The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

C E+W+S WHEELS, SPRINGS, TYRES AND TRACKS

General requirement as to wheels and tracks E+W+S

20.  Every motor cycle and invalid carriage shall be a wheeled vehicle, and every other motor vehicle and every trailer shall be either a wheeled vehicle or a track-laying vehicle.

Commencement Information

I1 Reg. 20 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

Diameter of wheels E+W+S

F1 21.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 21 omitted (1.6.1995) by virtue of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/1201), regs. 1, 4

Springs and resilient material E+W+S

22.—(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), every motor vehicle and every trailer shall be equipped with suitable and sufficient springs between each wheel and the frame of the vehicle.

(2) Save as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4)in the case of a track-laying vehicle—

(a) resilient material shall be interposed between the rims of the weight-carrying rollers and the road surface so that the weight of the vehicle, other than that borne by any wheel, is supported by the resilient material; and

(b) where the vehicle is a heavy motor car, motor car, or trailer it shall have suitable springs between the frame of the vehicle and the weight-carrying rollers.

(3) This regulation does not apply to—

(a) a wheeled vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding 4070 kg and which is—

(i) a motor tractor any unsprung wheel of which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre;

(ii) a motor tractor used in connection with railway shunting and which is used on a road only when passing from one railway track to another in connection with such use;

(iii) a vehicle specially designed, and mainly used, for work on rough ground or unmade roads and every wheel of which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre and which is not driven at more than 20 mph;

(iv) a vehicle constructed or adapted for, and being used for, road sweeping and every wheel of which is fitted with either a pneumatic tyre or a resilient tyre and which is not driven at more than 20 mph;

(b) an agricultural motor vehicle [F2 , not being a category T tractor,] which is not driven at more than 20 mph;

[F3 (ba) a category T tractor which is not driven at more than 40 km/h;]

(c) an agricultural trailer, or an agricultural trailed appliance;

(d) a trailer used solely for the haulage of felled trees;

(e) a motor cycle;

(f) a mobile crane;

(g) a pedestrian-controlled vehicle all the wheels of which are equipped with pneumatic tyres;

(h) a road roller;

(i) a broken down vehicle; or

(j) a vehicle first used on or before 1st January 1932.

(4) Paragraphs (1) and (2)(b) do not apply to a works truck or a works trailer.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in reg. 22(3)(b) inserted (9.3.2015) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 8(1)

F3 Reg. 22(3)(ba) inserted (9.3.2015) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 8(2)

Commencement Information

I2 Reg. 22 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

Wheel loads E+W+S

23.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) this regulation applies to—

(a) a semi-trailer with more than 2 wheels;

(b) a track-laying vehicle with more than 2 wheels; and

(c) any other vehicle with more than 4 wheels.

(2) This regulation does not apply to a road roller.

(3) Save as provided in paragraphs (4) and (5), every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be fitted with a compensating arrangement which will ensure that under the most adverse conditions every wheel will remain in contact with the road and will not be subject to abnormal variations of load.

(4) Paragraph (3) does not apply in respect of a steerable wheel on which the load does not exceed—

(a) if it is a wheeled vehicle, [F4 4250 kg]; and

(b) if it is a track-laying vehicle, 2540 kg.

(5) In the application of paragraph (3) to an agricultural motor vehicle, wheels which are in line transversely on one side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle shall be regarded as one wheel.

Textual Amendments

F4 Word in reg. 23(4)(a) substituted (1.1.1999) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/3112), regs. 1, 5

Commencement Information

I3 Reg. 23 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

Tyres E+W+S

24.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (2), every wheel of a vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall be fitted with a tyre of a type specified in that item in column 3 which complies with any conditions specified in that item in column 4.

(2) The requirements referred to in paragraph (1) do not apply to a road roller and are subject, in the case of any item in the Table, to the exemptions specified in that item in column 5.

TABLE

(regulation 24(1))

