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Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland

1997 No. 109

ROAD TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES

Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Made

26th February 1997

Coming into operation

7th April 1997

The Department of the Environment, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Article 60 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995(1) and of every other power enabling it in that behalf, hereby makes the following Order:

Part IPreliminary

Citation and commencement

1. This Order may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997 and shall come into operation on 7th April 1997.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In this Order—

“abnormal indivisible load” means a load—

(a)

which cannot without undue expense or risk of damage be divided into two or more loads for the purposes of carriage on roads, and

(b)

which—

(i)

owing to its dimensions, cannot be carried by a heavy motor car or trailer or a combination of heavy motor car and trailer complying in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations, or

(ii)

owing to its weight, cannot be carried by a heavy motor car or trailer or combination of a heavy motor car and trailer having a total laden weight of not more than 38,000 kilograms and complying in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“agricultural motor vehicle”, “agricultural trailer”, “agricultural trailed appliance”, “articulated vehicle”, “engineering plant”, “locomotive”, “overall length”, “overall width”, “overhang”, “registered”, “semi-trailer”, “straddle carrier”, “track-laying” and “wheeled” have the same meanings assigned to those expressions in regulation 2(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“axle” means any number of axles in line transversely;

“bank holiday” means a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971(2);

“bridge authority” means the authority or person responsible for the maintenance of a bridge;

“Construction and Use Regulations” means the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989(3);

“controlled by a pedestrian” has the same meaning as in Article 6(2) of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;

“day” means any day except a bank holiday, Christmas Day, Good Friday, a Sunday or a Saturday;

“dual carriageway road” has the same meaning as in Part IV of the Schedule to the Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989(4);

“hours of darkness” means the time between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise;

“motorway” has the same meaning as in regulation 1 of the Motorways Traffic Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1984(5);

“relevant axle spacing” has the same meaning as in regulation 75(1) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“tractor” means a motor tractor.

(2) In this Order the following expressions shall be construed in accordance with all the provisions relating to those expressions which are contained in regulation 79 of the Construction and Use Regulations—

“combination of vehicles”
“distance between vehicles”
“forward projection”
“lateral projection”
“rearward projection”
“special appliance or apparatus”.

Speed Limits

3. Nothing in this Order relating to the speed of vehicles shall be taken to authorise any speed which is in excess of any other speed limit imposed by or under any enactment.

Part IIMiscellaneous Vehicles

Track laying vehicles (including those used for launching lifeboats)

4. The Department authorises the use on roads of track laying motor vehicles and track laying trailers notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations subject to the following restrictions and conditions—

(a)(i)the vehicle shall be used only for the purpose of—

(A)demonstration, or

(B)enabling it to proceed to the nearest suitable railway station for conveyance to a port for shipment, or to proceed to a port for shipment from a place in the immediate vicinity of that port where suitable railway facilities are not available;

(ii)before the vehicle is so used the consent of the Department shall in each case be obtained in writing; and

(iii)the vehicle shall not be used for the carriage of goods or burden for hire or reward; or

(b)the vehicle shall be used only for drawing or in connection with the launching of lifeboats which are the property of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Naval, military, air force and aviation vehicles

5. The Department authorises the use on roads of the vehicles specified in an item in column 1 of Schedule 1 notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations specified in column 2 in that item subject to the vehicles being the property of, or for the time being under the control of, the person specified in that item in column 3.

Grass cutting machines and hedge trimmers

6. The Department authorises the use on roads of motor vehicles constructed or adapted for use as grass cutters or hedge trimmers (not, in either case, being vehicles controlled by a pedestrian) notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply with regulations 7 or 79 of the Construction and Use Regulations subject to the following conditions—

(a)all other relevant requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations are complied with;

(b)the overall width of the vehicle together with any equipment mounted on it except when it is actually cutting grass or trimming hedges does not exceed 2.55 metres; and

(c)except when the vehicle is actually engaged in such operations, all cutting or trimming blades which form part of the machinery fitted to or mounted on the vehicle are effectively guarded so that no danger is caused or is likely to be caused to any person.

7. The Department authorises the use on roads of trailers constructed or adapted for use as grass cutters or hedge trimmers notwithstanding that such trailers do not comply in all respects with such of the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations as apply to trailers, subject to the following conditions—

(a)the requirements of regulation 25 of the Construction and Use Regulations, so far as it applies to trailers, shall be complied with;

(b)the unladen weight of the trailer shall not exceed—

(i)1020 kilograms if drawn by a locomotive, a motor tractor or a heavy motor car, or

(ii)815 kilograms in any other case;

(c)the overall width of the motor vehicle by which the trailer is drawn and, except when it is actually cutting grass or trimming hedges, the overall width of the trailer shall not exceed 2.6 metres;

(d)except where the trailer is actually engaged in such operations, where it is being drawn in such a manner that its longitudinal axis and that of the drawing vehicle are parallel but lie in different vertical planes, the width of road occupied by both vehicles shall not exceed 2.6 metres.

For the purposes of this paragraph, the said width shall be taken as a distance equivalent to the distance which, if both vehicles were treated as if they were one vehicle at a time when the one is drawing the other in the said manner, would fall to be measured as its overall width;
(e)
except when the trailer is actually engaged in such operations, all cutting or trimming blades which form part of the machinery fitted to the trailer shall be effectively guarded so that no danger is caused or is likely to be caused to any person; and
(f)
the trailer shall not be driven at a speed exceeding 20 miles per hour.

Pedestrian controlled road maintenance vehicles

8. The Department authorises the use on roads of motor vehicles constructed or adapted for the gritting of roads, the laying of road markings, the clearing of frost, snow or ice from roads or any other work of maintaining roads, being vehicles controlled by a pedestrian and not constructed or adapted for use or used for the carriage of a driver or passenger, notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply in all respects with the requirements of regulations 14, 16, 21 and 63 of the Construction and Use Regulations subject to the following restrictions and conditions—

(a)all other relevant requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations shall be complied with;

(b)the weight of the vehicle whether laden or unladen, shall not exceed 410 kilograms; and

(c)the vehicle shall be equipped with an efficient braking system capable of being set or with sufficient other means, not being a braking system, whereby it can be brought to a standstill and held stationary.

Vehicles used for experiments or trials

9. The Department authorises the use on roads of vehicles in or in connection with the conduct of experiments or trials under Article 7 of the Roads (Northern Ireland) Order 1993(6) notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations.

Straddle carriers

10. The Department authorises the use on roads of straddle carriers notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply in all respects with the requirements of regulations 7, 10, 14, 16 (except paragraph (1)), 20 and 68 of the Construction and Use Regulations, subject to the following restrictions and conditions—

(a)subject to paragraph (b), the vehicle shall not be used otherwise than for the purpose of demonstration or in the course of delivery on sale or when proceeding to or returning from a manufacturer or repairer for the purpose of repair or overhaul and, when so used, shall carry no load other than its necessary gear or equipment;

(b)any vehicle which does not comply with the said regulation 10 may, if it complies with the said regulation 7 and 20, be used whether laden or unladen in passing from one part of any private premises to any other part thereof or to other private premises in the immediate neighbourhood;

(c)the vehicle shall not travel at a speed exceeding 12 miles per hour;

(d)the overall width of the vehicle shall not exceed 2.9 metres;

(e)the vehicle shall not be used if the overall length of the vehicle or, where the vehicle is carrying a load, if the overall length of the vehicle together with the length of its load exceeds 9.2 metres except with the consent of the Chief Constable;

(f)save in so far as the Chief Constable dispenses with any of the requirements contained in this paragraph, the user of the vehicle shall, not less than two clear days before such use, apply to the Chief Constable for consent to the use of the vehicle, and shall, when making the application, furnish to him particulars of the vehicle concerned, of its overall length, of the length of any forward projection or rearward projection of any load proposed to be carried, and of the roads on which it is proposed that the vehicle will be used; and

(g)all the relevant requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations other than those specified in this Article shall be complied with.

Agricultural motor vehicles, agricultural trailers and agricultural trailed appliances

11.—(1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2), and notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply with the requirements of regulation 7 of the Construction and Use Regulations, the Department authorises the use on roads of—

(a)an agricultural motor vehicle;

(b)an agricultural trailer designed to perform functions, other than the carriage of goods, that necessitate an overall width of 2.55 metres being exceeded; or

(c)an agricultural trailed appliance,

if the relevant conditions specified in Schedule 2 are complied with.

(2) The authorisation specified in paragraph (1) applies only in so far as the width of a vehicle (including an agricultural implement which by virtue of Article 13 is treated as part of the vehicle) cannot, without undue expense or risk of damage, be reduced.

Agricultural motor vehicle towing an off-set agricultural trailer or trailed appliance

12.—(1) The Department authorises the use on roads, notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply with the requirements of regulation 7 of the Construction and Use Regulations, of an agricultural motor vehicle towing an agricultural trailer or agricultural trailed appliance in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle and the longitudinal axis of the trailer are parallel but lie in different vertical planes and the width specified in paragraph (2) exceeds 2.55 metres provided the relevant conditions specified in Schedule 2 are complied with.

(2) The width referred to in paragraph (1) is the distance equivalent to the distance which, if both the agricultural motor vehicle and the agricultural trailer or agricultural trailed appliance (when being drawn by the agricultural motor vehicle) are treated as one vehicle, would fall to be measured as its overall width.

