Citation and commencement

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 1) Regulations 1993 and shall come into force on 1st September 1993.

Preliminary

2.-(1) The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986(4) shall be further amended in accordance with the following provisions of these Regulations.

(2) The Secretary of State is satisfied that-�

(a)it is requisite that the provisions of regulation 3 shall apply as from 1st September 1993 to vehicles registered under the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971(5) before the expiration of 1 year from the making of these Regulations; and

(b)notwithstanding that the said provisions would then apply to those vehicles, no undue hardship or inconvenience would be caused thereby.

(3) The only provisions in these Regulations which are made in whole or in part in exercise of powers under section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 alone or in addition to powers under the Road Traffic Act 1988 are regulation 3(1) and Part I of the Schedule to these Regulations and those provisions are so made only in so far as they enact-�

(a)paragraph (14) of and the definition of "equivalent standard" in regulation 36A of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 as substituted by those provisions; and

(b)paragraph (15) of and the definition of "equivalent standard" in regulation 36B of those Regulations as substituted by those provisions.

Amendments

3.-(1) For regulations 36A and 36B, there shall be substituted the regulations set out in Part I of the Schedule to these Regulations.

(2) For regulations 70A and 70B, there shall be substituted the regulation set out in Part II of the Schedule to these Regulations.

(3) In Schedule 2, after item 66 of Table I there shall be inserted the following item-�

Regulation 3

THE SCHEDULEREGULATIONS SUBSTITUTED FOR REGULATIONS 36A, 36B, 70A AND 70B OF THE ROAD VEHICLES (CONSTRUCTION AND USE) REGULATIONS 1986

PART I

36A.-(1) Subject to paragraph (13), this regulation applies to every coach which-�

(a)was first used on or after 1st April 1974 and before 1st January 1988; and

(b)has, or if a speed limiter were not fitted to it would have, a maximum speed exceeding 70 mph;

and a reference to this regulation to a paragraph (1) vehicle is a reference to a vehicle to which this regulation applies by virtue of this paragraph.

(2) Subject to paragraph (13), this regulation also applies to every bus which-�

(a)is first used on or after 1st January 1988;

(b)has a maximum gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes; and

(c)has, or if a speed limiter were not fitted to it would have, a maximum speed exceeding 65 mph;

and a reference in this regulation to a paragraph (2) vehicle is a reference to a vehicle to which this regulation applies by virtue of this paragraph.

(3) Until 1st January 1996, in relation to vehicles used exclusively for transport operations in the United Kingdom or until 1st January 1995 in relation to any other vehicles, paragraphs (1)(a) and (2)(a) shall have effect as if for the words "1st January 1988" there were substituted the words "1st January 1994".

(4) Every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be fitted with a speed limiter in respect of which such of the requirements of paragraphs (5) to (9) are met as apply to that speed limiter.

(5) The requirements of this paragraph are that a speed limiter fitted to any vehicle must-�

(a)be sealed by an authorised sealer in such a manner as to protect the limiter against any improper interference or adjustment and against any interference of its power supply; and

(b)be maintained in good and efficient working order.

(6) The requirements of this paragraph are that a speed limiter fitted to a paragraph (1) vehicle must be calibrated to a set speed of 70 mph.

(7) The requirements of this paragraph are that a speed limiter fitted to a paragraph (2) vehicle must be so adjusted that the stabilised speed of the vehicle does not exceed 65 mph.

(8) The requirements of this paragraph are that a speed limiter fitted at any time to any paragraph (1) vehicle or a speed limiter fitted before 1st October 1994 to a paragraph (2) vehicle first used before that date must comply with-�

(a)Part 1 of the British Standard; or

(b)the Annexes to Community Directive 92/24(6).

(9) The requirements of this paragraph are that a speed limiter (not being a speed limiter to which paragraph (8) applies) fitted to a paragraph (2) vehicle must comply with the Annexes to Community Directive 92/24.

