The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

A E+W+S DIMENSIONS AND MANOEUVRABILITY

Length E+W+S

7.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (6), the overall length of a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall not exceed the maximum length specified in that item in column 3 of the Table, the overall length in the case of a combination of vehicles being calculated in accordance with regulation 81(g) and (h).

TABLE

(regulation 7(1))

1	2	3
Item	Class of vehicle	Maximum length (metres)
	Vehicle Combinations
[F1 1	A motor vehicle (other than a motor vehicle such as is mentioned in item 1A) drawing one trailer which is not a semi-trailer.	18.75
1A	Subject to paragraph (3C), a motor vehicle manufactured before 1st June 1998 and drawing one trailer, where the combination does not meet the requirements of paragraph (5A) and the trailer is not a semi-trailer.	18]
2	An articulated bus.	[F2 18.75]
[F3 2A	A bus drawing a trailer	18.75]
3	An articulated vehicle [F4 the semi-trailer of which does not meet the requirements of [F5 para-graph (6)] paragraph (6) and is not a low loader.]	15.5
	Motor vehicles
[F6 3A	An articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which meets the requirements of paragraph (6) and is not a low loader.	16.5]
[F6 3B	An articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which is a low loader.	18]
[F7 3C	An articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which meets the requirements of paragraph (6), is not a low loader and is carrying one or more containers or swap bodies up to a total maximum length of 45 feet as part of an intermodal transport operation.	16.65]
4	A wheeled motor vehicle [F8 other than a bus].	12
[F9 4A	A bus with two axles	13.5]
[F10 4B	A bus with more than two axles	15]
5	A track-laying motor vehicle.	9.2
	Trailers
6	An agricultural trailed appliance manufactured on or after 1st December 1985.	15
7	A semi-trailer manufactured on or after 1st May 1983 [F11 which does not meet the requirements of paragraph (6) and is not a low loader].	12.2
[F12 7A	A composite trailer drawn by– (a) a goods vehicle being a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg; or (b) an agricultural motor vehicle	14.04]
8	A trailer [F13 (not being a semi-trailer or composite trailer)] with at least 4 wheels which is— (a) drawn by a goods vehicle being a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500 kg; or (b) an agricultural trailer.	12
9	Any other trailer not being an agricultural trailed appliance or a semi-trailer.	7

(2) In the case of a motor vehicle drawing one trailer where—

(a) the motor vehicle is a showman's vehicle as defined in paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to the 1971 Act; and

(b) the trailer is used primarily as living accommodation by one or more persons and is not also used for the carriage of goods or burden which are not needed for the purpose of such residence in the vehicle,

item 1 in the Table applies with the substitution of 22 m for 18 m [F14 and item 1A in the Table does not apply].

[F15 (3) Items 1 [F16 ,1A], 3, 3A and 3B of the Table do not apply to–

(a) a vehicle combination which includes a trailer which is constructed and normally used for the conveyance of indivisible loads of exceptional length, or

(b) a vehicle combination consisting of a broken down vehicle (including an articulated vehicle) being drawn by a motor vehicle in consequence of a breakdown, F17 ...

[F18 (c) an articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which is a low loader manufactured before 1st April 1991] [F19 , or

(d) a vehicle combination which includes—

(i) a motor vehicle of category N2, or

(ii) a motor vehicle of category N3,

with an elongated cab].

(3A) Items 6, 7, 7A, 8 and 9 of the Table do not apply to–

(a) a trailer which is constructed and normally used for the conveyance of indivisible loads of exceptional length,

(b) a broken down vehicle (including an articulated vehicle) which is being drawn by a motor vehicle in consequence of a breakdown, or

(c) a trailer being a drying or mixing plant designed for the production of asphalt or of bituminous or tar macadam and used mainly for the construction, repair or maintenance of roads, or a road planing machine so used.

(3B) Furthermore item 7 does not apply to–

(a) a semi-trailer which is a car transporter,

(b) a semi-trailer which is normally used on international journeys any part of which takes place outside the United Kingdom.]

[F20 (3C) Item 1A and the words “(other than a motor vehicle such as is mentioned in item 1A)” in item 1 of the Table shall cease to have effect after 31st December 2006.]

[F21 (3D) Item 4 of the Table does not apply to—

(a) a motor vehicle of category N2, or

(b) a motor vehicle of category N3,

with an elongated cab type approved in accordance with point 1.4 of Part C of Annex I of The Type Approval Masses and Dimensions Regulations, point 1.4 of Part C of Annex I of The Type Approval Masses and Dimensions Regulations (Northern Ireland), or point 1.4 of Part C of Annex I of The (European Union) Type Approval Masses and Dimensions Regulations.]

(4) Where a motor vehicle is drawing—

(a) two trailers, then only one of those trailers may exceed an overall length of 7 m;

(b) three trailers, then none of those trailers shall exceed an overall length of 7 m.

(5) Where a motor vehicle is drawing—

(a) two or more trailers; or

(b) one trailer constructed and normally used for the conveyance of indivisible loads of exceptional length—

then—

(i) the overall length of that motor vehicle shall not exceed 9.2 m; and

(ii) the overall length of the combination of vehicles, calculated in accordance with regulation 81(g) and (h), shall not exceed 25.9 m, unless the conditions specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12 have been complied with.