1	2	3	4	5
Item	Class of vehicle	Type of tyre	Conditions	Exemptions
1	Locomotives not falling in item 6	Pneumatic or resilient
2	Motor tractors not falling in item 6	Pneumatic or resilient	No re-cut pneumatic tyre shall be fitted to any wheel of a vehicle with an unladen weight of less than 2540 kg unless the diameter of the rim of the wheel is at least 405 mm
3	Heavy motor cars not falling in item 6	Pneumatic		The following, if every wheel not fitted with a pneumatic tyre is fitted with a resilient tyre— (a) a vehicle mainly used for work on rough ground; (b) a tower wagon; (c) a vehicle fitted with a turn-table fire escape; (d) a refuse vehicle; (e) a works truck; (f) a vehicle first used before 3rd January 1933.
4	Motor cars not falling in item 6	Pneumatic	No re-cut tyre shall be fitted to any wheel of a vehicle unless it is— (a) an electrically propelled goods vehicle or, (b) a goods vehicle with an unladen weight of at least 2540 kg and the diameter of the rim of the wheel is at least 405 mm.	The following, if every wheel not fitted with a pneumatic tyre is fitted with a resilient tyre— (a) a vehicle mainly used for work on rough ground; (b) a refuse vehicle; (c) a works truck; (d) a vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding— (i) 1270 kg if electrically propelled; (ii) 1020 kg in any other case; (e) a tower wagon; (f) a vehicle fitted with a turn-table fire escape; (g) a vehicle first used before 3rd January 1933.
5	Motor cycles	Pneumatic	No re-cut tyre shall be fitted	The following, if every wheel not fitted with a pneumatic tyre is fitted with a resilient tyre— (a) a works truck; (b) a pedestrian-controlled vehicle
6	[F5 (a) agricultural motor vehicles, not being category T tractors, which are not driven at more than 20 mph; and (b) category T tractors which are not driven at more than 40 km/h]	Pneumatic or resilient	The same as for item 2	The requirement in column 3 does not apply to a vehicle of which— (a) every steering wheel is fitted with a smooth-soled tyre which is not less than 60 mm wide where it touches the road; and (b) in the case of a wheeled vehicle, every driving wheel is fitted with a smooth-soled tyre which— (i) is not less than 150 mm wide if the unladen weight of the vehicle exceeds 3050 kg, or 76 mm wide in any other case, and either (ii) is shod with diagonal cross-bars not less than 76 mm wide or more than 20 mm thick extending the full breadth of the tyre and so arranged that the space between adjacent bars is not more than 76 mm; or (iii) is shod with diagonal cross-bars of resilient material not less than 60 mm wide extending the full breadth of the tyre and so arranged that the space between adjacent bars is not more than 76 mm.
7	Trailers	Pneumatic	Except in the case of a trailer mentioned in paragraph (d) of column 5, no re-cut tyre shall be fitted to any wheel of a trailer drawn by a heavy motor car or a motor car if the trailer— (a) has an unladen weight not exceeding— (i) if it is a living van, 2040 kg; or (ii) in any other case, 1020 kg; or (b) is not constructed or adapted to carry any load, other than plant or other special appliance which is a permanent or essentially permanent fixture and has a gross weight not exceeding 2290 kg	(a) an agricultural trailer manufactured before 1st December 1985; (b) an agricultural trailed appliance; (c) a trailer used to carry water for a road roller being used in connection with road works; (d) the following if every wheel which is not fitted with a pneumatic tyre is fitted with a resilient tyre— (i) a works trailer; (ii) a refuse vehicle; (iii) a trailer drawn by a heavy motor car every wheel of which is not required to be fitted with a pneumatic tyre; (iv) a broken down vehicle; or (v) a trailer drawn by a vehicle which is not a heavy motor car or a motor car.

(3) Save as provided in paragraph (4) a wheel of a vehicle may not be fitted with a temporary use spare tyre unless either—

(a) the vehicle is a passenger vehicle (not being a bus) first used before 1st April 1987; or

(b) the vehicle complies at the time of its first use with ECE Regulation 64 [F6 or Community Directive 92/23].

(4) Paragraph (3) does not apply to a vehicle constructed or assembled by a person not ordinarily engaged in the trade or business of manufacturing vehicles of that description.

Textual Amendments

F5 Words in reg. 24 Table substituted (9.3.2015) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 9

F6 Words in reg. 24(3)(b) inserted (1.1.1993) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3088), regs. 1, 3

Commencement Information

I4 Reg. 24 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

Tyre Loads and Speed Ratings E+W+S

[F7 25.— (1) Save as provided in [F8 paragraphs (3), (4), (7A) and (7B)] any tyre fitted to the axle of a vehicle–

(a) which is a class of vehicle specified in an item in column 2 of Table I; and

(b) in relation to which the date of first use is as specified in that item in column 3 of that Table;

shall comply with the requirements specified in that item in column 4 of that Table.

