The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

  1. Introductory Text

  2. PART I PRELIMINARY

    1. 1.Commencement and citation

    2. 2.Revocation

    3. 3.Interpretation

    4. 3A.Modification of Regulations in relation to vehicles for which a Minister’s approval certificate has been issued under the Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996

    5. 4.Application and Exemptions

    6. 5.Trade Descriptions Act 1968

    7. 6.Compliance with Community Directives and ECE Regulations

  3. PART II REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES

    1. A DIMENSIONS AND MANOEUVRABILITY

      1. 7.Length

      2. 8.Width

      3. 9.Height

      4. 10.Indication of overall travelling height

      5. 10A.Warning devices where certain high level equipment is fitted to a vehicle

      6. 10B.Vehicles to which regulation 10A applies

      7. 10C.Interpretation of regulations 10A and 10B

      8. 11.Overhang

      9. 12.Minimum ground clearance

      10. 13.Turning circle—buses

      11. 13A.Turning circle—articulated vehicles other than those incorporating a car transporter

      12. 13B.Turning circle—articulated vehicles incorporating a car transporter

      13. 13C.Turning circle—heavy motor car

      14. 14.Connecting sections and direction-holding of articulated buses

    2. B BRAKES

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

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

      3. 17.Vacuum or pressure brake warning devices

      4. 17A.Couplings on trailer pneumatic braking systems

      5. 18.Maintenance and efficiency of brakes

      6. 18A.Review of regulation 18

      7. 19.Application of brakes of trailers

    3. C WHEELS, SPRINGS, TYRES AND TRACKS

      1. 20.General requirement as to wheels and tracks

      2. 21.Diameter of wheels

      3. 22.Springs and resilient material

      4. 23.Wheel loads

      5. 24.Tyres

      6. 25.Tyre Loads and Speed Ratings

      7. 25A.Tyre Noise

      8. 26.Mixing of tyres

      9. 27.Condition and maintenance of tyres

      10. 28.Tracks

    4. D STEERING

      1. 29.Maintenance of steering gear

    5. E VISION

      1. View to the front

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

      2. Glass

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

        2. 32.(1) This regulation applies to— (a) a caravan first used...

      3. 33.Mirrors and other devices for indirect vision

      4. 34.Windscreen wipers and washers

    6. F INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT

      1. 35.Speedometers

      2. 36.Maintenance of speedometers

      3. 36A.Speed limiters

      4. 36B.(1) Subject to paragraph (14) , this regulation applies to...

      5. 36C.Speed limiters — authorised sealers

      6. 37.Audible warning instruments

      7. 38.Motor cycle sidestands

    7. G FUEL

      1. 39.Fuel tanks

      2. 39A.(1) Every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be...

      3. 39B.(1) Subject to paragraph (2), every fuel tank fitted to...

      4. 40.Gas propulsion systems and gas-fired appliances

    8. H MINIBUSES

      1. 41.Minibuses

      2. 41A.Alternative means of compliance

      3. 42.Fire extinguishing apparatus

      4. 43.First aid equipment

      5. 44.Carriage of dangerous substances

    9. I POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO

      1. 45.Power to weight ratio

    10. J PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS

      1. 46.Seat belt anchorage points

      2. 47.Seat belts

      3. 48.Maintenance of seat belts and anchorage points

      4. 48A.Minibuses and coaches to be fitted with additional seat belts when used in certain circumstances

      5. 49.Rear under-run protection

      6. 50.Maintenance of rear under-run protective device

      7. 51.Sideguards

      8. 52.Maintenance of sideguards

      9. 53.Mascots

      10. 53A.Strength of superstructure

      11. 53B.Additional exits from double-decked coaches

      12. 53C.Alternative means of compliance

    11. K CONTROL OF EMISSIONS

      1. 54.Silencers-general

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

      3. 55A.Noise limits—certain vehicles first used on or after 1st October 1996—general

      4. 56.Noise limits—agricultural motor vehicles and industrial tractors

      5. 57.Noise limits construction requirements relating to motor cycles

      6. 57A.Exhaust systems motor cycles

      7. 57B.Noise limits maintenance requirements relating to motor cycles

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

      9. 59.Exceptions to regulations 55 to 57B

      10. 60.Radio interference suppression

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

      12. 61A.Emission of smoke, vapour, gases, oily substances etc—further requirements for certain motor vehicles first used on or after 1st January 2001