[F22 (5XA) A motor vehicle drawing a trailer which is not a semi-trailer shall (unless it is a vehicle such as is mentioned in item 1A of the Table in paragraph (1)) comply with the requirements of paragraph (5A).

The words in parenthesis in this paragraph shall cease to have effect after 31st December 2006.]

[F23 (5A) The requirements of this paragraph, in relation to a combination of vehicles, are that at least one of the vehicles in the combination is not a goods vehicle or, if both vehicles in the combination are goods vehicles that—

(a) the maximum distance measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combination of vehicles from the foremost point of the loading area behind the driver’s cab to the rear of the trailer, less the distance between the rear of the motor vehicle and the front of the trailer, does not exceed 15.65m; and

(b) the maximum distance measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combination of vehicles from the foremost point of the loading area behind the driver’s cab to the rear of the trailer does not exceed [F24 16.4 m];

but sub-paragraph (a) shall not apply if both vehicles in the combination are car transporters.]

[F25 (6) The requirements of this paragraph, in relation to a semi-trailer, are that–

(a) the longitudinal distance from the axis of the king pin F26 ... to the rear of the semi-trailer does not exceed–

(i) 12.5m in the case of a car transporter, F27 ...

[F28 (ia) 12.15m when carrying one or more containers or swap bodies up to a total maximum length of 45 feet as part of an intermodal transport operation, or]

(ii) 12m in any other case; and

(b) no point in the semi-trailer forward of the transverse plane passing through the axis of the king pin F26 ... is more than–

(i) 4.19m from the axis of the king pin, in the case of a car transporter, or

(ii) 2.04m from the axis of the king pin, in any other case.

[F29 (6A) For the purposes of paragraph (5A)—

(a) where the forward end of the loading area of a motor vehicle is bounded by a wall, the thickness of the wall shall be regarded as part of the loading area; and

(b) any part of a vehicle designed primarily for use as a means of attaching another vehicle to it and any fitting designed for use in connection with any such part shall be disregarded in determining the distance between the rear of a motor vehicle and the front of a trailer being drawn by it.]

(7) For the purpose of paragraph (6) the longitudinal distance from the axis of the king pin to the rear of a semi-trailer is the distance between a transverse plane passing through the axis of the king pin and [F30 the rear of the semi-trailer].

[F31 (7A) Where a semi-trailer has more than one king-pin or is constructed so that it can be used with a king-pin in different positions, references in this regulation to a distance from the king-pin shall be construed

[F32 (a) in relation to a vehicle which was manufactured after [F33 1st January 1999], as a reference to the foremost king-pin or, as the case may be, the foremost king-pin position; and

(b) in relation to any other vehicle, as a reference to the rearmost king-pin or, as the case may be, the rearmost king-pin position.]]

[F34 (7B) For the purposes of paragraphs (5A), (6) and (7)—

(a) a reference to the front of a vehicle is a reference to the transverse plane passing through the extreme forward projecting points of the vehicle; and

(b) a reference to the rear of a vehicle is a reference to the transverse plane passing through the extreme rearward projecting points of the vehicle,

inclusive (in each case) of all parts of the vehicle, of any receptacle which is of a permanent character and accordingly strong enough for repeated use, and any fitting on, or attached to the vehicle but exclusive of—

(i) the things set out in sub-paragraph (i) of the definition of “overall length” in the Table in regulation 3(2), and

(ii) in the case of a semi-trailer, the things set out in sub-paragraph (ii)(a) of that definition.]

(8) Where a broken down articulated vehicle is being towed by a motor vehicle in consequence of a breakdown–

(a) paragraph (5) shall have effect in relation to the combination of vehicles as if sub-paragraph (b) were omitted, and

(b) for the purposes of paragraph (4) and of paragraph (5) as so modified, the articulated vehicle shall be regarded as a single trailer.]

[F35 (9) No person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road, a trailer with an overall length exceeding 18.65m unless the requirements of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12 are complied with.]

[F36 (10) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) “a motor vehicle of category N2” means a vehicle of the type described in point (b)(ii) of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, amending Regulations (EC) No 715/2007 and (EC) No 595/2009 and repealing Directive 2007/46/EC,

(b) “a motor vehicle of category N3” means a vehicle of the type described in point (b)(iii) of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, amending Regulations (EC) No 715/2007 and (EC) No 595/2009 and repealing Directive 2007/46/EC.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 7(1) Table Items 1, 1A substituted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 4(2)(a)

F2 Word in reg. 7 Table substituted (1.4.2003) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/182), regs. 1, 3(a)

F3 Reg. 7 Table Item 2A inserted (1.4.2003) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/182), regs. 1, 3(c)

F4 Words in reg. 7(1) Table inserted (19.3.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/317), regs. 1, 4(2)(a)

F5 Words in reg. 7(1) Table Item 3 inserted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 4(2)(b)

F6 Words in reg. 7(1) Table inserted (19.3.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/317), regs. 1, 4(2)(b)

F7 Words in reg. 7(1) Table inserted (1.10.2017) by The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) and (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/881), regs. 1, 10(1)

F8 Words in reg. 7 Table added (1.4.2003) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/182), regs. 1, 3(b)