[F9 TABLE I

(regulation 25(1))

1	2	3	4
Item	Class of vehicle	Date of first use	Requirements
1	Vehicles which are of one ormore of the following descriptions, namely– (a) goods vehicles, (b) trailers, (c) buses, (d) vehicles of a class mentioned in column 2 in Table III	Before 1st April 1991	The requirements of paragraphs (5) and (6)
2	Vehicles which are of one ormore of the following descriptions– (a) goods vehicles, (b) trailers, (c) buses, (d) vehicles of a class mentioned in column 2 in Table III, and do not fall within item 3 below	On or after1st April 1991	The requirements of paragraphs (5), (6) and (7)
3	Vehicles of a class mentioned in paragraph (2)	On or after1st April 1991	The requirements of paragraph (5)]

[F10 (2) The classes of vehicle referred to in item 3 in column 2 of Table I are–

(a) engineering plant;

(b) track-laying vehicles;

(c) vehicles equipped with tyres of speed category Q;

(d) works trucks; and

(e) motor vehicles with a maximum speed not exceeding 30 mph, not being vehicles of a class specified in–

(i) items 2 and 3 of Table II; or

(ii) paragraph (7A) or sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) of this paragraph;

• or trailers while being drawn by such vehicles.]

(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any tyre fitted to the axle of a vehicle if the vehicle is–

(a) broken down or proceeding to a place where it is to be broken up; and

(b) being drawn by a motor vehicle at a speed not exceeding 20 mph.

(4) Where in relation to any vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1991 a tyre supplied by a manufacturer for the purposes of tests or trials of that tyre is fitted to an axle of that vehicle, [F11 paragraph (7) shall not apply to that tyre while it is being used for those purposes.]

(5) The requirements of this paragraph are that the tyre, as respects strength, shall be designed and manufactured adequately to support the maximum permitted axle weight for the axle.

(6) The requirements of this paragraph are that the tyre shall be designed and [F12 manufactured] adequately to support the maximum permitted axle weight for the axle when the vehicle is driven at the speed shown in column 3 in Table II in the item in which the vehicle is described in column 2 (the lowest relevant speed being applicable to a vehicle which is described in more than one item).

TABLE II

(regulation 25(6))

1	2	3	4
Item	Class of vehicle	Speed (mph)	Variation to the [F13 load-capacity index] expressed as a percentage
			[F13 Tyres marked in accordance with ECE Regulation 30, 30.01 or 30.02] [F14 and relevant car tyres]	Tyres marked in accordance with ECE Regulation 54 [F15 and relevant commercial vehicle tyres]
1	A vehicle of a class for which maximum speeds are prescribed by Schedule 6 to the 1984 Act [F16 other than an agricultural motor vehicle]	The highest speed so prescribed	Single wheels: none	None
			Dual wheels: 95.5%
2	An electrically propelled vehicle used as a multi-stop local collection and delivery vehicle and having a maximum speed of not more than 25 mph	[F17 The maximum speed of the vehicle]	None	150%
3	An electrically propelled vehicle used as a multi-stop local collection and delivery vehicle and having a maximum speed of more than 25 mph and not more than 40 mph	[F18 The maximum speed of the vehicle]	None	130%
4	An electrically propelled vehicle used only within a radius of 25 miles from the permanent base at which it is normally kept and having a maximum speed of more than 40 mph and not more than 50 mph	[F19 The maximum speed of the vehicle]	None	115%
5	A local service bus	50	None	110%
6	A restricted speed vehicle	50	None	The relevant % variation specified in Annex 8 to ECE Regulation 54 [F20 or Appendix 8 to Annex II to Community Directive 92/23]
7	A low platform trailer [F21 , an agricultural motor vehicle, an agricultural trailer, an agricultural trailed appliance or an agricultural trailed appliance conveyor]	40	None	The relevant % variation specified in Annex 8 to ECE Regulation 54 [F20 or Appendix 8 to Annex II to Community Directive 92/23]
8	A municipal vehicle	40	None	115%
9	A multi-stop local collection and delivery vehicle if not falling within the class of vehicle described in items 2 or 3 above	40	None	115%
10	A light trailer or any trailer equipped with tyres of speed category F or G	60	Single wheels: 110%	The relevant variation specified in Annex 8 to ECE
			Dual wheels: 105%	Regulation 54 [F20 or Appendix 8 to Annex II to Community Directive 92/23]
11	A trailer not falling in items 6–10	60	Single wheels: none	None
			Dual wheels: 95.5%
12	A [F22 motor] vehicle not falling in items 1–11	70	Single wheels: none	None
			Dual wheels: 95.5%

(7) The requirement of this paragraph is that the tyre when first fitted to the vehicle [F23 was marked with a designated approval mark or] complied with the requirements of [F24 ECE Regulation 30, 30.01, 30.02] or 54, [F25 or, in the case of a retreaded tyre, with the requirements of ECE Regulation 108 or 109].

