The Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (Amendment) Order 1987

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order 1979 (“the principal Order”) as follows:—

(1) The definition of “abnormal indivisible load” is amended to provide a higher weight threshold (article 3).

(2) Throughout the principal Order, the references to “special road” are replaced by references to “motorway” (which is defined) and references to the “owner” of a vehicle are replaced by references to the “user”.

(3) Motor vehicles and combinations authorised under article 18 of the principal Order are classified into Categories 1, 2 or 3 according to weight (article 7).

(4) A restriction on the width of a semi-trailer that is dependent upon the weight of the articulated vehicle is removed from article 18(2) of the principal Order (article 8).

(5) Revised conditions on weights are introduced for vehicles being used under article 18 of the principal Order, these conditions being dependent upon the vehicle category. They include maximum weight for vehicles, axles, and wheels and requirements for spacing between axles and groups of axles (article 9).

(6) Vehicles being used under article 18 of the principal Order are exempt from certain requirements of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. Revised exemptions for vehicles in Categories 1, 2 and 3 manufactured after 1st October 1989 are introduced. New requirements for braking systems on Category 2 and 3 vehicles are introduced (article 14).

(7) Article 14 introduces a new condition that vehicles authorised for use by article 18 of the principal Order if manufactured after 1st October 1988, are fitted with a plate. This plate must show details of the maximum weights at which the vehicle may be used in relation to the speeds at which it is allowed to travel.

(8) A condition is introduced by article 14 that a vehicle authorised for use by article 18 of the principal Order shall carry identification signs at the front and the rear.

(9) Revised speed limits are introduced into article 21 of the principal Order by article 18 for vehicles authorised for use by article 18 or 20 of the principal Order. Category 1 vehicles are not subject to these limits.

(10) The requirements for notification of movements to the police in article 25 of the principal Order are amended by article 20 to apply to vehicles authorised for use by article 18 or 19 of the principal Order, replacing the reference to a total weight of more than 76,200 kg by a reference to a total weight of more than 80,000 kg.

(11) The conditions in article 26 of the principal Order are amended so that as regards vehicles authorised for use by article 18 or 19 of it, two days advance notice must be given in respect of vehicles or combinations not exceeding 80,000 kg, and 5 days in respect of vehicles and combinations exceeding 80,000 kg. (article 21).

(12) Provision is made in article 15 for the use of engineering plant, authorised for use by article 19 of the principal Order, which complies with the revised conditions in order to entitle it to travel at higher speeds.

(13) The requirements of article 28 of the principal Order in respect of vehicles, authorised for use by article 5(2), 6, 11, 15, 16, 18 or 19 of the principal Order, which have broken down on bridges, are amended to reflect the change in the definition of “abnormal indivisible load” (article 22).

(14) The requirements of article 24 of the principal Order are amended so that as regards vehicles authorised by article 15, 18, 19 or 20 of it, approval is required if the width exceeds 5 metres (article 4 and 19).