# Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997, Article 20: Vehicles for carrying or drawing abnormal indivisible loads — further restrictions and conditions

Extent: N.I.
Status: prospective

The further restrictions and conditions referred to in Article 19 are—
(a) a heavy motor car or trailer which does not comply with Part II of the Construction and Use Regulations shall be used only, save as provided in paragraphs (i) and (m), for or in connection with the carriage of an abnormal indivisible load;
(b) a locomotive or tractor which does not comply with Part II of the Construction and Use Regulations shall be used only for or in connection with the drawing of trailers the use of which on roads is authorised by this Article;
(c) the overall width of a heavy motor car or a trailer shall not exceed 2.9 metres unless it is used for or in connection with the carriage of a load which can only be safely carried on a heavy motor car or a trailer which exceeds that overall width;
(d) the overall width of a locomotive or tractor shall not exceed 2.9 metres unless it is used for or in connection with the carriage of a load on a trailer which exceeds that overall width, being a load which can only be carried on such a trailer;
(e) notwithstanding anything in paragraphs (c) and (d), the overall width of a heavy motor car, locomotive, tractor or trailer shall not exceed 6.1 metres;
(f) where, in relation to the load being carried by a vehicle, there is a lateral projection on one or both sides of the vehicle the overall width of the vehicle together with the width of the projection, or, as the case may be, of both projections shall not exceed 6.1 metres;
(g) where a load is carried in such a manner that its weight rests—
(i) on one vehicle being a heavy motor car or a trailer, the overall length of the heavy motor car or, as the case may be, of the trailer together with the length of any forward and of any rearward projection of its load shall not exceed 27.4 metres; or
(ii) on more than one vehicle and the vehicles consist of—
(A) a motor vehicle drawing one trailer whether constituting an articulated vehicle or not, or
(B) any other combination of vehicles,
then, in the case at (A), the overall length of the trailer together with the length of any forward projection of the load extending beyond the foremost point of the trailer and of any rearward projection of the load shall not exceed 27.4 metres and, in the case at (B), the overall length of the vehicles together with the distance between vehicles and the length of any forward and of any rearward projection of the load shall not exceed 27.4 metres;
(h) the vehicle shall be so constructed that it is a wheeled vehicle;
(i) every wheel of the vehicle shall be equipped with a pneumatic tyre or a tyre of soft elastic material;
(j) the following restrictions on weight shall apply—
(i) for any vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying the load in Category 1—
(A) regulations 73, 74 and 76 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply, and in respect of an articulated vehicle regulation 75 shall apply save for a vehicle to which (C) is applicable;
(B) regulation 77 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply in the case of a vehicle with two or three closely spaced axles within the meaning of the Construction and Use Regulations;
(C) for an articulated vehicle with a total of 5 or more axles and with a relevant axle spacing specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, the total weight shall not exceed the weight specified for that item in column 3:
TABLE
(1)
(2)
(3)
Item
Relevant axle spacing (in metres)
Weight (in kilograms)
1
at least 6.5
40,000
2
at least 7.0
42,000
3
at least 7.5
44,000
4
at least 8.0
46,000
(D) in the case of a semi-trailer of which the outermost axles of a group of four axles are spaced at a distance apart of 3.25 metres or less and the smallest distance between any two adjoining axles in the group is at least 0.87 metres, the weight transmitted to the road surface by all the wheels of any one of those axles shall not exceed 6,000 kilograms;
(ii) subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (iii), for any vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying the load in Category 2—
(A) the total weight shall be transmitted to the road through at least 5 axles;
(B) the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one axles shall not exceed 12,500 kilograms, and by any one wheel, 6,250 kilograms;
(C) if the distance between any two adjacent axles is at least 1.1 metres but less than 1.35 metres, the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one of those axles shall not exceed 12,000 kilograms, and by any one wheel, 6,000 kilograms;
(D) the distance between any two adjacent axles shall be not less than 1.1 metres;
(E) where the distance between the foremost and rearmost axles of the vehicle or vehicles carrying the load is at least as specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, the total weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed the weight given for that item in column 3:
TABLE
(1)
(2)
(3)
Item
Distance between foremost and rearmost axles (in metres)
Weight (in kilograms)
1
5.07
38,000
2
5.33
40,000
3
6.0
45,000
4
6.67
50,000
5
7.33
55,000
6
8.0
60,000
7
8.67
65,000
8
9.33
70,000
9
10.0
75,000
10
10.67
80,000
(F) where the axles are in two or more groups (so that adjacent axles in each group are less than 2 metres apart and adjacent axles of different groups are more than 2 metres apart), then the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one group of axles shall not exceed 50,000 kilograms;
(iii) until 7th December 1998 an articulated vehicle in Category 2 need not meet the requirements of sub-paragraph (ii), but—
(A) the total weight shall be transmitted through at least 4 axles;
