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The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

S.I. 1986/1078 · Made 25 June 1986 · Extends to England, Wales and Scotland

Original text. legislation.gov.uk does not revise statutory instruments, so later amendments are not shown here. Changes made to it are listed under each provision when known.

ROAD TRAFFIC

Made 25th June 1986

Laid before Parliament 18th July 1986

Coming into Operation 11th August 1986

The Secretary of State for Transport (hereinafter referred to as “the Secretary of State”), in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 34(5), 40(1), (2) and (3) and 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1972 now vested in himf1 and of all other enabling powers, and after consultation with representative organisations in accordance with the provisions of section 199(2) of that Act, hereby makes the following Regulations:—C1C2

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Regulations modified (1.7.2022) by The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Automated Vehicles) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/470), arts. 1(1), 3 (with art. 2)

C2

Regulations applied in part by The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/1998), art. 58 (as inserted (31.5.2023) by S.I. 2023/524, arts. 1(1), 4)

Footnotes

f1

S.I. 1979/571 and 1981/238.

Contents

  1. Part I: PRELIMINARY
  2. 1Commencement and citation
  3. 2Revocation
  4. 3Interpretation
  5. 3AModification of Regulations in relation to vehicles for which a Minister’s approval certificate has been issued under the Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996
  6. 4Application and Exemptions
  7. 5Trade Descriptions Act 1968 Repealed
  8. 6Compliance with Community Directives and ECE Regulations
  9. Part II: REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES
  10. Chapter A: DIMENSIONS AND MANOEUVRABILITY
  11. 7Length
  12. 8Width
  13. 9Height
  14. 10Indication of overall travelling height
  15. 10AWarning devices where certain high level equipment is fitted to a vehicle
  16. 10BVehicles to which regulation 10A applies
  17. 10CInterpretation of regulations 10A and 10B
  18. 11Overhang
  19. 12Minimum ground clearance
  20. 13Turning circle—buses
  21. 13ATurning circle—articulated vehicles other than those incorporating a car transporter
  22. 13BTurning circle—articulated vehicles incorporating a car transporter
  23. 13CTurning circle—heavy motor car
  24. 14Connecting sections and direction-holding of articulated buses
  25. Chapter B: BRAKES
  26. 15Braking systems of certain vehicles first used on or after 1st April 1983
  27. 16Braking systems of vehicles to which regulation 15 does not apply
  28. 17Vacuum or pressure brake warning devices
  29. 17ACouplings on trailer pneumatic braking systems
  30. 18Maintenance and efficiency of brakes
  31. 18AReview of regulation 18 Repealed
  32. 19Application of brakes of trailers
  33. Chapter C: WHEELS, SPRINGS, TYRES AND TRACKS
  34. 20General requirement as to wheels and tracks
  35. 21Diameter of wheels Repealed
  36. 22Springs and resilient material
  37. 23Wheel loads
  38. 24Tyres
  39. 25Tyre Loads and Speed Ratings
  40. 25ATyre Noise
  41. 26Mixing of tyres
  42. 27Condition and maintenance of tyres
  43. 28Tracks
  44. Chapter D: STEERING
  45. 29Maintenance of steering gear
  46. Chapter E: VISION
  47. View to the front
  48. 30Regulation 30
  49. Glass
  50. 31Regulation 31
  51. 32Regulation 32
  53. 33Mirrors and other devices for indirect vision
  54. 34Windscreen wipers and washers
  55. Chapter F: INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT
  56. 35Speedometers
  57. 36Maintenance of speedometers
  58. 36ASpeed limiters
  59. 36BRegulation 36B
  60. 36CSpeed limiters — authorised sealers
  61. 37Audible warning instruments
  62. 38Motor cycle sidestands
  63. Chapter G: FUEL
  64. 39Fuel tanks
  65. 39ARegulation 39A
  66. 39BRegulation 39B
  67. 40Gas propulsion systems and gas-fired appliances
  68. Chapter H: MINIBUSES
  69. 41Minibuses
  70. 41AAlternative means of compliance
  71. 42Fire extinguishing apparatus
  72. 43First aid equipment
  73. 44Carriage of dangerous substances
  74. Chapter I: POWER TO WEIGHT RATIO
  75. 45Power to weight ratio Repealed
  76. Chapter J: PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS
  77. 46Seat belt anchorage points
  78. 47Seat belts
  79. 48Maintenance of seat belts and anchorage points
  80. 48AMinibuses and coaches to be fitted with additional seat belts when used in certain circumstances
  81. 49Rear under-run protection
  82. 50Maintenance of rear under-run protective device
  83. 51Sideguards
  84. 52Maintenance of sideguards
  85. 53Mascots
  86. 53AStrength of superstructure
  87. 53BAdditional exits from double-decked coaches
  88. 53CAlternative means of compliance
  89. Chapter K: CONTROL OF EMISSIONS
  90. 54Silencers-general
  91. 55Noise limits—certain vehicles with 3 or more wheels—general
  92. 55ANoise limits—certain vehicles first used on or after 1st October 1996—general
  93. 56Noise limits—agricultural motor vehicles and industrial tractors
  94. 57Noise limits construction requirements relating to motor cycles
  95. 57AExhaust systems motor cycles
  96. 57BNoise limits maintenance requirements relating to motor cycles
  97. 58Noise limits—vehicles not subject to regulations 55 to 57, first used on or after 1st April 1970 Repealed
  98. 59Exceptions to regulations 55 to 57B
  99. 60Radio interference suppression
  100. 61Emission of smoke, vapour, gases, oily substances etc
  101. 61AEmission of smoke, vapour, gases, oily substances etc—further requirements for certain motor vehicles first used on or after 1st January 2001
  102. 61BRetrofitting and refilling of certain air conditioning systems
  103. 61CEnd-of-series exemption
  104. 61DReview of regulations 61 to 61B
  105. 62Closets etc
  106. 63Wings
  107. 64Spray suppression devices
  108. 65Maintenance of spray suppression devices
  109. Part III: PLATES, MARKINGS, TESTING AND INSPECTION
  110. 66Plates for goods vehicles and buses
  111. 67Vehicle identification numbers
  112. 68Plates—agricultural trailed appliances
  113. 69Plates—motor cycles
  114. 70Ministry plates
  115. 70ASpeed limiters—plates
  116. 70BPlate relating to dimensions
  117. 71Marking of weights on certain vehicles
  118. 71AMarking of date of manufacture of trailers
  119. 72Additional markings
  120. 73Test date discs
  121. 74Testing and Inspection
  122. Part IV: CONDITIONS RELATING TO USE
  123. Chapter A: LADEN WEIGHT
  124. 75Maximum permitted laden weight of a vehicle
  125. 76Maximum permitted laden weight of a vehicle and trailer, other than an articulated vehicle
  126. 77Maximum permitted laden weight of an articulated vehicle
  127. 78Maximum permitted wheel and axle weights
  128. 79Maximum permitted weights for certain closely-spaced axles etc
  129. 79ASaving for the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998
  130. 80Over-riding weight restrictions
  131. Chapter B: DIMENSIONS OF LADEN VEHICLES
  132. Restrictions on use of vehicles carrying wide or long loads or having fixed appliances or apparatus
  133. 81Regulation 81