Provisions supplementary to Articles 11 and 12

13. For the purposes of Articles 11 and 12 and Schedule 2, an agricultural implement rigidly mounted on an agricultural motor vehicle, an agricultural trailer or an agricultural trailed appliance shall be treated as part of that vehicle, trailer or appliance whether or not—

(a)the implement is permanently attached thereto; and

(b)part of the weight of the implement is transmitted to the surface of the road otherwise than by the wheels or tracks of the motor vehicle, trailer or appliance.

Agricultural motor vehicles, agricultural trailers and agricultural trailed appliances with implements projecting rearwards or forwards

14.—(1) The Department authorises the use on roads, notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply with the requirements of regulations 7 and 79 of the Construction and Use Regulations of—

(a)an agricultural motor vehicle;

(b)an agricultural trailer; and

(c)an agricultural trailed appliance,

with an agricultural implement rigidly mounted thereon whether or not—

(i)the implement is permanently attached thereto, and

(ii)part of the weight of the implement is transmitted to the surface of the road otherwise than by the wheels or tracks of the motor vehicle, trailer or appliance,

provided that the requirements mentioned in paragraph (2) are complied with.

(2) The requirements referred to in paragraph (1) are that—

(a)if any part of the implement projects rearwards of the rearmost part of the motor vehicle, trailer or appliance by more than a distance specified in an item in column 2 of Schedule 3 the conditions specified in that item in column 3 are complied with; and

(b)if any part of the implement projects forwards of the foremost part of the motor vehicle, trailer or appliance by more than a distance specified in an item in column 2 of Schedule 3 the conditions specified in that item in column 3 are complied with.

Vehicles for moving excavated material

15. The Department authorises the use on roads of plant or equipment (other than engineering plant) being a heavy motor car, trailer or articulated vehicle specially designed and constructed for use in private premises for the primary purpose of moving excavated material and fitted with a tipping body, moving platform or other similar device for discharging its load, and which cannot, owing to the requirements of that purpose, comply in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations, subject to the following restrictions and conditions—

(a)the vehicle shall be used only in proceeding to and from private premises or between private premises and a port in either direction and shall carry no load other than its necessary gear or equipment;

(b)a heavy motor car not forming part of an articulated vehicle shall not draw any other trailer;

(c)where a trailer is drawn by a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle shall not draw any trailer;

(d)where the overall width of the vehicle exceeds 5 metres the conditions specified in Article 27 shall be complied with;

(e)in the case of a heavy motor car not forming part of an articulated vehicle, the sum of the weights transmitted to the road surface by any two wheels in line transversely do not exceed 22,860 kilograms and the sum of the weights so transmitted by all the wheels shall not exceed 50,800 kilograms;

(f)in the case of a trailer, whether or not forming part of an articulated vehicle, the provisions of regulation 14 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall not apply if the trailer is equipped with an efficient brake or with suitable scotches or similar devices to hold it stationary when necessary;

(g)the overall length of a trailer shall not exceed 8.54 metres and the overall length of an articulated vehicle shall not exceed 13.4 metres;

(h)the vehicle shall not travel on any road, other than a motorway, at a speed exceeding 12 miles per hour;

(i)every wheel of the vehicle shall be equipped with a pneumatic tyre;

(j)(i)save as provided in sub-paragraph (ii), where the overall width of the vehicle exceeds 3.5 metres, at least one person, in addition to the person or persons employed as respects a motor vehicle in driving that vehicle, shall be employed in attending to that vehicle and any load carried thereby and any trailer drawn by that vehicle and any load carried on the trailer and to give warning to the driver of the said motor vehicle and to any other person of any danger likely to be caused to any such other person by reason of the presence of the vehicle or the vehicle and trailer on the road;

(ii)where three or more vehicles authorised by this Article are travelling together in convoy, it shall be a sufficient compliance with sub-paragraph (i) if only the foremost and rearmost vehicles in the convoy are attended in the manner prescribed in this paragraph;

(k)save in so far as the Chief Constable dispenses with any of the requirements contained in this paragraph as to length of notice or particulars to be given, the user of the vehicle, if its overall width exceeds 2.9 metres, before using it on a road, shall give at least two clear days' notice to the Chief Constable and such notice shall contain particulars of the vehicle concerned, of its overall width, and of the time, date and route of the proposed journey;

(l)subject to any variation in the time, date or route of the journey which may be directed by the Chief Constable, the vehicle shall be used only in circumstances which accord with the particulars given in compliance with the foregoing paragraph as to the time, date and route of the journey and the overall width of the vehicle does not exceed the width of which particulars have been given as aforesaid;

(m)in the case of the use of a vehicle in respect of which any of the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations as to the weights of vehicles, whether laden or unladen, or the weights transmitted to the road surface by all or any of the wheels is not complied with, or, where a combination of vehicles is used, if any of the said requirements as to any or all of the vehicles in the combination is not complied with—

(i)save in so far as the Department in relation to any road or the bridge authority for any bridge on which it is proposed that the vehicle, or as the case may be, the vehicles, will be used dispenses, as respects the use of the vehicle or vehicles on that road or, as the case may be, on that bridge, with the requirements contained in this sub-paragraph as to length of notice or as to the form of notice or the particulars to be given, the user of the vehicle or, as the case may be, of the vehicles, before using the vehicle or vehicles on that road or that bridge, shall give to the Department in relation to any road or bridge authority for the bridge at least two clear days' notice in the form and containing the particulars specified in Part I of Schedule 5, and

(ii)before using the vehicle, or, as the case may be, the vehicles on any road or bridge the user of the vehicle or vehicles shall give to the Department in relation to any road and to the bridge authority for the bridge an indemnity in the form specified in Part II of Schedule 5,

and for the purposes of this sub-paragraph references to a combination of vehicles shall be construed in the same manner as is provided in regulation 79(1)(g) of the Construction and Use Regulations; and

(n)in a case specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, all the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply except those which are specified in that item in column 3, save as provided in paragraph (f).

TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Case	Construction and Use Regulations not Applicable
1	A heavy motor car not forming part of an articulated vehicle.	Regulations 7, 14, 16 (except paragraph (1)), 20, 61, 64, 73 to 78 and the requirement contained in sub-paragraph (c) of item 18 in Schedule 2 to those Regulations in so far as it relates to the ability of the parking brake to hold the vehicle stationary on a gradient.
2	A trailer nor forming part of an articulated vehicle.	Regulations 7, 16 (except paragraph (1)), 20, 64 and 65.
3.	An articulated vehicle.	Regulations 6(1), 7, 10, 14, 16 (except paragraph (1)), 20, 61, 64, 65, 68, 73 to 78 and the requirement contained in sub-paragraph (c) of item 18 in Schedule 2 to those Regulations in so far as it relates to the ability of the parking brake to hold the vehicle stationary on a gradient.

Motor vehicles and trailers constructed for use outside the United Kingdom or which are new or improved types constructed for tests or trials or are equipped with new or improved equipment or types of equipment

16.—(1) This Article applies to wheeled motor vehicles and trailers not falling within any description of motor vehicle or trailer specified in Article 19, 20, 21 or 22 and references in this Article to motor vehicles and trailers shall be construed accordingly.

(2) The Department authorises the use on roads—

(a)of motor vehicles and trailers, or types of motor vehicles and trailers, constructed for use outside the United Kingdom and of new or improved types of motor vehicles and trailers constructed for tests or trails notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations, and

(b)of motor vehicles and trailers equipped with new or improved equipment of types of equipment notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply in all respects with such of the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations as cannot, by reason only of the said equipment, be complied with,

subject, in all cases, to the restrictions and conditions set out in paragraph (3).

(3) The conditions referred to in paragraph (2) are—

(a)the vehicle shall not be used otherwise than—

(i)for or in connection with the testing or demonstration of the vehicle, or

(ii)in the course of delivery on sale, or

(iii)for proceeding to or returning from a manufacturer or repairer for the purpose of construction, repair or overhaul;

(b)the vehicle shall comply with regulations 9, 14, 16(1), 18, 24, 25, 27, 28, 32, 35, 40, 53, 63, 64, 79, 81, 83, 86, 87, 89, 91 to 105 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply thereto;

(c)the vehicle shall not be used for the carriage of any load other than its necessary gear or equipment or such apparatus or ballast as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out a test or trial of the vehicle;

(d)save in so far as the Chief Constable dispenses with any of the requirements contained in this sub-paragraph as to length of notice or particulars to be given, the user of the vehicle, if its overall width exceeds 2.9 metres or if its overall length exceeds that specified by any provision in regulation 6 of the Construction and Use Regulations, before using it on a road, shall give at least two clear days' notice to the Chief Constable and such notice shall contain particulars of the vehicle concerned, of its overall width and overall length, of the width and length of any load proposed to be carried, and of the time, date and route of the proposed journey;

(e)subject to any variation in the time, date or route of the journey which may be directed by the Chief Constable, the vehicle shall be used only in circumstances which accord with the particulars given in compliance with the foregoing sub-paragraph as to the time, date and route of the journey and only if the overall width and overall length of the vehicle and the width and length of any load carried thereon do not exceed the width and length of which particulars have been given as aforesaid; and

(f)in the case of the use of a vehicle in respect of which any of the Construction and Use Regulations as to the weights of vehicles, whether laden or unladen, or the weights transmitted to the road surface by all or any of the wheels is not complied with, or, where a combination of vehicles is used, if any of the said requirements as to any or all of the vehicles in the combination is not complied with—

(i)save in so far as the Department in relation to any road or the bridge authority for any bridge on which it is proposed that the vehicle or, as the case may be, the vehicles will be used dispenses, as respects the use of the vehicle or vehicles on any road or, as the case may be, on any bridge, with the requirements contained in this sub-paragraph as to length of notice or to the form of notice or the particulars to be given, the user of the vehicle or, as the case may be, of the vehicles, before using the vehicle or the vehicles on that road, or that bridge, shall give to the Department in relation to the road and to the bridge authority for the bridge at least two clear days' notice in the form and containing the particulars specified in Part I of Schedule 5, and

(ii)before using the vehicle or, as the case may be, the vehicles on any road or bridge, the user of the vehicle or vehicles shall give to the Department in relation to the road and to the bridge authority for the bridge an indemnity in the form specified in Part II of Schedule 5,

and for the purposes of this sub-paragraph references to a combination of vehicles shall be construed in the same manner as is provided in regulation 79(1)(g) of the Construction and Use Regulations.