(B) the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one axle shall not exceed 13,500 kilograms, and by any one wheel 6,750 kilograms;
(C) if the total number of axles does not exceed 4, the total weight of the vehicle shall not exceed 46,000 kilograms;
(iv) save as provided in sub-paragraph (v), for any vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying the load in Category 3:
(A) the total weight shall be transmitted to the road through at least 6 axles;
(B) the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one axle shall not exceed 16,500 kilograms, and by any one wheel, 8,250 kilograms;
(C) if the distance between any two adjacent axles is at least 1.1 metres but less than 1.35 metres, the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one of those axles shall not exceed 15,000 kilograms, and by any one wheel, 7,500 kilograms;
(D) the distance between any two adjacent axles shall be not less than 1.1 metres;
(E) where the distance between the foremost and rearmost axles of the vehicle or vehicles carrying the load is at least as specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, the total weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not exceed the weight given for that item in column 3:
TABLE
(1)
(2)
(3)
Item
Distance between foremost and rearmost axles (in metres)
Weight (in kilograms)
1
5.77
80,000
2
6.23
85,000
3
6.68
90,000
4
7.14
95,000
5
7.59
100,000
6
8.05
105,000
7
8.50
110,000
8
8.95
115,000
9
9.41
120,000
10
9.86
125,000
11
10.32
130,000
12
10.77
135,000
13
11.23
140,000
14
11.68
145,000
15
12.14
150,000
(F) where the axles are in two or more groups (so that adjacent axles in each group are less than 2 metres apart and adjacent axles of different groups are more than 2 metres apart), then the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one group of axles shall not exceed 100,000 kilograms, or 90,000 kilograms for a group where the distance between any two adjacent axles of that group is less than 1.35 metres;
(v) until 7th December 1998 a vehicle or combination of vehicles carrying the load in Category 3 need not meet the requirements of heads (C) to (F) of sub-paragraph (iv);
(vi) regulation 2(7) and (8) of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply to determine the number of wheels and axles for the purpose of this sub-paragraph and regulation 2(9) to determine the distance between axles;
(k) (i) save as provided in sub-paragraphs (ii) and (iii), the vehicle or combination of vehicles shall not carry more than one abnormal indivisible load at any one time;
(ii) subject to compliance with all the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations with respect to the laden weights of vehicles and the weights transmitted to the road surface by all or any of the wheels, it shall be permissible for a vehicle or any vehicles comprised in a combination of vehicles to carry more than one abnormal indivisible load of the same character and, where any abnormal indivisible load is carried, to carry any articles of a similar character;
(iii) in the case of vehicles not falling within sub-paragraph (ii), it shall be permissible for a vehicle or any vehicles comprised in a combination of vehicles to carry more than one abnormal indivisible load each of the same character if—
(A) the vehicle or combination of vehicles is in Category 1 or Category 2;
(B) the overall length in relation to the vehicle or vehicles carrying the loads is such that the provisions of paragraph (g) would be complied with were “18.3 metres” substituted for “27.4 metres” except that, where such compliance would be impossible by reason of the length of one of the loads if that were the only one carried, the aforesaid distance of 18.3 metres may be increased to such greater distance not exceeding 27.4 metres as may be necessary to permit carriage of that load;
(C) the overall width of any vehicle together with the width of any lateral projection of its load does not exceed 2.9 metres or, where it would be impossible for the aforesaid distance to be complied with by reason of the width of one of the loads if that were the only one carried, such greater distance not exceeding 6.1 metres as may be necessary to permit the carriage of that load; and
(D) all the loads carried are loaded at the same place and conveyed to the same destination;
(l) where an abnormal load consists of engineering plant from which one or more constituent parts have been detached, such abnormal indivisible load and such constituent parts may be carried, subject to the following conditions—
(i) no dimension of such constituent parts protrudes beyond any dimension of the vehicle or combination of vehicles on which such abnormal indivisible load and such constituent parts are behind carried to an extent greater than such abnormal indivisible load would protrude if it were being carried without such constituent parts;
(ii) such abnormal indivisible load and such constituent parts are loaded at the same place and have the same destination; and
(iii) the vehicle or combination of vehicles is in Category 1 or Category 2;
(m) in the case of a trailer whether manufactured before 1st January 1968 or on or after that date, regulation 14 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply as it applies to trailers manufactured before 1st January 1968;
(n) the conditions specified in Articles 24(1) and 30;
(o) for vehicles manufactured before 1st October 1989 and in a case specified in an item in column 2 of the Table, all the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply with the exception of the Regulations which are specified opposite to that item in column 3 and, in relation to item 3, save as provided in paragraph (m):
TABLE
(1)
(2)
(3)
Item
Case
Regulations that do not apply
1
A heavy motor car
7, 13, 14 in so far as it relates to the requirements in item 18(c) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, 16 (except paragraph (1)), 20, 22, 23, 65, 73-78, 79 and 80(1)
