UK Statutory Instrument
2003
United Kingdom
Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
64 compliance obligations
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 38
- Operator 21
- Employer 2
- Manufacturer 1
- Contractor 1
- Applicant 1
Other Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Operators also bound by 730 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (Air Operations) 2012 138 duties
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066 of 19 December 2018 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 (Text with EEA relevance) 2018 121 duties
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 601/2012 of 21 June 2012 on the monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance) (repealed) 2012 112 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 75 duties
- Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (Text with EEA relevance) 2016 66 duties
Employers also bound by 694 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Income Tax (Pay As You Earn) Regulations 2003 2003 236 duties
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 1998 120 duties
- TULRCA 1992 1992 72 duties
- Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (current NI employment law) 1996 52 duties
- Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 2003 50 duties
Manufacturers also bound by 472 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 2016 91 duties
- Lifts Regulations 2016 2016 70 duties
- The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information Regulations 2021 2021 70 duties
- Non-Automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations 2016 2016 67 duties
- Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 2015 64 duties
Contractors also bound by 178 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The National Health Service (Personal Medical Services Agreements) Regulations 2015 2015 137 duties
- The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations 2015 2015 134 duties
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 2015 114 duties
- The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Wales) Regulations 2023 2023 93 duties
- The Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 2004 87 duties
Applicants also bound by 294 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 46 duties
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 30 duties
- The Land Registration Rules 2003 2003 25 duties
- Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 1995 18 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 14 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1 — GENERAL
Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Revocation
Interpretation: general
Interpretation: vehicles and their measurement
Interpretation: lateral projections of loads and their measurement
Interpretation: forward or rearward projections of loads and their measurement
Interpretation: axles, wheels, axle weights and wheel weights
Application of this Order
Authorisation of particular vehicles falling within recognised category of special vehicles
Part 2 — SPECIAL VEHICLES FOR HAULAGE, LIFTING, ENGINEERING AND VEHICLE RECOVERY
Browse 9 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 2 vehicles and Part 2 vehicle-combinations: recognised categories and defined terms
Part 2 vehicles and Part 2 vehicle-combinations: authorisation requirements
Length: police notification and attendants
Forward and rearward projections: police notification
Forward and rearward projections: attendants
Width and lateral projections: police notification, Secretary of State notification and attendants
Visibility and marking of forward, rearward and lateral projections of loads
Weight: police notification and road and bridge authority notification and indemnity
Use on bridges
Part 3 — SPECIAL VEHICLES FOR AGRICULTURE
Width: police notification and attendants
- Notify police and provide attendants for wide agricultural vehicles Any Person
Browse 8 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Agricultural vehicles: recognised categories and defined terms
Agricultural vehicles: authorisation requirements
General requirements as to construction and use
Restrictions on towing of trailers
Forward and rearward projections: police notification, Secretary of State notification and attendants
Visibility and marking of forward, rearward and lateral projections
Track-laying agricultural motor vehicles: road and bridge authority notification and indemnity
Track-laying agricultural motor vehicles: use on bridges
Part 4 — OTHER SPECIAL VEHICLES REQUIRING NOTIFICATIONS OR ATTENDANTS
Motor vehicles or trailers carrying loads of exceptional width: restrictions on width and speed
- Do not exceed 6.1m width or speed limits for exceptional-width loads Operator
Browse 20 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Motor vehicles or trailers carrying loads of exceptional width: recognised category
Motor vehicles or trailers carrying loads of exceptional width: authorisation requirements
