# The Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) (No. 1) Regulations 1991

S.I. 1991/253 · made 13 February 1991

These Regulations amend the Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981 in several respects. The principal changes are—

Made under: Road Traffic Act 1988 (Section 45, Section 46, Section 47)

## Introductory text

ROAD TRAFFIC
Made 13th February 1991
Laid before Parliament 21st February 1991
Coming into force
For the purposes of regulation 13 1st April 1991
For all other purposes 18th March 1991
The Secretary of State for Transport, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 45, 46 and 47(5) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and by the Department of Transport (Fees) Order 1988, and of all other enabling powers, after consultation with representative organisations in accordance with section 195(2) of that Act, hereby makes the following Regulations:—

## 1 Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) (No. 1) Regulations 1991 and shall come into force—
(a) for the purposes of regulation 13, on 1st April 1991, and
(b) for all other purposes, on 18th March 1991.

## 2 Introduction

The Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981 are hereby further amended in accordance with these Regulations.

## 3 Amendments to Regulation 3

In regulation 3—
(a) in paragraph (1)—
(i) for the definition of “the Construction and Use Regulations” there shall be substituted ““the Construction and Use Regulations” means the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986”;
(ii) for the definition of “the Lighting Regulations” there shall be substituted “the Lighting Regulations” means “the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989”;
(iii) in the sub-paragraph which begins with the expression “agricultural motor vehicle”, there shall be inserted, before the expression “pedestrian controlled vehicle”, the expression “Ministry plate;” and
(iv) before the expression “designated council” and the meaning assigned to it, there shall be inserted the following—
““design gross weight” means—
(a) in the case of a vehicle equipped with a Ministry plate, the weight shown thereon as the design weight, or, if no weight is so shown thereon, the weight shown thereon as the weight not to be exceeded in Great Britain;
(b) in the case of a vehicle which is not equipped with a Ministry plate, but which is equipped with a plate in accordance with regulation 66 of the Construction and Use Regulations, the maximum gross weight shown on the plate in respect of item 7 of Part I of Schedule 8 to those Regulations; and
(c) in any other case, the weight which the vehicle is designed or adapted not to exceed when in normal use and travelling on a road laden;” and
(b) in paragraph (5) for the words “Regulation 3(2)” there shall be substituted the words “Regulation 3(3)”.

## 4 Amendments to regulation 4

In regulation 4—
(a) paragraph (1) shall be omitted;
(b) for paragraph (2) there shall be substituted—
“(2) The prescribed statutory requirements for the purposes of section 45(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 are—
(a) in relation to any vehicle in Class I to V, the requirements specified in paragraph 1 of Schedule 2,
(b) in relation to any vehicle in Class VI, the requirements specified in paragraph 2 of Schedule 2, and
(c) in relation to any vehicle in Class VII, the requirements specified in paragraph 3 of Schedule 2,
and in these Regulations those requirements are referred to as “the prescribed statutory requirements”.”; and
(c) paragraph 4 shall be omitted.

## 5 Amendment of regulation 5

In paragraph (1) of regulation 5,
(a) in the item relating to Class IV, for the words “Classes 111, V or VI” there shall be substituted “Classes 111, V, VI or VII”; and
(b) after the item relating to Class VI there shall be inserted the following—
“Class VII: Goods vehicles of which the design gross weight is more than 3000 kilograms but does not exceed 3500 kilograms”.

## 6 Amendment of regulation 6

(1) In regulation 6(1)—
(a) for sub-paragraph (v) there shall be substituted the following—
“(v) a goods vehicle, the design gross weight of which exceeds 3500 kilograms;”;
(b) for sub-paragraph (xvii) there shall be substituted the following—
“(xvii) an electrically propelled goods vehicle the design gross weight of which does not exceed 3500 kilograms;”;
(c) the word “and” immediately following sub-paragraph (xvii) shall be omitted and after sub-paragraph (xx) there shall be added the following sub-paragraphs—
“(xxi) a motor vehicle constructed and not merely adapted for the purpose of street cleansing or the collection or disposal of refuse or the collection or disposal of the contents of gullies and which is either—
(a) a three wheeled vehicle, or
(b) a vehicle which—
(i) is incapable by reason of its construction of exceeding a speed of 20 miles per hour on the level under its own power, or
(ii) has an inside track width of less than 810 millimetres;
(xxii) a goods vehicle, the design gross weight of which does not exceed 3500 kilograms and in respect of which a goods vehicle test certificate was issued between 1st February 1990 and 17th March 1991, while that certificate is valid; and
(xxiii) before 1st August 1991, a goods vehicle the design gross weight of which does not exceed 3500 kilograms and which is of a class specified in Schedule 2 to the Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1988.”.
(2) In regulation 6(3)—
(a) for the words “Provided that” there shall be substituted the following—
“Provided that—
(a) in relation to a vehicle in any of Classes I to VI,” and
(b) at the end there shall be added—
“and
(b) in relation to a vehicle in Class VII this Regulation does not apply in any of the following islands, namely, the Isle of Wight, the Islands of Lewis, Mainland (Orkney), Mainland (Shetland) and Skye.”

