Council Directive 96/53/ECShow full title

[F1 Article 8b U.K.

1. With the aim of improving their energy efficiency, vehicles or vehicle combinations which are equipped with aerodynamic devices meeting the requirements laid down in paragraphs 2 and 3, and which comply with Directive 2007/46/EC, may exceed the maximum lengths provided for in point 1.1 of Annex I to this Directive, to allow the addition of such devices to the rear of vehicles or vehicle combinations. Vehicles or vehicle combinations equipped with such devices shall comply with point 1.5 of Annex I to this Directive, and any exceeding of the maximum lengths shall not result in an increase in the loading length of those vehicles or vehicle combinations.

2. Before being placed on the market, the aerodynamic devices referred to in paragraph 1 exceeding 500 mm in length shall be type-approved in accordance with the rules on type-approval within the framework of Directive 2007/46/EC.

By 27 May 2017 , the Commission shall assess the need to adopt or amend any technical requirements for type-approval of aerodynamic devices laid down within that framework taking into account the need to ensure road safety and the safety of intermodal transport operations, and in particular:

(a) the secure attachment of the devices in such a way as to reduce the risk of their becoming detached over time, including during an intermodal transport operation;

(b) the safety of other road users, especially vulnerable road users, by ensuring, inter alia, the visibility of contour markings when aerodynamic devices are fitted, by adapting the indirect vision requirements and, in the event of a collision with the rear of a vehicle or a vehicle combination, by not compromising rear underrun protection.

To that end, the Commission shall submit, as appropriate, a legislative proposal to amend the relevant rules on type-approval within the framework of Directive 2007/46/EC.

3. The aerodynamic devices referred to in paragraph 1 shall fulfil the following operational conditions:

(a) in circumstances where the safety of other road users or of the driver is at risk, they shall be folded, retracted or removed by the driver;

(b) their use on urban and inter urban road infrastructures shall take into account the special characteristics of areas where the speed limit is less than or equal to 50 km/h and where vulnerable road users are more likely to be present; and

(c) their use shall be compatible with intermodal transport operations and, in particular, when retracted/folded, they shall not exceed the maximum authorised length by more than 20 cm.

4. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down detailed provisions ensuring uniform conditions for the implementation of paragraph 3. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 10i(2).

5. Paragraph 1 shall apply from the date of transposition or application of the necessary amendments to the instruments referred to in paragraph 2, and after the adoption of the implementing acts referred to in paragraph 4, as appropriate.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Inserted by Directive (EU) 2015/719 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 amending Council Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic (Text with EEA relevance).