Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999

1. Introductory Text

2. Part I Preliminary

   1. 1. Citation and commencement

   2. 2. Interpretation

   3. 3. Application and exemptions

   4. 4. Trade Descriptions Act 1968

   5. 5. Compliance with Community Directives and ECE Regulations

3. Part II Construction, Equipment and Maintenance of Vehicles

   1. A — Dimensions and Manoeuvrability

      1. 6. Length

      2. 7. Width

      3. 8. Height

      4. 9. Indication of overall travelling height

      5. 10. Warning devices where certain high level equipment is fitted to a vehicle

      6. 11. Vehicles to which regulation 10 applies

      7. 12. Interpretation of regulations 10 and 11

      8. 13. Overhang

      9. 14. Minimum ground clearance

      10. 15. Turning circle — buses

      11. 16. Turning circle — articulated vehicles other than those incorporating a car transporter

      12. 17. Turning circle — articulated vehicles incorporating a car transporter

      13. 18. Turning circle — heavy motor car

      14. 19. Connecting sections and direction-holding of articulated buses

   2. B — Brakes

      1. 20. Braking systems of certain vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1983

      2. 21. Braking systems of vehicles to which regulation 20 does not apply

      3. 22. Vacuum or pressure brake warning devices

      4. 23. Couplings on trailer pneumatic braking systems

      5. 24. Maintenance and efficiency of brakes

      6. 25. Application of brakes of trailers

   3. C — Wheels, Springs, Tyres and Tracks

      1. 26. General requirement as to wheels and tracks

      2. 27. Springs and resilient material

      3. 28. Wheel loads

      4. 29. Tyres

      5. 30. Tyre loads and speed ratings

      6. 31. Mixing of tyres

      7. 32. Condition and maintenance of tyres

      8. 33. Tracks

   4. D — Steering

      1. 34. Maintenance of steering gear

   5. E — Vision

      1. 35. View to the front

      2. 36. Glass

      3. 37. (1) This regulation applies to— (a) a caravan first used...

      4. 38. Mirrors

      5. 39. Windscreen wipers and washers

   6. F — Instruments and Equipment

      1. 40. Speedometers

      2. 41. Maintenance of speedometers

      3. 42. Speed limiters fitted to buses and coaches

      4. 43. Speed limiters fitted to goods vehicles

      5. 44. Audible warning instruments

      6. 45. Motor cycle sidestands

   7. G — Fuel

      1. 46. Fuel tanks

      2. 47. Unleaded petrol

      3. 48. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), a fuel tank fitted to...

      4. 49. Gas propulsion systems and gas-fired appliances

   8. H — Minibuses

      1. 50. Construction

      2. 51. Fire extinguishing apparatus

      3. 52. First aid equipment

      4. 53. Carriage of dangerous substances

   9. I — Protective Systems

      1. 54. Seat belt anchorage points

      2. 55. Seat belts

      3. 56. Maintenance of seat belts and anchorage points

      4. 57. Minibuses and coaches to be fitted with additional seat belts when used in certain circumstances

      5. 58. Rear under-run protection

      6. 59. Maintenance of rear under-run protective device

      7. 60. Sideguards

      8. 61. Maintenance of sideguards

      9. 62. Mascots

      10. 63. Strength of superstructure

      11. 64. Additional exits from double-decked coaches

   10. K — Control of Emissions

       1. 65. Silencers — general

       2. 66. Noise limits — certain vehicles with 3 or more wheels — general

       3. 67. Noise limits — certain vehicles first used on or after 28th June 1999 — general

       4. 68. Noise limits — agricultural motor vehicles and industrial tractors

       5. 69. Noise limits — construction requirements relating to motor cycles

       6. 70. Exhaust systems — motor cycles

       7. 71. Noise limits — maintenance requirements relating to motor cycles

       8. 72. Exception to regulations 66 to 71

       9. 73. Radio interference suppression

       10. 74. Emission of smoke, vapour, gases, oily substances etc.

       11. 75. Closets, etc.

       12. 76. Wings

       13. 77. Spray suppression devices

       14. 78. Maintenance of spray suppression devices

4. Part III Plates, Markings, Testing and Inspection

   1. 79. Plates for goods vehicles and buses

   2. 80. Vehicle identification numbers

   3. 81. Plates — agricultural trailed appliances

   4. 82. Plates — motor cycles

   5. 83. Plates — vehicles fitted with speed limiters

   6. 84. Plate relating to dimensions

   7. 85. Marking of weights on certain vehicles

   8. 86. Marking of date of manufacture of trailers

5. Part IV Conditions Relating to Use

   1. A — Laden Weight

      1. 87. Maximum permitted laden weight of a vehicle

      2. 88. Maximum permitted laden weight of a vehicle and trailer, other than an articulated vehicle

      3. 89. Maximum permitted laden weight of an articulated vehicle

      4. 90. Maximum permitted wheel and axle weights

      5. 91. Maximum permitted weights for certain closely-spaced axles, etc.