F9 Reg. 7 Table Item 4A inserted (1.4.2003) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/182), regs. 1, 3(c)

F10 Reg. 7 Table Item 4B inserted (1.4.2003) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/182), regs. 1, 3(c)

F11 Words in reg. 7(1) Table inserted (19.3.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/317), regs. 1, 4(2)(c)

F12 Reg. 7(1) Table inserted (19.3.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/317), regs. 1, 4(2)(d)

F13 Words in reg. 7(1) Table inserted (19.3.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/317), regs. 1, 4(2)(e)

F14 Words in reg. 7(2) added (17.10.1991) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2125), regs. 1, 4(3)

F15 Reg. 7(3)-(3B) substituted for reg. 7(3) (19.3.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/317), regs. 1, 4(3)

F16 Word in reg. 7(3) inserted (17.10.1991) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2125), regs. 1, 4(4)

F17 Word in reg. 7(3) omitted (14.2.2022) by virtue of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/59), regs. 1(2), 4(a)(i)

F18 Reg. 7(3)(c) and word added (29.6.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1163), regs. 1, 3(2) (with reg. 2(2))

F19 Reg. 7(3)(d) and word inserted (14.2.2022) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/59), regs. 1(2), 4(a)(ii)

F20 Reg. 7(3C) inserted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 4(3)

F21 Reg. 7(3D) inserted (14.2.2022) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/59), regs. 1(2), 4(b)

F22 Reg. 7(5XA) inserted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 4(4)

F23 Reg. 7(5A) inserted (17.10.1991) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2125), regs. 1, 4(5)

F24 Word in reg. 7(5A)(b) substituted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 4(5)

F25 Reg. 7(6)-(8) substituted for reg. 7(6) (19.3.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/317), regs. 1, 4(4)

F26 Words in reg. 7(6)(a)(b) omitted (29.6.1990) by virtue of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1163), regs. 1, 3(3) (with reg. 2(2))

F27 Word in reg. 7(6)(a) omitted (1.10.2017) by virtue of The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) and (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/881), regs. 1, 10(2)(a)

F28 Words in reg. 7(6)(a)(ia) inserted (1.10.2017) by The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) and (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/881), regs. 1, 10(2)(b)

F29 Reg. 7(6A) inserted (17.10.1991) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2125), regs. 1, 4(6)

F30 Words in reg. 7(7) substituted (17.10.1991) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2125), regs. 1, 4(7)

F31 Reg. 7(7A) inserted (29.6.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1163), regs. 1, 3(4) (with reg. 2(2))

F32 Words in reg. 7(7A) substituted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 4(6)

F33 Words in reg. 7(7A)(a) substituted (1.1.1999) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/3112), regs. 1, 4

F34 Reg. 7(7B) inserted (17.10.1991) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2125), regs. 1, 4(8)

F35 Reg. 7(9) inserted (17.10.1991) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2125), regs. 1, 4(9)

F36 Reg. 7(10) inserted (14.2.2022) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/59), regs. 1(2), 4(c)

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 7 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

Width E+W+S

8.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), the overall width of a vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall not exceed the maximum width specified in column 3 in that item.

TABLE

(regulation 8(1))

1	2	3
Item	Class of vehicle	Maximum width (metres)
1	A locomotive, other than an agricultural motor vehicle.	2.75
2	[F37 A refrigerated vehicle, conditioned container or swap body]	[F38 2·60]
3	Any other motor vehicle.	[F39 2.55]
4	[F40 A trailer drawn by a motor vehicle other than a motor cycle.]	[F39 2.55]
F41 . . .	F41 . . .	F41 . . .
F41 . . .	F41 . . .	F41 . . .
F41 . . .	F41 . . .	F41 . . .
8	A trailer drawn by a motor cycle.	1.5

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a broken down vehicle which is being drawn in consequence of the breakdown.

(3) No person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road a wheeled agricultural motor vehicle drawing a wheeled trailer if, when the longitudinal axes of the vehicles are parallel but in different vertical planes, the overall width of the two vehicles, measured as if they were one vehicle, exceeds [F42 2.55] metres.

[F43 (4) In this regulation—

“refrigerated vehicle” means any vehicle which is specially designed for the carriage of goods at low temperature and of which the thickness of each of the side walls inclusive of insulation, is at least 45 mm; and

“conditioned container or swap body” means a container or swap body used to carry goods at controlled temperatures on different modes of transport.]

Textual Amendments

F37 Words in reg. 8(1) Table substituted (1.10.2017) by The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) and (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/881), regs. 1, 11(1)

F38 Word in reg. 8(1) Table substituted (1.1.1989) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988/1871), regs. 1, 3 (with reg. 2(2))

F39 Word in reg. 8(1) Table substituted (1.1.1996) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/3051), regs. 1, 4(2)

F40 Words in reg. 8(1) Table substituted (20.4.2010) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)(Amendment)(No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/964), regs. 1, 2(2)

F41 Words in reg. 8(1) Table omitted (20.4.2010) by virtue of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)(Amendment)(No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/964), regs. 1, 2(3)

F42 Word in reg. 8(3) substituted (1.1.1996) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/3051), regs. 1, 4(3)

F43 Reg. 8(4) substituted (1.10.2017) by The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) and (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/881), regs. 1, 11(2)

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 8 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

Height E+W+S

9.—(1) The overall height of a bus shall not exceed 4.57 m.

