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The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, Section 12 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 19 February 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
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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
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
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
is fitted with suitable tyres which are inflated to a pressure recommended by the manufacturer, and
is reasonably horizontal and standing on ground which is reasonably flat.
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