      6. 92. Saving for the Motor Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999

      7. 93. Over-riding weight restrictions

   2. B — Dimensions of Laden Vehicles

      1. 94. Restrictions on use of vehicles carrying wide or long loads or having fixed appliances or apparatus

   3. C — Trailers and Sidecars

      1. 95. Number of trailers

      2. 96. Trailers drawn by motor cycles

      3. 97. Trailers drawn by agricultural motor vehicles

      4. 98. Distance between motor vehicles and trailers

      5. 99. Use of mechanical coupling devices

      6. 100. Use of secondary coupling on trailers

      7. 101. Unbraked trailers

      8. 102. Use of bridging plates between motor vehicles and trailers

      9. 103. Leaving trailers at rest

      10. 104. Passengers in trailers

      11. 105. Attendants on trailers and certain other vehicles

      12. 106. Attachment of sidecars

      13. 107. Use of sidecars

   4. D — Use of Motor Vehicles for the Carriage or Haulage of Dangerous Goods

      1. 108. Additional braking requirements for motor vehicles carrying or hauling dangerous goods

   5. E — Use of Gas Propulsion Systems and Gas-Fired Appliances

      1. 109. Use of gas propulsion systems

      2. 110. Use of gas-fired appliances — general

      3. 111. Use of gas-fired appliances when a vehicle is in motion

   6. F — Control of Noise

      1. 112. Avoidance of excessive noise

      2. 113. Stopping of engine when stationary

      3. 114. Use of audible warning instruments

   7. G — Avoidance of Danger

      1. 115. Maintenance and use of vehicle so as not to be a danger, etc.

      2. 116. Restrictions on speed of low platform trailers, etc.

      3. 117. Parking in darkness

      4. 118. Passengers on motor cycles

      5. 119. Obstruction

      6. 120. Driver’s control

      7. 121. Opening of doors

      8. 122. Reversing

      9. 123. Leaving motor vehicles unattended

      10. 124. Securing of suspended implements

      11. 125. Television sets

   8. H — Revocation

      1. 126. Revocation

6. Signature

7. 1. SCHEDULE 1

      Community Directives and ECE Regulations

   2. SCHEDULE 2

      Braking Requirements

      1. 1. The braking requirements referred to in regulation 21(4) are set...

      2. 2. In this Schedule a “multi-pull means of operation” means a...

      3. 3. For the purposes of requirement 3 in the Table, in...

      4. 4. For the purpose of requirements 4 and 6 in the...

      5. 5. For the purpose of requirements 4, 9 and 14 in...

   3. SCHEDULE 3

      Authorised Sealers

      1. Part I General

         1. 1. The Department may authorise a person proposing to seal limiters...

         2. 2. An authorised sealer shall comply with the conditions set out...

         3. 3. An authorised sealer may charge for sealing a speed limiter....

         4. 4. The Department may at any time withdraw an authorisation granted...

         5. 5. (1) An authorisation under this Schedule in respect of an...

      2. Part II The Conditions

         1. 1. An authorised sealer shall not— (1) seal a speed limiter...

         2. 2. When an authorised sealer has sealed a speed limiter fitted...

   4. SCHEDULE 4

      Gas Containers

      1. Part I

         1. 1. Definitions relating to gas containers

         2. 2. Gas containers

         3. 3. Pipe lines

         4. 4. Unions

         5. 5. Reducing valves

         6. 6. Valves and cocks

         7. 7. Pressure gauges

         8. 8. Charging connections

         9. 9. Trailers

         10. 10. Construction, etc., of system

      2. Part II Specification for brass or bronze valves

         1. 1. Manufacture of valves

         2. 2. Heat treatment

         3. 3. Freedom from defects

         4. 4. Tensile test

   5. SCHEDULE 5

      Gas Systems

      1. 1. Definitions

      2. 2. Gas containers

      3. 3. Filling systems for fixed gas containers

      4. 4. Pipelines

      5. 5. Unions and joints

      6. 6. Reducing valves

      7. 7. Pressure relief valves

      8. 8. Valves and cocks

      9. 9. Gauges

      10. 10. Propulsion systems

      11. 11. Special requirements for buses

      12. 12. Gas-fired appliances

      13. 13. A gas-fired appliance shall be— (a) so located as to...

      14. 14. With the exception of catalytic heating appliances, an appliance of...

