The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) (Amendment) Regulations 2000

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations give effect to the proposals in “Transport 2010, The 10 Year Plan” (published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on 20th July 2000) relating to the introduction of 44 tonne motor vehicles and trailers into the United Kingdom on 1st February 2001. They amend the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 (S.I. 1998/3111) to permit the use of such vehicles from that date and make consequential amendments. The Regulations also provide, with effect from 1st January 2002, safeguards against the misuse of current axle lift technology and the emission of pollutants.

Regulation 3 amends regulation 2 of the 1998 Regulations (interpretation) by introducing a new definition of an “axle-lift device” to reflect the requirements of Directive 97/27/EC and of a “low pollutant engine” which incorporates the new system requirements for the Euro II engine specified in Directive 91/542/EEC (which amends Directive 88/77/EEC).

Regulation 4 amends regulation 4 (maximum authorised weights) to ensure that an offence may be committed by non-compliance with the new requirements in Schedule 3 even if the vehicle complies with regulations 75 to79 and 80 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (S.I. 1986/1078).

Regulation 5 provides that regulation 80 of the 1986 Regulations is not contravened when a vehicle is operated in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 3.

Regulation 6 inserts into Schedule 2 (maximum authorised weights for vehicle combinations) entries for vehicle combinations with a maximum authorised weight of 44 tonnes, and adds a requirement for the use of a low pollutant engine.

Regulation 7 introduces maximum authorised weight and other requirements for retractable and loadable axles, with special provisions for the moving off by vehicles on slippery slopes.

These Regulations have been notified to the European Commission pursuant to Directive 83/189/EEC of 28th March 1983 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations (OJ 1983 L109, p 9) as amended by Council Directive 88/182/EEC of 22nd March 1988 (OJ 1988 L81, p 75) and European Parliament and Council Directive 84/10EEC of 23rd March 1994 (OJ 1994 L100, p 30).