n Could you give me any guidance about the maximum length
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of loads which may be carried without invoking the Special Loads Order?
A Regulation 31 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1973 regulates the overall width and length of loads which may be carried together with the permitted forward and rearward projections.
Reduced to simple terms, in general the maximum permitted length of vehicle and load (or vehicles and load if the load is resting on more than one vehicle) is 27.4m (89ft 10.7in). However, certain requirements must be complied with if the overall length of vehicle or vehicles and load exceeds 18.3m (60ft 0.468in). These are that the police must be informed of the movement and that an attendant must be provided.
If the load has a forwar: projection exceeding 1.83m (6ft 0.048in) but not exceeding 3.05m (10ft 0.084in) then an attendant must be provided and marker boards used. Where the load has a rearward projection exceeding 1.7m (3ft 6.121n) but not exceeding 1.83m then it is sufficient to make the projection plain to other road users (presumably a coloured rag would suffice).
Marker boards are again required where the load has a rearward projection exceeding 1.83m but not exceeding 3.05m and where the rearward projection is in excess of 3.05m, then a police notice, an attendant and marker boards are all required.
Where the load is carried on an articulated vehicle not exceeding 15m (49ft 2.556in) in overall length which is not constructed and normally used for the conveyance of abnormal indivisible loads and where the overall length of vehicle and load exceeds 16.8m (55ft 1.416in) then the police must be informed.