Motor vehicles or trailers carrying loads of exceptional width: requirements as to width
Local excavation vehicles: recognised category
Local excavation vehicles: authorisation requirements
Local excavation vehicles: requirements as to width
Local excavation vehicles: requirements as to weight
Vehicles for tests, trials or non-UK use etc: recognised category
Vehicles for tests, trials or non-UK use etc: authorisation requirements
Vehicles for tests, trials or non-UK use etc: requirements as to length
Vehicles for tests, trials or non-UK use etc: requirements as to width
Vehicles for tests, trials or non-UK use etc: requirements as to weight
Track-laying vehicles: recognised category
Track-laying vehicles: authorisation requirements
Track-laying vehicles: restrictions on use
Track-laying vehicles: consent of road authorities
Straddle carriers: recognised category
Straddle carriers: authorisation requirements
Straddle carriers: restrictions on use, speed and width
Straddle carriers: requirements as to length
Part 5 — MISCELLANEOUS SPECIAL VEHICLES
Longer semi-trailers – requirements relating to route plans and risk assessments
- Use longer semi-trailers only on established routes with written route plan and risk assessment Operator
Longer semi-trailers – notification of operation for monitoring and evaluation purposes
- Notify National Highways before first use of a longer semi-trailer Operator
Browse 13 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Vehicles with moveable platforms
Pedestrian-controlled road maintenance vehicles
Motor vehicles used for cutting grass or trimming hedges
Trailers used for cutting grass or trimming hedges
Operational military vehicles
Track-laying vehicles belonging to Royal National Lifeboat Institution
Highway testing vehicles
Vehicles propelled by natural gas
Longer semi-trailers
Longer semi-trailers – legislation which applies as authorisation requirements
Longer semi-trailers – length requirements
Longer semi-trailers – other construction requirements
Longer semi-trailers - application of section 53(1) and (2) of the 1988 Act
Schedules
An AILV must not be used on roads for, or...
- Do not use AILV for loads that fit standard compliant vehicles Any Person
(1) Except as stated in paragraph 19, an AILV that...
- Use AILV only for abnormal loads or exceptional width loads Operator
(1) Except as stated in paragraph 19, an AILV that...
- Use AILV only for towing another AILV trailer under width conditions Any Person
(1) An AILV or AILV-combination must not exceed the maximum...
- Do not exceed 6.1 metres overall width (including load projections) for AILV vehicles Operator
(1) The maximum length of an AILV or AILV-combination used...
- Ensure abnormal load vehicle does not exceed 30m maximum length Any Person
No AILV or AILV-combination may exceed the restrictions as to...
- Do not exceed weight limits for Category 3 AILVs Any Person
(1) The total weight of any Category 1 AILV carrying...
- Keep your Category 1 abnormal load vehicle within legal weight limits Operator
(1) The total weight of— (a) any Category 1 AILV...
- Ensure Category 1 AILVs carrying loads distribute weight across 5+ axles and comply with axle weight limits Any Person
(1) The total weight of— (a) any Category 2 AILV...
- Do not exceed the maximum weight limit for Category 2 AILVs carrying a load Operator
(1) The total weight of— (a) any Category 3 AILV...
- Ensure your Category 3 AILV does not exceed 150,000 kg total weight Any Person
(1) An AILV falling within Category 2 or 3 must...
- Do not exceed speed limits for abnormal indivisible loads Any Person
Any AILV or AILV-combination falling within Category 2 or 3...
- Ensure your AILV meets construction, use and lighting regulations Any Person
(1) Any mobile crane that is used on roads must...
- Do not carry loads or transport goods with a mobile crane on roads Operator
A mobile crane must not tow any trailer.
- Do not tow any trailer with a mobile crane Operator
The overall width of a mobile crane, together with the...
- Keep mobile crane width within 6.1 metres including load projections Operator
The overall length of a mobile crane, together with any...
- Mobile crane overall length must not exceed 30 metres (including load projections) Any Person
(1) For a Category C mobile crane, the maximum axle...
- Ensure Category C mobile crane plate weight limits are not exceeded Any Person
(1) A mobile crane falling within Category A, B or...
- Obey speed limits for mobile cranes on motorways and dual carriageways Any Person
(1) A Category A mobile crane must comply with—
- Ensure Category A mobile crane meets regulatory standards Operator
(1) A Category B or C mobile crane must comply...
- Ensure Category B or C mobile crane complies with Construction and Use and Lighting Regulations Any Person
(1) Engineering plant which is used on roads must not—...
- Do not carry loads or lift goods with engineering plant on roads Any Person
(1) Except as stated in sub-paragraph (2), engineering plant must...