F44 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F45 (2A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F46 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F44 Reg. 9(2) omitted (1.6.1995) by virtue of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/1201), regs. 1, 3

F45 Reg. 9(2A) omitted (1.6.1995) by virtue of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/1201), regs. 1, 3

F46 Reg. 9(3) omitted (1.6.1995) by virtue of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/1201), regs. 1, 3

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 9 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

Indication of overall travelling height E+W+S

[F47 10.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, no person shall drive or cause or permit to be driven on a road a motor vehicle with an overall travelling height exceeding 3m unless a notice is displayed in the cab, in such a manner that it can easily be read by the driver, and the notice meets the requirements of paragraph (3).

(2) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, no person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road a motor vehicle with an overall travelling height exceeding 3m if any letters or numbers are displayed in the cab, otherwise than in a notice which meets the requirements of paragraph (3)—

(a) where they could be read by the driver; and

(b) which could be understood as indicating a height associated with the vehicle or any trailer drawn by it.

(3) The requirements of this paragraph in respect of a notice are that—

(a) the notice gives an indication of vehicle height expressed in feet and inches, or in both feet and inches and in metres;

(b) the numbers giving the indication in feet and inches are at least 40mm tall;

(c) the height expressed in feet and inches and (where applicable) the height expressed in metres are—

(i) if the vehicle is a vehicle to which regulation 10A applies, not less than the predetermined height mentioned in regulation 10A (2)(a) or the overall travelling height (whichever is the greater), or

(ii) if the vehicle is not a vehicle to which regulation 10A applies, not less than the overall travelling height;

(d) if the vehicle is not a relevant vehicle, the height expressed in feet and inches does not exceed the overall travelling height by more than 150mm;

(e) if the vehicle is a relevant vehicle, the height expressed in feet and inches does not exceed the overall travelling height by more than 1m;

(f) if the height is expressed in both feet and inches and in metres, the height expressed in feet and inches and the height expressed in metres do not differ by more than 50mm; and

(g) no other letters or numbers which could be understood as being an indication of any height associated with the vehicle or any trailer drawn by it are displayed in the notice.

(4) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if, having regard to the lengths of road which the driver might drive along in the course of fulfilling the purpose of the journey taking into account any possibility of unforeseen diversions and the driver having difficulty in finding his way, it is highly unlikely that the driver would during the course of the journey encounter any bridge or other overhead structure which does not exceed by at least 1m—

(a) in the case of a vehicle to which regulation 10A applies, the maximum travelling height.; or

(b) in any other case, the overall travelling height.

(5) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a vehicle on a particular journey and at a particular time if—

(a) one or more documents are being carried in the vehicle which are within the easy reach of the driver and that or those documents describe a route or a choice of routes which the driver must take in order to fulfil the purpose of the journey without risk of the vehicle, its load or equipment or any trailer drawn by the vehicle, its load or equipment, colliding with any bridge or other overhead structure; and

(b) the vehicle is on such a route which is so described or is off that route by reason of a diversion that could not reasonably have been foreseen at the beginning of the journey.

(6) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a vehicle on a particular journey if—

(a) one or more documents are being carried in the vehicle which are within the easy reach of the driver and that or those documents contain information as to—

(i) the height of bridges and other overhead structures under which the vehicle and any trailer drawn by it could pass, and

(ii) the height of bridges and other overhead structures under which the vehicle and any trailer drawn by it could not pass,

without the vehicle, its load or equipment or any such trailer, its load or equipment, colliding with any bridge or other overhead structure; and

(b) the information is such that, having regard in particular to the matters referred to in paragraph (7), it would enable any driver to fulfil the purpose of the journey without there being any risk of the vehicle, its load or equipment or any trailer, its load or equipment, colliding with any bridge or other overhead structure while on the journey.

(7) The matters referred to in paragraph (6) are—

(a) the roads which the driver might drive along in the course of fulfilling the purpose of the journey taking into account any possibility of unforeseen diversions and of the driver having difficulty in finding his way;

(b) the height of bridges and other overhead structures that would be encountered were the vehicle to proceed along any of those roads; and

(c) the setting of any device of a description specified in regulation 10A(2).

(8) Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to motor vehicle if it has an overall travelling height of not more than 4m and—

(a) it is a vehicle registered or put into circulation in an EEA State and is being used in international traffic; or

(b) it is a motor vehicle drawing a trailer registered or put into circulation in an EEA State and that trailer is being used in international traffic.

(9) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) “EEA State”, and “high level equipment” and “maximum travelling height” have the meanings given in regulation 10C;

(b) “overall travelling height” in relation to a motor vehicle means—

(i) if it is not drawing a trailer, the overall height for the time being of the vehicle, its equipment and load, or

(ii) if it is drawing one or more trailers, the overall height for the time being of the combination of vehicles, their equipment and loads.

(c) a motor vehicle is a “relevant vehicle” if at any particular time—

(i) the vehicle or any trailer drawn by it is fitted with high level equipment with a maximum, height of more than 3m; and

(ii) the overall travelling height is less than the maximum travelling height.

