The law on a plate
Page 67
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IS is meant as a simple guide to the plating and testing wirements and procedures for goods vehicles to meet the 3ndards laid down in the Motor Vehicles (Construction and ;e) Regulations.
Originally the requirements were specified in the Road Safety Act 67 but are now incorporated in the Road Traffic Act 1 972. This t also requires vehicles to carry a plate showing the maximum )SS weight at which they may be operated. References to the iting and testing regulations are to the Goods Vehicles (Plating d Testing) Regulations 1971 (as amended).
For full detailed information it will be necessary to refer to both individual Construction and Use Regulations and the Plating d Testing Regulations which are obtainable from the local HMSO okshop.
:hide testing
All rigid goods vehicles, articulated vehicles and tractive units er 1,525kg (3,3621b) unladen and trailers over 1 ,020kg 248.71b) unladen must be tested annually at a Department of ansport goods vehicle test station. Local authority vehicles were empt until they were brought into the plating and testing scheme iring March 1972.
Vehicles can be submitted for testing at any of the main or rt-time test stations by arrangement. They become due for testing iring the anniversary month each year after their first registration r use on the public roads.
Trailers become due for testing during the month indicated by e LAST two figures of the serial number which the Department of ansport allocates to all trailers when the operator applies for his st test. For example, if the last two figures are 09 then the trailer is to be tested in September of each subsequent year.
Large fleet operators who otherwise would have many vehicles id trailers due for testing during the same month are allowed to aye some vehicles voluntarily tested before their legally due date. iese vehicles then become due for testing in the same month in ilosequent years.
Suppose a vehicle be off the road and misses its due test date. len provided it is tested more than 10 months but less than one 3ar after the date when it was originally due for its test, the test rtificate issued will be valid for up to 14 months (1 2 + 2 months) om the date on which it was issued. This eliminates the need for 3hicles to be tested twice within a short period of time.
Once a vehicle has passed the test a goods vehicle test certificate 611 be issued at the test station and will be valid for one year. It is an ffence to use a goods vehicle or trailer on a public road without a :st certificate after the last day of the month in which the vehicle or .ailer should have been tested.
'Iating
From January 1 , 1 968. all new goods vehicles and new trailers ave been required by law to have fitted by the original manufacJrer a metal plate which gives the following information (this plate ; usually found on the nearside of the chassis or inside the driver's ab on the nearside): Number of axles Maximum weight allowed on each axle Maximum weight imposed on the tractive unit if it is a semi-trailer Maximum gross weight for the trailer When the vehicle or trailer is presented to the test station for its first test, a plating certificate (VTG7) and a plate (VTG6) will be given to the driver provided that the test has been passed.
Details similar to these found on the manufacturer's plate will be given on these documents, one set for the vehicle and one for the trailer provided that they meet the plating standards for the class and type of vehicle or trailer.
Tractive units and trailers are plated separately and individual plates must be attached separately to the tractive unit and trailer.
Articulated vehicles
As every operator should know, when allocating loads to artics, the plated weights for both the tractive unit and trailer must be taken into account. When both units operate as a matched pair all the time there is no difficulty, but with a range of different types of trailers then special care must be taken to ensure that the correct weights are observed so that no offence is committed.
Downplating
An operator can benefit from the amended driving licence regulations which deals with the change from imperial weight limits to the metric equivalents on the occasion of his first annual test. This first came into force on April 15, 1976. One important point, however, is that this is a once and for all choice and cannot be reversed at a later date.
Notifiable alterations
Any operator who makes any alteration to the structure of the vehicle must inform the Department of Transport before the vehicle is to be used on a public road. For this for VTG 10 is to be used. Notifiable alterations include: a) Structural or fixed equipment alterations to the chassis or equipment which increases or decreases the front or rear overhang by more than 0.3048m (1 ft).
b) Any alteration, other than the conventional adjustment of an extensible structure, which reduces or extends the wheelbase or in the case of a semi-trailer the equivalent distance.
c) Any extension, removal or alteration which involves cutting, wetting or welding which materially weakens the chassis frame or structure or changes the torsional stiffness.
d) An alteration which materially reduces the overall strength of the body structure or the method of attachment to the chassis and also any alteration which allows the body to extend beyond the rear of the chassis frame.
el Any alteration made to the load-bearing structure or fixed equipment of the vehicle. For example, the coupling equipment which could render the vehicle unsafe to use on the roads at any weight shown on the plate and plating certificate. Also changing the type of engine from petrol to diesel or repositioning it in the chassis frame or changing the cab from normal control to a forward-control position.
Test application
Application forms for the test are available from main Post Offices, testing stations or the local Traffic Area office and when completed must be made to the DTp Goods Vehicle Centre, Welcome House, 91./92 The Strand, Swansea. Use form VTG1 L for the first test of a vehicle, VTG2 L for the first test of a trailer and VTG4OL for subsequent tests of vehicles or trailers.
Test applications can be made not more than three months before the last date on which the vehicle can operate without a test certificate but NOT LESS 1 HAN one month before the date on which the test is requested.
New arrangements have been made whereby test applications must be made direct to Swansea and the correct fees sent there; actual test appointments must be made direct with the local test station.