[F26 (7A) The requirements of paragraphs (6) and (7) shall not apply to [F27 any tyre fitted to the axle of] a vehicle of a class specified in an item in column 2 of Table III while [F28 the vehicle] is being driven or drawn at a speed not exceeding that specified in that item in column 3 of that Table.

TABLE III

(regulation 25(7A))

1	2	3
Item	Class of vehicle	Speed F29 ...
1	Agricultural motor vehicles [F30 other than category T tractors]	20 [F31 mph]
2	Agricultural trailers	[F32 40 km/h]
3	Agricultural trailed appliances	20 [F31 mph]
4	Agricultural trailed appliance conveyors	20 [F31 mph]
5	Works trailers	18 [F33 mph]
[F34 6	Category T tractors	40 km/h]]

[F35 (7B) Paragraph (7C) applies where a tyre fitted to the axle of a vehicle—

(a) bears a speed category symbol and load–capacity index, being marks that were moulded on to or into the tyre at the time that it was manufactured;

(b) is designed and manufactured so as to be capable of operating safely at the speed and load indicated by those marks; and

(c) is designed so as to be capable of being fitted to the axle of a vehicle of a class specified in item 1, 2, 3 or 4 in column 2 of Table III above.

(7C) In the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (7B), paragraph (7) shall not apply to the tyre if—

(a) the vehicle is being driven or drawn at a speed that does not exceed the speed indicated by the speed category symbol or 50 mph (whichever is the less), and

(b) the load on the tyre does not exceed the load indicated by the load–capacity index.]

(8) A vehicle of a class described in column 2 in Table II first used on or after 1st April 1991 shall not be used on a road–

(a) in the case where there is no entry in column 4 specifying a variation to the [F36 load-capacity index] expressed as a percentage, if the load applied to any tyre fitted to the axle of the vehicle exceeds that indicated by the [F36 load-capacity index]; or

(b) in the case where there is such an entry in column 4, if the load applied to any tyre fitted to the axle of the vehicle exceeds the variation to the [F36 load-capacity index] expressed as a percentage.

(9) In this regulation–

[F37 “designated approval mark” means the marking designated as an approval mark by regulation 5 of the Approval Marks Regulations and shown at item 33 in Schedule 4 to those Regulations (that item being a marking relating to Community Directive 92/23);]

“dual wheels” means two or more wheels which are to be regarded as one wheel by virtue of paragraph 7 of regulation 3 in the circumstances specified in that paragraph;

“load-capacity index” has the same meaning as in [F38 paragraph 2.28 of Annex II to Community Directive 92/23 or] paragraph [F39 2 of ECE Regulation 30.02 or ECE Regulation 54, or as “load index” in paragraph 2 of ECE Regulation 108 or ECE Regulation 109];

“local service bus” means a bus being used in the provision of a local service as defined in section 2 of the Transport Act 1985;

“municipal vehicle” means a motor vehicle or trailer limited at all times to use by a local authority, or a person acting in pursuance of a contract with a local authority, for road cleansing, road watering or the collection and disposal of refuse, night soil or the contents of cesspools, or the purposes of the enactments relating to weights and measures or the sale of food and drugs;

“multi-stop local collection and delivery vehicle” means a motor vehicle or trailer used for multi-stop collection and delivery services to be used only within a radius of 25 miles from the permanent base at which it is normally kept;

“single wheels” means wheels which are not dual wheels; and

“speed category” has the same meaning as in [F40 paragraph 2.29 of Annex II to Community Directive 92/23 or] [F41 paragraph 2.28] of ECE Regulation 54.

[F42 (9A) For the purposes of this regulation, a tyre is a “relevant car tyre” if—

(a) it has been marked with a designated approval mark, and

(b) the first two digits of the approval number comprised in the mark are “02”.

(9B) For the purposes of this regulation, a tyre is a “relevant commercial vehicle tyre” if—

(a) it has been marked with a designated approval mark, and

(b) the first two digits of the approval number comprised in the mark are “00”.]

(10) In this regulation any reference to the first use shall, in relation to a trailer, be construed as a reference to the date which is 6 months after the date of manufacture of the trailer.]