## 7 Amendment of Regulation 15

In regulation 15—
(a) in paragraph (1)—
(i) the word “and” shall be inserted after sub-paragraph (a);
(ii) the word “and” following sub-paragraph (b) shall be omitted; and
(iii) sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) shall be omitted;
(b) in paragraph (2) the words “and inspection report or card (if its issue is required by paragraph (1)(c) or (d))” and the words “and report or card”, wherever they occur, shall be omitted;
(c) in paragraph (3) in sub-paragraph (a)(iii) for the words “unladen weight” there shall be substituted the words “design gross weight”;
(d) in paragraph (4)—
(i) after the words “Every test certificate” there shall be inserted the word “and”;
(ii) the words “and inspection report or card” shall be omitted.

## 8 Amendments consequential upon regulation 7 above

(1) In regulation 18 (appeal on refusal of a test certificate)—
(a) in paragraph (5), sub-paragraph (b) and the word “and” which precedes it shall be omitted; and
(b) in paragraph (6)—
(i) after the words “Test certificates” there shall be inserted the word “and”;
(ii) the words “and inspection reports or cards” shall be omitted; and
(iii) in sub-paragraph (a)—
(aa) for the words “notices of the refusal” there shall be substituted “or a notice of the refusal”; and
(bb) the words “and an inspection report or card” shall be omitted.
(2) In regulation 22 (records to be kept and returns to be furnished by examiners and designated councils), in paragraph (4) the words “together with a copy of any inspection report or card which accompanied the same” shall be omitted.
(3) In regulation 24, in paragraph (c)—
(a) after the words “copies of test certificates” there shall be inserted the word “and”; and
(b) the words “and inspection reports and cards” shall be omitted.
(4) In regulation 25, in paragraph (1)—
(a) after the words “for use as a test certificate” there shall be inserted the word “or”; and
(b) the words “or an Inspection report or card” shall be omitted.

## 9 Amendment of regulation 20

In regulation 20—
(a) in paragraph (1), after sub-paragraph (b), there shall be inserted—
“(ba) in the case of a vehicle in Class VII, £18;”; and
(b) for sub-paragraph (c) of paragraph (7) there shall be substituted the following—
“(c) the re-examination relates only to one or more of the requirements specifed in the following items in paragraph 2 of Schedule 2—
(i) sub-paragraph (a) (Insofar as it relates to windscreen cleaning, audible warning instruments, speed limiter and plate, lamps, rear retro reflectors and direction indicators;
(ii) items 18; 19; 20; 23 (Insofar as it relates to the spare wheel carrier and bumpers); 26, 35, 36 and 52 (insofar as they relate to markings); 45; 46; 48 and 62 (insofar as they relate to cleanliness); 63; 64; 65; 66; and 67; and
(iii) sub-paragraph (f).”

## 10 Amendment of regulation 23

In regulation 23(2), after sub-paragraph (a) there shall be inserted—
“(aa) £9 in the case of a Class VII vehicle”;

## 11 Amendment of Schedules 2 and 3

For Schedule 2 there shall be substituted the Schedule set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.

## 12 Amendment of Schedules 2 and 3

Schedule 3 shall be omitted.

## 13 Amendment of Schedule 2 (as substituted by regulation 11 above)

In Schedule 2, as substituted by regulation 11 above,—
(a) in paragraph 1 after item 8 there shall be inserted the following item
“
9
36A and 70A
Speed limiter and plate
”; and
(b) in paragraph 2 for the words “items 1 to 8 and 10 to 16” there shall be inserted the words “items 1 to 16”.

## Signature

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Christopher Chope
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State,
Department of Transport
13th February 1991

