The All-Terrain Motor Vehicles (Safety) Regulations 1989

Explanatory Note

This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations prohibit the supply of any regulated vehicle which has three wheels.A regulated vehicle is one which is propelled by an internal combustion engine and is designed or constructed primarily for use in leisure activities on all types of land surface or all types of land surface other than highways or roads to which the public has access except for vehicles for disabled persons and any two-wheeled motor cycle with a side-car.

The Regulations also prohibit the supply of any regulated vehicle which has four wheels and is designed or intended for use by children under twelve or by persons aged twelve or over but under sixteen unless the requirements set out in regulation 4 are met in the case of vehicles for the lower age group and those set out in regulation 5 are met in the case of vehicles for the higher age group.

The requirements are that four-wheeled regulated vehicles must have a maximum speed capability and be fitted with a regulator which is in operation when the vehicle is supplied and which ensures that the vehicle travels at a speed less than the maximum of which it is capable. Four-wheeled regulated vehicles designed or intended for use by persons in the older age group must in addition have a warning label that the vehicle is not suitable for a child under 12 years.

The prohibition on the supply of three-wheeled regulated vehicles comes into force on 7th December 1989 on the expiration of the Three-Wheeled All-Terrain Motor Vehicles (Safety) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 1988/2122).

The provisions relating to the supply of four-wheeled regulated vehicles come into force on 1st June 1990.