      13. 61B.Retrofitting and refilling of certain air conditioning systems

      14. 61C.End-of-series exemption

      15. 61D.Review of regulations 61 to 61B

      16. 62.Closets etc

      17. 63.Wings

      18. 64.Spray suppression devices

      19. 65.Maintenance of spray suppression devices

  4. PART III PLATES, MARKINGS, TESTING AND INSPECTION

    1. 66.Plates for goods vehicles and buses

    2. 67.Vehicle identification numbers

    3. 68.Plates—agricultural trailed appliances

    4. 69.Plates—motor cycles

    5. 70.Ministry plates

    6. 70A.Speed limiters—plates

    7. 70B.Plate relating to dimensions

    8. 71.Marking of weights on certain vehicles

    9. 71A.Marking of date of manufacture of trailers

    10. 72.Additional markings

    11. 73.Test date discs

    12. 74.Testing and Inspection

  5. PART IV CONDITIONS RELATING TO USE

    1. A LADEN WEIGHT

      1. 75.Maximum permitted laden weight of a vehicle

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

      3. 77.Maximum permitted laden weight of an articulated vehicle

      4. 78.Maximum permitted wheel and axle weights

      5. 79.Maximum permitted weights for certain closely-spaced axles etc

      6. 79A.Saving for the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998

      7. 80.Over-riding weight restrictions

    2. B DIMENSIONS OF LADEN VEHICLES

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

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

        2. 82.(1) No load shall be carried on a vehicle so...

    3. C TRAILERS AND SIDECARS

      1. 83.Number of trailers

      2. 84.Trailers drawn by motor cycles

      3. 85.Trailers drawn by agricultural motor vehicles

      4. 86.Distance between motor vehicles and trailers

      5. 86A.Use of secondary coupling on trailers

      6. 86B.Use of mechanical coupling devices

      7. 87.Unbraked trailers

      8. 88.Use of bridging plates between motor vehicle and trailer

      9. 89.Leaving trailers at rest

      10. 90.Passengers in trailers

      11. 91.Attendants on trailers and certain other vehicles

      12. 92.Attachment of sidecars

      13. 93.Use of sidecars

    4. CA USE OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE CARRIAGE OR HAULAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS

      1. 93A.Additional braking requirements for motor vehicles carrying or hauling dangerous goods

    5. D USE OF GAS PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND GAS-FIRED APPLIANCES

      1. 94.Use of gas propulsion systems

      2. 95.Use of gas-fired appliances—general

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

    6. DA USE OF AERODYNAMIC DEVICES AND EQUIPMENT, AND ELONGATED CABS

      1. 96A.Use of aerodynamic devices and equipment

      2. 96B.Use of elongated cabs

    7. E CONTROL OF NOISE

      1. 97.Avoidance of excessive noise

      2. 98.Stopping of engine when stationary

      3. 99.Use of audible warning instruments

    8. F AVOIDANCE OF DANGER

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

      2. 100A.(1) No person shall use, or cause or permit to...

      3. 101.Parking in darkness

      4. 102.Passengers on motor cycles

      5. 103.Obstruction

      6. 104.Driver's control

      7. 105.Opening of doors

      8. 106.Reversing

      9. 107.Leaving motor vehicles unattended

      10. 108.Securing of suspended implements

      11. 109.Television sets

      12. 110.Mobile telephones

      13. 111.Review

  6. Signature

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      REGULATIONS REVOKED BY REGULATION 2

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      COMMUNITY DIRECTIVES AND ECE REGULATIONS

    3. SCHEDULE 2A

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

      1. PART I INTERPRETATION

        1. 1.General Interpretation

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

      2. PART II MODIFICATION OF THE REGULATIONS

        1. 3.Part exemption from regulation 32 (glazing)

        2. 4.Exemption from regulation 33 (mirrors)

        3. 5.Exemption from regulation 35 (speedometers)

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

        5. 7.Exemption from regulation 46 (seat belt anchorages)

        6. 8.Part exemption from regulation 47 (seat belts)

        7. 9.Modifications to regulation 61 (emissions)

        8. 9A.Paragraphs (10A), (10AA) and (10BA) of regulation 61 shall not...

        9. 9B.Modifications to regulation 61A (emissions)

        10. 9C.Modification to regulation 61B (retrofitting and refilling of certain air conditioning systems)

        11. 10.Modification to regulation 67 (vehicle identification numbers)

