The Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996

Regulation 6

SCHEDULE 3 APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RELEVANT GOODS VEHICLES

1	2	3	4	5
Item	Subject matter	Requirement	Definitions and supplementary provisions	Exemptions and modifications
1	Exhaust emissions	1.  The vehicle shall not emit any avoidable smoke or avoidable visible vapour. 2.  When the engine by which it is propelled is running without load at a normal idling speed, the carbon monoxide content of the exhaust emissions from the engine shall not exceed— (a) if the vehicle has an effective date before 1st August 1986, 4.5%; or (b) if the vehicle has an effective date on or after 1st August 1986 and not being a vehicle to which sub-paragraph (c) below applies, 3.5%; or (c) if the vehicle is of a description mentioned in the Annex to the emissions publication, has four or more wheels and an effective date on or after 1st August 1994, the relevant percentage; of the total exhaust emissions from the engine by volume. 3.  If the engine by which the vehicle is propelled is run without load at a rotational speed of 2000 revolutions per minute, the hydrocarbon content of the exhaust emission from the engine shall not exceed 0.12% if the vehicle either— (a) has not more than three wheels; or (b) is a vehicle to which paragraph 2(a) or (b) applies. 4.  If the vehicle is one to which paragraph 2(c) applies and the engine by which it is propelled is run without load at a fast idling speed— (a) the carbon monoxide content of the exhaust emissions from the engine shall not exceed 0.3% of the total exhaust emissions from the engine by volume; (b) the hydrocarbon content of the exhaust emissions from the engine shall not exceed 0.02% of the total exhaust emissions from the engine by volume; and (c) the lambda value shall be between the relevant limits.	For the purposes of this item— “effective date” means the date of manufacture of the vehicle, except that in the case of a vehicle which for the time being meets the requirements of paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to these Regulations, it shall mean the 1st of January immediately preceding the date of manufacture of the engine by which it is propelled, if that date is earlier; “a normal idling speed” means in the case of a vehicle of a description mentioned in the Annex to the emissions publication, a rotational speed between the minimum and maximum limits shown against that description of vehicle in columns 2(b) and 2(c) respectively of that Annex; “the emissions publication” is the publication entitled “In-service Exhaust Emissions Standards for Road Vehicles” (ISBN O-9526457-O-X) published by the Department of Transport; “the relevant percentage” means in the case of a vehicle of a description mentioned in the Annex to the emissions publication, the percentage shown against that description of vehicle in column 2(a) of that Annex; “rotary piston engine” means an engine in which the torque is provided by means of one or more rotary pistons and not by any reciprocating piston; and any rotary piston engine shall be deemed to be a four-stroke engine; “a fast idling speed” means— (a) in the case of a vehicle of a description mentioned in the Annex to the emissions publication, a rotational speed between the minimum and maximum limits shown against that description of vehicle in columns 3(e) and (f) respectively of that Annex; or (b) in any other case, a rotational speed of between 2500 and 3000 revolutions per minute; “the lambda value” means the ratio by mass, of air to petrol vapour in the mixture entering the combustion chambers divided by 14.7; and “the relevant limits” mean in the case of a vehicle of a description mentioned in the Annex to the emissions publication, the minimum and maximum limits shown against that description of vehicle in columns 3(c) and 3(d) respectively of that Annex.	Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 shall not apply to— (a) vehicles propelled otherwise than by a spark ignition engine; (b) vehicles having an effective date before 1st August 1975; and “effective date” means the date of (c) vehicles having an effective date before 1st August 1987 and propelled by a rotary piston engine. Paragraphs 3 and 4(b) shall not apply to vehicles fuelled by natural gas. Paragraph 4(c) shall not apply to vehicles fuelled by liquid petroleum gas or natural gas. Paragraphs 2(a) and (b) and 3 shall not apply to vehicles propelled by a 2-stroke engine. Paragraphs 2(c) and 4 shall not apply to transitional provision vehicles which have been constructed from a kit which— (a) included a chassis or a body; and (b) was sold by retail before 1st January 1998.
