Skip the Northern Ireland Government Bar|

Special Vehicle Types


The Driver Vehicle Agency has a responsibility for the enforcement of relevant legislation pertaining to the use of special type's vehicles and abnormal loads on Northern Irelands roads.

The legislation covering the movements and requirements of abnormal loads on Northern Ireland roads may be found in:

Motor Vehicles (Construction & use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 Road Traffic & Vehicles Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997.

Photograph of a trailer carrying an abnormal load



If a special types vehicle or abnormal load is stopped by an Enforcement officer checks may be carried out to ensure that:

  • adequate marking of vehicle or load is clearly visible
  • dimensions of vehicle or load will be assessed to ensure that correct procedures have been adhered too

Notification for the movement of an abnormal load must be provided to PSNI in writing at least two days prior to the movement date. PSNI can be contacted at:

  • The Police Service of Northern Ireland
  • Abnormal Loads Office
  • 2 Alexander Road
  • Castlereagh
  • Belfast
  • BT6 9HH
  • Tel: 028 9090 1313
  • Fax: 028 9090 1251
  • E.mail: abloads@psni.pnn.police.uk


Notification of a load must be provided if it falls into the following categories:

  • The load is between 2.9 metres and 3.66 metres in width or the overall length of the load does not exceed 27.4 metres, in this instance an escort vehicle is not required

  • The load is between 3.66 metres and 4.3 metres in width and the overall length does not exceed 27.4 metres, the haulier must provide an escort vehicle

  • The load exceeds 4.3 metres in width or 27.4 metres in length, a PSNI escort vehicle will be required

  • Loads are notifiable if the gross vehicle weight is 80 tonnes or more or if the load exceeds the following dimensions

  • Notifiable lengths start at 18.65 metres under Construction & Use and 18.3 metres under Special Types Legislation

  • Where the width exceeds 3.50 metres or the lengths mentioned above an attendant in addition to the driver is required

Additional Notification of Abnormal Load movement is required by:

  • The Department of Regional Development Roads Service Abnormal Loads office
  • Room 231 Clarence Court
  • 10-18 Adelaide Street
  • Town Parks
  • Belfast
  • BT2 8GB
  • Tel: 028 9054 0419
  • Fax: 028 9054 0509


If

  • A load exceeds 38 tonnes on 4 axles or 40 tonnes on 5 axles or 44 tonnes on 6 axles or 5 metres in width. 2 Clear working days notice is required
  • 5 days notice is required for loads over 80 tonnes or 6.1 metres in width or 27.4 metres in length


Although there is no legal requirement it is advisable to notify all loads in excess of 4.3 metres in width because of width restrictions on certain routes throughout the province.

A special permit will be required for all loads in excess of 150 tonnes or 27.4 metres in length or 6.1 metres in width.

[top]