Vehicles fitted with moveable platforms

17.—(1) The Department authorises the use on roads of a vehicle fitted with a moveable platform notwithstanding that the vehicle does not comply in all respects with the requirements of regulations 6, 7, 10, 18, 21 and 79 of the Construction and Use Regulations subject to the following restrictions and conditions—

(a)all the relevant requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations other than those specified above are complied with;

(b)the vehicle shall not be used on a road unless its special equipment is fully retracted except when the vehicle is at a place where it is being used to facilitate overhead working;

(c)any jacks with which the vehicle is fitted for stabilising it while the moveable platform is in use and which project from the sides of the vehicle shall be clearly visible to persons using the road within a reasonable distance of the vehicle; and

(d)the vehicle, except in respect of its special equipment when the vehicle is at a place where it is being used to facilitate overhead working, shall—

(i)as respects its overall length, comply with regulation 6 of the said Regulations,

(ii)as respects its overall width, comply with regulation 7 of the said Regulations,

(iii)in the case of a vehicle other than a locomotive, as respects its overhang, comply with regulation 10 of the said Regulations.

(2) In this Article—

“moveable platform” means a platform which is attached to, and may be moved by means of an extensible boom, and

“special equipment” means a moveable platform, the apparatus for moving the platform and any jacks fitted to the vehicle for stabilising it while the moveable platform is in use.

Part IIIAbnormal Indivisible Loads and Other Vehicles Carrying Wide Loads

Categories of motor vehicle

18. In this Part—

(a)(i)“Category 1” shall consist of any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles where the total weight of the vehicle or vehicles carrying the load is not more than 46,000 kilograms;

(ii)“Category 2” shall consist of any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles where the total weight of the vehicle or vehicles carrying the load is not more than 80,000 kilograms;

(iii)“Category 3” shall consist of any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles where the total weight of the vehicle or vehicles carrying the load is not more than 150,000 kilograms; and

(b)a vehicle shall comply with the conditions of an appropriate category and the category under the conditions of which a vehicle is being used shall be that indicated on the sign mentioned in Article 20(r).

Vehicles for carrying or drawing abnormal indivisible loads

19. The Department authorises the use on roads of heavy motor cars and trailers specially designed and constructed for the carriage of abnormal indivisible loads and of locomotives and tractors specially designed and constructed to draw trailers specially so designed and constructed notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations, subject to the following restrictions and conditions and in all cases to the further restrictions and conditions specified in Article 20—

(a)in a case where Article 25, 26, 28 or 29 applies to the conditions contained in such of those Articles as are applicable to that case;

(b)in a case where the overall width of the vehicle or of the vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of its load exceeds 5 metres, to the conditions contained in Article 27.

Vehicles for carrying or drawing abnormal indivisible loads — further restrictions and conditions

20. The further restrictions and conditions referred to in Article 19 are—

(a)a heavy motor car or trailer which does not comply with Part II of the Construction and Use Regulations shall be used only, save as provided in paragraphs (i) and (m), for or in connection with the carriage of an abnormal indivisible load;

(b)a locomotive or tractor which does not comply with Part II of the Construction and Use Regulations shall be used only for or in connection with the drawing of trailers the use of which on roads is authorised by this Article;

(c)the overall width of a heavy motor car or a trailer shall not exceed 2.9 metres unless it is used for or in connection with the carriage of a load which can only be safely carried on a heavy motor car or a trailer which exceeds that overall width;

(d)the overall width of a locomotive or tractor shall not exceed 2.9 metres unless it is used for or in connection with the carriage of a load on a trailer which exceeds that overall width, being a load which can only be carried on such a trailer;

(e)notwithstanding anything in paragraphs (c) and (d), the overall width of a heavy motor car, locomotive, tractor or trailer shall not exceed 6.1 metres;

(f)where, in relation to the load being carried by a vehicle, there is a lateral projection on one or both sides of the vehicle the overall width of the vehicle together with the width of the projection, or, as the case may be, of both projections shall not exceed 6.1 metres;

(g)where a load is carried in such a manner that its weight rests—

(i)on one vehicle being a heavy motor car or a trailer, the overall length of the heavy motor car or, as the case may be, of the trailer together with the length of any forward and of any rearward projection of its load shall not exceed 27.4 metres; or

(ii)on more than one vehicle and the vehicles consist of—

(A)a motor vehicle drawing one trailer whether constituting an articulated vehicle or not, or

(B)any other combination of vehicles,

then, in the case at (A), the overall length of the trailer together with the length of any forward projection of the load extending beyond the foremost point of the trailer and of any rearward projection of the load shall not exceed 27.4 metres and, in the case at (B), the overall length of the vehicles together with the distance between vehicles and the length of any forward and of any rearward projection of the load shall not exceed 27.4 metres;

(h)the vehicle shall be so constructed that it is a wheeled vehicle;

(i)every wheel of the vehicle shall be equipped with a pneumatic tyre or a tyre of soft elastic material;

(j)the following restrictions on weight shall apply—

(i)for any vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying the load in Category 1—

(A)regulations 73, 74 and 76 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply, and in respect of an articulated vehicle regulation 75 shall apply save for a vehicle to which (C) is applicable;

(B)regulation 77 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply in the case of a vehicle with two or three closely spaced axles within the meaning of the Construction and Use Regulations;

(C)for an articulated vehicle with a total of 5 or more axles and with a relevant axle spacing specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, the total weight shall not exceed the weight specified for that item in column 3:

TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Relevant axle spacing (in metres)	Weight (in kilograms)
1	at least 6.5	40,000
2	at least 7.0	42,000
3	at least 7.5	44,000
4	at least 8.0	46,000

(D)in the case of a semi-trailer of which the outermost axles of a group of four axles are spaced at a distance apart of 3.25 metres or less and the smallest distance between any two adjoining axles in the group is at least 0.87 metres, the weight transmitted to the road surface by all the wheels of any one of those axles shall not exceed 6,000 kilograms;

(ii)subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (iii), for any vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying the load in Category 2—

(A)the total weight shall be transmitted to the road through at least 5 axles;

(B)the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one axles shall not exceed 12,500 kilograms, and by any one wheel, 6,250 kilograms;

(C)if the distance between any two adjacent axles is at least 1.1 metres but less than 1.35 metres, the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one of those axles shall not exceed 12,000 kilograms, and by any one wheel, 6,000 kilograms;

(D)the distance between any two adjacent axles shall be not less than 1.1 metres;

(E)where the distance between the foremost and rearmost axles of the vehicle or vehicles carrying the load is at least as specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, the total weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed the weight given for that item in column 3:

TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Distance between foremost and rearmost axles (in metres)	Weight (in kilograms)
1	5.07	38,000
2	5.33	40,000
3	6.0	45,000
4	6.67	50,000
5	7.33	55,000
6	8.0	60,000
7	8.67	65,000
8	9.33	70,000
9	10.0	75,000
10	10.67	80,000

(F)where the axles are in two or more groups (so that adjacent axles in each group are less than 2 metres apart and adjacent axles of different groups are more than 2 metres apart), then the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one group of axles shall not exceed 50,000 kilograms;

(iii)until 7th December 1998 an articulated vehicle in Category 2 need not meet the requirements of sub-paragraph (ii), but—

(A)the total weight shall be transmitted through at least 4 axles;

(B)the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one axle shall not exceed 13,500 kilograms, and by any one wheel 6,750 kilograms;

(C)if the total number of axles does not exceed 4, the total weight of the vehicle shall not exceed 46,000 kilograms;

(iv)save as provided in sub-paragraph (v), for any vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying the load in Category 3:

(A)the total weight shall be transmitted to the road through at least 6 axles;

(B)the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one axle shall not exceed 16,500 kilograms, and by any one wheel, 8,250 kilograms;

(C)if the distance between any two adjacent axles is at least 1.1 metres but less than 1.35 metres, the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one of those axles shall not exceed 15,000 kilograms, and by any one wheel, 7,500 kilograms;

(D)the distance between any two adjacent axles shall be not less than 1.1 metres;

TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Distance between foremost and rearmost axles (in metres)	Weight (in kilograms)
1	5.77	80,000
2	6.23	85,000
3	6.68	90,000
4	7.14	95,000
5	7.59	100,000
6	8.05	105,000
7	8.50	110,000
8	8.95	115,000
9	9.41	120,000
10	9.86	125,000
11	10.32	130,000
12	10.77	135,000
13	11.23	140,000
14	11.68	145,000
15	12.14	150,000

(v)until 7th December 1998 a vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying the load in Category 3 need not meet the requirements of heads (C) to (F) of sub-paragraph (iv);

(vi)regulation 2(7) and (8) of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply to determine the number of wheels and axles for the purpose of this sub-paragraph and regulation 2(9) to determine the distance between axles;

(k)(i)save as provided in sub-paragraphs (ii) and (iii), the vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not carry more than one abnormal indivisible load at any one time;

(ii)subject to compliance with all the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations with respect to the laden weights of vehicles and the weights transmitted to the road surface by all or any of the wheels, it shall be permissible for a vehicle or any vehicles comprised in a combination of vehicles to carry more than one abnormal indivisible load of the same character and, where any abnormal indivisible load is carried, to carry any articles of a similar character;

(iii)in the case of vehicles not falling within sub-paragraph (ii), it shall be permissible for a vehicle or any vehicles comprised in a combination of vehicles to carry more than one abnormal indivisible load each of the same character if—

(A)the vehicle or combination of vehicles is in Category 1 or Category 2;

(B)the overall length in relation to the vehicle or vehicles carrying the loads is such that the provisions of paragraph (g) would be complied with were “18.3 metres” substituted for “27.4 metres” except that, where such compliance would be impossible by reason of the length of one of the loads if that were the only one carried, the aforesaid distance of 18.3 metres may be increased to such greater distance not exceeding 27.4 metres as may be necessary to permit carriage of that load;

(C)the overall width of any vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection of its load does not exceed 2.9 metres or, where it would be impossible for the aforesaid distance to be complied with by reason of the width of one of the loads if that were the only one carried, such greater distance not exceeding 6.1 metres as may be necessary to permit the carriage of that load; and

(D)all the loads carried are loaded at the same place and conveyed to the same destination;

(l)where an abnormal load consists of engineering plant from which one or more constituent parts have been detached, such abnormal indivisible load and such constituent parts may be carried, subject to the following conditions—

(i)no dimension of such constituent parts protrudes beyond any dimension of the vehicle or combination of vehicles on which such abnormal indivisible load and such constituent parts are behind carried to an extent greater than such abnormal indivisible load would protrude if it were being carried without such constituent parts;

(ii)such abnormal indivisible load and such constituent parts are loaded at the same place and have the same destination; and

(iii)the vehicle or combination of vehicles is in Category 1 or Category 2;

(m)in the case of a trailer whether manufactured before 1st January 1968 or on or after that date, regulation 14 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply as it applies to trailers manufactured before 1st January 1968;

(n)the conditions specified in Articles 24(1) and 30;

(o)for vehicles manufactured before 1st October 1989 and in a case specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, all the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply with the exception of the Regulations which are specified opposite to that item in column 3 and, in relation to item 3, save as provided in paragraph (m):

TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Case	Regulations that do not apply
1	A heavy motor car	7, 13, 14 in so far as it relates to the requirements in item 18(c) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, 16 (except paragraph (1)), 20, 22, 23, 65, 73-78, 79 and 80(1)
2	A locomotive or tractor	7, 20, 23, 45, 73(3), and 74
3	A trailer	6, 7, 14 in so far as it relates to the requirements in items 4, 11, 15 and 18 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, 13, 16, (except paragraph (1)), 19, 20, 22, 23, 65, 66, 73-78, 79, and 80(1)

(p)in relation to any vehicle or combination of vehicles in a Category specified in an item in column 2 of the Table and manufactured on or after 1st October 1989 and any vehicle in Category 1 whenever manufactured, all the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply with the exception of the regulations which are specified opposite to that item in column 3:

TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Case	Regulations that do not apply
1	1	6, 7, 78 and 79
2	2 and 3	6, 7, 13, 14, 16 (except paragraph (1)), 23, 66, 67, 73 in so far as it relates to items 1-4, 6-11, 15 and 16 of the Table, 74-78, 79 and 80(1)

(q)a vehicle or combination of vehicles in Category 2 or Category 3, if manufactured on or after 1st October 1989, shall have a braking system complying with the construction, fitting and performance requirements set out in relation to Category N3 motor vehicles and 04 trailers in Annexes I, II and VII to Council Directive 71/320/EEC(7), as amended by Council Directive 74/132/EEC(8), 75/524/EEC(9), 79/489/EEC(10), 85/647/EEC(11) and 88/194/EEC(12) (“the amended Directive”) and, if appropriate, Annexes III, IV, V, VI and X to the amended Directive, modified as follows—

(i)for the purposes of each Type 0 test conducted in accordance with Annex II—

(A)a laden vehicle shall be a vehicle laden with the maximum technically permissible mass specified by the manufacturer for the vehicle speed specified for the test;

(B)for a trailer which is designed and constructed for use in a combination of vehicles in Category 3 and for which X (which is stated in the amended Directive as being a percentage of the force corresponding to the maximum mass borne by the wheels of the stationary vehicle) is specified in paragraph 2.2.1.2.1. of Annex II as having the values of 45 or 50, X shall have the value of 30;

(C)for a trailer mentioned in head (B) and for which the test speed is specified in paragraph 2.2.1.2.1. of Annex II as 60 km/h, the test speed shall be 48 km/h;

(D)for a drawing vehicle in category N3 which is designed and constructed for use with a semi-trailer within the meaning of the Construction and Use Regulations in a combination of vehicles in Category 3, if the performance of a service braking device is determined by measuring the stopping distance in relation to the initial speed, the stopping distance in paragraph 2.1.1.1.1. of Annex II shall be

or, if the performance of the device is determined by measuring the reaction time and the mean deceleration, the mean braking deceleration at normal engine speed in paragraph 2.1.1.1.1 of Annex II shall be at least 3 m/s²;

(E)for a drawing vehicle in Category N3 mentioned in head (D), if the performance of a secondary braking device is determined by measuring the stopping distance in relation to the initial speed, the stopping distance in paragraph 2.1.2.1. of Annex II shall be

or, if the performance of the device is determined by measuring the reaction time and the mean deceleration, the mean braking deceleration in paragraph 2.1.2.1. of Annex II shall be at least 1.45 m/s²;

(ii)the requirements of paragraphs 2.2.1.22 and 2.2.2.13 of Annex I and 1.1.42 and 1.4 of Annex II shall not apply;

(iii)in Annex I, in paragraph 2.2.1.23 the words “not mentioned in item 2.2.1.22 above”, and in paragraph 2.2.2.14 the words “not mentioned in item 2.2.2.13 above” shall not apply;

(iv)for the purpose of Type 1 tests conducted in accordance with paragraph 1.3 of Annex II on a vehicle which is designed and constructed for use in a combination of vehicles in Category 3, a laden vehicle shall be a vehicle laden with the heaviest weight possible without the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one axle exceeding 12,500 kilograms; and

(v)if suitable and sufficient wheel chocks are provided in readily accessible positions and capable, when used in conjunction with any parking brakes fitted to the vehicle, of holding the vehicle stationary when loaded to its maximum mass on a gradient of 12%, the requirements of paragraph 2.1.3.2 of Annex II shall not apply;

(r)the vehicle or the drawing vehicle in a combination of vehicles shall be fitted with a sign indicating the relevant category and complying with the requirements specified in Schedule 4;

(s)notwithstanding paragraph (o), regulation 6 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall not apply in the case of—

(i)an articulated vehicle, or a motor vehicle and a trailer, where the semi-trailer or the trailer is constructed so that the major part of the load platform does not extend over or between the wheels and is at a height that is below the height of the top-most point of the tyres of those wheels, measured on level ground and with any adjustable suspension at the normal travelling height, and where the height or stability of the load being carried necessitates the use of such a trailer;

(ii)a vehicle or combination of vehicles unable to comply with that regulation because of the requirements of sub-paragraphs (j)(ii)(E) or (j)(iv)(E); and

(t)notwithstanding paragraph (a), a vehicle consisting of two or more modules may, when being used in connection with the carriage of but not at the time carrying an abnormal indivisible load, be disassembled into two or more parts and arranged such that one part carries the others.

Engineering plant

21.—(1) The Department authorises the use on roads of engineering plant notwithstanding that such vehicles do not comply in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations, subject to the following restrictions and conditions set out in paragraph (2) and in all cases the further conditions specified in Article 22.

(2) The restrictions and conditions referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a)the restriction specified in Article 27(2) save as provided in paragraph (c);

(b)in a case where Article 25, 26, 28 or 29 applies, the conditions specified in such of those Articles as are applicable save as provided in paragraph (c);

(c)in a case where a vehicle or combination of vehicles disregarding the date of its manufacture complies with the conditions specified in paragraphs (j), (p), (q) and (t) of Article 20, the conditions specified in Article 24(1) shall apply as if the use of the vehicle or combination of vehicles was authorised by Articles 19 and 20; and

(d)in a case where the overall width of the vehicle, or of the vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of its load, exceeds 5 metres, the conditions specified in Article 27.