(10) In paragraph (8), “international traffic” and “registered or put into circulation” have the same meanings as in article 3 of Community Directive 85/3.

Textual Amendments

F47 Regs. 10-10C substituted for reg. 10 (1.10.1997) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/530), reg. 1(1), Sch.

Warning devices where certain high level equipment is fitted to a vehicle E+W+S

10A.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this regulation and regulations 10B and 10C, no person shall drive or cause or permit to be driven on a road a vehicle to which this regulation applies unless the vehicle is fitted with a warning device and the requirements specified in paragraph (2) are satisfied in respect of the device, the vehicle and any relevant trailer drawn by the vehicle.

(2) The requirements are—

(a) that the device, the vehicle and any relevant trailer drawn by it shall be so constructed, maintained and adjusted, and the connections between the vehicle and those trailers are such, that the device would give a visible warning to the driver if, whilst the vehicle was being driven, the height of the highest point of any high level equipment fitted to the vehicle or any of those trailers were to exceed a predetermined height; and

(b) the predetermined height referred to in sub-paragraph (a) shall not exceed the overall travelling height by more than 1m.

(3) No person shall be taken to have failed to comply with paragraph (1) on the ground that a motor vehicle or a relevant trailer was not fitted with a warning device and the requirements in paragraph (2) were not being satisfied as mentioned in paragraph (1)—

(a) before 1st October 1998—

(i) if the motor vehicle was first used before 1st April 1998; or

(ii) the relevant trailer was manufactured before that date; or

(b) before 1st April 1998 in relation to any other motor vehicle or relevant trailer.

(4) Paragraph (1) shall not apply in relation to a particular journey if, having regard to the lengths of road which the driver might drive along in the course of fulfilling the purpose of the journey and taking into account any possibility of unforeseen diversions and the driver having difficulty in finding his way, it is highly unlikely that the driver would during the course of the journey be confronted with any bridge or other overhead structure which does not exceed the maximum travelling height by at least 1m.

Textual Amendments

F47 Regs. 10-10C substituted for reg. 10 (1.10.1997) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/530), reg. 1(1), Sch.

Vehicles to which regulation 10A applies E+W+S

10B.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this regulation, regulation 10A applies to—

(a) a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1993, if the vehicle or any relevant trailer drawn by it, is fitted with high level equipment with a maximum height of more than 3m; and

(b) a motor vehicle first used before 1st April 1993, if any relevant trailer drawn by it is fitted with such equipment.

(2) Regulation 10A does not apply to a motor vehicle if it has an overall travelling height of not more than 4m and—

(a) it is a vehicle registered or put into circulation in an EEA State and is being used in international traffic; or

(b) it is a motor vehicle drawing a trailer registered or put into circulation in an EEA State and that trailer is being used in international traffic, and

in this paragraph, “international traffic” and “registered or put into circulation” have the same meanings as in article 3 of Community Directive 85/3.

(3) Regulation 10A does not apply to—

(a) an agricultural motor vehicle;

(a) an industrial tractor;

(c) a works truck;

(d) a motor vehicle owned by the Secretary of State for Defence and used for naval, military or air force purposes or a motor vehicle so used while being driven by a person for the time being subject to orders of a member of the armed forces of the Crown;

(e) a motor vehicle drawing a trailer owned by the Secretary of State for Defence and used for naval, military or air force purposes or a motor vehicle drawing such a trailer while being driven by a person for the tine being subject to orders of a member of the armed forces of the Crown;

(f) [F48 a motor vehicle used by a fire brigade maintained under the Fire Services Act 1947][F48 a motor vehicle used by employees of [F49 the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service] for the purposes of that [F50 Service]] [F51 or, in England or Wales, a motor vehicle used by employees of a fire and rescue authority for the purposes of that authority under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004] [F52 or, in England, a motor vehicle used by employees of a fire and rescue authority for the purposes of that authority under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004];

(g) a motor vehicle that is constructed and normally used for the purpose of carrying at least two other vehicles;

(h) a motor vehicle drawing a car transporter; or

(i) a motor vehicle whose maximum travelling height does not exceed its overall travelling height.

Textual Amendments

F47 Regs. 10-10C substituted for reg. 10 (1.10.1997) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/530), reg. 1(1), Sch.

F48 Words in reg. 10B(3)(f) substituted (S.) (2.8.2005) by The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (Consequential Modifications and Amendments) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.S.I. 2005/344), art. 1, sch. para. 5(2); S.S.I. 2005/392, art. 2

F49 Words in reg. 10B(3)(f) substituted (S.) (1.4.2013) by The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Modifications and Savings) Order 2013 (S.S.I. 2013/119), art. 1, sch. 2 para. 4(2)(a)

F50 Word in reg. 10B(3)(f) substituted (S.) (1.4.2013) by The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Modifications and Savings) Order 2013 (S.S.I. 2013/119), art. 1, sch. 2 para. 4(2)(b)

F51 Words in reg. 10B(3)(f) inserted (W.) (25.10.2005) by The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (Consequential Amendments) (Wales) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2929), arts. 1(1), 11(2)

