uestion8 nswer8
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We are operating a rigid goods vehicle 1 1 m-long drawing a two-axle trailer 7m long; the overall length of the combination, therefore, conforms with the maximum overall length laid down for this type of road train of 18m in accordance with Regulation 128 (1) of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1973.
If the motor vehicle is loaded with a caravan and the trailer is similarly loaded but with an overhang of 3.05m, marked as laid down in the C and U Regs, is this movement lawful under the terms of Regulation 131(3) and (4) of the C and U Regs? Your comments would be welcome as opinions seem to vary
AThough you say that the overall length of the vehicle and trailer conforms to the 18m maximum overall length of such a combination as laid down in Regulation 128(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1973, it appears that you have failed to allow the gap between the two vehicles which would seem to make the combination exceed the permitted overall length.
However, if the overall length does not exceed 18m, from the information which you have given the combination of vehicle, trailer and load does not contravene Regulation 131(3) and (4) of the C and U Regs.
• If, as you say, opinions vary On this Regulation then the confusion probably arises from doubt whether the load as described rests on more than one vehicle.
However, the movement which you quote falls under subsection (3)(a) because each vehicle separately carries a load. Sub-section (3)(b) is intended to apply when a combination of vehicles carries one complete load between them and part of that load rests on more than one vehicle.
aWe have a four-wheel breakdown vehicle which is used under trade plates. It weighs 6/7 tons. Does the driver have to be over 21 years of age and have a heavy goods vehicle driving licence? If so, what class of licence is applicable?
Can it be driven by the holder of an hgv driving licence issued as-of-right after the EEC driving licence regulations were adopted here?
AThough the driver will have to be over 21 years of age. the question of whether or not the driver has to have a heavy goods vehicle driving licence depends on what you are using the vehicle for. If you are recovering freight vehicles then the driver will need an hgv licence, but if you are the holder of a psv licence and the vehicle is used for recovering psv and the driver has a psv driving licence, then he need not have an hgv driving licence.
For the purposes of heavy goods vehicle driving licencing, naragraph 11 of Schedule 1 to the Road Traffic (Drivers Ages and Hours of Work) Act 1976 redefined heavy goods vehicles as either (at an articulated vehicle or b) a large goods
vehicle, that is to say, a motor vehicle (not being an articulated vehicle) which is constructed or adapted to carry or haul goods and the permissible maximum' weight of which exceeds 7.5 tonnes (7.38 tons).
Paragraph 5(c) defines "permissible maximum weight" in the case of a motor vehicle (not being an articulated vehicle) which is drawing a trailer as the aggregate of the relevant maximum weight of the moior vehicle and the relevant maximum weight of the trailer.
Sub-section (d) of the same paragraph makes provision for regulations to be made to determine the maximum grossi weights of vehicles which are not plated. This applies to .your breakdown vehicle which is
exempt from plating and testing under Paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) Regulations 1971. Yhe consequent regulations -the Goods Vehicles (Ascertainment of Maximum Gross Weights) Regulations 1976 - state that the unladen weight of a breakdown vehicle should be multiplied by two in order to arrive at the relevant maximum weight.
Therefore, because the weight of your vehicle alone under these circumstances becomes 13 tons, your driver will need an hgv driving licence even when driving it without a trailer (ie a broken down vehicle).
Exemption for drivers holding a psv driving licence reco vering psv when the breakdown vehicle is owned by an individual holding a psv licence is contained in Regulation 28 (5) the Heavy Goods Vehicle (Drivers' Licences) Regulations 1975 provided the unladen weight of the breakdown vehicle does not exceed 10 tons.
If your driver does need an hgv driving licence, then, because your vehicle is a four-wheel vehicle, a Class 3 hgv driving licence is appro priate; the vehicle does not become an articulated vehicle when hauling a brokendown vehicle.
However, a Class 3 licence issued in respect of driving a vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding 3 tons but a gross weight in excess of 7.5 tonnes would not be appropriate here. Such licences are restricted to vehicles not exceeding 10 tons maximum permissible weight.
42, run a fairly new light van which has a single lift up rear door fitted with a heated rear window. If I am driving at night with my head lights and heater blower on, and I switch on the rear window, a loud screech comes from under the bonnet. By turning off the heated window the noise goes. Can you tell me what is wrong?
AYour van is no doubt equipped with an alternator to provide the charge for the battery. When the alternator belt becomes slack and extra load is imposed on the electrical system, as it is with all the auxiliary equipment or, the belt. slips and makes the screeching noise you describe Tightening the belt and keeping a check on its tension in future will remove the problem.