The Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996

Interpretation

2.—(1) In these Regulations—

“the 1982 Regulations” means the Motor Vehicles (Type Approval for Goods Vehicles) (Great Britain) Regulations 1982(1);

“the 1984 Regulations” means the Motor Vehicles (Type Approval) (Great Britain) Regulations 1984(2);

“the 1988 Act” means the Road Traffic Act 1988;

“the 1989 Regulations” means the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989(3);

“approval requirements”, in relation to a vehicle, means the requirements prescribed by section 54 of the 1988 Act as they apply to that vehicle (see also regulation 4(4) and 6(4));

“axle weight”, “gross weight”, “kerbside weight”, “maximum gross weight” and “maximum permitted axle weight” have the meanings given in regulation 3(2) of the Construction and Use Regulations;

“the Construction and Use Regulations” means the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986(4);

“kg” means kilograms;

“kph” means kilometres per hour;

“mm” means millimetres;

“motor ambulance” means a motor vehicle which is specially designed and constructed (and not merely adapted) for carrying, as equipment permanently fixed to the vehicle, equipment used for medical, dental or other health purposes and is used primarily for the carriage of persons suffering from illness, injury or disability;

“motor caravan” means a motor vehicle which is constructed or adapted for the carriage of passengers and their effects and which contains, as permanently installed equipment, the facilities which are reasonably necessary for enabling the vehicle to provide mobile living accommodation for its users;

“mph” means miles per hour;

“relevant goods vehicle” has the meaning given in regulation 5(2);

“relevant passenger vehicle” has the meaning given in regulation 3(3);

“transitional provision vehicle” has the meaning given in Schedule 6 to these Regulations; and

“wheel” has the meaning given in regulation 3(2) of the Construction and Use Regulations.

(2) A reference in any provision in these Regulations to a prescribed fee is a reference to the fee (if any) for the time being prescribed for the purposes of that provision in regulations made under section 61 of the 1988 Act.

(3) Paragraphs (7) and (8) of regulation 3 of the Construction and Use Regulations (determination of the numbers of wheels and axles of a vehicle) shall apply for the purposes of these Regulations (other than item 16 of Schedule 2) as they apply for the purposes of the Construction and Use Regulations (other than regulations 26 and 27).

(4) Schedule 5 to these Regulations—

(a) interprets expressions relating to Community instruments and ECE Regulations (including references to complying with provisions of such instruments); and

(b) sets out details of the Community instruments and ECE Regulations referred to in these Regulations.

(5) Without prejudice to section 17 of the Interpretation Act 1978(5) and subject to context, a reference in these Regulations to any enactment comprised in subordinate legislation (within the meaning of that Act) is a reference to that enactment as from time to time amended or re-enacted with or without modification.

(6) In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires—

(a) any reference to a numbered regulation, is a reference to the regulation bearing that number in these Regulations; and

(b) any reference to a numbered or lettered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph bearing that number or letter in the regulation or Schedule in which the reference occurs.

(1)

S.I. 1982/1271; relevant amending instruments are S.I. 1987/1508, 1988/1523, 1989/1579, 1991/1021, 1992125, 1342 and 3084, 199312200, 199511323.

(2)

S.I. 1984/981; relevant amending instruments are S.I. 1984/1761, 1987/1509, 1988/1522, 1989/1580, 1991/1022, 1992/1341, 2161 and 2908, 1993/2201, 1995/1322.

(3)

S.I. 1989/1796; relevant amending instrument is S.I. 1994/2280.

(4)

S.I. 1986/1078; relevant amending instruments are S.I. 1987/676 and 1333, 1988/1178, 1989/1478, 1990/2212, 1992/2016, 3088 and 3285, 1994/3270.

(5)

1978 c. 30.