F52 Words in reg. 10B(3)(f) inserted (E.) (30.12.2004) by The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (Consequential Amendments) (England) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/3168), arts. 1(1), 10(2)

Interpretation of regulations 10A and 10B E+W+S

10C.— (1) The following provisions of this regulation apply for the interpretation of this regulation and regulations 10A and 10B.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), a reference to high level equipment, in relation to a motor vehicle, is a reference to equipment which is so fitted to the vehicle that—

(a) the equipment can be raised by means of a power operated device, and

(b) the raising or lowering of the equipment is capable of altering the overall travelling height of the motor vehicle when the vehicle and every trailer drawn by it is unladen.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4) and (5), a reference to high level equipment, in relation to a trailer drawn by a motor vehicle, is a reference to equipment which is so fitted to the trailer that—

(a) the equipment can be raised by means of a power operated device, and

(b) the raising or lowering of the equipment is capable of altering the overall travelling height of the motor vehicle when the vehicle and every trailer drawn by it is unladen.

(4) A reference to high level equipment in relation to a tipper which is—

(a) a motor vehicle first used before 1st April 1998, or

(b) a trailer manufactured before that date,

shall be construed as not including the relevant part of the tipper.

(5) Where equipment fitted to a vehicle would otherwise be high level equipment, that equipment shall not be regarded as high level equipment if—

(a) the equipment is so designed and constructed that—

(i) it can be fixed in a stowed position by a locking device when travelling; and

(ii) it is not possible for a person in the cab to interfere with the locking device; and

(b) the equipment is fixed in that position by the locking device.

(6) The following expressions shall bear the following meanings—

(a) “EEA State” means a state which is a contracting party to the EEA Agreement; and

(b) “EEA Agreement” means the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2 May 1992 as adjusted by the Protocol signed at Brussels on 17 March 1993;

(c) “maximum height”, in relation to any high level equipment fitted to a vehicle, means the height of the highest point of that equipment above the ground when it is raised as far as possible by means of that device and the vehicle is unladen;

(d) “maximum travelling height”, in relation to a motor vehicle to which regulation 10A applies, means—

(i) if the overall travelling height could be increased by raising any high level equipment fitted to the vehicle or to any relevant trailer drawn by [F53 it] that is not for the time being at its maximum height, the greatest overall travelling height that could be achieved by raising such equipment (without making any other changes to the vehicle, its load or equipment or to any trailer drawn by it, its load or equipment); or

(ii) in any other case, the overall travelling height;

(e) “overall travelling height” has the meaning given by regulation 10(9)(b);

(f) “relevant part”, in relation to a tipper, shall be construed in accordance with sub-paragraph (g);

(g) “tipper” means a vehicle that is so constructed that it can be unloaded by part of the vehicle (in this regulation referred to as the “relevant part”) being tipped sideways or rearwards, and

a reference to equipment fitted to a vehicle includes part of the vehicle.

(7) “Relevant trailer” means a trailer manufactured on or after 1st April 1993 not being—

(a) an agricultural trailer;

(b) an agricultural trailed appliance;

(c) a works trailer;

(d) a trailer used by [F54 a fire brigade maintained under the Fire Services Act 1947][F54 employees of [F55 the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service] for the purposes of that [F56 Service]] [F57 or, in England or Wales, a trailer used by employees of a fire and rescue authority for the purposes of that authority under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004] [F58 or, in England, a trailer used by employees of a fire and rescue authority for the purposes of that authority under the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004];

(e) a broken down vehicle (including an articulated vehicle) being drawn by a motor vehicle in consequence of a breakdown.]

Textual Amendments

F47 Regs. 10-10C substituted for reg. 10 (1.10.1997) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/530), reg. 1(1), Sch.

F53 Word in reg. 10C(6)(d)(i) inserted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 5

F54 Words in reg. 10C(7)(d) substituted (S.) (2.8.2005) by The Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (Consequential Modifications and Amendments) (No. 2) Order 2005 (S.S.I. 2005/344), art. 1, sch. para. 5(3); S.S.I. 2005/392, art. 2

F55 Words in reg. 10C(7)(d) substituted (S.) (1.4.2013) by The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Modifications and Savings) Order 2013 (S.S.I. 2013/119), art. 1, sch. 2 para. 4(3)(a)

F56 Word in reg. 10C(7)(d) substituted (S.) (1.4.2013) by The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Modifications and Savings) Order 2013 (S.S.I. 2013/119), art. 1, sch. 2 para. 4(3)(b)

F57 Words in reg. 10C(7)(d) inserted (W.) (25.10.2005) by The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (Consequential Amendments) (Wales) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/2929), arts. 1(1), 11(3)

F58 Words in reg. 10C(7)(d) inserted (E.) (30.12.2004) by The Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (Consequential Amendments) (England) Order 2004 (S.I. 2004/3168), arts. 1(1), 10(3)

Overhang E+W+S

11.—(1) The overhang of a wheeled vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall not, subject to any exemption specified in that item in column 4, exceed the distance specified in that item in column 3.

