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

Track-laying vehicles

Track-laying vehicles: recognised category

41.—(1) Track-laying motor vehicles or trailers are a recognised category of special vehicles.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not include any track-laying vehicle that falls within any other recognised category of special vehicles.

Track-laying vehicles: authorisation requirements

42.  The authorisation requirements applicable to vehicles falling within the recognised category of special vehicles mentioned in article 41(1) are—

(a) the requirements specified in articles 43 and 44;

(b) regulation 100 of the Construction and Use Regulations (maintenance and use so as not to be a danger);

(c) the Authorised Weight Regulations; and

(d) the Lighting Regulations.

Track-laying vehicles: restrictions on use

43.—(1) A vehicle falling within the recognised category of special vehicles mentioned in article 41 (1) may only be used for—

(a) demonstration;

(b) proceeding to the nearest suitable railway station for conveyance to a port for shipment; or

(c) where no suitable railway facilities are available, proceeding to a port for shipment.

(2) The vehicle must not be used for hire or reward.

(3) The vehicle must not be used in such a way as to cause a danger of injury to any person by reason of—

(a) the condition of the vehicle, its accessories or equipment;

(b) the purpose for which it is used;

(c) the number of passengers carried by it;

(d) the manner in which such passengers are carried;

(e) the weight, position or distribution of any load carried on the vehicle; or

(f) the manner in which any such load is secured.

Track-laying vehicles: consent of road authorities

44.—(1) Before the start of any journey, the user of a vehicle falling within the recognised category of special vehicles mentioned in article 41(1) must obtain from the road authority for each road on which the vehicle is to be used that authority’s written consent to the vehicle being used on roads for which it is responsible.

(2) “Road authority”, in relation to any road, means the highway authority for that road.