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Many mods must be

24th May 1968, Page 36
24th May 1968
Page 36
Page 36, 24th May 1968 — Many mods must be
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notified PLATING CODE WILL LISTTHEM

by Tony Wilding • The Plating and Testing Regulations require that certain types of alteration made to plated vehicles have to be notified to the Ministry of Transport. To give guidance on the kinds of alterations which must be notified, the MoT has drawn up a "Code of Practice" which will be included in a free pamphlet shortly to be published and entitled: "Plating and Testing of Goods Vehicles: Guide for Vehicle Operators".

Normal replacements of worn, defective or damaged parts of components are not notifiable, but four broad categories of alteration are listed in the Code of Practice on which notification is necessary.

The main one covers alterations to the structure or fixed equipment of a vehicle which varies its carrying capacity. This part is broken down into three sections. The first deals with the chassis frame or structure and any alteration which increases or decreases the front or rear overhang by more than lft and any modification which reduces or extends the wheelbase (including that of a semi-trailer) must be notified. Any change to the chassis such as cutting, welding, riveting, etc., which weakens the frame or reduces its torsional stiffness must also be notified.

In the second section which deals with steering, suspension, wheels and axles, the fitting of steering gear, axles, hubs or road springs of a different design or load capacity, the fitting of additional wheels or axles or the removal of such items have to be notified and in addition any change which reduces the inherent strength of the components listed requires notification.

Completing this section is "bodywork" and notifiable alterations included in this category are the fitting of an alternative body of different design, construction or type, any change which reduces the strength of the body structure or its method of attachment to the chassis and any modification which causes the body to extend beyond the rear of the chassis frame.

Alterations which adversely affect either the braking system or the braking performance of the vehicle come under the next heading. These include the addition or removal of components such as reservoirs, servos, actuators, exhausters and compressors and also the addition of any equipment on the vehicle which has to be connected to part of the braking system. Advice of changes in lining material is not necessary but the fitting of different brake drums or brake linings of a smaller contact area require notification.

After being fairly specific on notifiable alterations, the Code of Practice becomes less so under the heading "other alterations to the structure or fixed equipment". It leaves much to the discretion of the user in referring to changes which could make the vehicle unsafe at the weight shown on its plate. However, some guidance, is given. Changes to the coupling gear, a change in the type of power unit or repositioning the engine or its mountings and a change from normalto forwardcontrol are included as points definitely requiring notification.

Completing the details there is a section on tyre equipment. A change in tyre equipment is not specifically required to be notified but it is pointed out that a vehicle must at all times be equipped with tyres adequate for its plated axle weights. Therefore, an operator can fit higher-capacity tyres without notifying the MoT. But if he does so to obtain a higher-plated weight he has to apply for replating.

The form to be used for notifying alterations will contain an application for amendment of a plated weight and in these cases a re-examination of the vehicle will be necessary. This will be done at MoT test centres and there will be a fee of £5.

Where there is no request for re-plating when an alteration is notified, the MoT may still decide that the vehicle should be reexamined at a test centre and in this case there will be no fee for the examination. On re-examining the vehicle the goods vehicle examiner may decide that the particulars on the plate are no longer applicable and he may amend the plate and the plating certificate or issue new ones.

Provision is made for appeal to an area mechanical engineer of the MoT against the plated weight applied on a re-examination and any person dissatisfied may take the case to the Ministry. Fees for these appeals will be £15 and £25 respectively.

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Organisations: Ministry of Transport
People: Tony Wilding

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