TABLE

(regulation 11(1))

1	2	3	4
Item	Class of vehicle	Maximum overhang	Exemptions
1	Motor tractor	1.83 m.	(a) a track-laying vehicle (b) an agricultural motor vehicle
2	Heavy motor car and motor car	60% of the distance between the transverse plane which passes through the centre or centres of the foremost wheel or wheels and the transverse plane which passes through the foremost point from which the overhang is to be measured as provided in regulation 3(2).	(a) a bus (b) a refuse vehicle (c) a works truck (d) a track-laying vehicle (e) an agricultural motor vehicle (f) a motor car which is an ambulance (g) a vehicle designed to dispose of its load to the rear, if the overhang does not exceed 1.15 m (h) a vehicle first used before 2nd January 1933 (i) a vehicle first used before 1st January 1966 if— (i) the distance between the centres of the rearmost and foremost axles does not exceed 2.29 m, and (ii) the distance specified in column 3 is not exceeded by more than 76 mm (j) heating plant on a vehicle designed and mainly used to heat the surface of a road or other similar surface in the process of construction, repair or maintenance shall be disregarded.

(2) In the case of an agricultural motor vehicle the distance measured horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rear portion of the vehicle between the transverse planes passing through the rearmost point of the vehicle and through the centre of the rear or the rearmost axle shall not exceed 3 m.

[F59 (3) A heavy motor car shall be taken to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) if it meets the requirements of paragraph 7.6.2 of Annex I of Community Directive 97/27.]

Textual Amendments

F59 Reg. 11(3) inserted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 6

Commencement Information

I4 Reg. 11 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

Minimum ground clearance E+W+S

12.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), a wheeled trailer which is—

(a) a goods vehicle; and

(b) manufactured on or after 1st April 1984,

shall have a minimum ground clearance of not less than 160 mm if the trailer has an axle interspace of more than 6 m but less than 11.5 m, and a minimum ground clearance of not less than 190 mm if the trailer has an axle interspace of 11.5 m or more.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply in the case of a trailer—

(a) which is fitted with a suspension system with which, by the operation of a control, the trailer may be lowered or raised, while that system is being operated to enable the trailer to pass under a bridge or other obstruction over a road provided that at such times the system is operated so that no part of the trailer (excluding any wheel) touches the ground or is likely to do so; or

(b) while it is being loaded or unloaded.

(3) In this regulation—

“axle interspace” means—

(a)

in the case of a semi-trailer, the distance between the point of support of the semi-trailer at its forward end and, if it has only one axle, the centre of that axle or, if it has more than one axle, the point halfway between the centres of the foremost and rearmost of those axles; and

(b)

in the case of any other trailer, the distance between the centre of its front axle or, if it has more than one axle at the front, the point halfway between the centres of the foremost and rearmost of those axles, and the centre of its rear axle or, if it has more than one axle at the rear, the point halfway between the centre of the foremost and rearmost of those axles; and

“ground clearance” means the shortest distance between the ground and the lowest part of that portion of the trailer (excluding any part of a suspension, steering or braking system attached to any axle, any wheel and any air skirt) which lies within the area formed by the overall width of the trailer and the middle 70% of the axle interspace, such distance being ascertained when the trailer—

(a)

is fitted with suitable tyres which are inflated to a pressure recommended by the manufacturer, and

(b)

is reasonably horizontal and standing on ground which is reasonably flat.

Commencement Information

I5 Reg. 12 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

[F60 Turning circle—buses] E+W+S

13.—(1) This regulation applies to a bus first used on or after 1st April 1982.

(2) Every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be able to move on either lock so that [F61 , both with and without all its wheels in contact with the ground,] no part of it projects outside the area contained between concentric circles with radii of [F62 12.5 m] and 5.3 m.

[F63 (2A) In relation to a vehicle manufactured before 1st June 1998 paragraph (2) shall have effect as if the words “, both with and without all its wheels in contact with the ground,” were omitted.]

(3) When a vehicle to which this regulation applies moves forward from rest, on either lock, so that its outermost point describes a circle of [F64 12.5 m] radius, no part of the vehicle shall project beyond the longitudinal plane which, at the beginning of the manoeuvre, defines the overall width of the vehicle on the side opposite to the direction in which it is turning by more than—

(a) 0.8 m if it is a rigid vehicle [F65 of 12m or less in overall length]; or

(b) 1.2 m if it is [F66 a rigid bus of over 12m in overall length or] an articulated bus.

(4) For the purpose of paragraph (3) the two rigid portions of an articulated bus shall be in line at the beginning of the manoeuvre.

Textual Amendments

F60 Reg. 13 heading substituted (19.3.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/317), regs. 1, 5(1) (with reg. 2(a))

F61 Words in reg. 13(2) inserted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 7(2)(a)

F62 Word in reg. 13(2) substituted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 7(2)(b)

F63 Reg. 13(2A) inserted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 7(3)

F64 Word in reg. 13(3) substituted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 7(4)

F65 Words in reg. 13(3)(a) inserted (1.4.2003) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/182), regs. 1, 4(1)

F66 Words in reg. 13(3)(b) inserted (1.4.2003) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/182), regs. 1, 4(1)

Commencement Information

I6 Reg. 13 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

[F67 Turning circle—articulated vehicles other than those incorporating a car transporter E+W+S

[F68 13A— (1) Every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be able to move on either lock so that, both with and without all its wheels in contact with the surface of the road and disregarding the things set out in paragraphs (a) to (m) in the definition of “overall width” and in paragraph (i)(a) to (o) in the definition of “overall length” in the Table in regulation 3, no part of it projects outside the area contained between concentric circles with radii of 12.5m and 5.3m.