- Engineering plant must not tow a trailer unless exempted Any Person
The overall width of engineering plant, together with the width...
- Don't exceed 6.1 metres width for engineering plant (including load projections) Operator
The overall length of engineering plant (or of any vehicle-combination...
- Ensure engineering plant or vehicle-combination length does not exceed 30 metres Operator
(1) The gross weight of engineering plant, together with the...
- Ensure engineering plant gross weight does not exceed 150 tonnes Any Person
(1) This paragraph applies to determine the maximum weight that...
- Ensure engineering plant does not exceed wheel and strip weight limits Any Person
(1) This paragraph applies to determine the maximum weight that...
- Keep track weight within legal limits for engineering plant on roads Any Person
(1) Unless paragraph 21 applies, engineering plant must not travel...
- Do not exceed speed limits when driving engineering plant on roads Any Person
(1) Engineering plant, or a vehicle-combination that includes engineering plant,...
- Obey speed limits for engineering plant on roads Operator
Engineering plant, or a vehicle-combination that includes engineering plant, which...
- Comply with vehicle regulations for engineering plant in Categories 1-3 Any Person
(1) Slow plant must comply with— (a) the Construction and...
- Ensure slow plant complies with Construction and Use and Lighting Regulations Any Person
(1) Any wheel of engineering plant which is not fitted...
- Fit smooth tyres on engineering plant wheels without pneumatic tyres Operator
Engineering plant must not be used on roads for, or...
- Do not use engineering plant on roads if a standard vehicle can do the job Any Person
The gross weight of a road recovery vehicle must not...
- Do not exceed maximum gross weight for road recovery vehicles Operator
(1) A road recovery vehicle must not, at any time...
- Do not exceed speed limits when carrying or towing a disabled vehicle Any Person
A road recovery vehicle must comply with—
- Ensure road recovery vehicle meets three specific legal standards Employer
(1) A road recovery vehicle must not carry or tow...
- Do not carry or tow loads in a road recovery vehicle Employer
(1) Except as stated in sub-paragraph (2), a road recovery...
- Limit towing distance when using drawbar or lift-and-tow method Any Person
(1) At any time when a disabled vehicle or vehicle-combination...
- Use only approved brake connection points when towing disabled vehicles Operator
A road recovery vehicle must not tow a disabled vehicle...
- Do not exceed the maximum train weight when towing Contractor
(1) A person may be employed as an attendant only...
- Ensure attendants have appropriate training and are informed of risks Any Person
(1) If, following an application under paragraph 1, the Secretary...
- Carry consent document and comply with conditions during special-type vehicle movements Applicant
(1) The axle weight for a local excavation vehicle—
- Ensure local excavation vehicle axle weight does not exceed limits Any Person
(1) A local excavation vehicle must not travel at speeds...
- Do not exceed speed limits for local excavation vehicles Any Person
(1) A local excavation vehicle must comply with—
- Ensure local excavation vehicle complies with Construction and Use, Weight, and Lighting Regulations Any Person
(1) A local excavation vehicle must not carry any load...
- Do not carry any load on your local excavation vehicle except necessary gear Any Person
(1) This paragraph applies to a motor vehicle towing a...
- Do not tow additional trailers with local excavation vehicles Any Person
The overall width of a local excavation vehicle must not...
- Keep local excavation vehicle width at or below 6.1 metres Any Person
The overall length of a local excavation vehicle must not...
- Ensure local excavation vehicle does not exceed legal length limits Operator
(1) The gross weight of a local excavation vehicle—
- Do not exceed weight limits for local excavation vehicles Operator
A relevant vehicle must not be used in such a...
- Do not use a relevant vehicle in a way that could cause injury Any Person
(1) A relevant vehicle that is used on roads must...
- Do not carry loads or goods in a relevant vehicle on roads (subject to exceptions) Any Person
(1) A relevant vehicle must comply with—
- Ensure relevant vehicles comply with construction, weight and lighting regulations Any Person
(1) Every gas propulsion system must be so designed and...
