Explanatory note
(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations further amend the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 as follows—
The 4.2 metre height restriction on the bodywork of goods vehicles with a total laden weight exceeding 35,000 kg is removed (regulation 2).
Regulation 19 which governs wheels not fitted with pneumatic tyres, regulation 45 which governs the power to weight ratio of heavy vehicles and regulation 60 which governs noise limits for vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1970 are omitted (regulation 3);
Consequential amendments are made to regulations 3 and 61 (regulation 4).
A new regulation 48A is inserted which prohibits the use of a coach or a minibus for the purpose of carrying a group of three or more children in connection with an organised trip unless at least as many forward-facing passenger seats as there are children are fitted with seat belts. A disabled child in a wheelchair is disregarded for this purpose. For the purposes of the regulation, “a child” is a person who is aged 3 years or more but is under the age of 16 years. The new regulation 48A does not apply to a vehicle providing a transport service for the general public (regulation 5).