a Some time ago I purchased a used
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tractive unit and semi-trailer and, as regards to the plating regulations, it would seem I would have difficulty in providing chassis and serial number and maximum weight for each axle as there is no identification plate on the trailer. Is there any section in the regulations laying down that trailers of a certain age would not need this information to be stamped on them and which also recognizes the difficulty of providing the date of manufacture?
A There is no need to worry about "plating"
your artic at the moment unless you intend to get it up-rated to operate at the higher weights now permitted by the latest Construction and Use Regulations.
If, however, you do plan to try to get it up-rated then plating is not your problem because the vehicle has to be approved by the manufacturer of the tractive unit and semitrailer respectively. The actual plating of the outfit will, in fact, never be your problem because if it is not done by the manufacturer on up-rating it will be done only by the Ministry of Transport when annual testing is eventually undertaken at Government stations.
Legislation has not yet been passed for this but it is understood that a start will be made with annual testing in 1968 and it is expected that ,all vehicles will have been tested by 1972. Vehicles will be plated for their maximum weight as decided by the examiner on the first test and accordingly by 1972 all vehicles, regardless of age, will have been plated.