Textual Amendments

F7 Reg. 25 substituted (2.11.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1981), regs. 1, 7 (with reg. 2(2))

F8 Words in reg. 25(1) substituted (1.4.1995) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/551), regs. 1, 7(2)

F9 Reg. 25 Table 1 substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(3)

F10 Reg. 25(2) substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(4)

F11 Words in reg. 25(4) substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(5)

F12 Word in reg. 25(6) substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(6)

F13 Words in reg. 25 Table 2 substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(7)(a)

F14 Words in reg. 25 Table 2 inserted (1.1.1993) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3088), regs. 1, 4(2)(a)

F15 Words in reg. 25 Table 2 inserted (1.1.1993) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3088), regs. 1, 4(2)(b)

F16 Words in reg. 25 Table 2 added (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(7)(b)

F17 Words in reg. 25 Table 2 substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(7)(c)

F18 Words in reg. 25 Table 2 substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(7)(d)

F19 Words in reg. 25 Table 2 substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(7)(e)

F20 Words in reg. 25 Table 2 inserted (1.1.1993) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3088), regs. 1, 4(2)(c)

F21 Words in reg. 25 Table 2 added (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(7)(f)

F22 Word in reg. 25 Table 2 Item 12 inserted (1.1.1993) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3088), regs. 1, 4(2)(d)

F23 Words in reg. 25(7) inserted (1.1.1993) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3088), regs. 1, 4(3)

F24 Words in reg. 25(7) substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(8)

F25 Words in reg. 25(7) substituted (1.2.2021) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1178), regs. 1, 2(3)(a)

F26 Reg. 25(7A) inserted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(9)

F27 Words in reg. 25(7A) inserted (1.4.1995) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/551), regs. 1, 7(3)

F28 Words in reg. 25(7A) substituted (1.4.1995) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/551), regs. 1, 7(3)

F29 Word in reg. 25(7A) Table 3 omitted (9.3.2015) by virtue of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 10(1)

F30 Words in reg. 25(7A) Table 3 inserted (9.3.2015) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 10(2)

F31 Word in reg. 25(7A) Table 3 inserted (9.3.2015) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 10(3)

F32 Word in reg. 25(7A) Table 3 substituted (9.3.2015) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 10(4)

F33 Word in reg. 25(7A) Table 3 inserted (9.3.2015) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 10(5)

F34 Words in reg. 25(7A) Table 3 inserted (9.3.2015) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 10(6)

F35 Reg. 25(7B)(7C) inserted (1.4.1995) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/551), regs. 1, 7(4)

F36 Words in reg. 25(8) substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(10)

F37 Words in reg. 25(9) inserted (1.1.1993) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3088), regs. 1, 4(4)(a)

F38 Words in reg. 25(9) inserted (1.1.1993) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3088), regs. 1, 4(4)(b)

F39 Words in reg. 25(9) substituted (1.2.2021) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1178), regs. 1, 2(3)(b)

F40 Words in reg. 25(9) inserted (1.1.1993) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3088), regs. 1, 4(4)(c)

F41 Words in reg. 25(9) substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 3(11)(b)

F42 Reg. 25(9A)(9B) inserted (1.1.1993) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/3088), regs. 1, 4(5)

[F43 Tyre Noise E+W+S

25A.— (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), any replacement tyre (not being a retreaded or part-worn tyre) must be marked with an S mark where it is to be fitted to an axle of—

(a) a passenger vehicle with 4 wheels or more,

(b) a goods vehicle,

(c) a dual-purpose vehicle, or

(d) a trailer constructed or adapted for use with a passenger vehicle, a goods vehicle or a dual-purpose vehicle.

(2) Paragraph (1) applies to—

(a) Class C1d tyres on or after 1st October 2010; and

(b) Class C1e tyres on or after 1st October 2011.

(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to—

(a) tyres whose speed rating is less than 80 km/h;

(b) tyres whose nominal rim diameter does not exceed 254mm (code 10) or is 635mm (code 25) or more;

(c) T-type temporary-use spare tyres; or

(d) tyres designed only to be fitted to vehicles described in paragraph (1) that were registered for the first time before 1st October 1980.

(4) In this regulation—

“Class C1d tyre” means a tyre designed for a passenger vehicle with a nominal section width greater than 185mm but less than or equal to 215mm;

“Class C1e tyre” means a tyre designed for a passenger vehicle with a nominal section width greater than 215mm;

“nominal rim diameter” has the same meaning as in section 2.18 of Annex II of Community Directive 92/23;

“part-worn tyre” means a tyre that is not new when fitted;

“replacement tyre” means—

(a)

a Class C1d tyre sold, or intended to be sold, on or after 1st October 2010;

(b)

a Class C1e tyre sold, or intended to be sold, on or after 1st October 2011; or

(c)

any other tyre sold, or intended to be sold, on or after the date these Regulations come into force,

where that tyre replaces, or is intended to replace, a tyre fitted to the axle of any vehicle to which paragraph (1) applies.