Engineering plant — further conditions

22. The further conditions referred to in Article 21 are—

(a)engineering plant shall be used on a road only—

(i)for testing or demonstration purposes or delivery on sale;

(ii)for proceeding to or returning from a manufacturer or repairer for repair or maintenance;

(iii)for proceeding to or from the site of engineering operations or when actually engaged in such operations;

(b)engineering plant may carry its own necessary gear and equipment but no other load, except—

(i)engineering plant other than a mobile crane, when actually engaged on the construction, maintenance or repair of roads, may carry materials which it is specifically designed to treat while being carried on the vehicle or excavated materials which have been raised from the ground by apparatus on the motor vehicle or trailer, and

(ii)a mobile crane, when actually engaged in engineering operations, may lift or transport a load;

(c)a mobile crane shall not be used on a road to lift or transport goods or burden except when actually engaged in engineering operations;

(d)engineering plant other than a mobile crane shall only draw a trailer which is engineering plant or a living van or office hut used in connection with the construction, maintenance and repair of roads;

(e)no mobile crane shall draw a trailer;

(f)the vehicle shall be so constructed that it is either a wheeled vehicle or a track-laying vehicle;

(g)(i)save as provided in sub-paragraphs (ii) and (iii), in the case of a wheeled motor vehicle regulations 3, 9, 16(1), 21, 25, 27 to 30, 32, 37, 39, 40, 48, 50, 52, 56, 57, 59 to 63, 67, 80, 83, 86, 91 to 98 and 100 to 103 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply;

(ii)in the case of a machine designed for use and used solely for the purpose of laying materials for the repair or construction of road surfaces, if the weight transmitted to the road surface by any two wheels in line transversely does not exceed 11,180 kilograms, regulation 21 of the said Regulations shall not apply;

(iii)in the case of a motor vehicle designed for use in work of construction or repair of road surfaces, the wheels of which are equipped with pneumatic tyres specially provided with smooth treads for such use and which is incapable by reason of its construction of exceeding a speed of 20 miles per hour on the level under its own power, regulation 25(1)(f) and (g) of the said Regulations shall not apply;

(h)(i)save as provided in sub-paragraph (ii), in the case of a wheeled trailer, regulations 3, 9, 16(1), 21, 25, 27, 32, 86, 92, 93, 97 and 103 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply;

(ii)in the case of a trailer designed for use in work of construction or repair of road surfaces and the wheels of which are equipped with pneumatic tyres specially provided with smooth treads for such use, regulation 25(1)(b) of the said Regulations shall not apply;

(i)(i)save as provided in sub-paragraphs (ii) and (iii), in the case of a track-laying motor vehicle regulations 3, 16(1), 21, 25 to 28, 32, 35, 40, 56, 63, 83, 86, 88, 94 to 96, 98, 100, 102 and 103 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply;

(ii)in the case of a motor vehicle registered on or before 31st December 1951 regulations 29 and 32 of the said Regulations shall not apply;

(iii)in the case of a motor vehicle which is a road roller regulation 26 of the said Regulations shall not apply;

(j)(i)save as provided in sub-paragraph (ii), in the case of a track-laying trailer regulations 3, 16(1), 21, 25 to 27, 32, 86 and 97 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply;

(ii)in the case of a trailer which is a road roller regulation 26 of the said Regulations shall not apply;

(k)(i)save as provided in sub-paragraph (ii), all the wheels of a vehicle which are not equipped with pneumatic tyres or tyres of soft or elastic material shall be equipped with smooth tyres and have the edges rounded to a radius of not less than 12 millimetres and not more than 25 millimetres;

(ii)in the case of gritting machines designed for use and used for gritting frosted and icebound roads all or any of the tyres may be shod with diagonal cross bars of equal width of not less than 25 millimetres, extending the full breadth of the tyre and so arranged that the distance between adjacent cross bars is not greater than the width of the cross bars;

(l)in the case of any vehicle the weight transmitted to the road surface by any one wheel not equipped with pneumatic tyres where no other wheel is in the same line transversely or by all the wheels not equipped with pneumatic tyres in line transversely shall be such that the average weight per 25 millimetres width of tyre in contact with such surface does not exceed 765 kilograms;

(m)(i)save as provided in sub-paragraphs (ii) and (iii), a motor vehicle shall be equipped with an efficient brake;

(ii)in the case of a motor vehicle propelled by steam the engine shall be deemed to be an efficient brake if the engine is capable of being reversed;

(iii)in the case of a motor vehicle registered on or after 1st January 1952 any brake required by this paragraph shall be capable of being set so as to hold the vehicle when stationary unless another brake fitted to the vehicle is capable of being so set;

(n)a trailer shall be equipped with an efficient brake or with suitable scotches or other similar devices to hold the vehicle stationary when necessary;

(o)(i)subject to sub-paragraph (ii), no motor vehicle which exceeds 7.93 metres in overall length shall draw a trailer;

(ii)sub-paragraph (i) shall not apply to a motor vehicle which is drawing a broken down vehicle in consequence of the breakdown;

(p)the sum of the weights transmitted to the road surface by all the wheels and tracks of a vehicle shall not exceed 152,400 kilograms;

(q)the overall length of a vehicle shall not exceed 27.4 metres;

(r)the overall width of a vehicle shall not exceed 6.1 metres;

(s)as respects weight—

(i)the weight transmitted to the road surface by any one wheel of a vehicle, other than a heavy motor car registered on or before 31st December 1951 or a trailer manufactured before 1st January 1952, shall not exceed 11,430 kilograms, and for the purposes of this part of this sub-paragraph any two wheels shall be treated as one wheel if the distance between the centres of the areas of contact between such wheels and the road surface is less than 610 millimetres;

(ii)the weight transmitted to any strip of road surface upon which the wheels of a vehicle rest contained between any two parallel lines drawn on that surface at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle shall not exceed, if the parallel lines are not more than 610 millimetres apart, 45,720 kilograms and, thereafter, additional weight shall be permitted, for any distance apart of the parallel lines in excess of 610 millimetres but not exceeding a total distance apart of 2.13 metres, at a rate of 30,000 kilograms per metre and thereafter, additional weight shall be permitted, for any distance apart of the parallel lines in excess of 2.13 metres, at a rate of 10,000 kilograms per metre;

(iii)the total weight transmitted to the road surface by any wheels of a vehicle in line transversely not fitted with pneumatic tyres shall be such that the average weight per 25 millimetres width of tyre in contact with the road surface shall not exceed 765 kilograms; and

(iv)in the case of a track laying vehicle, in addition to the foregoing restrictions, the weight transmitted by each track thereof to any strip of road surface contained between any two parallel lines drawn on that surface at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle shall not exceed, if the parallel lines are not more than 610 millimetres apart, 11,430 kilograms, and, thereafter, additional weight shall be permitted, for any distance apart of the parallel lines in excess of 610 millimetres but not exceeding a total distance apart of 2.13 metres, at a rate of 7,500 kilograms per metre and, thereafter, additional weight shall be permitted, for any distance apart of the parallel lines in excess of 2.13 metres, at a rate of 2,500 kilograms per metre.

Other vehicles carrying loads exceeding 4.3 metres in width

23. The Department authorises the use on roads of motor vehicles and trailers carrying loads where the overall width of the vehicle on which the load is carried together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of the load exceeds 4.3 metres but does not exceed 6.1 metres, subject to the restrictions and conditions contained in Articles 24, 25, 27 and 28 and also to the condition that the vehicle complies in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations, other than regulation 79(2), (3) and (4).

Speed limits for vehicles authorised by Articles 19 to 23

24.—(1) A vehicle or combination of vehicles the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 19, if of Category 2 or Category 3 as defined in that Article, or by Article 23, as indicated by an item in column 2 of the Table, shall not travel at a speed exceeding that specified in column 3 for that item in relation to the type of road used:

TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Authorisation	Speed (mph)
		Motorway	Dual Carriageway	Other Road
1	Article 19 Category 22	40	35	30
2	Article 19 Category 3	30	25	20
3	Article 23	30	25	20

(2) A vehicle the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 21 shall not travel on any road other than a motorway at a speed exceeding 12 miles per hour.

Attendants

25.—(1) This Article applies to a vehicle or combination of vehicles the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 23 and in a case where—

(a)the overall width of a vehicle the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 19 or 21, or of the vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of its load, exceed 3.5 metres; or

(b)the overall length of the vehicle the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 19 or 21 or of the vehicle together with the length of any forward projection and of any rearward projection of its load exceeds 18.3 metres; or

(c)as respects a motor vehicle (whether or not its use is authorised by Article 19 or 21) which is drawing a trailer or trailers the use of which is so authorised, a load is carried in such a manner that its weight rests on more than one of the vehicles being—

(i)the motor vehicle and one trailer whether forming part of an articulated vehicle or not, or

(ii)any other combination of vehicles—

and in case (i) the overall length of the trailer together with the length of any forward projection of the load extending beyond the foremost point of the trailer and of any rearward projection of the load exceeds 18.3 metres and, in case (ii), the overall length of the vehicles together with the distance between the vehicles and the length of any forward and of any rearward projection of the load exceeds 18.3 metres; or

(d)a motor vehicle (whether or not its use is authorised by Article 19 or 21) is drawing a trailer or trailers the use of which is so authorised and the overall length of the combination of vehicles together with the length of any forward projection of any load extending beyond the foremost point of the drawing vehicle comprised in the combination and the length of any rearward projection of any load extending beyond the rearmost point of the rearmost vehicle comprised therein exceeds 25.9 metres; or

(e)a vehicle the use of which is authorised by Article 19 or 21 is carrying a load having a forward projection exceeding 1.83 metres in length or a rearward projection exceeding 3.5 metres in length or is fitted with any special appliance or apparatus having such a projection.