## Schedule THE 

“SCHEDULE 2 (see regulation 4)
THE PRESCRIBED STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES IN CLASSES I TO V
1 (a) The requirements contained in the following provisions of the Construction and Use Regulations:—
Item No
Regulations
Affecting
1
15, 16, 17 and 18
Braking
2
29
Steering
3
24, 26, 27 and 100(1) (insofar as it relates to condition of the road wheels to the extent that such condition is likely to lead to a rapid deflation of the tyres of such wheels).
Tyres
4
46, 47 and 48
Seat Belts and Anchorages
5
34
Windscreen Cleaning
6
54 and 100(1) (insofar as it relates to the condition of the pipings, attachment brackets and mounting of the exhaust system)
Exhaust
7
37
Audible Warning Instrument
8
22 and 100(1) (insofar as it relates to the condition of the vehicle structure, the body, the chassis, frame and any subframe or any mounting or connection or part of the suspension, to the extent that such condition may prejudice the steering, braking or seat belt mountings of the vehicle).
Structure and Suspension
(b) The requirements contained in the following provisions of the Lighting Regulations:—
Item No
Regulations
Affecting
10
18 and 23
Front Position Lamp
11
18 and 23
Dipped Beam Headlamp
12
18 and 23
Main Beam Headlamp
13
18 and 23
Rear Position Lamp
14
18 and 23
Rear Retro Reflector
15
18 and 23
Stop Lamp
16
18 and 23
Direction Indicator
THE PRESCRIBED STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES IN CLASS VI
2 (a) The requirements specified in items 1 to 8 and 10 to 16 in paragraph 1 above
(b) The requirements contained in the following provisions of the Construction and Use Regulations:—
Item No
Regulations
Affecting
17
25
Tyre Load Capacity
18
30
Field of Vision
19
33
Mirrors
20
35 and 36
Speedometer
21
60
Radio Interference Suppression
22
62
Closets, etc
23
100 (insofar as it relates to the question whether the particulars opposite are fitted or, as the case may be, maintained so that no danger is likely to be caused)
Spare wheel carrier, means of coupling trailers, chassis, wiring, engine mounting, fuel tanks and pipes, transmission, battery, shock absorbers, bumpers, mirrors, wings and wheel arches, cab, cab steps or ring, doors, seats, driving controls and window glass.
24
109
Television sets
(c) For those vehicles certified in accordance with the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness, Equipment, Use and Certification) Regulations 1981, the requirements contained in the following provisions of those Regulations:—
Item No
Regulations
Affecting
25
8
Guard Rail
26
13
Fuel Tanks and Carburettors
27
14
Exhaust Pipe
28
15
Luggage Racks
29
16
Artificial Lighting
30
17
Electrical Equipment
31
18
Body
32
20
Steps, Platforms and Stairs
33
21
Number, Position and Size of Entrances and Exits
34
22
Width of Exits and Entrances
35
23
Doors
36
24
Marking, Positioning and Operation of Emergency Exits
37
25
Access to Exits
38
28
Seats
39
29
Passenger Protection
40
30
Ventilation
41
31
Driver’s Accommodation
42
32
Windscreens
43
33
Passengers' Communication with Driver
44
34
General Construction
45
35
Fire Extinguishing Apparatus
46
36
First Aid Equipment
47
38
Obstruction of Driver
48
39
Body Maintenance
49
44
Carriage of Inflammable or Dangerous Substances
(d) For minibuses of a type mentioned in regulation 41 of the Construction and Use Regulations, the following requirements specified in Schedules 6 and 7 to those Regulations:—
Item No
(Schedule 6)
Affecting
50
1
Exhaust Pipes
51
2
Doors
52
3
Emergency Doors
53
4
Power-operated Doors
54
5
Locks, Handles and Hinges of Doors
55
6
View of Doors
56
7
Access to Doors
57
8
Grab Handles and Hand Rails
58
9
Seats
59
10
Electrical Equipment and Wiring
60
11
Fuel Tanks
61
12
Lighting of Steps
62
13
General Construction and Maintenance
Item No
(Schedule 7)
Affecting
63
I
Fire Extinguishing Apparatus
64
II
First Aid Equipment
(e) The requirements contained in the following provisions of the Lighting Regulations:—
Item No
Regulations
Affecting
65
18 and 23
End Outline Marker Lamp
66
18 and 23
Rear Fog Lamp
67
18 and 23
Hazard Warning Signal Device
(f) The requirements of the Community Recording Equipment Regulation (as defined in section 85 of the 1988 Act) insofar as they relate to the installation of recording equipment and the seals to he affixed to such equipment.
THE PRESCRIBED STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR VEHICLES IN CLASS VII
3 The requirements specified in items 1 to 8 and 10 to 16 in paragraph 1 above and in item 17 of paragraph 2 above.”

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Motor Vehicles (Tests) Regulations 1981 in several respects. The principal changes are—
1 These Regulations bring within the MOT testing regime, as a new Class VII, goods vehicles which have a design gross weight (as defined in regulation 3 of these Regulations) of more than 3000 kilograms but not exceeding 3500 kilograms. Such vehicles were formerly subject to the goods vehicle plating and testing system if they had an unladen weight exceeding 1525 kilograms. Exemptions from testing are granted for certain limited types of vehicles which would otherwise be brought within the testing regime. Transitional provision is made in respect of goods vehicles which are covered on the operative date by a valid goods vehicle test certificate, and in respect of vehicles which were previously excluded from the goods vehicle plating and testing requirements.
2 Schedules 2 and 3 of the 1981 Regulations, which set out the prescribed statutory requirements and the manner and conditions of carrying out tests are replaced by a single new Schedule 2 which sets out the prescribed statutory requirements for the classes of vehicles under the Regulations. The manner and conditions of carrying out tests will be the subject of instructions and guidance given administratively to authorised MOT examiners.
3 With effect from 1st April 1991 speed limiters become testable items on those coaches which are required to be fitted with them.
4 Requirements of the 1981 Regulations relating to inspection reports and cards are removed.
5 The fee of £18 is prescribed for the examination of a Class VII vehicle and the fee of £9 is set for the issue of a duplicate test certificate in respect of a Class VII vehicle.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1991/253 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/motor-vehicles-tests-amendment-no-1-regulations-1991
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.