(2) This regulation applies to all articulated vehicles except the following:

(a) an articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which—

(i) was manufactured before 1st April 1990 and has an overall length that does not exceed the overall length it had on that date,

(ii) is a car transporter,

(iii) is a low loader,

(iv) is a stepframe low loader, or

(v) is constructed and normally used for the conveyance of indivisible loads of exceptional length;

(b) an articulated vehicle having an overall length not exceeding 15.5m and of which the drawing vehicle was first used before 1st June 1998 or the trailer was first used before that date; or

(c) an articulated vehicle when an axle of the trailer is raised to aid traction.

(3) In relation to a vehicle manufactured before 1st June 1998, paragraph (1) shall have effect as if the words “both with and without all its wheels in contact with the surface of the road and” were omitted.

(4) An articulated vehicle shall be taken to comply with paragraph (1) if the semi-trailer comprised in it is, by virture of paragraph 7.6.1.2 of Annex 1 of Community Directive 97/27/EC, deemed to comply with paragraph 7.6.1 of that Annex.]

Textual Amendments

F67 Regs. 13A, 13B inserted (19.3.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/317), regs. 1, 5(2) (with reg. 2(a))

F68 Reg. 13A substituted (1.1.2001) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/3197), regs. 1, 3

Turning circle—articulated vehicles incorporating a car transporter E+W+S

13B— (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) this regulation applies to an articulated vehicle having an overall length exceeding 15.

5m, the semi-trailer of which is a car transporter.

(2) This regulation does not apply to an articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which satisfied the following conditions–

(a) it was manufactured before the 1st April 1990, and

(b) the distance from the front of the trailer to the rearmost axle is no greater than it was on that date.

(3) This regulation does not apply to an articulated vehicle the semi-trailer of which is–

(a) a low loader, or

(b) a stepframe low loader.

(4) Every articulated vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be able to move on either lock so that, [F69 both with and without all its wheels in contact with the surface of the road and] disregarding the things set out in [F70 paragraphs (a) to (m) in the definition of “overall width” and in paragraph (i)(a) to (o) in the definition of “overall length”] in the Table in regulation 3(2), no part of–

(a) the motor vehicle drawing the car transporter, or

(b) the car transporter to the rear of the transverse plane passing through the king pin,

projects outside the area between concentric circles with radii of 12.5m and 5.3m.

[F71 (5) In relation to a vehicle manufactured before 1st June 1998 paragraph (4) shall have effect as if the words “both with and without all its wheels in contact with the surface of the road” were omitted.

(6) An articulated vehicle shall be taken to comply with paragraph (4) if the semi-trailer comprised in it is, by virtue of paragraph 7.6.1.2 of Annex 1 of Community Directive 97/27/EC, deemed to comply with paragraph 7.6.1 of that Annex.]]

Textual Amendments

F67 Regs. 13A, 13B inserted (19.3.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/317), regs. 1, 5(2) (with reg. 2(a))

F69 Words in reg. 13B(4) inserted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 9(2)(a)

F70 Words in reg. 13B(4) substituted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 9(2)(b)

F71 Reg. 13B(5)(6) inserted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 9(3)

[F72 Turning circle—heavy motor car E+W+S

13C.— (1) This regulation applies to a vehicle which—

(a) is a heavy motor car or a vehicle combination which consists of a heavy motor car drawing one trailer which is not a semi-trailer;

(b) was manufactured or, in the case of a vehicle combination, the part consisting of a heavy motor car, was manufactured after 31st May 1998; and

(c) is not a vehicle falling within any of the descriptions specified in paragraph (2).

(2) The descriptions of vehicle referred to in paragraph (1)(c) are—

(a) a vehicle having 4 or more axles where the distance between the foremost and rearmost axles exceeds 6.4 metres;

(b) a vehicle or a vehicle combination to which regulation 13, 13A or 13B applies;

(c) a vehicle constructed and normally used for the carriage of indivisible loads of abnormal length.

(3) Every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be able to move on either lock so that, both with and without all its wheels in contact with the surface of the road and disregarding the things set out in paragraphs (a) to (m) in the definition of “overall width” and in paragraph (i)(a) to (o) in the definition of “overall length” in the Table in regulation 3(2), no part of it projects outside the area contained between concentric circles with radii of 12.5 m and 5.3 m.]

Textual Amendments

F72 Reg. 13C inserted (1.6.1998) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/1188), regs. 1, 10

Connecting sections and direction-holding of articulated buses E+W+S

14.—(1) This regulation applies to every articulated bus first used on or after 1st April 1982.

(2) The connecting section of the two parts of every articulated bus to which this regulation applies shall be constructed so as to comply with the provisions relating to such a section specified in paragraph 5.9 in ECE Regulation 36 as regards vehicles within the scope of that Regulation.

(3) Every articulated bus to which this regulation applies shall be constructed so that when the vehicle is moving in a straight line the longitudinal median planes of its two parts coincide and form a continuous plane without any deflection.

Commencement Information

I7 Reg. 14 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1