(2) As respects a vehicle to which this Article applies at least one person, in addition to the person or persons employed in driving any motor vehicle to which this Article applies, shall be employed—

(a)to warn the driver or drivers, or any other person, of any danger likely to be caused to such other person by the presence of such vehicle, and any vehicle or vehicles being drawn by such vehicle on the road; and

(b)to attend to—

(i)such vehicle and its load,

(ii)any vehicle or vehicles drawn by it, and

(iii)the load carried on any vehicle or vehicles so drawn.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)—

(a)in a case where a motor vehicle is drawing a trailer or trailers any person employed in pursuance of regulation 88 of the Construction and Use Regulations in attending that vehicle or any such trailer shall be treated as being an attendant required by that paragraph so long as he is also employed to discharge the duties mentioned in that paragraph;

(b)in a case where a motor vehicle is drawing a trailer or trailers and another motor vehicle is used for the purpose of assisting in their propulsion on the road, the person or persons employed in driving that other motor vehicle shall not be treated as a person or persons employed in attending to the first-mentioned vehicle or any vehicle or vehicles drawn thereby; and

(c)in a case where three or more motor vehicles to which that paragraph applies are travelling together in convoy, it shall be sufficient compliance with the requirements of that paragraph if only the first and the last vehicles in the convoy are attended in the manner specified in that paragraph.

Marking of projecting loads and fixed appliances or apparatus which project

26.—(1) This Article applies in a case where a vehicle the use of which is authorised by Article 19 or 21—

(a)carries a load which—

(i)has a forward or rearward projection exceeding 1.07 metres in length, or

(ii)has a rearward projection exceeding 1.07 metres in length but not exceeding 1.83 metres in length; or

(b)is fitted with a special appliance or apparatus which—

(i)has a forward or rearward projection exceeding 1.83 metres in length, or

(ii)has a rearward projection exceeding 1.07 metres in length but not exceeding 1.83 metres in length.

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (3), (4) and (5)—

(a)as respects a projection mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(i) of paragraph (1) the conditions specified in paragraph 3 of Schedule 10 to the Construction and Use Regulations shall be complied with and accordingly the provisions of the said paragraph 3 shall apply in relation to that projection as they apply to a relevant projection as mentioned in that paragraph; and

(b)as respects a projection mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(ii) or in sub-paragraph (b)(ii) of paragraph (1) the conditions specified in paragraph 4 of the said Schedule 10 shall be complied with, and accordingly the provisions of the said paragraph 4 shall apply in relation to that projection as they apply in relation to a relevant projection as mentioned in that paragraph.

(3) Where, in any of the cases mentioned in paragraph (1), a vehicle is carrying a load or is fitted with a special appliance or apparatus and the load or the appliance or the apparatus has, in relation to the vehicle, a forward projection or a rearward projection, and another vehicle is attached to that end of the vehicle from which the load, or as the case may be, the appliance or apparatus projects and is attached to that vehicle in such a manner that—

(a)in the case where there is a forward projection, the foremost point of that other vehicle extends beyond the foremost part of the projection or, in the case where there is a rearward projection, the rearmost point of that other vehicle extends beyond the rearmost part of the projection, or

(b)in the case where there is a forward projection, the foremost part of the projection extends beyond the foremost point of that other vehicle or, in the case where there is a rearward projection, the rearmost part of the projection extends beyond the rearmost point of that other vehicle, then—

(i)in either of the cases mentioned in sub-paragraph (a), the provisions of paragraph (2) shall not apply as respects any projection, and

(ii)in either of the cases mentioned in sub-paragraph (b), the provisions of paragraph (2) shall apply as if each of the references in paragraph (1) to a rearward projection were treated as a reference to so much of a rearward projection as extends beyond the rearmost point of that other vehicle and as if the reference in paragraph (1) to a forward projection were treated to so much of a forward projection as extends beyond the foremost point of that other vehicle measured, in either case, when the longitudinal axis of each vehicle lies in the same vertical plane between vertical planes at right angles to the said longitudinal axis and passing, in the case of a rearward projection, through the rearmost point of the said other vehicle and that part of the projection furthest from that point or, in the case of a forward projection, through the foremost point of the said other vehicle and that part of the projection furthest from that point.

(4) This Article shall not apply to a motor vehicle or trailer while it is being used—

(a)for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes or for defence purposes (including civil defence purposes); or

(b)in connection with the removal of any obstruction to traffic,

if, in any such case compliance with any provision of this Article would hinder or would be likely to hinder the use of the vehicle for the purpose for which it is being used on that occasion.

(5) Notwithstanding that paragraph (2)(a) provides for the conditions specified in paragraph 3 of Schedule 10 to the Construction and Use Regulations to be complied with as respects a load which has a projection to which sub-paragraph (a)(i) of paragraph (1) applies, those conditions in relation to the exhibition of the end projection surface on that projection need not be complied with in the case of such a load which carries a rear marking in accordance with the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995(13).

Approval of the Department as to the time, date and route of a journey by a vehicle or a vehicle and its load exceeding 5 metres in width

27.—(1) This Article applies in the case of a vehicle the use of which on roads otherwise would be authorised by Article 15, 19, 21 or 23 where the overall width of the vehicle or, if it is used for carrying a load, where the overall width of the vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection of its load, exceeds 5 metres.

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) a vehicle mentioned in paragraph (1) shall be used only—

(a)for the purpose of making such a journey between specified places as the Department may have approved by notice in writing given to the user of the vehicle and only at such times (if any), on such a date or dates (if any) and on such a route (if any) as the Department may have specified in the said notice, or as the Chief Constable may have specified, in relation to the use of the vehicle, in a direction given to the user of the vehicle; and

(b)if the notice referred to in sub-paragraph (a) is carried on the vehicle at all times while it is being used for the purpose of making the journey for which the Department’s approval has been given.

(3) Where the effect of any such direction as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (2) is to vary, in relation to time, a date or a route of the journey approved by the Department under that sub-paragraph, the time, the date or dates or the route of the said journey, the vehicle shall not be used in accordance with that direction unless the Department has given its further approval that the vehicle shall be so used.

Notice to police

28.—(1) This Article applies in a case where—

(b)the overall length of a vehicle the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 19 or 21 or of the vehicle together with any forward or rearward projection of its load exceeds 18.3 metres; or

(i)the motor vehicle and one trailer whether constituting an articulated vehicle or not, or

(ii)any other combination of vehicles,

and, in the case at (i), the overall length of the trailer together with the length of any forward projection of the load extending beyond the foremost point of the trailer and any rearward projection of the load exceeds 18.3 metres and, in the case at (ii), the overall length of the vehicles together with the distance between vehicles and the length of any forward and of any rearward projection of the load exceeds 18.3 metres; or

(d)a motor vehicle (whether or not its use on roads is authorised by Article 19 or 21) is drawing a trailer or trailers the use of which is so authorised and the overall length of the combination of vehicles together with the length of any forward projection of any load extending beyond the foremost point of the drawing vehicle and the length of any rearward projection of any load extending beyond the rearmost point of the rearmost vehicle exceeds 25.9 metres; or

(e)a vehicle the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 19 or 21 is carrying a load having a forward or rearward projection exceeding 3.05 metres in length or is fitted with any special appliance or apparatus having such a projection as aforesaid, or

(f)the total weight of a vehicle the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 19 or 21 or of such a vehicle and its load or, in a case where a motor vehicle (whether or not its use is so authorised), is drawing a trailer or trailers the use of which is so authorised, the total weight of the combination of vehicles or of the said combination and of any load carried by any vehicle comprised therein exceeds 80,000 kilograms; or

(g)the use of a vehicle on roads is authorised by Article 23.

(2) Save in so far as the Chief Constable dispenses with the requirements contained in this paragraph as to the length or the form of notice or the particulars to be given, the user of the vehicle, or, as the case may be, of the vehicles, before using the vehicle or vehicles on a road, shall give at least two clear days' notice to the Chief Constable and such notice shall, subject to any necessary modification, be in the form and contain the particulars specified in Part I of Schedule 5.

(3) Subject to any variation in the time, date or route of the journey which may be directed by the Chief Constable, and subject to any delay which may be occasioned by reason of a direction given by a police constable, in the interests of road safety or to avoid undue traffic congestion, to the driver of a vehicle to halt it in a place on or adjacent to the road on which the vehicle is travelling, the vehicle or vehicles shall be used only in circumstances which accord with the particulars given in compliance with paragraph (2) as to the time, date and route of the journey and only if any dimension of measurement relating to the vehicle or the vehicles (including one relating to a combination of vehicles) or to a special appliance or apparatus or to a load to be carried, being a dimension or measurement of which particulars have been given as aforesaid, is not exceeded.

