/ have just bought a vehicle of which the unladen
Page 44
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
weight is about one ton 18cwt and which has been plated at 3.6 tons. The latest equivalent of this vehicle is plated at just 3.5 tons and in view of this it seems unfortunate that I will need an operator's licence for my van. Is there any provision for borderline cases such as this or is there any way in which I can have my vehicle replated to 35 tons to avoid operators' licensing?
APart V of the Transport Act 1968 provides for vehi
cles not exceeding 31/2 tons gross plated weight or 30cwt unladen if not plated to be exempt from operators' licensing. There are no special provisions for borderline cases.
Obviously, the legislators had to draw the line somewhere and despite the criterion applied there would always be somebody with a vehicle just a little on the "wrong" side.
Amendments to plating certificates may be made after a notifiable alteration has been made to the vehicle. These are defined in Regulation 41 of the Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1971 as (a) an alteration in the structure or fixed equipment of the vehicle which varies the carrying capacity of the vehicle, (b) an alteration, otherwise than by way of replacement of a part, adversely affecting any part of the braking system with which the vehicle is equipped or of the means of operation of that system; or (c) any other alteration made in the structure of fixed equipment of the vehicle which materially renders the vehicle unsafe to travel on roads at any weight equal to any plated weight shown in the plating certificate for that vehicle.
One simple alteration which suggests itself is to downrate the tyres. You should consult the dealer to establish if this is possible and to identify the size of tyre which would enable the