Motor Vehicles (Speed Limit Restriction) (Exemption) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

Article 19 of the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 imposes a speed limit of 45 miles per hour on a vehicle displaying an ‘L’ plate. Article 19 has been amended by the Road Traffic (New Drivers) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 so as to disapply that requirement in the case of such classes of motor vehicle as may be prescribed and where such a vehicle is being driven on a motorway. These Regulations prescribe the classes of motor vehicle to which the speed limit does not apply. The classes of motor vehicle are those included in the following categories and sub-categories—

(a) category B +E, being a combination of a motor vehicle having a maximum weight not exceeding 3·5 tonnes and not more than 8 seats, in addition to the driver’s seat, drawing a trailer with a maximum weight exceeding 750 kg;

(b) category C, being a goods vehicle having a maximum weight exceeding 3·5 tonnes, including the drawing of a trailer with a maximum weight not exceeding 750 kg;

(c) sub-category C1, being a goods vehicle having a maximum weight exceeding 3·5 tonnes but not exceeding 7·5 tonnes, including the drawing of a trailer with a maximum weight not exceeding 750 kg;

(d) category D, being a bus having more than 8 seats in addition to the driver’s seat, including the drawing of a trailer with a maximum weight not exceeding 750 kg;

(e) sub-category D1, being a mini bus having more than 8 but not more than 16 seats, in addition to the driver’s seat, including the drawing of a trailer with a maximum weight not exceeding 750 kg;

(f) category C +E, being a combination of a goods vehicle and trailer where the tractor vehicle has a maximum weight exceeding 3·5 tonnes and the trailer has a maximum weight exceeding 750 kg;

(g) sub-category C1 +E, being a combination of a goods vehicle having a maximum weight exceeding 3·5 tonnes but not exceeding 7·5 tonnes drawing a trailer with a maximum weight which exceeds 750 kg but not the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, where the maximum weight of the combination does not exceed 12 tonnes;

(h) category D +E, being a combination of a bus having more than 8 seats, in addition to the driver’s seat, drawing a trailer with a maximum weight exceeding 750 kg; and

(i) sub-category D1 +E, being a combination of a mini bus having more than 8 but not more than 16 seats, in addition to the driver’s seat, drawing a trailer with a maximum weight which exceeds 750 kg but not the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, where the maximum weight of the combination does not exceed 12 tonnes.