Notice and indemnity to Department or a bridge authority

29.—(1) This Article applies to—

(a)a vehicle the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 19 or 21 whether such vehicle is laden or unladen; or

(b)a combination of a motor vehicle (whether or not its use on roads is authorised under Article 19 or 21) and any trailer or trailers the use of which on roads is authorised under the said Articles, whether all or any part of such combination is laden or unladen,

and which, in either case, either—

(i)has a total weight exceeding 80,000 kilograms, or

(ii)does not comply in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations with respect to—

(A)the weights of vehicles, whether laden or unladen;

(B)the weights transmitted to the surface of the road by all or any of the wheels or tracks.

(2) In any case where this Article applies, the user of the vehicle, or as the case may be, of the combination of vehicles, shall give to the Department in relation to any road and the bridge authority for any bridge on which it is proposed that the vehicle, or as the case may be, the combination of vehicles is to be used—

(a)at any time before such use an indemnity in the form specified in Part II of Schedule 5; and

(b)in any case to which sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (1) applies, at least five clear days (or such less period as the Department or the said bridge authority, as the case may be, may agree) before such use, and in a case to which sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (1) applies at least two clear days (or such less period as the Department or the said bridge authority, as the case may be, may agree) before such use, a notice in the form and containing the particulars specified in Part I of Schedule 5.

(3) In any case where a bridge authority has entered into an agreement for the discharge of all or any of its functions with respect to a bridge by some other person, the notice and indemnity which are required by the provisions of paragraph (2) shall be treated as given in accordance with that paragraph if they are given to the other person.

(4) Where, in accordance with requirements specified in paragraph (2), notice is required to be given at least five clear days before a journey is proposed to be made by a combination of vehicles which include a trailer the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 19, and it is found impracticable to use any vehicle specified in the said notice (not being a vehicle the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 19 or 21) as a vehicle intended to draw a trailer, then any other vehicle of a similar type may be substituted therefor if at least two clear days' notice of the substitution is given to every authority to whom the notice was given, and thereupon the said notice shall have effect as if the substituted vehicle had always been specified therein as the vehicle intended to draw the trailer.

(5) If, by virtue of Article 19, a vehicle is to be used on roads to carry a vehicle specified in either item 1 or item 2 in column 1 of Schedule 1, being the property of, or for the time being under the control of, the persons respectively specified opposite thereto in column 3 of that Schedule, the requirements specified in paragraph (2) that before such use an indemnity and at least five clear days' notice or at least two clear days' notice, as the case may be, shall be given to the authorities specified in that paragraph shall not apply provided that before a vehicle is used on a road—

(a)the notice and indemnity which are required by the provisions of paragraph (2) are received by or posted to all of the said authorities;

(b)the user of the carrying vehicle has consulted the Department on the route to be followed; and

(c)the proper naval, military or air force authority has certified in writing that the journey is urgent and in the national interest.

(6) The provisions of this Article shall not apply to the use on roads of any vehicle which is the property of, or for the time being under the control, of the Secretary of State for Defence.

Restrictions on the passage over bridges of vehicles carrying abnormal indivisible loads

30. Where a motor vehicle the use of which on roads is authorised by Article 19 is so used or where a motor vehicle (whether or not its use is so authorised) is drawing a trailer or trailers the use of which is so authorised and an abnormal indivisible load is being carried by any such vehicle, the driver of the motor vehicle shall not cause or permit either that vehicle or, in the case of a combination of vehicles, any vehicle comprised in the combination—

(a)to enter on any bridge whilst there is on that bridge any other vehicle which is either carrying an abnormal indivisible load or is being used to draw a trailer carrying such a load the presence of which is known to or could reasonably be ascertained by him, or

(b)to remain stationary on any bridge except in circumstances beyond his control.

Breakdown on bridges of vehicles of excessive weight or carrying excessive loads

31.—(1) This Article applies where—

(a)a vehicle (including an articulated vehicle) laden or unladen has a gross weight of more than 38,000 kilograms, and

(b)the use on roads of a vehicle or of a trailer forming part of an articulated vehicle is authorised by Article 4(1)(b), 5, 9, 15, 16, 19 or 21.

(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3), where a vehicle or trailer is caused to stop for any reason while it is on a bridge it shall, as soon as practicable, be moved clear of the bridge by appropriate action by the person in charge of the vehicle, without applying any concentrated load to the surface on that part of the road carried by the bridge.

(3) If the action described in paragraph (2) is not practicable and it becomes necessary to apply any concentrated load to the said surface by means of jacks, rollers or other similar means, then the person in charge of the vehicle shall—

(a)before any such load is applied to that surface, seek the advice of the bridge authority for that bridge or any other person responsible for the maintenance and repair of the bridge pursuant to an agreement with that authority about the use of spreader plates to reduce the possibility of any damage caused by the application of such a load; and

(b)arrange that no such load shall be applied without using such spreader plates as the bridge authority or such other person may have advised.

Revocation

32. The Orders specified in Schedule 6 are hereby revoked.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 26th February 1997.

L.S.

R. Wilson

Assistant Secretary

Article 5

SCHEDULE 1Service and Aviation Vehicles

(1)	(2)	(3)
1. Motor vehicles or trailers constructed either for actual combative purposes or for naval, military or air force training in connection therewith for use with, or for the carriage or drawing of, instruments of war, including guns and machine guns, ammunition, equipment or stores in connection therewith.	Construction and Use Regulations — All.	The Secretary of State for Defence or the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, or any contractor making such vehicles for the said Secretaries of State or any sub-contractor of such contractor.
2. Motor vehicles or trailers constructed for the carriage of tanks.	Construction and Use Regulations — All.	The Secretary of State for Defence or the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, or any contractor making such vehicles for the said Secretaries of State, or any sub-contractor of such contractor.
3. Motor vehicles or trailers constructed for the carriage of searchlights or the necessary equipment therefor.	Construction and Use Regulations — regulation 20.	The Secretary of State for Defence or the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, or any contractor making such vehicles for the said Secretaries of State, or any sub-contractor of such contractor.
4. Motor vehicles or trailers constructed for the carriage of aircraft or aircraft parts.	Construction and Use Regulations — regulations 6, 7, 10 and 79.	The Secretary of State for Defence or the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, or any contractor making such vehicles for the said Secretaries of State, or any sub-contractor of such contractor.
5. Motor tractors, heavy motor cars and trailers constructed for naval, military, air force or aviation purposes before 1st January 1949.	Construction and Use Regulations — regulations 7, 10 and 14.	The Secretary of State for Defence or the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
6. Heavy motor cars or trailers constructed for use and used only in connection with flying operations where the additional width is made necessary by the design of the equipment or its installation on the vehicle.	Construction and Use Regulations — regulation 7.	The Secretary of State for Defence or the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, or any contractor making such vehicles for the said Secretaries of State, or any sub-contractor of such contractor.
7. Aircraft drawn by motor vehicles.	Construction and Use Regulations — regulations 7, 14 and 20.	The Secretary of State for Defence.
8. Motor vehicles or trailers used for the carriage of generating equipment, being equipment used for naval, military or air force purposes.	Construction and Use Regulations — regulation 73, insofar as it relates to locomotives and to trailers, 76(1), insofar as it requires compliance with item 5 in Table 1, and 78.	The Secretary of State for Transport.

Articles 11, 12 and 13

SCHEDULE 2Conditions relating to the width of Agricultural Vehicles

1. If the overall width of the vehicle, or in the case of a combination of vehicles mentioned in Article 12(1), the overall width of the combination exceeds the width specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, the vehicle, or in the case of a combination of vehicles, the drawing vehicle, shall not be drawn at a speed exceeding that specified in column 3:

TABLE

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Overall Width	Maximum Speed
1	3.5 metres	12 miles per hour
2	2.55 metres	20 miles per hour

2. If—

(a)the overall width of—

(i)an agricultural motor vehicle,

(ii)an agricultural trailer,

(iii)an agricultural trailed appliance, or

(b)the width specified in Article 12(2) of a combination of vehicles exceeds 3 metres and the whole or part of the journey to be made by the vehicle or combination will be on a road on which there is a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or less or will cover a distance exceeding 5 miles, the operator of the vehicle shall—

(A)before using the vehicle or combination on a road, give at least 24 hours notice of the intended use to the Chief Constable and the notice shall contain the following particulars:—

(i)the time, date and route of the proposed journey,

(ii)information about the vehicle or combination of vehicles including the overall width; and

(B)use the vehicle or combination only in accordance with the particulars given in the notice mentioned in head (A) subject to any variation in the time, date or route as may be directed by the Chief Constable,

so that the Chief Constable may dispense with the said requirements as to length of notice and information about the vehicle or combination.

3. In a case where—

(a)the width of an agricultural motor vehicle exceeds 3 metres, or

(b)an agricultural motor vehicle is towing an agricultural trailer or agricultural trailer appliance in the manner described in Article 12(1) and the width specified in Article 12(2) exceeds 3 metres, or

(c)an agricultural motor vehicle is towing an agricultural trailer or an agricultural trailed appliance in a manner not described in Article 12(1) and the overall width of either the motor vehicle or the trailer or trailed appliance, or both, exceeds 3 metres,

the vehicle or the combination of vehicles shall not draw any trailer or, as the case may be, any other trailer, except—

(i)a two-wheeled trailer used solely for the carriage of equipment for use on the drawing vehicle,

(ii)an agricultural trailed appliance, or

(iii)an unladen trailer specifically designed for use with the drawing vehicle when it is harvesting.