      15. 15. General requirements

   6. SCHEDULE 6

      Construction Requirements of Minibuses

      1. Definitions

      2. 1. Exhaust pipes

      3. 2. Doors — number and position

      4. 3. Emergency doors

      5. 4. Power-operated doors

      6. 5. Locks, handles and hinges of doors

      7. 6. View of doors

      8. 7. Access to doors

      9. 8. Grab handles and hand rails

      10. 9. Seats

      11. 10. Electrical equipment and wiring

      12. 11. Fuel tanks

      13. 12. Lighting of steps

      14. 13. General construction and maintenance

   7. SCHEDULE 7

      Fire Extinguishing Apparatus and First Aid Equipment for Minibuses

      1. Part I Fire Extinguishing Apparatus

      2. Part II First Aid Equipment

   8. SCHEDULE 8

      End of Series Exemptions

      1. Part I Modificationof Regulations 67 and 74 in Relation to End of Series Vehicles

         1. 1. Modification of regulations 67 and 74

      2. Part II Meaning of “Type Approval End of Series Vehicle” in Part I

         1. 2. Meaning of “type approval end of series vehicle” for the purposes of paragraph 1

         2. 3. Meaning of “relevant vehicle” for the purposes of this Part

         3. 4. Meaning of “specified number” for the purposes of this Part

         4. 5. Circumstances in which a vehicle is to be regarded as having been in the territory of a relevant state for the purposes of this Part

         5. 6. Meaning of “relevant period” for the purposes of this Part

      3. Part III Meaning of “Non-Type Approval End of Series Vehicle” in Part I

         1. 7. Meaning of “non-type approval end of series vehicle” in paragraph 1

         2. 8. Meaning of “relevant vehicle” for the purposes of this Part

         3. 9. Meaning of “specified number” for the purposes of this Part

         4. 10. Circumstances in which a vehicle is to be regarded as having been in the territory of a relevant state for the purposes of this Part

         5. 11. Meaning of “relevant period” for the purposes of this Part

      4. Part IV Meaning of “Late Entry into Service Vehicle” in Part I

         1. 12. Meaning of “late entry into service vehicle” in paragraph 1

         2. 13. Circumstances in which a vehicle is to be regarded as having been in the territory of a relevant state for the purposes of this Part

   9. SCHEDULE 9

      Motor cycle noise and motor cycle silencers

      1. Part I

         1. 1. (1) For the purposes of these Regulations a vehicle meets...

      2. Part II

         1. 1. The requirements of this paragraph are that the silencer is—...

         2. 2. The requirements of this paragraph are that the silencer is—...

         3. 3. The requirements of this paragraph are that the silencer is—...

         4. 4. In this Schedule— (a) “British Standard BS AU 193: 1983”...

      3. Part III

         1. 1. Paragraph (4) of regulation 70 shall not apply to a...

         2. 2. In this Part of this Schedule, “corresponding standard”, in relation...

         3. 3. A reference in this Part of this Schedule to a...

         4. 4. In this Part of this Schedule, “British Standard BS AU...

   10. SCHEDULE 10

       Emissions from certain Motor Vehicles

       1. Part I Vehicles Propelled By Spark Ignition Engines

          1. 1. This Part of this Schedule applies to a vehicle if,...

          2. 2. This Part of this Schedule also applies to a vehicle...

          3. 3. For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule the...

          4. 4. For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, in...

          5. 5. For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule an...

          6. 6. For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, the...

          7. 7. In this Part of this Schedule— (a) a reference to...

       2. Part II Vehicles Propelled by Compression Ignition Engines

          1. 8. This Part of this Schedule applies to a vehicle if...

          2. 9. In this Part of this Schedule— (a) “coefficient of absorption”...

   11. SCHEDULE 11

       Plates for certain vehicles

       1. Part I Particulars to be Shown on Plate for Motor Vehicles (including Motor Vehicles Forming Part of Articulated Vehicles)

          1. 1. Manufacturer’s name.

          2. 2. Vehicle type.

          3. 3. Engine type and power(a).

          4. 4. Chassis or serial number.

          5. 5. Number of axles.

          6. 6. Maximum axle weight for each axle(b).

          7. 7. Maximum gross weight(c).

          8. 8. Maximum train weight(d).

          9. 9. Maximum weight in the United Kingdom for each axle(b) (e)....

          10. 10. Maximum gross weight in the United Kingdom (c) (e).

          11. 11. Maximum train weight in the United Kingdom(d).

       2. Part II Particulars to be shown on plate for trailers (including trailers forming part of articulated vehicles)

          1. 1. Manufacturer’s name.

          2. 2. Chassis or serial number.

          3. 3. Number of axles.