- Design and fit gas propulsion systems with automatic safety valves Manufacturer
(1) Any regulator fitted must be designed so that—
- Ensure gas regulators are correctly designed, marked, and installed Any Person
(1) Where a trailer is used for the carriage of...
- Fit and maintain gas system articulating connectors meeting safety standards Any Person
(1) The owner of any vehicle (or, if it is...
- Have gas containers tested every three years Any Person
(1) A gas container must— (a) be suitable to be...
- Ensure gas containers on your vehicle meet safety, marking, and installation requirements Any Person
(1) Every gas container must be provided with a suitable...
- Fit and maintain a compliant pressure relief device on gas containers in your vehicle Operator
(1) Every pipeline must be fixed in such a manner...
- Ensure gas pipelines on vehicles are securely fixed and meet safety standards Operator
Browse 126 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
In this Schedule— “AILV” means an abnormal indivisible load vehicle...
(1) The requirements of paragraphs 2.2.1.22 and 2.2.2.13 of Annex...
For the purposes of Type I tests conducted, in accordance...
The requirements of paragraph 2.1.3.2 of Annex II to Council...
(1) An AILV falling within Category 2 or 3 must...
Where an AlLV-combination consists of two or more modules, each...
(1) Each AILV or AILV-combination must be fitted with—
At any time when an AILV-combination consisting of two or...
In this Order “abnormal indivisible load” means a load that...
(1) An AILV or AILV-combination may carry only one abnormal...
(1) If the conditions specified in sub-paragraph (2) are satisfied,...
(1) If the conditions specified in sub-paragraph (2) are satisfied,...
An AILV, or AILV-combination, that falls within Category 1 or...
(1) An AILV falling within Category 1 must not exceed...
In this Order “abnormal indivisible load vehicle” means a vehicle...
(1) The total weight of— (a) any Category 2 AILV...
(1) The total weight of— (a) any Category 3 AILV...
Any AILV or AILV-combination falling within Category 1 must, unless...
Instead of paragraphs 35 and 36, article 18(2)(p) of the...
(1) For the purposes of this Schedule, an AILV or...
An AILV must be a wheeled vehicle.
Every wheel of an AILV must be fitted with a...
Paragraphs 8 to 12 apply to any AILV or AILV-combination...
(1) An AILV or AILV-combination must have a braking system...
(1) The following modifications apply for the purposes of each...
In this Schedule— “Goods Vehicles Type Approval Regulations” means the...
(1) The requirements of paragraphs 2.2.1.22 and 2.2.2.13 of Annex...
For the purposes of Type I tests conducted, in accordance...
The requirements of paragraph 2.1.3.2 of Annex II to Council...
(1) A mobile crane that is specially adapted for the...
A warning beacon emitting an amber light must be fitted...
(1) A mobile crane must be equipped with a plate...
(1) Where, in accordance with regulation 66 (plates for goods...
(1) In this paragraph “qualified person” means—
Any additional plate that is specially fitted to a vehicle...
A mobile crane may only be used on roads for—...
(1) In this Order “mobile crane” means a motor vehicle...
A mobile crane that has an overall width exceeding 3...
(1) When a mobile crane is used on roads, the...
A mobile crane may carry its own necessary gear and...
A mobile crane may lift or transport goods or burden...
No mobile crane may exceed any of the restrictions as...
No mobile crane may exceed— (a) any of the maximum...
(1) For the purposes of this Schedule, a mobile crane...
(1) For a Category A mobile crane, the maximum axle...
(1) For a Category B mobile crane, the maximum axle...
A mobile crane must be a wheeled vehicle.
Every wheel of a mobile crane must be fitted with...
A mobile crane must have suspension on all axles.
A mobile crane must be fitted with—
(1) A mobile crane is to be treated as being...
(1) The following modifications apply for the purposes of each...
In this Schedule— “Goods Vehicles Type Approval Regulations” means the...
Engineering plant which has an overall width exceeding 3 metres...
Engineering plant may carry its own necessary gear and equipment....
(1) This paragraph applies at any time when engineering plant...
(1) In this Order “engineering plant” means any moveable plant...
(1) This paragraph— (a) applies to any engineering plant that...
