAKING REQUIREMENTS

1The braking requirements referred to in regulation 16(4) are set...

2For the purposes of requirement 3 in the Table, in...

3For the purpose of requirements 4 and 6 in the...

4For the purpose of requirements 4, 9 and 14 in...

5In this Schedule a “multi-pull means of operation” means a...

SCHEDULE 3AEXCLUSION OF CERTAIN VEHICLES FROM THE APPLICATION OF REGULATION 39A

1(1) In this Part — “ EEC type approval certificate”...

2A vehicle of a description specified in column 2 of...

3The conditions referred to in paragraph 2 are —

PART IISYMBOL INDICATING THAT VEHICLE CAN RUN ON UNLEADED PETROL

SCHEDULE 3BAUTHORISED SEALERS

1The Secretary of State may authorise— (a) an individual proposing...

2An authorised sealer shall comply with the conditions set out...

3An authorised sealer may charge for sealing a speed limiter....

4The Secretary of State may at any time withdraw an...

5(1) An authorisation under this Schedule in respect of an...

PART IIthe conditions

6An authorised sealer shall not— (a) seal a speed limiter...

7When sealing a speed limiter fitted to a vehicle to...

8When sealing a speed limiter fitted to a vehicle to...

9When an authorised sealer has sealed a speed limiter fitted...

10When an authorised sealer has sealed a speed limiter fitted...

SCHEDULE 4GAS CONTAINERS

1Definitions relating to gas containers

2Gas containers

5Reducing valves

6Valves and cocks

7Pressure gauges

8Charging connections

10Construction, etc., of system

PART IISPECIFICATION FOR BRASS OR BRONZE VALVES

1Manufacture of valves

2Heat treatment

3Freedom from defects

SCHEDULE 5GAS SYSTEMS

1In this Schedule— “check valve” means a device which permits...

2(1) Every gas container shall— (a) be capable of withstanding...

Filling systems for fixed gas containers

3(1) Every connection for filling a fixed gas container shall...

4(1) Every pipeline shall be fixed in such a manner...

Unions and joints

5(1) Every union and joint on a pipeline or gas...

Reducing valves

6Every reducing valve shall be made of suitable materials and...

Pressure relief valves

7(1) Every pressure relief valve which is fitted to any...

Valves and cocks

8(1) A valve or cock shall be fitted to every...

9Every gauge connected to a gas container or to a...

Propulsion systems

10(1) Every gas propulsion system shall be so designed and...

Special requirements for buses

11In the case of a bus there shall be fitted...

Gas-fired appliances

12Every part of a gas-fired appliance shall be—

13Every gas-fired appliance shall be— (a) so located as to...

14With the exception of catalytic heating appliances, every appliance of...

General requirements

15Every part of a gas propulsion system or a gas-fired...

SCHEDULE 6CONSTRUCTION OF MINIBUSES

2Doors—number and position

3Emergency Doors

4Power-operated doors

5Locks, handles and hinges of doors

7Access to doors

8Grab handles and hand rails

10Electrical equipment and wiring

12Lighting of steps

13General construction and maintenance

SCHEDULE 7FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS AND FIRST AID EQUIPMENT FOR MINIBUSES

PART IFIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS

PART IIFIRST AID EQUIPMENT

SCHEDULE 7XAEND OF SERIES EXEMPTIONS

PART IMODIFICATION OF REGULATIONS 55A, 61 AND 61A IN RELATION TO END OF SERIES VEHICLES

1Modification of regulations 55A, 61 and 61A

PART IIMEANING OF “TYPE APPROVAL END OF SERIES VEHICLE” IN PART I

2Meaning of “type approval end of series vehicle” for the purposes of paragraph 1

3Meaning of “relevant vehicle” for the purposes of this Part

4Meaning of “specified number” for the purposes of this Part

5Circumstances in which a vehicle is to be regarded as having been in the territory of a relevant state for the purposes of this Part

6Meaning of “relevant period” for the purposes of this Part

PART IIIMEANING OF “NON-TYPE APPROVAL END OF SERIES VEHICLE” IN PART I

7Meaning of “non-type approval end of series vehicle” in paragraph 1

8Meaning of “relevant vehicle” for the purposes of this Part

9Meaning of “specified number” for the purposes of this Part

10Circumstances in which a vehicle is to be regarded as having been in the territory of a relevant state for the purposes of this Part

11Meaning of “relevant period” for the purposes of this Part

PART IVMEANING OF “LATE ENTRY INTO SERVICE VEHICLE” IN PART I

12Meaning of “late entry into service vehicle” in paragraph 1

13Circumstances in which a vehicle is to be regarded as having been in the territory of a relevant state for the purposes of this Part

SCHEDULE 7AMOTOR CYCLE NOISE AND MOTOR CYCLE SILENCERS

1(1) For the purposes of these Regulations a vehicle meets...

2The requirements of this paragraph are that the silencer—

3The requirements of this paragraph are that the silencer—

4The requirements of this paragraph are that the silencer—

5In this Part of this Schedule— (a) “British Standard BS...

6Paragraph (4) of regulation 57A shall not apply to a...

7In this Part of this Schedule, “corresponding standard”, in relation...