          4. 4. Maximum weight for each axle(a).

          5. 5. Maximum load imposed on drawing vehicle(b).

          6. 6. Maximum gross weight(c).

          7. 7. Maximum weight in the United Kingdom for each axle(a) (e)....

          8. 8. Maximum gross weight in the United Kingdom(c) (f).

          9. 9. Year of manufacture(d). (a) This weight as respects each axle...

       3. Part III

          1. 1. The power of an engine, which is to be shown...

          2. 2. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) the weights to be shown...

          3. 3. The weights to be shown on the plate in respect...

          4. 4. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) weights on plates first affixed...

          5. 5. All letters and figures shown on the plate shall be...

          6. 6. In this Schedule references to the manufacturer of a motor...

   12. SCHEDULE 12

       Plates for Motor Cycles

       1. 1. The plate required by regulation 82(2) shall be firmly attached...

       2. 2. The plate shall be in the form shown in the...

       3. 1. Notes:

       4. 2. The details are— (a) for standard motor cycles—

       5. 3. The vehicle identification number (VIN) shall be marked in the...

       6. 4. In the case of a plate fitted to a vehicle...

       7. 5. The information on the plate shall be shown in characters...

       8. 6. No information, other than that provided for in the diagram,...

       9. 7. In this Schedule— “maximum engine power” means the maximum net...

       10. 8. A motor cycle shall be regarded as complying with paragraph...

   13. SCHEDULE 13

       Maximum permitted weights, etc

       1. Part I Maximum permitted laden weights of (1) trailers and (2) heavy motor cars and motor cars not fitted with road friendly suspension; in each case not forming part of an articulated vehicle

          1. 1. The maximum permitted laden weight of a two or three...

          2. 2. In the case of a vehicle to which this Part...

       2. Part II Maximum permitted gross weights for heavy cars and motor cars if the driving axles are fitted with road friendly suspension etc and in each case not forming part of an articulated vehicle

          1. 1. Subject to paragraph 2, the maximum permitted gross weight of...

          2. 2. In the case of a vehicle to which this Part...

       3. Part III Maximum Permitted Laden Weights for Heavy Motor Cars and Motor Cars Forming Part of Articulated Vehicles

       4. Part IV Maximum Permitted Laden Weight of Articulated Vehicles

       5. Part V Maximum permitted laden weight of articulated vehicles

       6. Part VI Vehicles with two closely-spaced axles

       7. Part VII Vehicles with three closely-spaced axles

   14. SCHEDULE 14

       Exemptions relating to combined transport operations

       1. Part I General

          1. 1. Regulation 88 does not apply to a wheeled heavy motor...

          2. 2. Regulation 89 does not apply to an articulated vehicle if...

          3. 3. Regulations 87, 88, 89 and 90 do not apply to...

       2. Part II Drawbar combinations

          1. 4. (1) The drawing vehicle and trailer must each be carrying...

          2. 5. The following conditions must be satisfied in relation to the...

          3. 6. (1) The motor vehicle and trailer must have a total...

       3. Part III Articulated Vehicles

          1. 7. (1) The motor vehicle comprised in the articulated vehicle must...

          2. 8. The following conditions must be satisfied in relation to the...

          3. 9. (1) The articulated vehicle must have a maximum of at...

       4. Part IV Articulated Vehicles (Alternative Requirements)

          1. 10. (1) The requirements of paragraph 6 are fulfilled.

       5. Part V Interpretation

          1. 11. (1) In this Schedule— “bi-modal vehicle” means a semi-trailer which...

   15. SCHEDULE 15

       Conditions to be complied with in relation to the use of vehicles carrying wide or long loads or vehicles carrying loads or having fixed appliances or apparatus which project

       1. Part I

          1. 1. Advance notice to Police

          2. 2. Attendants

          3. 3. Marking of longer projections

          4. 4. Marking of shorter projections

          5. 5. Marking of wide loads

       2. Part II Projection Markers

   16. SCHEDULE 16

       Plate for Restricted Speed Vehicle

   17. SCHEDULE 17

       Exclusion of certain vehicles from the application of regulation 47

       1. Part I

          1. 1. (1) In this Part— “EEC type approval certificate” means a...

          2. 2. A vehicle of a description specified in column 2 of...

          3. 3. The conditions referred to in paragraph 2 are—

       2. Part II Symbol Indicating that Vehicle can run on Unleaded Petrol

   18. SCHEDULE 18

       Bus Services specified for the purposes of regulation 57(5)

       1. 1. Bus services provided or secured— (a) by an Education and...

       2. 2. Bus services of any description other than that set out...

   19. SCHEDULE 19

       Regulations revoked by regulation 126

8. Explanatory Note