DVTA Trade Bulletin Issue 3/06

EXTENDED RANGE OF VEHICLES SUBJECT TO SPEED LIMITER TESTING

From 4 May 2006 an extended range of Heavy Goods Vehicles and Buses will be required to be fitted with a speed limiter and will therefore be subject to a speed limiter test, at the time of the vehicles annual inspection.

The Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, provides for the fitment of speed limiters to an extended range of vehicles, from a variety of mandatory dates. When fully implemented all goods vehicles over 3,500kg and all passenger carrying vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats will be required to be fitted with a speed limiter, unless exempt.

Goods Vehicles requiring a speed limiter

The following Goods Vehicles require a speed limiter (max. set speed 90km/h) unless the vehicle is exempt or its construction means it cannot exceed 90km/h.

Vehicles first used before 1 January 2005:

• Vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding 12 tonnes and first used from 1 January 1988 (previous and ongoing requirement).



• Vehicles fitted with a diesel engine and having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes first used from 1 October 2001 require a speed limiter from 1 January 2007, or 20 June 2006 if travelling on international journeys.

Vehicles first used on or after 1 January 2005:

• Vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes.



• Vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes require a speed limiter from 1 January 2008, or 1 January 2005 if travelling on international journeys.

Buses requiring a speed limiter

The following Buses and Coaches require a speed limiter (max. set speed 100km/h) unless the vehicle is exempt or its construction means it cannot exceed 100km/h.

Vehicles first used before 1 January 2005:

• Vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding 10 tonnes and first used from 1 January 1988 (previous and ongoing requirement).



• Vehicles fitted with a diesel engine and having a maximum gross weight not exceeding 10 tonnes first used from 1 October 2001 require a speed limiter from 1 January 2007, or 20 June 2006 if travelling on international journeys.

Vehicles first used on or after 1 January 2005

• Vehicles with a maximum gross weight exceeding 5 tonnes.



• Vehicles with a maximum gross weight not exceeding 5 tonnes require a speed limiter from 1 January 2008, or 1 January 2005 if travelling on international journeys.

Kevin Henderson
Technical Policy section
Telephone: 028 90 541815
Email: kevin.henderson@doeni.gov.uk

Kevin Henderson

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