The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003

Vehicles carrying loads of exceptional width E+W+S

Motor vehicles or trailers carrying loads of exceptional width: recognised category E+W+S

28.—(1) Motor vehicles or trailers that are used for, or in connection with, the carriage of a load exceptional width are a recognised category of special vehicles.

(2) A vehicle carries a load of exceptional width where the overall width of the vehicle carrying a load, together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of the load, exceeds 4.3 metres.

Commencement Information

I1 Art. 28 in force at 25.8.2003, see art. 1(2)

Motor vehicles or trailers carrying loads of exceptional width: authorisation requirements E+W+S

29.  The authorisation requirements applicable to vehicles falling within the recognised category of special vehicles mentioned in article 28(1) are—

(a) the requirements specified in articles 30 and 31;

(b) the Construction and Use Regulations, apart from regulation 82(1) and (2);

(c) the Authorised Weight Regulations; and

(d) the Lighting Regulations.

Commencement Information

I2 Art. 29 in force at 25.8.2003, see art. 1(2)

Motor vehicles or trailers carrying loads of exceptional width: restrictions on width and speed E+W+S

30.—(1) The overall width of a vehicle falling within the recognised category of special vehicles mentioned in article 28(1), together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of the load carried on it, must not exceed 6.1 metres.

(2) The vehicle must not travel at speeds exceeding—

(a) 40 miles per hour on a motorway;

(b) 35 miles per hour on a dual carriageway;

(c) 30 miles per hour on any other road.

(3) Nothing in this article is to be taken to authorise travel at any speed in excess of any speed restriction imposed by or under any other enactment.

Commencement Information

I3 Art. 30 in force at 25.8.2003, see art. 1(2)

Motor vehicles or trailers carrying loads of exceptional width: requirements as to width E+W+S

31.—(1) “Width”, in relation to a vehicle falling within the recognised category of special vehicles mentioned in article 28(1), means the overall width of the vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of the load carried on it.

(2) Paragraphs (3) and (4) apply cumulatively.

(3) The user of any vehicle falling within the recognised category of special vehicles mentioned in article 28(1) must—

(a) before the start of any journey, notify in accordance with Schedule 5 the chief officer of police for each area in which the vehicle is to be used;

(b) ensure that the vehicle is used in accordance with the requirements of that Schedule; and

(c) ensure that the vehicle is accompanied during the journey by one or more attendants employed in accordance with Schedule 6.

(4) Where the width of the vehicle exceeds 5 metres, the user of the vehicle must—

(a) before the start of any journey obtain the written consent of the Secretary of State in accordance with Schedule 7; and

(b) ensure that the vehicle is used in accordance with the requirements of that Schedule.

Commencement Information

I4 Art. 31 in force at 25.8.2003, see art. 1(2)