  134. 82Regulation 82
  135. Chapter C: TRAILERS AND SIDECARS
  136. 83Number of trailers
  137. 84Trailers drawn by motor cycles
  138. 85Trailers drawn by agricultural motor vehicles
  139. 86Distance between motor vehicles and trailers
  140. 86AUse of secondary coupling on trailers
  141. 86BUse of mechanical coupling devices
  142. 87Unbraked trailers
  143. 88Use of bridging plates between motor vehicle and trailer Repealed
  144. 89Leaving trailers at rest
  145. 90Passengers in trailers
  146. 91Attendants on trailers and certain other vehicles
  147. 92Attachment of sidecars
  148. 93Use of sidecars
  149. Chapter CA: USE OF MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE CARRIAGE OR HAULAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS
  150. 93AAdditional braking requirements for motor vehicles carrying or hauling dangerous goods
  151. Chapter D: USE OF GAS PROPULSION SYSTEMS AND GAS-FIRED APPLIANCES
  152. 94Use of gas propulsion systems
  153. 95Use of gas-fired appliances—general
  154. 96Use of gas-fired appliances when a vehicle is in motion
  155. Chapter DA: USE OF AERODYNAMIC DEVICES AND EQUIPMENT, AND ELONGATED CABS
  156. 96AUse of aerodynamic devices and equipment
  157. 96BUse of elongated cabs
  158. Chapter E: CONTROL OF NOISE
  159. 97Avoidance of excessive noise
  160. 98Stopping of engine when stationary
  161. 99Use of audible warning instruments
  162. Chapter F: AVOIDANCE OF DANGER
  163. 100Maintenance and use of vehicle so as not to be a danger, etc
  164. 100ARegulation 100A
  165. 101Parking in darkness
  166. 102Passengers on motor cycles
  167. 103Obstruction
  168. 104Driver's control
  169. 105Opening of doors
  170. 106Reversing
  171. 107Leaving motor vehicles unattended
  172. 108Securing of suspended implements
  173. 109Television sets
  174. 110Mobile telephones
  175. 111Review
  176. Signature
  177. Schedule 1REGULATIONS REVOKED BY REGULATION 2
  178. Schedule 2COMMUNITY DIRECTIVES AND ECE REGULATIONS
  179. Schedule 2A: VEHICLES FOR WHICH A MINISTER'S APPROVAL CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN ISSUED UNDER THE MOTOR VEHICLES (APPROVAL) REGULATIONS 1996
  180. Part I: INTERPRETATION
  181. 1General Interpretation
  182. 2Interpretation of references to a vehicle complying with the approval requirements and to a vehicle exempt from the approval requirements
  183. Part II: MODIFICATION OF THE REGULATIONS
  184. 3Part exemption from regulation 32 (glazing)
  185. 4Exemption from regulation 33 (mirrors)
  186. 5Exemption from regulation 35 (speedometers)
  187. 6Exemption from regulation 39(2)(c)(i) (fuel tanks to be made of metal)
  188. 7Exemption from regulation 46 (seat belt anchorages)
  189. 8Part exemption from regulation 47 (seat belts)
  190. 9Modifications to regulation 61 (emissions)
  191. 9AParagraph 9A
  192. 9BModifications to regulation 61A (emissions)
  193. 9CModification to regulation 61B (retrofitting and refilling of certain air conditioning systems)
  194. 10Modification to regulation 67 (vehicle identification numbers)
  195. Schedule 3: BRAKING REQUIREMENTS
  196. 1Paragraph 1
  197. 2Paragraph 2
  198. 3Paragraph 3
  199. 4Paragraph 4
  200. 5Paragraph 5
  201. Schedule 3A: EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN VEHICLES FROM THE APPLICATION OF REGULATION 39A
  202. Part I
  203. 1Paragraph 1
  204. 2Paragraph 2
  205. 3Paragraph 3
  206. IISYMBOL INDICATING THAT VEHICLE CAN RUN ON UNLEADED PETROL
  207. Schedule 3B: AUTHORISED SEALERS
  208. Part I: general
  209. 1Paragraph 1
  210. 2Paragraph 2
  211. 3Paragraph 3
  212. 4Paragraph 4
  213. 5Paragraph 5
  214. Part II: the conditions
  215. 6Paragraph 6
  216. 7Paragraph 7
  217. 8Paragraph 8
  218. 9Paragraph 9
  219. 10Paragraph 10
  220. Schedule 4: GAS CONTAINERS
  221. Part I
  222. 1Definitions relating to gas containers
  223. 2Gas containers
  224. 3Pipe lines
  225. 4Unions
  226. 5Reducing valves
  227. 6Valves and cocks
  228. 7Pressure gauges
  229. 8Charging connections
  230. 9Trailers
  231. 10Construction, etc., of system
  232. Part II: SPECIFICATION FOR BRASS OR BRONZE VALVES
  233. 1Manufacture of valves
  234. 2Heat treatment
  235. 3Freedom from defects
  236. 4Tensile test
  237. Schedule 5: GAS SYSTEMS
  238. Definitions
  239. 1Paragraph 1
  240. Gas containers
  241. 2Paragraph 2
  242. Filling systems for fixed gas containers
  243. 3Paragraph 3
  244. Pipelines
  245. 4Paragraph 4
  246. Unions and joints
  247. 5Paragraph 5
  248. Reducing valves
  249. 6Paragraph 6
  250. Pressure relief valves
  251. 7Paragraph 7
  252. Valves and cocks
  253. 8Paragraph 8
  254. Gauges
  255. 9Paragraph 9
  256. Propulsion systems
  257. 10Paragraph 10
  258. Special requirements for buses
  259. 11Paragraph 11
  260. Gas-fired appliances
  261. 12Paragraph 12
  262. 13Paragraph 13
  263. 14Paragraph 14
  264. General requirements
  265. 15Paragraph 15
  266. Schedule 5A: HYDROGEN FUELLED MACHINERY
  267. 1Definitions
  268. 2Fuelling receptacle
  269. 3Overpressure protection for the low pressure system
  270. 4Discharge from thermally-activated pressure relief devices
  271. 5Discharge from other pressure relief devices
  272. 6Protection against flammable conditions
  273. 7Signal warning to driver
  274. 8Fuel system leakage
  275. 9Additional installation requirements
  276. Schedule 6CONSTRUCTION OF MINIBUSES
  277. 1Exhaust pipes
  278. 2Doors—number and position
  279. 3Emergency Doors
  280. 4Power-operated doors
  281. 5Locks, handles and hinges of doors
  282. 6View of doors
  283. 7Access to doors
  284. 8Grab handles and hand rails
  285. 9Seats
  286. 10Electrical equipment and wiring
  287. 11Fuel tanks
  288. 12Lighting of steps
  289. 13General construction and maintenance
  290. 14Definitions
  291. Schedule 7: FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS AND FIRST AID EQUIPMENT FOR MINIBUSES
  292. IFIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS
  293. IIFIRST AID EQUIPMENT
  294. Schedule 7XA: END OF SERIES EXEMPTIONS
  295. Part I: MODIFICATION OF REGULATIONS 55A, 61 AND 61A IN RELATION TO END OF SERIES VEHICLES
  296. 1Modification of regulations 55A, 61 and 61A
  297. Part II: MEANING OF “TYPE APPROVAL END OF SERIES VEHICLE” IN PART I
  298. 2Meaning of “type approval end of series vehicle” for the purposes of paragraph 1
  299. 3Meaning of “relevant vehicle” for the purposes of this Part
  300. 4Meaning of “specified number” for the purposes of this Part
  301. 5Circumstances in which a vehicle is to be regarded as having been in the territory of a relevant state for the purposes of this Part
  302. 6Meaning of “relevant period” for the purposes of this Part
  303. Part III: MEANING OF “NON-TYPE APPROVAL END OF SERIES VEHICLE” IN PART I
  304. 7Meaning of “non-type approval end of series vehicle” in paragraph 1
  305. 8Meaning of “relevant vehicle” for the purposes of this Part
  306. 9Meaning of “specified number” for the purposes of this Part
  307. 10Circumstances in which a vehicle is to be regarded as having been in the territory of a relevant state for the purposes of this Part
  308. 11Meaning of “relevant period” for the purposes of this Part
  309. Part IV: MEANING OF “LATE ENTRY INTO SERVICE VEHICLE” IN PART I