(10) Paragraph (5)(a) shall have effect in relation to-�

(a)a speed limiter fitted before 1st August 1992 to a vehicle first used before that date; or

(b)a speed limiter sealed outside the United Kingdom,

as if the words "by an authorised sealer" were omitted.

(11) Paragraph (8) does not apply to a speed limiter fitted before 1st October 1988.

(12) Paragraph (8) does not apply to a speed limiter fitted to a vehicle if the speed limiter complies with an equivalent standard.

(13) This regulation does not apply to a vehicle-�

(a)being taken to a place where a speed limiter is to be installed, calibrated, repaired or replaced; or

(b)completing a journey in the course of which the speed limiter has accidentally ceased to function.

(14) In this regulation-�

• "authorised sealer" has the meaning given in Schedule 3B;

• "equivalent standard" means-�

  (a)

  a standard or code of practice of a national standards body or equivalent body of any member State;

  (b)

  any international standard recognised for use as a standard by any member State; or

  (c)

  a technical specification recognised for use as a standard by a public authority of any member State,

  where the standard, code of practice, international standard or technical specification provides, in relation to speed limiters, a level of speed control equivalent to that provided by Part 1 of the British Standard.

• "Part 1 of the British Standard" means the British Standard for Maximum Road Speed Limiters for Motor Vehicles which was published by the British Standards Institution under the number BS AU 217: Part 1: 1987 and which came into effect on 29th May 1987; as amended by Amendment Slip No. 1 under the number AMD 5969 which was published and came into effect on 30th June 1988;

• "set speed", in relation to a calibrated speed limiter fitted to a vehicle, means the speed intended by the person who calibrated the speed limiter to be the mean speed of the vehicle when operating in a stabilised condition;

• "speed limiter" means a device designed to limit the maximum speed of a motor vehicle by controlling the power output from the engine of the vehicle.

• "stabilised speed" means the mean speed of a vehicle when its speed is under the control of a speed limiter and stable speed control has been achieved.

36B.-(1) Subject to paragraph (14), this regulation applies to every motor vehicle which-�

(a)is a goods vehicle;

(b)has a maximum gross weight exceeding 7,500 kg but not exceeding 12,000 kg;

(c)is first used on or after 1st August 1992; and

(d)has, or if a speed limiter were not fitted to it would have, a relevant speed exceeding 60 mph;

and a reference in this regulation to a paragraph (1) vehicle is a reference to a vehicle to which this regulation applies by virtue of this paragraph.

(2) Subject to paragraph (14), this regulation also applies to every vehicle which-�

(a)is a goods vehicle;

(b)has a maximum gross weight exceeding 12,000 kg;

(c)is first used on or after 1st January 1988; and

(c)has, or if a speed limiter were not fitted to it would have, a relevant speed exceeding 56 mph;

and a reference in this regulation to a paragraph (2) vehicle is a reference to a vehicle to which this regulation applies by virtue of this paragraph.

(3) Subject to paragraph (14), this regulation also applies-�

(a)until 1st January 1995, to every motor vehicle (not being a vehicle which is used exclusively for transport operations within the United Kingdom) which satisfies the requirements of paragraph (4); and

(b)until 1st January 1996, to every motor vehicle which is used exclusively for transport operations within the United Kingdom and satisfies the requirements of that paragraph;

and a reference in this regulation to a paragraph (3) vehicle which reference to a vehicle to which this regulation applies by virtue of this paragraph.

(4) A vehicle satisfies the requirements of this paragraph if it-�

(a)is a goods vehicle;

(b)has a maximum gross weight exceeding 16,000 kg;

(c)is either-�

(i)a vehicle that is constructed or adapted to form part of an articulated vehicle, or

(ii)a rigid vehicle that is constructed or adapted to draw a trailer and has a maximum gross trailer weight which exceeds 5,000 kg;

(d)is first used on or after 1st January 1988 and before 1st August 1992; and

(e)has, or if a speed limiter were not fitted to it would have, a relevant speed exceeding 60 mph.

