The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003

Straddle carriers

Straddle carriers: recognised category

45.  Straddle carriers are a recognised category of special vehicles.

Straddle carriers: authorisation requirements

46.  The authorisation requirements for straddle carriers are—

(a) the requirements specified in article 47;

(b) the Construction and Use Regulations apart from—

(i) regulation 7 (length);

(ii) regulation 8 (width);

(iii) regulation 11 (overhang);

(iv) regulation 16(4) (braking systems);

(v) regulation 18(1A) to (9) (braking; maintenance and efficiency)(1);

(vi) regulation 22 (springs and resilient material);

(vii) regulation 66 (plates);

(c) the Authorised Weight Regulations; and

(d) the Lighting Regulations.

Straddle carriers: restrictions on use, speed and width

47.—(1) A straddle carrier may only be used—

(a) for demonstration;

(b) for delivery on sale;

(c) for proceeding to, or returning from, a manufacturer or repairer for construction, repair or overhaul; or

(d) if paragraph (2) applies to it, for proceeding between different parts of the same private premises or between private premises in the immediate neighbourhood.

(2) This paragraph applies to a straddle carrier—

(a) that does not comply with regulation 11 of the Construction and Use Regulations (overhang); but

(b) that does comply with regulations 8 (width) and 22 (springs and resilient material) of those Regulations.

(3) Nothing in this Order is to be taken to authorise use on roads beyond a radius of three miles drawn around the outermost perimeter of any work site on private premises.

(4) A straddle carrier must not carry any load.

(5) But a straddle carrier—

(a) may carry its own necessary gear and equipment; and

(b) may be laden in the course of any journey permitted under paragraph (1)(d).

(6) A straddle carrier must not travel at speeds exceeding 12 miles per hour.

(7) The overall width of a straddle carrier must not exceed 3 metres.

Straddle carriers: requirements as to length

48.—(1) This article applies to a straddle carrier where its overall length, together with any forward or rearward projection of a load to be carried on it exceeds 9.2 metres.

(2) The user of the straddle carrier must—

(a) before the start of any journey, notify in accordance with Schedule 5 the chief officer of police for each area in which the vehicle or vehicle-combination is to be used; and

(b) ensure that the vehicle is used in accordance with the requirements of that Schedule.

(1)

Paragraph (1A) of regulation 18 was inserted by the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1981).