2
A locomotive or tractor
7, 20, 23, 45, 73(3), and 74
3
A trailer
6, 7, 14 in so far as it relates to the requirements in items 4, 11, 15 and 18 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations, 13, 16, (except paragraph (1)), 19, 20, 22, 23, 65, 66, 73-78, 79, and 80(1)
(p) in relation to any vehicle or combination of vehicles in a Category specified in an item in column 2 of the Table and manufactured on or after 1st October 1989 and any vehicle in Category 1 whenever manufactured, all the Construction and Use Regulations shall apply with the exception of the regulations which are specified opposite to that item in column 3:
TABLE
(1)
(2)
(3)
Item
Case
Regulations that do not apply
1
1
6, 7, 78 and 79
2
2 and 3
6, 7, 13, 14, 16 (except paragraph (1)), 23, 66, 67, 73 in so far as it relates to items 1-4, 6-11, 15 and 16 of the Table, 74-78, 79 and 80(1)
(q) a vehicle or combination of vehicles in Category 2 or Category 3, if manufactured on or after 1st October 1989, shall have a braking system complying with the construction, fitting and performance requirements set out in relation to Category N3 motor vehicles and 04 trailers in Annexes I, II and VII to Council Directive 71/320/EEC, as amended by Council Directive 74/132/EEC, 75/524/EEC, 79/489/EEC, 85/647/EEC and 88/194/EEC (“the amended Directive”) and, if appropriate, Annexes III, IV, V, VI and X to the amended Directive, modified as follows—
(i) for the purposes of each Type 0 test conducted in accordance with Annex II—
(A) a laden vehicle shall be a vehicle laden with the maximum technically permissible mass specified by the manufacturer for the vehicle speed specified for the test;
(B) for a trailer which is designed and constructed for use in a combination of vehicles in Category 3 and for which X (which is stated in the amended Directive as being a percentage of the force corresponding to the maximum mass borne by the wheels of the stationary vehicle) is specified in paragraph 2.2.1.2.1. of Annex II as having the values of 45 or 50, X shall have the value of 30;
(C) for a trailer mentioned in head (B) and for which the test speed is specified in paragraph 2.2.1.2.1. of Annex II as 60 km/h, the test speed shall be 48 km/h;
(D) for a drawing vehicle in category N3 which is designed and constructed for use with a semi-trailer within the meaning of the Construction and Use Regulations in a combination of vehicles in Category 3, if the performance of a service braking device is determined by measuring the stopping distance in relation to the initial speed, the stopping distance in paragraph 2.1.1.1.1. of Annex II shall be
0.15v+v277.5 or, if the performance of the device is determined by measuring the reaction time and the mean deceleration, the mean braking deceleration at normal engine speed in paragraph 2.1.1.1.1 of Annex II shall be at least 3 m/s2;
(E) for a drawing vehicle in Category N3 mentioned in head (D), if the performance of a secondary braking device is determined by measuring the stopping distance in relation to the initial speed, the stopping distance in paragraph 2.1.2.1. of Annex II shall be
0.15v+v237.5 or, if the performance of the device is determined by measuring the reaction time and the mean deceleration, the mean braking deceleration in paragraph 2.1.2.1. of Annex II shall be at least 1.45 m/s2;
(ii) the requirements of paragraphs 2.2.1.22 and 2.2.2.13 of Annex I and 1.1.42 and 1.4 of Annex II shall not apply;
(iii) in Annex I, in paragraph 2.2.1.23 the words “not mentioned in item 2.2.1.22 above”, and in paragraph 2.2.2.14 the words “not mentioned in item 2.2.2.13 above” shall not apply;
(iv) for the purpose of Type 1 tests conducted in accordance with paragraph 1.3 of Annex II on a vehicle which is designed and constructed for use in a combination of vehicles in Category 3, a laden vehicle shall be a vehicle laden with the heaviest weight possible without the total weight imposed on the road by all the wheels of any one axle exceeding 12,500 kilograms; and
(v) if suitable and sufficient wheel chocks are provided in readily accessible positions and capable, when used in conjunction with any parking brakes fitted to the vehicle, of holding the vehicle stationary when loaded to its maximum mass on a gradient of 12%, the requirements of paragraph 2.1.3.2 of Annex II shall not apply;
(r) the vehicle or the drawing vehicle in a combination of vehicles shall be fitted with a sign indicating the relevant category and complying with the requirements specified in Schedule 4;
(s) notwithstanding paragraph (o), regulation 6 of the Construction and Use Regulations shall not apply in the case of—
(i) an articulated vehicle, or a motor vehicle and a trailer, where the semi-trailer or the trailer is constructed so that the major part of the load platform does not extend over or between the wheels and is at a height that is below the height of the top-most point of the tyres of those wheels, measured on level ground and with any adjustable suspension at the normal travelling height, and where the height or stability of the load being carried necessitates the use of such a trailer;
(ii) a vehicle or combination of vehicles unable to comply with that regulation because of the requirements of sub-paragraphs (j)(ii)(E) or (j)(iv)(E); and
(t) notwithstanding paragraph (a), a vehicle consisting of two or more modules may, when being used in connection with the carriage of but not at the time carrying an abnormal indivisible load, be disassembled into two or more parts and arranged such that one part carries the others.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1997/109/article/20 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/motor-vehicles-authorisation-of-special-types-order-northern-ireland-1997/article-20
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.