Explanatory note

These Regulations further amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.

The definition of “Part I of the British Standard” in regulation 36A(5) is amended in consequence of an amendment to the British Standard for maximum road speed limiters for motor vehicles. For references to limiter suppliers in regulation 70A there are substituted references to limiter calibrators, again in consequence of the amendment to the British Standard.

A new regulation 39A is inserted. It requires vehicles with petrol engines first used on or after 1st April 1991 to be designed and constructed for running on unleaded petrol. It also prohibits the use of such a vehicle on a road if it has been altered or adjusted for running on leaded petrol if as a result it is rendered incapable of running on unleaded petrol.

A new regulation 39B provides that such vehicles must be incapable of being readily filled from a petrol pump nozzle with a diameter of 23.6mm or greater, or (if certain conditions are met) be clearly marked (in the prescribed manner) so as to indicate that unleaded petrol can be used.

A new Schedule 3A is inserted. The Schedule contains provisions for excluding vehicles from the above requirements if they are first used before specified dates and adapting vehicles of that model would entail a change in specification of the inlet or exhaust valve seats, a reduction in the compression ratio or an increase in the engine capacity to compensate for loss of power.

Regulation 61(4) is amended so that vehicles with spark ignition engines first used on or after 1st April 1991 will no longer have the option of complying with the exhaust emission requirements specified in Council Directive 70/220/EEC as last amended by Council Directive 78/665 or with EEC Regulation 15.03. However, vehicles are given the additional option of complying with Council Directive 70/220/EEC as last amended by Council Directive 88/76/EEC.

Enquiries about the British Standard should be made to the British Standards Institution at Linford Wood, Milton Keynes, MK14 6LE (telephone Milton Keynes (STD 0908) 221166).

Copies of the EEC Directives and ECE Regulations (and amendments) referred to in these Regulations can be obtained from Her Majesty`s Stationery Office. The details of the ECE Directives and EEC Regulations are set out in the Table below.