(5) Until 1st January 1996, in relation to vehicles used exclusively for transport operations in the United Kingdom, or 1st January 1995, in relation to other vehicles,-�

(a)paragraph (1) shall have effect as if for sub-paragraph (b) there were substituted the following sub-paragraph-�

"(b)is either-�

(i)a vehicle which is first used before 1st January 1994 and has a maximum gross weight exceeding 7,500 kg; or

(ii)a vehicle which is first used on or after that date and has a maximum gross weight exceeding 7,500 kg but not exceeding 12,000 kg;"; and

(b)paragraph (2) shall have effect as if for the words "1st January 1988" there were substituted the words "1st January 1994".

(6) Every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be fitted with a speed limiter in respect of which such of the requirements of paragraphs (7) to (11) are met as apply to that speed limiter.

(7) The requirements of this paragraph are that a speed limiter fitted to any vehicle must-�

(a)be sealed by an authorised sealer in such a manner as to protect the limiter against any improper interference or adjustment or against any interference of its power supply; and

(b)be maintained in good and efficient working order.

(8) The requirements of this paragraph are that a speed limiter fitted to a paragraph (1) vehicle or a paragraph (3) vehicle must be calibrated to a set speed not exceeding 60 mph.

(9) The requirements of this paragraph are that a speed limiter fitted to a paragraph (2) vehicle must be so adjusted that the stabilised speed of the vehicle does not exceed 56 mph.

(10) The requirements of this paragraph are that a speed limiter fitted at any time to a paragraph (1) vehicle, a speed limiter fitted before 1st October 1994 to a paragraph (2) vehicle first used before that date or a speed limiter fitted at any time to a paragraph (3) vehicle must comply with-�

(a)Part 1 of the British Standard; or

(b)the Annexes to Community Directive 92/24.

(11) The requirements of this paragraph are that a speed limiter (not being a speed limiter to which paragraph (10) applies) fitted to a paragraph (2) vehicle must comply with the Annexes to Community Directive 92/24.

(12) Paragraph (7)(a) shall have effect in relation to-�

(a)a speed limiter fitted before 1st August 1992 to a vehicle first used before that date; or

(b)a speed limiter sealed outside the United Kingdom,

as if the weords "by an authorised sealer" were omitted.

(13) Paragraph (10) does not apply to a speed limiter fitted to a vehicle if the speed limiter complies with an equivalent standard.

(14) This regulation does not apply to a vehicle-�

(a)which is being taken to a place where a speed limiter is to be installed, calibrated, repaired or replaced;

(b)which is completing a journey in the course of which the speed limiter has accidentally ceased to function;

(c)is owned by the Secretary of State for Defence and used for naval, military or air force purposes;

(d)is used for naval, military or air force purposes while being driven by a person for the time being subject to the orders of a member of the armed forces of the Crown;

(e)while it is being used for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes; or

(f)if and so long as it is exempt from vehicle excise duty by section 7(1) of the Vehicles (Excise) Act 1971.

(15) In this regulation-�

• "equivalent standard", "Part 1 of the British Standard", "set speed", "speed limiter" and "stabilised speed" have the same meanings as in regulation 36A; and

• "relevant speed" means a speed which a vehicle is incapable, by means of its construction, of exceeding on the level under its own power when unladen.

(16) For the purposes of this regulation, a motor vehicle has a maximum gross trailer weight exceeding 5,000 kg if-�

(a)in the case of a vehicle equipped with a Ministry plate in accordance with regulation 70, the difference between its maximum gross weight and the relevant train weight exceeds 5,000 kg;

(b)in the case of a vehicle not equipped with a Ministry plate, but which is equipped with a plate in accordance with regulation 66, the difference between its maximum gross weight and the weight shown on the plate in respect of item 8 of Part I of Schedule 8 exceeds 5,000 kg; and

(c)in the case of any other vehicle, the vehicle is designed or adapted to be capable of drawing a trailer with a laden weight exceeding 5,000 kg when travelling on a road;

and in sub-paragraph (a) "the relevant train weight" is the train weight shown in column (3) of the plate or, if no such weight is shown, the train weight shown in column (2) of the plate (where the plate is in the form required by Schedule 10) or in column (4) of the plate (where the plate is in the form required by Schedule 10A).