8A reference in this part of this Schedule to a...

9In this Part of this Schedule, “British Standard BS AU...

SCHEDULE 7BEMISSIONS FROM CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES

PART IVEHICLES PROPELLED BY SPARK IGNITION ENGINES

1This Part of this Schedule applies to a vehicle if,...

2This Part of this Schedule also applies to a vehicle...

3For the purposes of paragraph 1 of this Part of...

3AFor the purposes of paragraph 2(a) of this Part of...

4For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, in...

5For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule an...

6For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, the...

7In this Part of this Schedule— (a) a reference to...

PART IIVEHICLES PROPELLED BY COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINES

8(1) This Part of this Schedule applies to a vehicle...

9In this Part of this Schedule— (a) “coefficient of absorption”...

SCHEDULE 8PLATES FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES

1The power of an engine, which is to be shown...

2(1) Subject to paragraph 3A, the weights to be shown...

3Subject to paragraph 3A, the weights to be shown on...

3AIn the case of a vehicle— (a) which complies with...

4(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph weights on...

5All letters and figures shown on the plate shall be...

6In this Schedule references to the manufacturer of a motor...

SCHEDULE 9PLATES FOR MOTOR CYCLES

1The plate required by regulation 69 shall be firmly attached...

2The plate shall be in the form shown in the...

3The information on the plate shall be shown in characters...

4No information, other than that provided for in the diagram...

5In this Schedule and, in respect of the definition of...

6A motor cycle shall regarded as complying with paragraph (c)...

SCHEDULE 10MINISTRY PLATE

SCHEDULE 10AMINISTRY PLATE

SCHEDULE 11MAXIMUM PERMITTED WEIGHTS, ETC

PART I (see regulation 75)MAXIMUM PERMITTED LADEN WEIGHTS OF (1) TRAILERS AND (2) HEAVY MOTOR CARS AND MOTOR CARS NOT FITTED WITH ROAD FRIENDLY SUSPENSION; IN EACH CASE NOT FORMING PART OF AN ARTICULATED VEHICLE

1The maximum permitted laden weight of a two or three...

2In the case of a vehicle to which this Part...

PART IA (see regulation 75)MAXIMUM PERMITTED GROSS WEIGHTS FOR HEAVY CARS AND MOTOR CARS IF THE DRIVING AXLES ARE FITTED WITH ROAD FRIENDLY SUSPENSION ETC AND IN EACH CASE NOT FORMING PART OF AN ARTICULATED VEHICLE

1Subject to paragraph 2, the maximum permitted gross weight of...

2In the case of a vehicle to which this Part...

PART IIMaximum permitted laden weights for heavy motor cars and motor cars forming part of articulated vehicles

PART IIIMaximum permitted laden weight of articulated vehicles

PART IV (see regulation 77)MAXIMUM PERMITTED LADEN WEIGHT OF ARTICULATED VEHICLES

PART V Regulation 79(2)VEHICLES WITH TWO CLOSELY-SPACED AXLES

PART VI Regulation 79(3)VEHICLES WITH THREE CLOSELY-SPACED AXLES

PART VIIMaximum permitted weight of three adjacent axles

SCHEDULE 11A (see regulations 76(1A), 77(2A) and 80(2B))EXEMPTIONS RELATING TO COMBINED TRANSPORT OPERATIONS

1Regulation 76 does not apply to a wheeled heavy motor...

2Regulation 77 does not apply to an articulated vehicle if...

2ARegulations 75, 76, 77 and 78 do not apply to...

PART IIDRAWBAR COMBINATIONS

3(1) The drawing vehicle and trailer must each be carrying...

4The following conditions must be satisfied in relation to the...

5(1) The motor vehicle and trailer must have a total...

PART IIIARTICULATED VEHICLES

6(1) The motor vehicle comprised in the articulated vehicle must...

7The following conditions must be satisfied in relation to the...

8(1) The articulated vehicle must have a total of at...

PART IIIAARTICULATED VEHICLES (ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS)

8A(1) The requirements of paragraph 6 are fulfilled.

PART IVINTERPRETATION

9(1) In this Schedule— “bi–modal vehicle” means a semi–trailer which...

SCHEDULE 12CONDITIONS TO BE COMPLIED WITH IN RELATION TO THE USE OF VEHICLES CARRYING WIDE OR LONG LOADS OR VEHICLES CARRYING LOADS OR HAVING FIXED APPLIANCES OR APPARATUS WHICH PROJECT

1Advance notice to Police

3Marking of longer projections

4Marking of shorter projections

5Marking of wide loads

PART IIPROJECTION MARKERS

SCHEDULE 13PLATE FOR RESTRICTED SPEED VEHICLE

1A vehicle displays a plate in accordance with the requirements...

1986 No. 1078

ROAD TRAFFIC

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

Made25th June 1986

Laid before Parliament18th July 1986

Coming into Operation11th August 1986

The Secretary of State for Transport (hereinafter referred to as “the Secretary of State”), in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 34(5), 40(1), (2) and (3) and 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1972 now vested in him1 and of all other enabling powers, and after consultation with representative organisations in accordance with the provisions of section 199(2) of that Act, hereby makes the following Regulations:—