“rim” has the same meaning as in section 2.19 of Annex II of Community Directive 92/23;

“S mark” means a designated approval mark of a description specified in item 30B of Schedule 2 or item 33 of Schedule 4 of the Approval Marks Regulations including the relevant suffix indicating conformity with the requirements on tyre noise emissions;

“section width” has the same meaning as in section 2.12 of Annex II of Community Directive 92/23; and

“T-type temporary-use spare tyre” has the same meaning as in section 2.3.6 of Annex II of Community Directive 92/23, and “temporary-use spare tyre” has the same meaning as in section 2.3.5 if Annex II of Community Directive 92/23.]

Textual Amendments

F43 Reg. 25A inserted (23.3.2010) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/312), regs. 1, 3

Mixing of tyres E+W+S

26.—(1) Save as provided in paragraph (5) pneumatic tyres of different types of structure shall not be fitted to the same axle of a wheeled vehicle.

(2) Save as provided in paragraphs (3) or (5), a wheeled motor vehicle having only two axles each of which is equipped with one or two single wheels shall not be fitted with—

(a) a diagonal-ply tyre or a bias-belted tyre on its rear axle if a radial-ply tyre is fitted on its front axle; or

(b) a diagonal-ply tyre on its rear axle if a bias-belted tyre is fitted on the front axle.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to a vehicle to an axle of which there are fitted wide tyres not specially constructed for use on engineering plant or to a vehicle which has a maximum speed not exceeding 30 mph.

(4) Save as provided in paragraph (5) pneumatic tyres fitted to—

(a) the steerable axles of a wheeled vehicle; [F44 or]

(b) the driven axles of a wheeled vehicle, not being steerable axles,

shall all be of the same type of structure.

(5) Paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) do not prohibit the fitting of a temporary use spare tyre to a wheel of a passenger vehicle (not being a bus) unless it is driven at a speed exceeding 50 mph.

(6) In this regulation—

“axle” includes—

(i)

two or more stub axles which are fitted on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle so as to form—

(a)

a pair in the case of two stub axles; and

(b)

pairs in the case of more than two stub axles; and

(ii)

a single stub axle which is not one of a pair;

“a bias-belted tyre” means a pneumatic tyre, the structure of which is such that the ply cords extend to the bead so as to be laid at alternate angles of substantially less than 90 degrees to the peripheral line of the tread, and are constrained by a circumferential belt comprising two or more layers of substantially inextensible cord material laid at alternate angles smaller than those of the ply cord structure;

“a diagonal-ply tyre” means a pneumatic tyre, the structure of which is such that the ply cords extend to the bead so as to be laid at alternate angles of substantially less than 90 degrees to the peripheral line of the tread, but not being a bias-belted tyre;

“a driven axle” means an axle through which power is transmitted from the engine of a vehicle to the wheels on that axle;

“a radial-ply tyre” means a pneumatic tyre, the structure of which is such that the ply cords extend to the bead so as to be laid at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the peripheral line of the tread, the ply cord structure being stabilised by a substantially inextensible circumferential belt;

“stub axle” means an axle on which only one wheel is mounted; and

“type of structure”, in relation to a tyre, means a type of structure of a tyre of a kind defined in the foregoing provisions of this paragraph.

Textual Amendments

F44 Word in reg. 26(4) substituted (2.11.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1981), regs. 1, 8

Commencement Information

I5 Reg. 26 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

Condition and maintenance of tyres E+W+S

27.—(1) Save as provided in paragraphs (2), (3) and (4), [F45 and subject to paragraph (1A),] a wheeled motor vehicle or trailer a wheel of which is fitted with a pneumatic tyre shall not be used on a road, if—

(a) the tyre is unsuitable having regard to the use to which the motor vehicle or trailer is being put or to the types of tyres fitted to its other wheels;

(b) the tyre is not so inflated as to make it fit for the use to which the motor vehicle or trailer is being put;

(c) the tyre has a cut in excess of 25 mm or 10% of the section width of the tyre, whichever is the greater, measured in any direction on the outside of the tyre and deep enough to reach the ply or cord;

(d) the tyre has any lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure;

(e) the tyre has any of the ply or cord exposed;

(f) the base of any groove which showed in the original tread pattern of the tyre is not clearly visible;

(g) either—

(i) the grooves of the tread pattern of the tyre do not have a depth of at least 1 mm throughout a continuous band measuring at least three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and round the entire outer circumference of the tyre; or

(ii) if the grooves of the original tread pattern of the tyre did not extend beyond three-quarters of the breadth of the tread, any groove which showed in the original tread pattern does not have a depth of at least 1 mm; F46 ...

