Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations further amend the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 (“the 1999 Regulations”).
Regulation 79 of the 1999 Regulations requires certain goods vehicles and buses to have plates fitted detailing specified particulars relating to the vehicle. Paragraph (7) of that regulation exempted certain vehicles from the requirement to display the maximum weight in the United Kingdom for each axle and the maximum gross weight in the United Kingdom. Regulation 2 of these Regulations removes that exemption for vehicles first used on or after 1st November 2002.
In order to implement those aspects of the Roadworthiness Directive relating to the testing of exhaust emissions, Schedule 10 of the 1999 Regulations sets out the acceptable exhaust emissions limits for normal and high idling speeds. Hitherto, the manufacturer of any vehicle has been able to specify the relevant limit for normal idling speeds, but in relation to fast idling speeds the limit has been specified at 0·3%.
Requirements for such tests are laid out in paragraph 8.2.1(b)(4) of Annex II to the Roadworthiness Directive. This paragraph has been amended by Commission Directive 2001/9/EC with the result that the manufacturer of any vehicle may, from the time that these Regulations come into force, specify the relevant limit for both normal and fast idling speeds.
Regulation 3 of these Regulations amends Schedule 10 so as to delete the specification of 0.3% for fast idling speeds and to allow the manufacturer to set the specification for the relevant vehicle. Where no such specification is available, the limit remains at 0.3%.
The opportunity has been taken to correct a printing error in regulation 55 of the 1999 Regulations.
Copies of the relevant EC Directives may be obtained from TSO, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD.