Construction and use of vehicles - main requirements

The Road Vehicles Construction and Use Regulations 1986 cover the design, manufacture, maintenance, construction and use of motor vehicles and trailers used by road transport operators, amongst others. It is necessary to look for the appropriate section of the Regulations to discover what the legal weight of a vehicle and its axles may be, and the legal maximum dimensions of the vehicle and its load, including maximum length, width, height and weight of various classes of vehicles, as well as any overhang, or projection forwards or rearwards.

The Regulations also set noise and emission limits and conditions relating to the use of vehicles, cover instruments and equipment, vision, fuel systems and power to weight ratios. They also cover protective systems such as seat belts, under run protection devices, sideguards, and their maintenance.

Construction and Use Regulations Exemptions

Certain vehicles are exempt from a substantial number of the Construction and Use Requirements described in the regulations, for example an agricultural tractor. There are also concessions for vehicles more than 20 years old. In addition to the design and manufacture of goods vehicles, the Construction and Use chapter also looks at bridge strikes, usually caused by the driver being unaware of the height of the vehicle. 

Continue Reading 

Logistics UK members can continue to download the Construction and use of vehicles chapter of the Yearbook of Road Transport Law here.