Nothing in this Schedule is to be taken to authorise...
(1) This paragraph applies to any slow plant that is...
(1) This paragraph applies to any slow plant that is...
(1) This paragraph applies to any slow plant that is...
(1) This paragraph applies to any slow plant that is...
Engineering plant must be a wheeled vehicle, a track-laying vehicle...
Engineering plant which has wheels and may (in accordance with...
Engineering plant that is designed and constructed to operate on...
(1) Any other engineering plant must be fitted with—
Engineering plant may only be used on roads for—
(1) In this Order “road recovery vehicle” means a vehicle...
(1) When a road recovery vehicle is used on roads,...
(1) The overall width of a road recovery vehicle must...
(1) The overall length of a road recovery vehicle must...
(1) The distance between any two adjacent axles of a...
(1) If a road recovery vehicle has only one front...
(1) A road recovery vehicle must be a wheeled vehicle....
A warning beacon emitting an amber light must be fitted...
A road recovery vehicle must be equipped with a plate...
A road recovery vehicle may carry its own necessary gear...
In this Schedule “single rigid unit”, in relation to a...
(1) A notice must be given to the chief officer...
The notice must be in a form acceptable to the...
(1) The notice must contain— (a) a list of all...
Except as stated in paragraph 6 or 7, the vehicle...
Paragraph 5 does not apply to the extent required to...
(1) This paragraph applies in relation to the use on...
(1) A person (“an attendant”) must be employed—
(1) In a case where a journey is made by...
(1) A person employed by virtue of paragraph 1 must...
(1) An application for the consent of the Secretary of...
In this Schedule— “end marker” means a marker fitted to...
Between sunset and sunrise, and at all times when visibility...
Paragraphs 3 to 6 apply cumulatively.
Where the length of a forward or rearward projection of...
(1) Where the length of a forward or rearward projection...
(1) Where the length of a forward or rearward projection...
(1) This paragraph applies where any relevant vehicle is carrying...
(1) This paragraph applies where— (a) any relevant vehicle is...
(1) If the user of the vehicle shows that it...
Any end marker or side marker which is required by...
(1) In this Schedule “the authority” means—
(1) A notice must be given to—
The notice must be in a form acceptable to the...
(1) The notice must contain— (a) a list of all...
(1) This paragraph applies in relation to the use on...
(1) An indemnity under this Part of this Schedule may...
An indemnity is given in accordance with this Part of...
(1) In this Schedule “local excavation vehicle” means any moveable...
(1) In the case of a local excavation vehicle that...
Every wheel of a local excavation vehicle must be fitted...
(1) A local excavation vehicle may only be used on...
(1) A local excavation vehicle that is a heavy motor...
In this Schedule “relevant vehicle” means any motor vehicle or...
(1) In their application to a relevant vehicle, regulations 18...
A relevant vehicle may only be used on roads for—...
Paragraph 2 does not apply in relation to a relevant...
A relevant vehicle may carry— (a) its own necessary gear...
(1) A relevant vehicle may carry a load if it...
In their application to a relevant vehicle, the Construction and...
In this Schedule— “an accredited testing laboratory” means a testing...
In the case of a large bus there must be...
(1) Every vehicle which is equipped to be fuelled by...
Every part of the gas system must—
(1) This paragraph applies to any container for gas which...
(1) Any gas container must be capable of being isolated...
(1) Every union and joint on a pipeline or gas...
(1) Any filling connector for the refuelling of the vehicle...
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Safety railings on HGVs: road traffic legislation (opens in a new tab) from DVSA Detailed Guidance
- Prototype road vehicles: construction requirements (opens in a new tab) from DVSA Detailed Guidance
- Maximum length of vehicles used in Great Britain (opens in a new tab) from DVSA Detailed Guidance
- Work trucks (opens in a new tab) from DVSA Detailed Guidance
- Overhanging loads (opens in a new tab) from DVSA Detailed Guidance
- Maximum number of trailers (opens in a new tab) from DVSA Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Government company responsible for operating, maintaining, and improving England's strategic road network (motorways and major A-roads). Sets standards for highway design, construction, …
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