    4. SCHEDULE 3

      BRAKING REQUIREMENTS

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

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

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

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

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

    5. SCHEDULE 3A

      EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN VEHICLES FROM THE APPLICATION OF REGULATION 39A

      1. PART I

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

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

        3. 3.The conditions referred to in paragraph 2 are —

      2. PART II SYMBOL INDICATING THAT VEHICLE CAN RUN ON UNLEADED PETROL

    6. SCHEDULE 3B

      AUTHORISED SEALERS

      1. PART I general

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

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

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

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

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

      2. PART II the conditions

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

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

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

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

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

    7. SCHEDULE 4

      GAS CONTAINERS

      1. PART I

        1. 1.Definitions relating to gas containers

        2. 2.Gas containers

        3. 3.Pipe lines

        4. 4.Unions

        5. 5.Reducing valves

        6. 6.Valves and cocks

        7. 7.Pressure gauges

        8. 8.Charging connections

        9. 9.Trailers

        10. 10.Construction, etc., of system

      2. PART II SPECIFICATION FOR BRASS OR BRONZE VALVES

        1. 1.Manufacture of valves

        2. 2.Heat treatment

        3. 3.Freedom from defects

        4. 4.Tensile test

    8. SCHEDULE 5

      GAS SYSTEMS

      1. Definitions

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

      2. Gas containers

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

      3. Filling systems for fixed gas containers

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

      4. Pipelines

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

      5. Unions and joints

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

      6. Reducing valves

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

      7. Pressure relief valves

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

      8. Valves and cocks

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

      9. Gauges

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

      10. Propulsion systems

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

      11. Special requirements for buses

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

      12. Gas-fired appliances

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

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

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

      13. General requirements

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

    9. SCHEDULE 6

      CONSTRUCTION OF MINIBUSES

      1. 1.Exhaust pipes

      2. 2.Doors—number and position

      3. 3.Emergency Doors

      4. 4.Power-operated doors

      5. 5.Locks, handles and hinges of doors

      6. 6.View of doors

      7. 7.Access to doors

      8. 8.Grab handles and hand rails

      9. 9.Seats

      10. 10.Electrical equipment and wiring

      11. 11.Fuel tanks

      12. 12.Lighting of steps

      13. 13.General construction and maintenance

      14. 14.Definitions

    10. SCHEDULE 7

      FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS AND FIRST AID EQUIPMENT FOR MINIBUSES

      1. PART I FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS

      2. PART II FIRST AID EQUIPMENT

    11. SCHEDULE 7XA

      END OF SERIES EXEMPTIONS

      1. PART I MODIFICATION OF REGULATIONS 55A, 61 AND 61A IN RELATION TO END OF SERIES VEHICLES

        1. 1.Modification of regulations 55A, 61 and 61A

      2. PART II MEANING OF “TYPE APPROVAL END OF SERIES VEHICLE” IN PART I

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

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

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

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

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

      3. PART III MEANING OF “NON-TYPE APPROVAL END OF SERIES VEHICLE” IN PART I

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

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

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

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

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

      4. PART IV MEANING OF “LATE ENTRY INTO SERVICE VEHICLE” IN PART I

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

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

    12. SCHEDULE 7A

      MOTOR CYCLE NOISE AND MOTOR CYCLE SILENCERS

      1. PART I

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

      2. PART II

        1. 2.The requirements of this paragraph are that the silencer—

        2. 3.The requirements of this paragraph are that the silencer—

        3. 4.The requirements of this paragraph are that the silencer—

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

      3. PART III

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

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

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

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

    13. SCHEDULE 7B

      EMISSIONS FROM CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES

      1. PART I VEHICLES PROPELLED BY SPARK IGNITION ENGINES

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

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

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

        4. 3A.For the purposes of paragraph 2(a) of this Part of...

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

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

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

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

      2. PART II VEHICLES PROPELLED BY COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINES

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

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

    14. SCHEDULE 8

      PLATES FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES

      1. PART I

      2. PART II

      3. PART III

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

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

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

        4. 3A.In the case of a vehicle— (a) which complies with...

        5. 4.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph weights on...

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

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

    15. SCHEDULE 9

      PLATES FOR MOTOR CYCLES

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

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

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

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

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

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

    16. SCHEDULE 10

      MINISTRY PLATE

    17. SCHEDULE 10A

      MINISTRY PLATE

    18. SCHEDULE 10B

    19. SCHEDULE 10C

    20. SCHEDULE 11

      MAXIMUM PERMITTED WEIGHTS, ETC

      1. 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

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

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

      2. 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

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

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

      3. PART II Maximum permitted laden weights for heavy motor cars and motor cars forming part of articulated vehicles

      4. PART III Maximum permitted laden weight of articulated vehicles

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

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

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

      8. PART VII Maximum permitted weight of three adjacent axles

    21. SCHEDULE 11A (see regulations 76(1A), 77(2A) and 80(2B))

      Exceptions relating to intermodal transport operations

      1. PART I GENERAL

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

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

        3. 2A.Regulations 75, 76, 77 and 78 do not apply to...

      2. PART II DRAWBAR COMBINATIONS

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

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

        3. 5.(1) The motor vehicle and trailer must have a total...

      3. PART III ARTICULATED VEHICLES

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

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

        3. 8.(1) The articulated vehicle must have a total of at...

      4. PART IIIA ARTICULATED VEHICLES (ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS)

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

      5. PART IV INTERPRETATION

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

    22. SCHEDULE 12

      CONDITIONS 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

      1. PART I

        1. 1.Advance notice to Police

        2. 2.Attendants

        3. 3.Marking of longer projections

        4. 4.Marking of shorter projections

        5. 5.Marking of wide loads

      2. PART II PROJECTION MARKERS

    23. SCHEDULE 13

      PLATE FOR RESTRICTED SPEED VEHICLE

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

  8. Explanatory Note