(h) the tyre is not maintained in such condition as to be fit for the use to which the vehicle or trailer is being put or has a defect which might in any way cause damage to the surface of the road or damage to persons on or in the vehicle or to other persons using the road;

[F47 (i) the tyre is not a retreaded tyre and—

(i) the week of manufacture marked on its sidewall in accordance with ECE Regulation 30 or 54 falls more than 10 years before the date on which the motor vehicle is used on the road; or

(ii) it does not have a week of manufacture marking which complies with ECE Regulation 30 or 54 (whether because it was manufactured before the ECE Regulations applied or otherwise);

(j) the tyre is a retreaded tyre and—

(i) the week of retreading marked on its sidewall in accordance with ECE Regulation 108 or 109 falls more than 10 years before the date on which the motor vehicle is used on the road; or

(ii) it does not have a week of retreading marking which complies with ECE Regulation 108 or 109 (whether because it was retreaded before the ECE Regulations applied or otherwise); or

(k) a date marked on the tyre sidewall in accordance with ECE Regulation 30, 54, 108 or 109 is illegible.]

[F48 (1A) Subject to paragraph (4)(a) and (ca), and notwithstanding anything in regulation 25—

(a) paragraph (1)(i) and (j) only applies to tyres fitted—

(i) to a front axle of a bus other than a minibus;

(ii) in single configuration on any axle of a minibus;

(iii) to a front axle of a goods vehicle with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3,500 kg;

(b) in sub-paragraph (a)—

(i) “front axle” means any axle, forward of the mid-point of the chassis on which the wheels are controlled by the steering system;

(ii) “single configuration” means where no more than one wheel and tyre assembly is mounted at the end of the axle concerned;

(c) paragraph (1)(k) only applies to—

(i) buses (including minibuses);

(ii) goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3,500 kg.]

(2) Paragraph (1) does not prohibit the use on a road of a motor vehicle or trailer by reason only of the fact that a wheel of the vehicle or trailer is fitted with a tyre which is deflated or not fully inflated and which has any of the defects described in sub-paragraph (c), (d) or (e) of paragraph (1), if the tyre and the wheel to which it is fitted are so constructed as to make the tyre in that condition fit for the use to which the motor vehicle or trailer is being put and the outer sides of the wall of the tyre are so marked as to enable the tyre to be identified as having been constructed to comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

(3) Paragraph (1)(a) does not prohibit the use on a road of a passenger vehicle (not being a bus) by reason only of the fact that a wheel of the vehicle is fitted with a temporary use spare tyre, unless the vehicle is driven at a speed exceeding 50 mph.

(4) (a) Nothing in paragraph (1)(a) to (g) [F49 and (i) to (k)] applies to—

(i) an agricultural motor vehicle [F50 , not being a category T tractor,] that is not driven at more than 20 mph;

(ii) an agricultural trailer;

(iii) an agricultural trailed appliance; F51 ...

(iv) a broken down vehicle or a vehicle proceeding to a place where it is to be broken up, being drawn, in either case, by a motor vehicle at a speed not exceeding [F52 20 mph; or]

[F53 (v) a category T tractor that is not driven at more than 40 km/h.]

(b) Nothing in paragraph (1)(f) and (g) applies to—

(i) a three-wheeled motor cycle the unladen weight of which does not exceed 102 kg and which has a maximum speed of 12 mph; or

(ii) a pedestrian-controlled works truck.

(c) Nothing in paragraph (1)(g) applies to a motorcycle with an engine capacity which does not exceed 50 cc.

[F54 (ca) Nothing in paragraph (1)(i) to (k) applies to a vehicle of historical interest used for non-commercial purposes, and for this purpose “vehicle of historical interest” means a vehicle which is considered to be of historical interest to Great Britain and which—

(i) was manufactured or registered for the first time at least 40 years previously;

(ii) is of a type no longer in production, where “type” in relation to a vehicle has the same meaning as “type of vehicle” in Article 3(32) 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; and

(iii) has been historically preserved or maintained in its original state and has not undergone substantial changes in the technical characteristics of its main components.]

[F55 (d) With effect from 1st January 1992, paragraph 1(f) and (g) shall not apply to the vehicles specified in sub-paragraph (e) of this paragraph but such vehicles shall comply with the requirements specified in sub-paragraph (f) of this paragraph.

(e) The vehicles mentioned in sub-paragraph (d) are–

(i) passenger vehicles other than motor cycles constructed or adapted to carry no more than 8 seated passengers in addition to the driver;

(ii) goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight which [F56 does] not exceed 3500 kg; and

(iii) light trailers not falling within sub-paragraph (ii);

first used on or after 3rd January 1933.

