Explanatory note

These Regulations further amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (the “1986 Regulations”) in respect of the requirements for speed limiters on motor vehicles. (Regulation 36A(14) of the 1986 Regulations defines “speed limiter” as “a device designed to limit the maximum speed of a motor vehicle by controlling the power output from the engine of the vehicle”.)

The amendments in regulation 3 insert references to regulations 36A(2), 36A(7), 36A(9), 36B(2), 36B(9) and 36B(11) of the 1986 Regulations (which all relate to speed limiters) in column 3 of item 2 in the Table in regulation 4(4). (Regulation 4(4) provides that the regulations specified in an item in column 3 of the Table to regulation 4(4) do not apply in respect of a motor vehicle of a class specified in that item in column 2.)

The amendments in regulation 3 have the effect of excluding from the scope of the exemption in regulation 4(4) specified categories of motor vehicle brought temporarily into Great Britain by a person resident abroad. The amendments have the effect that the following categories of motor vehicle do not have the benefit of the exemption in regulation 4(4) in respect of requirements under—

Removal of this exemption will allow enforcing authorities in Great Britain to enforce Articles 2 and 3 of Council Directive 92/6/EEC which require certain categories of motor vehicle to be fitted with speed limiters. Article 1 of European Parliament and Council Directive 2002/85/EC replaced, inter alia, Articles 1 to 5 of Directive 92/6/EEC.

In particular, the amendments made by regulation 3 will enable enforcing authorities to enforce the fitment requirement in respect of motor vehicles visiting Great Britain from elsewhere in the European Union. Additionally, they will enable enforcing authorities to apply effective penalties in cases of non-compliance, as required by Article 10 of European Parliament and Council Directive 2000/30/EC. Commission Directive 2003/26/EC adapted to technical progress, European Parliament and Council Directive 2000/30/EC.

Enforcement in respect of motor vehicles registered in Great Britain is already provided for under regulation 36A and 36B of the 1986 Regulations. The amendments in regulation 3 will provide for equivalent treatment in the case of motor vehicles registered in member States of the European Union other than Great Britain.

Regulation 4 omits the spent provision in regulation 36A(9A) relating to motor vehicles first used before 1st July 1998 until 1st July 1999 exclusively for transport operations in the United Kingdom.

Regulation 5 makes minor drafting corrections and amendments to regulation 36B of the 1986 Regulations.

Regulation 6 makes drafting corrections and amendments to Part II of Schedule 3B (the conditions which apply to authorised sealers) to reflect, in particular, the deletion of regulations 36A(3) and 36B(3) of the 1986 Regulations.

Copies of relevant EEC and EC Directives can be obtained from the Stationery Office.