Guidance

Engineering plant vehicles

Published 1 January 2010

For any vehicle to be used on the public roads in Great Britain, it must comply with insurance, licensing (tax) and registration requirements. It must also comply with applicable construction regulations. Primarily these are the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (as amended) and the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (as amended).

The construction requirements for the road use of engineering plant vehicles are set out in the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (C&U), as amended. However, certain engineering plant vehicles that are unable to comply with the full requirements of these regulations are permitted to use public roads under the Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003. It should be noted that the definition of engineering plant in schedule 3(2) of STGO differs from the definition found in C&U, so it is important to consider separately whether the vehicle in question falls within the scope of definition. This information sheet provides basic information and advice on such vehicles and where to obtain the legislation that may permit their road use.

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.

Engineering plant is defined in regulation 3 (2) of these regulations as:

“(a) movable plant or equipment being a motor vehicle or trailer specially designed and constructed for the special purposes of engineering operations, and which cannot, owing to the requirements of those purposes, comply with all the requirements of these regulations and which is not constructed primarily to carry a load other than a load being either excavated materials raised from the ground by apparatus on the motor vehicle or trailer or materials which the vehicle or trailer is specially designed to treat while carried thereon; or

(b) a mobile crane which does not comply in all respects with the requirements of these regulations.”

There are derogations from the regulations for vehicles considered to be engineering plant. However, it should be noted that there are no derogations from Regulations 7 (length), 8 (width) or 75 to 80 (axle and gross weights).

Where to obtain the Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986

The C&U regulations are not available on the internet and have been amended many times which makes it difficult to piece together the latest form of the regulations. However these regulations are available in a consolidated format in most city reference libraries, from companies who publish law. One example is Sweet and Maxwell who publish the ‘The encyclopaedia of road traffic law and practice’. This publication is continually updated and Volume 4 contains a full version of the above-mentioned regulations in consolidated format. Other possible suppliers include InterRegs, who charge around £160 for a fully consolidated version of the Construction and Use Regulations.

Alternatively, it is possible to purchase printed copies of the statutory instruments that comprise the regulations from the TSO at the following address:

The Stationery Office
TSO Orders/Post Cash Dept
PO Box 29
Norwich
NR3 1GN

Tel: 0870 600 5522
Fax: 0870 600 5533
e-mail: customer.services@tso.co.uk

Online ordering: http://www.tsoshop.co.uk/bookstore.asp

Customer service: http://www.tso.co.uk/contact/customerservices/

The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003

The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003, commonly known as the STGO, permits the road use of certain engineering plant vehicles that cannot comply in all respects with the Construction and Use Regulations (C&U). This would most likely be due to the vehicle exceeding either the weight or dimension limits imposed by C&U. The STGO permits the road use of vehicles up to a maximum width of 6.1m, length of 30m and gross weight of 150,000kgs subject to various terms and conditions. The order can be found at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20031998.htm.

Part 2 (articles 10 to 18) and schedule 3 set out the terms and conditions authorising the use of engineering plant vehicles. A definition of such vehicles, for the purposes of the order, can be found in schedule 3 (2). It should be noted that where certain dimension limits or weights are exceeded, specific conditions must be met, the purpose of which is to ensure that risks to road safety, congestion and infrastructure, e.g. bridges, are minimised. Please refer to the order itself for the specific requirements.

Extra safety precautions

In addition to observing the legal requirements set out in either C&U or STGO, consideration should also be given to the following:

Bridges and power lines etc

If you are moving a high vehicle, you are strongly urged

(i) to survey the route beforehand to check that it can pass safely beneath bridges, power lines etc and (ii) to contact Electricity Boards along the route if the vehicle etc exceeds 5.1m (16’6”) in height.

The C&U Regulations and STGO also require that where the highest point on the vehicle is more than 3m high, a notice showing the height must be displayed in the cab to help the driver know whether he can pass under bridges or power lines safely.

Level crossings

Some level crossings have a slight hump and a long low vehicle could become grounded with possibly disastrous results. On those level crossings which also have overhead power lines, the hump can significantly reduce the safe clearance between the vehicle and the power lines, particularly in situations where the vehicle has a projection. Therefore, when driving a vehicle with a high, long jib for example, drivers must be sure to take notice of any special road signs that may be displayed at level crossings.

Engineering plant vehicles unable to comply with either C&U or STGO

It is possible that engineering plant vehicles which are unable to be constructed to comply with either the C&U or STGO may be permitted to be used on public roads by means of a vehicle special order (VSO) obtained from the Department for Transport. However, consideration would only be given to granting an order if the vehicle in question was unable to be constructed to comply with either the C&U or STGO provisions for such vehicles and if the road use of the vehicle could be justified. The reasons for non compliance with either C&U or the STGO would need to accompany any application submitted, together with suitable justification for road use. There are no formal application forms but details of how to apply for an order can be found at: www.vca.gov.uk/vehicle-special-orders/vehicle-special-orders.asp

New vehicles

EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval will be gradually extended over a 4 year period up to 2014 to cover all passenger and commercial vehicles. This will harmonise the minimum European safety and environmental construction standards for all large vehicles and will widen the scope of Type Approval to include more kinds of vehicle that need an approval before entering into service. This may mean that an approval will be required for vehicles considered to be engineering plant. Further information can be obtained from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

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