28.—(1) Motor vehicles or trailers that are used for, or in connection with, the carriage of a load exceptional width are a recognised category of special vehicles.
(2) A vehicle carries a load of exceptional width where the overall width of the vehicle carrying a load, together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of the load, exceeds 4.3 metres.
29. The authorisation requirements applicable to vehicles falling within the recognised category of special vehicles mentioned in article 28(1) are—
(a)the requirements specified in articles 30 and 31;
(b)the Construction and Use Regulations, apart from regulation 82(1) and (2);
(c)the Authorised Weight Regulations; and
(d)the Lighting Regulations.
30.—(1) The overall width of a vehicle falling within the recognised category of special vehicles mentioned in article 28(1), together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of the load carried on it, must not exceed 6.1 metres.
(2) The vehicle must not travel at speeds exceeding—
(a)40 miles per hour on a motorway;
(b)35 miles per hour on a dual carriageway;
(c)30 miles per hour on any other road.
(3) Nothing in this article is to be taken to authorise travel at any speed in excess of any speed restriction imposed by or under any other enactment.
31.—(1) “Width”, in relation to a vehicle falling within the recognised category of special vehicles mentioned in article 28(1), means the overall width of the vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of the load carried on it.
(2) Paragraphs (3) and (4) apply cumulatively.
(3) The user of any vehicle falling within the recognised category of special vehicles mentioned in article 28(1) 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 is to be used;
(b)ensure that the vehicle is used in accordance with the requirements of that Schedule; and
(c)ensure that the vehicle is accompanied during the journey by one or more attendants employed in accordance with Schedule 6.
(4) Where the width of the vehicle exceeds 5 metres, the user of the vehicle must—
(a)before the start of any journey obtain the written consent of the Secretary of State in accordance with Schedule 7; and
(b)ensure that the vehicle is used in accordance with the requirements of that Schedule.
32.—(1) Local excavation vehicles are a recognised category of special vehicles.
(2) Local excavation vehicles are defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 10.
33. The authorisation requirements applicable to local excavation vehicles are—
(a)the requirements specified in articles 34 and 35; and
(b)the requirements specified in Schedule 10.
34.—(1) “Width”, in relation to a local excavation vehicle, means whichever is the greater of—
(a)the overall width of the vehicle; and
(b)the overall width of the vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of a load carried on it.
(2) Paragraphs (3) to (5) apply cumulatively.
(3) Where the width of a local excavation vehicle exceeds 3 metres, the user of the vehicle 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 is to be used; and
(b)ensure that the vehicle is used in accordance with the requirements of that Schedule.
(4) Where the width of the vehicle exceeds 3.5 metres, the user of the vehicle must ensure that the vehicle is accompanied during the journey by one or more attendants employed in accordance with Schedule 6.
(5) Where the width of the vehicle exceeds 5 metres, the user of the vehicle must—
(a)before the start of any journey obtain the written consent of the Secretary of State in accordance with Schedule 7; and
(b)ensure that the vehicle is used in accordance with the requirements of that Schedule.
35.—(1) This article applies to a local excavation vehicle—
(a)which does not comply with the requirements of the Authorised Weight Regulations; or
(b)if those Regulations do not apply to it, which does not comply with the requirements of regulations 75 to 79 of the Construction and Use Regulations.
(2) Before the start of any journey, the user of the vehicle must—
(a)notify in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 9 the authority (within the meaning of that Schedule) for each road or bridge on which vehicle is to be used; and
(b)give to each authority an indemnity in the form specified in Part 2 of that Schedule.
36.—(1) The following are recognised categories of special vehicles—
(a)any motor vehicle or trailer which is constructed for use outside the United Kingdom;
(b)any type of motor vehicle or trailer which is constructed for use outside the United Kingdom;
(c)any new or improved type of motor vehicle or trailer which is constructed for tests or trials;
(d)any motor vehicle or trailer which is equipped with new or improved equipment;
(e)any motor vehicle or trailer which is equipped with new or improved types of equipment.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not include—
(a)any motor vehicle or trailer which is not a wheeled vehicle; or
(b)any motor vehicle or trailer which is, or forms part of, a recognised category of special vehicles specified in sub-paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of article 10(1).
37. The authorisation requirements applicable to vehicles falling within any of the recognised categories of special vehicles mentioned in article 36(1) are—
(a)the requirements specified in articles 38 to 40; and
(b)the requirements specified in Schedule 11.
38.—(1) This article applies to—
(a)a vehicle falling within any of the recognised categories of special vehicles mentioned in article 36(1), where the overall length of the vehicle exceeds the overall length permitted for that description of vehicle under regulation 7 of the Construction and Use Regulations; and
(b)a vehicle-combination, being a combination that includes one or more motor vehicles or trailers that fall within any of those recognised categories of special vehicles, where the overall length of the vehicle-combination exceeds the overall length for that combination permitted under regulation 7 of the Construction and Use Regulations.
(2) The user of the vehicle or vehicle-combination 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 or vehicle-combination is used in accordance with the requirements of that Schedule.
39.—(1) “Width”, in relation to a vehicle falling within any of the recognised categories of special vehicles mentioned in article 36(1), means whichever is the greater of—
(a)the overall width of the vehicle; and
(b)the overall width of the vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection or projections of a load carried on it.
(2) Where the width of a vehicle falling within any of the recognised categories of special vehicles mentioned in article 36(1) exceeds 3 metres, the user of the vehicle 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 is to be used; and
(b)ensure that the vehicle is used in accordance with the requirements of that Schedule.
40.—(1) This article applies to a vehicle which is, or a vehicle-combination which includes, a vehicle falling within any of the recognised categories of special vehicles mentioned in article 36(1) and which—
(a)does not comply with the requirements of the Authorised Weight Regulations; or
(b)if those Regulations do not apply to it, does not comply with the requirements of regulations 75 to 79 of the Construction and Use Regulations.
(2) Before the start of any journey, the user of the vehicle or vehicle-combination must—
(a)notify in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 9 the authority (within the meaning of that Schedule) for each road or bridge on which vehicle or vehicle-combination is to be used; and
(b)give to each authority an indemnity in the form specified in Part 2 of that Schedule.
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.
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.
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.
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.
45. Straddle carriers are a recognised category of special vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
Paragraph (1A) of regulation 18 was inserted by the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (S.I. 1990/1981).