2	Smoke emissions	If the vehicle has an effective date on or after 1st August 1979, when the engine by which it is propelled is subject to the free-acceleration test, the coefficient of absorption of the exhaust emissions from the engine immediately after leaving the exhaust shall not exceed— (a) if the engine of the vehicle is turbo-charged, 3.0 per metre, or (b) in any other case, 2.5 per metre.	For the purposes of this item— “effective date” has the same meaning as in item 1; “free acceleration” has the same meaning as in Annex II to Directive 77/143/EEC as last amended by Directive 92/55/EEC; and “co-efficient of absorption” shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 3.5 of Annex VII to Directive 72/306.	This item shall not apply to vehicles propelled otherwise than by a compression ignition engine.
3	Noise and silencers	1.  The vehicle shall be fitted with an exhaust system including a silencer such that the exhaust gases shall not escape into the atmosphere without first passing through the silencer. 2.  When— (a) the vehicle is held stationary on a level surface such that there is an unobstructed area not less than 3 metres wide all around the vehicle; and (b) the engine by which the vehicle is propelled run at a constant rotational speed of 3500 revolutions per minute or 3/4 S if S is less than 4500 revolutions per minute, the noise measured at 0.5 metres from the exhaust outlet at 45 degrees to the axis of the outlet pipe in a horizontal plane, shall not exceed 101db(A).	For the purposes of this item, “S” means the rotational speed at which maximum power is produced;	Paragraph 1 shall not apply to vehicles propelled otherwise than by an internal combustion engine.
4	Radio-interference suppression	1.  The vehicle shall comply with the design, construction and fitting requirements of paragraph 6.1 of Annex 1 to Directive 72/245/EEC as last amended by Directive 89/491/EEC, or of paragraph 6.1 of ECE Regulation 10.01. 2.  The suppression equipment components shall comply with the marking requirements of paragraph 4 of Annex 1 to Directive 72/245/EEC as last amended by Directive 89/491/EEC, or of paragraph 4 of ECE Regulation 10.01.		This item shall not apply to vehicles propelled otherwise than by a spark ignition engine. Paragraph 2 shall not apply to suppression equipment fitted to vehicles which meet the requirements of either paragraph 2 or paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to these Regulations.
5	Brakes	1.  The vehicle shall comply with the requirements of paragraph 2.1 and 2.2 of Annex 1 of Directive 71/320/EEC as last amended by Directive 85/647/EC; but in the application of that Annex (as so amended) to this paragraph— (a) the second sentence of paragraph 2.2.1.2.4 shall not have effect; and (b) paragraph 2.2.1.4.2 shall not have effect in relation to a vehicle which is fitted with a braking device having a split-circuit transmission which enables braking of not less than one wheel on each side of the vehicle, in the event of failure in a part of the transmission of the service braking; (c) paragraph 2.2.1.5.1 shall have effect as if for the last sentence there were substituted the words “This condition must be met by automatic means”. 2.  If the vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock device it shall comply with paragraph 2.2.1.23 of 71/320/EEC as last amended by Directive 88/194/EEC. 3.  The vehicle shall comply with the requirements of paragraphs 2.2.1.11.1 and 2.2.1.11.2 of Directive 71/320/EEC as last amended by 91/422/EEC. 4.  The secondary braking and service braking shall have the same control. 5.  The brake efficiency shall be not less than— (a) 50% for the service braking; (b) 25% for the secondary braking in the case when the servo-assistance provided for the service braking (if any) fails and a force of 70 kg is applied to the control; (c) 18% for the parking braking.	6.  The lateral brake distribution for the service braking shall— (a) in relation to each axle; and (b) for all values of total braking force and vehicle speed, be not less than 70%. 7.  The longitudinal brake distribution for the service braking shall, for all values of total braking force, vehicle speed and adjustment settings (if any), be greater than the ratio of the vertical forces transmitted to the road through the front and rear wheels respectively when the vehicle is in running order and being braked on a level surface. 8.  The capacity of the braking device to absorb and dissipate energy shall be sufficient to ensure that all the required aspects of braking performance can be maintained under all normal operating conditions of the vehicle, including long hill descents, taking account of the vehicle’s speed capability, weight and weight distribution.	