  310. 12Meaning of “late entry into service vehicle” in paragraph 1
  311. 13Circumstances in which a vehicle is to be regarded as having been in the territory of a relevant state for the purposes of this Part
  312. Schedule 7A: MOTOR CYCLE NOISE AND MOTOR CYCLE SILENCERS
  313. Part I
  314. 1Paragraph 1
  315. Part II
  316. 2Paragraph 2
  317. 3Paragraph 3
  318. 4Paragraph 4
  319. 5Paragraph 5
  320. Part III
  321. 6Paragraph 6
  322. 7Paragraph 7
  323. 8Paragraph 8
  324. 9Paragraph 9
  325. Schedule 7B: EMISSIONS FROM CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES
  326. Part I: VEHICLES PROPELLED BY SPARK IGNITION ENGINES
  327. 1Paragraph 1
  328. 2Paragraph 2
  329. 3Paragraph 3
  330. 3AParagraph 3A
  331. 4Paragraph 4
  332. 5Paragraph 5
  333. 6Paragraph 6
  334. 7Paragraph 7
  335. Part II: VEHICLES PROPELLED BY COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINES
  336. 8Paragraph 8
  337. 9Paragraph 9
  338. Schedule 8: PLATES FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES
  339. IPart I
  340. IIPart II
  341. Part III
  342. 1Paragraph 1
  343. 2Paragraph 2
  344. 3Paragraph 3
  345. 3AParagraph 3A
  346. 4Paragraph 4
  347. 5Paragraph 5
  348. 6Paragraph 6
  349. Schedule 9: PLATES FOR MOTOR CYCLES
  350. 1Paragraph 1
  351. 2Paragraph 2
  352. 3Paragraph 3
  353. 4Paragraph 4
  354. 5Paragraph 5
  355. 6Paragraph 6
  356. Schedule 10MINISTRY PLATE
  357. Schedule 10AMINISTRY PLATE
  358. Schedule 10BSchedule 10B
  359. Schedule 10CSchedule 10C
  360. Schedule 11: MAXIMUM PERMITTED WEIGHTS, ETC
  361. Part I (see regulation 75): MAXIMUM PERMITTED LADEN WEIGHTS OF (1) TRAILERS AND (2) HEAVY MOTOR CARS AND MOTOR CARS NOT FITTED WITH ROAD FRIENDLY SUSPENSION; IN EACH CASE NOT FORMING PART OF AN ARTICULATED VEHICLE
  362. 1Paragraph 1
  363. 2Paragraph 2
  364. Part IA (see regulation 75): MAXIMUM PERMITTED GROSS WEIGHTS FOR HEAVY CARS AND MOTOR CARS IF THE DRIVING AXLES ARE FITTED WITH ROAD FRIENDLY SUSPENSION ETC AND IN EACH CASE NOT FORMING PART OF AN ARTICULATED VEHICLE
  365. 1Paragraph 1
  366. 2Paragraph 2
  367. IIMaximum permitted laden weights for heavy motor cars and motor cars forming part of articulated vehicles
  368. IIIMaximum permitted laden weight of articulated vehicles
  369. IV (see regulation 77)MAXIMUM PERMITTED LADEN WEIGHT OF ARTICULATED VEHICLES
  370. V Regulation 79(2)VEHICLES WITH TWO CLOSELY-SPACED AXLES
  371. VI Regulation 79(3)VEHICLES WITH THREE CLOSELY-SPACED AXLES
  372. VIIMaximum permitted weight of three adjacent axles
  373. Schedule 11A (see regulations 76(1A), 77(2A) and 80(2B)): Exceptions relating to intermodal transport operations
  374. Part I: GENERAL
  375. 1Paragraph 1
  376. 2Paragraph 2
  377. 2AParagraph 2A
  378. Part II: DRAWBAR COMBINATIONS
  379. 3Paragraph 3
  380. 4Paragraph 4
  381. 5Paragraph 5
  382. Part III: ARTICULATED VEHICLES
  383. 6Paragraph 6
  384. 7Paragraph 7
  385. 8Paragraph 8
  386. Part IIIA: ARTICULATED VEHICLES (ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS)
  387. 8AParagraph 8A
  388. Part IV: INTERPRETATION
  389. 9Paragraph 9
  390. Schedule 12: CONDITIONS TO BE COMPLIED WITH IN RELATION TO THE USE OF VEHICLES CARRYING WIDE OR LONG LOADS OR VEHICLES CARRYING LOADS OR HAVING FIXED APPLIANCES OR APPARATUS WHICH PROJECT
  391. Part I
  392. 1Advance notice to Police
  393. 2Attendants
  394. 3Marking of longer projections
  395. 4Marking of shorter projections
  396. 5Marking of wide loads
  397. IIPROJECTION MARKERS
  398. Schedule 13: PLATE FOR RESTRICTED SPEED VEHICLE
  399. 1Paragraph 1
  400. Explanatory note