PART II

70A.-(1) This regulation applies to every vehicle to which regulation 36A or 36B applies and which is fitted with a speed limiter.

(2) Every vehicle to which this regulation applies shall be equipped with a plate which meets the requirements specified in paragraph (3).

(3) The requirements are that the plate is in a conspicuous position in the driving compartment of the vehicle and is clearly and indelibly marked with the speed at which the speed limiter has been set.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

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

The amendments implement Council Directives 92/6/EEC (OJ No.L57, 2.3.92, p.27) and Council Directive 92/24/EEC (OJ No. L129, 14.5.92, p.154). Council Directive 92/6 requires the fitment of speed limiters to certain goods and passenger vehicles and it specifies the speeds at which limiters must take effect. Council Directive 92/24 is concerned with the technical standards of speed limiters.

Regulation 3 amends the 1986 Regulations by substituting new regulations 36A, 36B and 70A. The new regulation 70A replaces the original regulations 70A and 70B.

The substituted regulation 36A relates to the fitment of speed limiters to coaches and buses.

As regards buses and coaches first used before 1st January 1988, there is no change in the class of vehicles that have to be fitted with speed limiters or in the speed at which speed limiters have to be set. The only change is that where a vehicle is required to be fitted with a speed limiter, the speed limiter will not have to comply with the relevant British Standard, if it complies with the Annexes to Council Directive 92/24/EEC.

As from 1st January 1996 (1st January 1995 in the case of vehicles used on international transport operations) all buses and coaches first used on or after 1st January 1988, with a maximum gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes and with a maximum speed exceeding 65 mph when a speed limiter is not fitted will have to be fitted with a speed limiter. The speed limiter will have to be adjusted so that the stabilised speed of the vehicle is not more than 65 mph. If the vehicle is first used on or after 1st October 1994 or the speed limiter is fitted after that date, the speed limiter will have to comply with the Annexes to Council Directive 92/24/EEC.

The new regulation 36A contains provisions relating to the period from the coming into force of these Regulations to 1st January 1996 and to speed limiters fitted to vehicles first used between 1st January 1988 and 1st October 1994.

The substituted regulation 36B relates to the fitment of speed limiters to goods vehicles.

As regards goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight between 7.5 and 12 tonnes, there is no change in the class of vehicles that have to be fitted with speed limiters or in the speed at which speed limiters have to be set. The only change is that where a vehicle is required to be fitted with a speed limiter, the speed limiter will not have to comply with the relevant British Standard if it complies with the Annexes to Council Directive 92/24/EEC.

As from 1st January 1996 (1st January 1995 in the case of vehicles used on international transport operations) all goods vehicles first used on or after 1st January 1988, with a maximum gross weight exceeding 12 tonnes and with a maximum speed exceeding 56 mph when a speed limiter is not fitted will have to be fitted with a speed limiter. The speed limiter will have to be adjusted so that the stabilised speed of the vehicle is not more than 56 mph. If the vehicle is first used on or after 1st October 1994 or the speed limiter is fitted after that date, the speed limiter will have to comply with the Annexes to the Directives.

The new regulation 36B contains provisions relating to the period from the coming into force of these Regulations to 1st January 1996 and to speed limiters fitted to vehicles with a maximum gross weight over 12 tonnes vehicles first used between 1st January 1988 and 1st October 1994.

The new regulation 70A of the 1986 Regulations, makes provision for the fitment of a plate which gives information about the speed limiter fitted to the vehicle.

Copies of the EC Directives and of the British Standard referred to in these Regulations and this note can be obtained from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.