Amendments to regulation 3 (interpretation)

3.  In the Table in regulation 3(2)–

(a) after the entry defining “large bus” there shall be inserted the following entry–

“light trailer

a trailer with a maximum gross weight which does not exceed 3500 kg.”;

(b) after the entry defining “longitudinal plane” there shall be inserted the following entry–

“low platform trailer

a trailer fitted with tyres with a rim diameter size code of less than 20 and displaying a rectangular plate which– (a) is at least 225 mm wide and at least 175 mm high; and (b) bears two black letters “L” on a white ground each at least 125 mm high and 90 mm wide with a stroke width of 12 mm.”;

(c) after the entry defining “m³”, there shall be inserted the following entry–

“maximum permitted axle weight

in relation to an axle– (a) in the case of a vehicle which is equipped with a Ministry plate in accordance with regulation 70, the axle weight shown in column (2) of that plate (where the plate is in the form required by Schedule 10) or in column (2) of that plate (where the plate is in the form required by Schedule 10A) in relation to that axle; (b) in the case of a vehicle which is not equipped with a Ministry plate but which is equipped with a plate in accordance with regulation 66, the maximum axle weight shown for that axle on the plate in respect of item 9 of Part I of Schedule 8 in the case of a motor vehicle and item 7 of Part II of Schedule 8 in the case of a trailer; and (c) in any other case, the weight which the axle is designed or adapted not to exceed when the vehicle is travelling on a road.”;

(d) in the definition of “maximum gross weight”, after the words “that plate” there shall be inserted “(where the plate is in the form required by Schedule 10) or in column (4) of that plate (where the plate is in the form required by Schedule 10A).”;

(e) after the entry defining “maximum gross weight”, there shall be inserted the following entry–

“maximum total design axle weight (an expression used only in relation to trailers)

(a) in the case of a trailer equipped with a Ministry plate in accordance with regulation 70, the sum of the relevant axle weights; (b) in the case of a trailer which is not equipped with a Ministry plate, but which is equipped with a plate in accordance with regulation 66, the sum of the maximum axle weights shown on the plate in respect of item 4 of Part II of Schedule 8; or (c) in the case of any other trailer, the sum of the axle weights which the trailer is designed or adapted not to exceed when the vehicle is travelling on a road; and for the purposes of sub-paragraph (a) the relevant axle weight, in respect to an axle, is the design axle weight shown in column (3) of the Ministry plate (where the plate is in the form required by Schedule 10) or in column (4) of that plate (where the plate is in the form required by Schedule 10A) in relation to that axle or if no such weight is shown, the axle weight shown in column (2) of that plate in relation to that axle;”;

(f) for the meaning specified in column 2 for the expression “public works vehicle” specified in column 1 there shall be substituted–

• “a mechanically propelled vehicle which is used on a road by or on behalf of–

  (a)

  the Central Scotland Water Development Board;

  (b)

  a ferry undertaking;

  (c)

  a highway or roads authority;

  (d)

  a local authority;

  (e)

  a market undertaking;

  (f)

  the National Rivers Authority;

  (g)

  an operator of a telecommunications code system within the meaning of paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 4 to the Telecommunications Act 1984(1);

  (h)

  a police authority;

  (i)

  the Post Office;

  (j)

  a public electricity supplier within the meaning of Part I of the Electricity Act 1989(2);

  (k)

  a public gas supplier within the meaning of the Gas Act 1986(3);

  (l)

  a statutory undertaker within the meaning of section 329(1) of the Highways Act 1980(4);

  (m)

  an undertaking for the supply of district heating;

  (n)

  a water authority within the meaning of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980(5); or

  (o)

  a water or sewerage undertaker within the meaning of the Water Act 1989(6);

  for the purpose of works which such a body has a duty or power to carry out, and which is used only for the carriage of–

  (i)

  the crew, and

  (ii)

  goods which are needed for works in respect of which the vehicle is used.”;

(g) after the entry defining “resilient tyre” there shall be inserted the following entries–

“restricted speed vehicle

a vehicle displaying at its rear a “50” plate in accordance with the requirements of Schedule 13.”;

“retreaded tyre

a tyre which has been reconditioned to extend its useful life by replacement of the tread rubber or by replacement of the tread rubber and renovation of the sidewall rubber.”; and

(h) after the definition of “rigid vehicle” there shall be inserted the following entries–

“rim diameter

is to be interpreted in accordance with the British Standard BS AU 50: Part 2: Section 1: 1980 entitled “British Standard Automobile Series: Specification for Tyres and Wheels Part 2. Wheels and rims Section 1. Rim profiles and dimensions (including openings for valves)” which came into effect on 28th November 1980.”;

“rim diameter size code

is to be interpreted in accordance with the British Standard referred to in the meaning given in this Table to “rim diameter”.”.

(1)

1984 c. 12.

(2)

1989 c. 29.

(3)

1986 c. 44.

(4)

1980 c. 66. The definition of “statutory undertakers” was amended by Part I of Schedule 9 to the Gas Act 1986 c. 44, by Part I of Schedule 27 to the Water Act 1989 c. 15 and by Schedule 18 to the Electricity Act 1989 c. 29.

(5)

1980 c. 45.

(6)

1989 c. 15.