4. If the overall width of an agricultural motor vehicle, an agricultural trailer on which an implement is mounted as mentioned in Article 13, or an agricultural trailed appliance, or the width specified in Article 12(2) of a combination of vehicles, exceeds 3.5 metres—

(a)at least one person, other than the driver of the vehicle or, in the case of a combination of vehicles the driver of the drawing vehicle, shall be employed to warn any other person (including the driver of the vehicle or the drawing vehicle) of any danger likely to be caused to that other person by the presence of the vehicle or the combination of vehicles on the road; and

(b)the extremities of the vehicle or implement (including any blade or spike) shall be clearly visible at a reasonable distance to any person on the road (other than the driver of the vehicle or, in the case of a combination of vehicles, the driver of the drawing vehicle) and during the hours of darkness or in seriously reduced visibility between sunrise and sunset this condition shall be satisfied by such means as may be required by the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995(14).

5. The overall width of a vehicle, or the width specified in Article 12(2) of a combination of vehicles, shall not exceed 4.3 metres.

Article 14

SCHEDULE 3Projecting Implements on Agricultural Vehicles

(1)	(2)	(3)
Item	Distance of rearward or forward projection	Conditions to be complied with
In this Schedule— “Condition A” is the condition that the end of each projection is clearly visible at a reasonable distance to any person using the road other than the driver of the vehicle, or in the case of a combination of vehicles, the driver of the drawing vehicle, and during the hours of darkness or in seriously reduced visibility between sunrise and sunset this condition shall be satisfied by such means as may be required by the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995. “Condition B” is the condition that— (a) the end of each projection is marked with a projection marker of a kind specified in relation to an end marker surface in Part II of Schedule 10 to the Construction and Use Regulations and in respect of which the provisions specified, for the purposes of those Regulations, in paragraph 3(b) of Part I of that Schedule are complied with, (b) each side of each projection is marked with a projection marker of a kind specified in relation to a side marker surface in Part II of that Schedule and in respect of which the provisions specified, for the purposes of the said Regulations, in paragraph 3(c) of Part I of that Schedule are complied with, and (c) during the hours of darkness or in seriously reduced visibility between sunrise and sunset the markers referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) shall be illuminated in the manner described, in relation to the extremities of an appliance, in paragraph 3(f) of Schedule 10 to the Construction and Use Regulations and kept clean and unobstructed. “Condition C” is the same condition as is specified, in relation to Articles 12 and 13, in paragraph 2 of Schedule 2. “Condition D” is the same condition as is specified, in relation to Articles 12 and 13, in paragraph 4(a) of Schedule 2.
1	1 metre	A
2	2 metres	B
3	4 metres	B C
4	6 metres	B C D

Article 20(r)

SCHEDULE 4

Form of Identification Sign

Articles 15, 16, 28 and 29

SCHEDULE 5The Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Part INotification of Carriage of Abnormal Loads by Road

The Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Part IIForm of indemnity

Article 32

SCHEDULE 6Orders Revoked

Title	Year and Number
The Motor Vehicles: Authorisation of Special Types (Northern Ireland) Order 1968	S.R. & O. 1968 No. 277
The Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 1988	S.R. 1988 No. 296
The Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 1991	S.I. 1991 No. 419

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order, which consolidates with amendments the Motor Vehicles: Authorisation of Special Types (Northern Ireland) Order 1968 and the amending Orders as specified in Schedule 6, makes provision for the authorisation for use on roads of various special types of vehicles and/or loads.

The principal changes of substance are as follows—

1. The terms “motorway” and “user” in relation to a vehicle replace the terms “special road” and “owner”.

2. Provision is made authorising the use of pedestrian controlled road maintenance vehicles (Article 8).

3. In the case of a vehicle moving excavated material the sum of the weights transmitted to the road surface by any two wheels in line transversely has been increased from 15,000 kilograms to 22,860 kilograms while the sum of the weights so transmitted by all the wheels has been increased from 25,000 kilograms to 50,800 kilograms (Article 15(e)).

4. Motor vehicles and combinations authorised under Article 19 are classified into Categories 1, 2 and 3 according to weight (Article 18).

5. A restriction on the width of a semi-trailer that is dependent upon the weight of the articulated vehicle is removed (Article 20(c)).

6. Revised conditions on weights are introduced for vehicles being used under Article 19 these conditions being dependant upon the vehicle category. They include maximum weights for vehicles, axles, and wheels and requirements for spacing between axles and groups of axles (Article 20(j)).

7. Vehicles being used under Article 19 are exempt from certain requirements of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989. 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 also introduced (Article 20(p) and (q)).

8. A condition is introduced that a vehicle authorised by Article 19 shall carry identification signs front and rear (Article 20(r) and Schedule 4).

9. Provision is made for the use of engineering plant authorised for use by Article 21, which complies with the revised conditions specified in Article 22, to entitle it to travel at higher speeds (Article 21(2)(c)).

10. Where an item of engineering plant exceeds 5 metres in width, the details of any route along which it is to travel, must be approved by the Department in writing (Article 21(2)(d)).

11. Revised speed limits are introduced for Category 2 and 3 vehicles authorised for use by Articles 19, 21 or 23. Category 1 vehicles are not subject to these limits (Article 24).

12. A new requirement is introduced regarding vehicles which are authorised by Articles 15, 19, 21 or 23, where the vehicle and its load exceed 5 metres in width. Details of any route along which it is to travel must be approved by the Department in writing (Article 27).

13. The requirements for notification of movements to the police are amended in their application to vehicles authorised for use by Articles 19 and 21, replacing the reference to a total weight of more than 75 tons with a reference to a total weight of more than 80,000 kilograms (Article 28(1)(f)).

14. The notification provisions for the road and bridge authorities are amended so that as regards vehicles authorised for use by Articles 19 and 21 two days advance notice must be given in respect of vehicles or combinations not exceeding 80,000 kilograms, and 5 days in respect of vehicles and combinations exceeding 80,000 kilograms (previously this was 6 days in respect of vehicles and combinations exceeding 75 tons) (Article 29(2)(b)).

15. New requirements are introduced regarding vehicles of excessive weight or carrying excessive loads which are caused to stop for any reason on a bridge (Article 31).

The Orders specified in Schedule 6 are revoked as a consequence of this Order.

Copies of the EEC Directives referred to in this Order can be obtained from The Stationery Office, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD.

(1)

S.I. 1995/2994 (N.I. 18); see Article 2(2) for the definition of “Department”

(2)

1971 c. 80

(3)

S.R. 1989 No. 299; relevant amending Regulations are S.R. 1994 No. 353

(4)

S.R. 1989 No. 203

(5)

S.R. 1984 No. 160

(6)

S.I. 1993/3160 (N.I. 15)

(7)

O.J. No. L202, 6.9.71, p. 37

(8)

O.J. No. L74, 19.3.74, p. 7

(9)

O.J. No. L236, 8.9.75, p. 3

(10)

O.J. No. L128, 26.5.79, p. 12

(11)

O.J. No. L380, 31.12.85, p. 1

(12)

O.J. No. L92, 9.4.88, p. 47

(13)

S.R. 1995 No. 449

(14)

S.R. 1995 No. 449

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Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

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1997 No. 109

Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Part IPreliminary

Citation and commencement

Interpretation

Speed Limits

Part IIMiscellaneous Vehicles

Track laying vehicles (including those used for launching lifeboats)

Naval, military, air force and aviation vehicles

Grass cutting machines and hedge trimmers

Pedestrian controlled road maintenance vehicles

Vehicles used for experiments or trials

Straddle carriers

Agricultural motor vehicles, agricultural trailers and agricultural trailed appliances

Agricultural motor vehicle towing an off-set agricultural trailer or trailed appliance

Provisions supplementary to Articles 11 and 12

Agricultural motor vehicles, agricultural trailers and agricultural trailed appliances with implements projecting rearwards or forwards

Vehicles for moving excavated material

TABLE

Motor vehicles and trailers constructed for use outside the United Kingdom or which are new or improved types constructed for tests or trials or are equipped with new or improved equipment or types of equipment

Vehicles fitted with moveable platforms

Part IIIAbnormal Indivisible Loads and Other Vehicles Carrying Wide Loads

Categories of motor vehicle

Vehicles for carrying or drawing abnormal indivisible loads

Vehicles for carrying or drawing abnormal indivisible loads — further restrictions and conditions

TABLE

TABLE

TABLE

TABLE

TABLE

Engineering plant

Engineering plant — further conditions

Other vehicles carrying loads exceeding 4.3 metres in width

Speed limits for vehicles authorised by Articles 19 to 23

TABLE

Attendants

Marking of projecting loads and fixed appliances or apparatus which project

Approval of the Department as to the time, date and route of a journey by a vehicle or a vehicle and its load exceeding 5 metres in width

Notice to police

Notice and indemnity to Department or a bridge authority

Restrictions on the passage over bridges of vehicles carrying abnormal indivisible loads

Breakdown on bridges of vehicles of excessive weight or carrying excessive loads

Revocation

SCHEDULE 1Service and Aviation Vehicles

SCHEDULE 2Conditions relating to the width of Agricultural Vehicles

TABLE

SCHEDULE 3Projecting Implements on Agricultural Vehicles

SCHEDULE 4

Form of Identification Sign

SCHEDULE 5The Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Part INotification of Carriage of Abnormal Loads by Road

The Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Part IIForm of indemnity

SCHEDULE 6Orders Revoked

Explanatory Note

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