For the purpose of this item— “braking device”, “control”, “transmission”, “service braking”, “secondary braking” and “parking braking”, have the same meaning as in 71/320/EEC as last amended by Directive 85/647/EEC; “anti-lock device”— (a) except in relation to a vehicle having not more than three wheels, has the same meaning as in 71/320/EEC as last amended by Directive 88/194/EEC; and (b) in relation to a vehicle having not more than three wheels, has the same meaning as in Appendix 2 to the Annex of Directive 93/14/EEC; “brake efficiency” means maximum total brake force expressed as a percentage of the maximum gross weight; “maximum total brake force” means the total braking force when the brakes are fully applied; “total braking force” means the total of the braking forces transmitted by the tyres to the road surface when the brakes are applied; “servo-assistance” means an energy supply which supplements the muscular energy of the driver; “lateral brake distribution”, in relation to an axle, means the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the lower to the higher of the braking forces transmitted by the tyres and to the road surface for two wheels, on opposite sides of the vehicle on the same axle; “longitudinal brake distribution” means the ratio of the braking forces transmitted by the tyres to the road surface through the front and rear wheels respectively when the vehicle is in running order and being braked on a level surface; “in running order” means— (a) with all fluids (such as oils and engine coolant) necessary for the vehicle to be driven, the fuel tanks full, a spare wheel and a tool-kit; (b) carrying a driver weighing 68 kg; but (c) not otherwise carrying any load or passengers.	Paragraphs 1 to 4 shall not apply to vehicles having not more than three wheels, if they comply with the requirements for motor-tricycles in the following provisions of Directive 93/14/EEC— (a) paragraph 2.1 of the Annex; (b) paragraphs 2.2.4 to 2.2.8 of the Annex; and (c) in the case of vehicles equipped with anti-lock devices, Appendix 2 to the Annex. In relation to vehicles having not more than three wheels, paragraph 5 shall have effect as if for “70 kg” there were substituted “40 kg”, if a manual control is used to apply the secondary braking.
6	Fuel input	The vehicle shall be fitted with a fuel tank so constructed that it cannot readily be filled from a petrol pump delivery nozzle which has an external diameter of not less than 23.6 mm without the aid of a device (such as a funnel) not fitted to the vehicle.		This item shall not apply to vehicles to which paragraph 2(c) in column 3 of item 1 (exhaust emissions) does not apply.
7	General vehicle construction	1.  All aspects of the design and construction of the vehicle and its equipment which are not covered by other subject matters in this Schedule, shall be such that no danger is caused or likely to be caused to any person in the vehicle or on a road. 2.  In particular, under all normal conditions likely to be encountered while the vehicle is being driven on a road, including when the vehicle is loaded to its maximum gross weight and the axle weight of any one axle equals its maximum permitted axle weight— (a) it shall be possible to control the vehicle safely, taking account of the vehicle’s speed and acceleration capabilities; (b) it shall at all times be possible for the driver, while controlling the vehicle, to have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the vehicle; (c) the clearance between any of the following parts of the vehicle, namely the tyres, wheels, other rotating components associated with the transmission of engine power or braking, moveable parts of the steering mechanism and fixed parts shall be sufficient to ensure no risk of fouling and the wheels and wheel-fixings shall be compatible; (c) the vehicle structure (chassis or integral chassis-body), shall be so designed and constructed as to withstand the forces and vibration to which it is likely to be subject; (d) all entries and exits provided for the vehicle occupants (other than doors) shall be so designed as to allow easy and safe use. (e) all aperture covers (other than doors), including tail gates, boot and bonnet lids, shall be capable of being securely latched in the fully closed position; (f) the steering, suspension, axles and wheels shall be so designed, constructed and fitted as to withstand the forces and vibration to which they are likely to be subject; (g) the fuel system, including the fuel tank, shall be so designed, constructed and fitted as to withstand the forces, vibration and corrosive environment to which it is likely to be subject. It shall also be so fitted as to avoid the risk of damage, such as abrasion, due to fouling of other parts and to minimise the risk of fire in the event of any leakage of fuel. The fuel tank shall comply with regulation 39 of the Construction and Use Regulations, except that it need not be made of metal. (h) the electrical system, including the battery, electrical components and wires, shall be securely attached to the vehicle. In particular, the maximum distance between attachments of wires, except those contained within hollow components, shall be 300 mm and wires shall be so fitted and protected as to avoid the risk of damage to insulation, such as abrasion. All components shall be so constructed and fitted as to minimise the risk of corrosion and fire.