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Goods Vehicles FAQs



Questions

  1. Do the Agency's enforcement officers have authority to stop and detain Goods Vehicles?
  2. Must enforcement officers wear a uniform when stopping vehicles?
  3. Can the industry meet with enforcement officers to discuss issues of mutual interest?
  4. What is the maximum legal weight permitted for an articulated vehicle?
  5. How can I avoid overloading my vehicle?
  6. Do enforcement officers treat everyone the same when they carryout roadside enforcement?
  7. My vehicle has a valid goods vehicle test certificate issued in GB, does that cover the vehicle in NI?
  8. If I reside outside the United Kingdom can I be prosecuted?
  9. Can Enforcement officers instigate prosecutions against people caught committing an offence?


Answers

  1. Do the Agency's enforcement officers have authority to stop and detain Goods Vehicles?

Yes, they have legal authority to stop and detain Goods Vehicles under the Transport Act 1967 and the Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

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  1. Must enforcement officers wear a uniform when stopping vehicles?

No, there is no legal requirement for enforcement officers to wear a uniform. However it is DVA policy that enforcement staff adheres to a dress code on most operations.

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  1. Can the industry meet with enforcement officers to discuss issues of mutual interest?

Yes, the Agency welcomes every opportunity to discuss relevant issues with any section of the industry.

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  1. What is the maximum legal weight permitted for an articulated vehicle?

It depends on the number of axles, the distance from the kingpin to the centre of the rearmost axle, type of suspension, type of engine, plated details and the design capacity of the vehicle. The maximum weight under normal circumstances for a 3+3 axle artic is 44 tonnes. The best advice would be to contact us in relation to this issue.

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  1. How can I avoid overloading my vehicle?

Detailed advice can be viewed by downloading the VOSA leaflet on Vehicle safety and the dangers of overloading:-

Vehicle Safety - Dangers of overloading (pdf 850KB, opens in new window)

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  1. Do enforcement officers treat everyone the same when they carryout roadside enforcement?

All operators/drivers will be dealt with in a consistent manner where the circumstances are the same.

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  1. My vehicle has a valid goods vehicle test certificate issued in GB, does that cover the vehicle in NI?

Yes, the certificate is acceptable within NI.

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  1. If I reside outside the United Kingdom can I be prosecuted?

Yes, but because service of a summons is not possible outside the United Kingdom you would be arrested by a Police Officer at the time of detection and consequently charged with any relevant offence. Normally an amount of money must be lodged at the Police Station of your arrest before you are released from custody to appear before a court at a later date.

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  1. Can Enforcement officers instigate prosecutions against people caught committing an offence?

Yes, Enforcement Officers submit their evidence to the Department of Public Prosecutions who will make the final decision whether to prosecute on behalf of the Department of Environment.

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