(f) The requirements referred to in sub-paragraph (d) are that the grooves of the tread pattern of every tyre fitted to the wheels of a vehicle mentioned in sub-paragraph (e) shall be of a depth of at least 1.6 mm throughout a continuous band [F57 comprising] the central three-quarters of the breadth of tread and round the entire outer circumference of the tyre.]

(5) A recut pneumatic tyre shall not be fitted to any wheel of a motor vehicle or trailer if—

(a) its ply or cord has been cut or exposed by the recutting process; or

(b) it has been wholly or partially recut in a pattern other than the manufacturer's recut tread pattern.

(6) (a) In this regulation—

“breadth of tread” means the breadth of that part of the tyre which can contact the road under normal conditions of use measured at 90 degrees to the peripheral line of the tread;

“original tread pattern” means in the case of—

• a [F58 retreaded] tyre, the tread pattern of the tyre immediately after the tyre was [F58 retreaded];

• a wholly recut tyre, the manufacturer's recut tread pattern;

• a partially recut tyre, on that part of the tyre which has been recut, the manufacturer's recut tread pattern, and on the other part, the tread pattern of the tyre when new, and

• any other tyre, the tread pattern of the tyre when the tyre was new.

“tie-bar” means any part of a tyre moulded in the tread pattern of the tyre for the purpose of bracing two or more features of such tread pattern;

“tread pattern” means the combination of plain surfaces and grooves extending across the breadth of the tread and round the entire outer circumference of the tyre but excludes any—

(i)

tie bars or tread wear indicators;

(ii)

features which are designed to wear out substantially before the rest of the pattern under normal conditions of use; and

(iii)

other minor features; and

“tread wear indicator” means any bar, not being a tie-bar, projecting from the base of a groove of the tread pattern of a tyre and moulded between two or more features of the tread pattern of a tyre for the purpose of indicating the extent of the wear of such tread pattern.

(b) The references in [F59 this regulation] to grooves are references—

• if a tyre has been recut, to the grooves of the manufacturer's recut tread pattern; and

• if a tyre has not been recut, to the grooves which showed when the tyre was new.

[F60 (c) A reference in this regulation to first use shall, in relation to a trailer, be construed as a reference to the date which is 6 months after the date of manufacture of the trailer.]

Textual Amendments

F45 Words in reg. 27(1) inserted (1.2.2021) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1178), regs. 1, 2(4)(a)(i)

F46 Word in reg. 27(1)(g)(ii) omitted (1.2.2021) by virtue of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1178), regs. 1, 2(4)(a)(ii)

F47 Reg. 27(1)(i)-(k) inserted (1.2.2021) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1178), regs. 1, 2(4)(a)(iii)

F48 Reg. 27(1A) inserted (1.2.2021) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1178), regs. 1, 2(4)(b)

F49 Words in reg. 27(4)(a) inserted (1.2.2021) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1178), regs. 1, 2(4)(c)(i)

F50 Words in reg. 27(4)(a)(i) inserted (9.3.2015) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 11(1)

F51 Word in reg. 27(4)(a)(iii) omitted (9.3.2015) by virtue of The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 11(2)

F52 Words in reg. 27(4)(a)(iv) substituted (9.3.2015) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 11(3)

F53 Reg. 27(4)(a)(v) added (9.3.2015) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/142), regs. 1(2), 11(4)

F54 Reg. 27(4)(ca) inserted (1.2.2021) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1178), regs. 1, 2(4)(c)(ii)

F55 Reg. 27(4)(d)-(f) added (2.11.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1981), regs. 1, 9(2)

F56 Word in reg. 27(4)(e)(ii) substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 4(a)

F57 Word in reg. 27(4)(f) substituted (1.1.1992) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2710), regs. 1, 4(b)

F58 Word in reg. 27(6)(a) substituted (1.2.2021) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1178), regs. 1, 2(4)(d)

F59 Words in reg. 27(6)(b) substituted (2.11.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1981), regs. 1, 9(3)

F60 Reg. 27(6)(c) added (2.11.1990) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1981), regs. 1, 9(4)

Commencement Information

I6 Reg. 27 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1

Tracks E+W+S

28.—(1) Every part of every track of a track-laying vehicle which comes into contact with the road shall be flat and have a width of not less than 12.5 mm.

(2) The area of the track which is in contact with the road shall not at any time be less than 225 cm² in respect of every 1000 kg of the total weight which is transferred to the road by the tracks.

(3) The tracks of a vehicle shall not have any defect which might damage the road or cause danger to any person on or in the vehicle or using the road, and shall be properly adjusted and maintained in good and efficient working order.

Commencement Information

I7 Reg. 28 in force at 11.8.1986, see reg. 1