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Explanatory note

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

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

Category T tractors are vehicles in “category T”, which is defined in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 167/2013 and includes wheeled agricultural and forestry vehicles (regulation 3(2)).

The speed threshold at which category T tractors are required to comply with higher standards of vehicle construction and use under the 1986 Regulations is increased from 20 mph to 40 km/h in respect of the following components and characteristics.

  • Braking systems (regulations 4 to 6)

  • Maintenance and efficiency of brakes (regulation 7)

  • Springs and resilient material (regulation 8)

  • Tyres (regulation 9)

  • Tyre loads and speed rating (regulation 10)

  • Condition and maintenance of tyres (regulation 11)

  • Glass (regulation 12)

  • Mirrors (regulation 13)

  • Windscreen wipers and washers (regulation 14)

  • Speedometers (regulation 15)

  • Audible warning instruments (regulation 16)

  • Noise limits (regulations 17 and 18)

  • Emissions (regulation 19)

  • Wings (regulation 20)

  • Wheel and axle weights (regulation 22)

The speed threshold at which most agricultural trailers are required to comply with higher braking standards is increased from 20 mph to 40 km/h (regulation 4).

These Regulations amend the 1986 Regulations to increase the maximum authorised laden weight of a combination comprising a category T tractor and a single agricultural trailer (other than an agricultural trailed appliance conveyor or a wheeled unbalanced agricultural trailer where the distance between the rearmost axle of the unbalanced trailer and the rearmost axle of the drawing vehicle does not exceed 2.9 metres) from 24,390 kg to 31,000 kg (regulation 21).

An impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business, the public sector and voluntary sector is available from the Freight, Operator Licensing and Roadworthiness Division of the Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR. A copy may be obtained from the Department for Transport website (www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport).

A copy of the impact assessment has been placed in the library of each House of Parliament. The impact assessment is annexed to the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk.

A copy of these Regulations was notified to the EU Commission in draft form in accordance with the requirements of Directive 98/34/EC (as amended).