Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) Rules

Status:

Not current version
(version history — see timeline)

Road Traffic Act

(Chapter 276, Sections 6 and 140)

Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) Rules

R 18

REVISED EDITION 1990

(25th March 1992)

[1st April 1981]

Citation

1. These Rules may be cited as the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Rear and Side Markings) Rules.

Definitions

2.—(1) In these Rules —

“rear marking” means a rear marking of the type shown in the diagrams 1 to 5 set out in paragraph (A) of Part I of the Schedule;

“side marking” means a side marking of the type shown in the diagram set out in paragraph (B) of Part I of the Schedule.

(2) Any reference to a rear marking by a number means a reference to the rear marking shown in the diagram in paragraph (A) of Part I of the Schedule bearing that number.

(3) Any reference to a combination of vehicles is a reference to a motor vehicle and any trailer or trailers drawn thereby.

Vehicles to be fitted with rear markings

3.—(1) The following vehicles shall be fitted with a rear marking as in Diagram 1, 2, 4 or 5 except that where the rear of such goods vehicle is so constructed that it is impracticable, without undue expense or risk of damage to a rear marking as in Diagram 1 or 2, for that marking to be fitted in accordance with the provisions of Part III of the Schedule, a rear marking as in Diagram 3 may be fitted instead:

(a)	every goods vehicle, the length of which exceeds 10 metres but does not exceed 13 metres; and
(b)	every trailer if it forms part of a combination of vehicles, the overall length of which exceeds 10 metres but does not exceed 13 metres.

(2) Every goods vehicle, the length of which exceeds 13 metres, and every trailer, if it forms part of a combination of vehicles, the overall length of which exceeds 13 metres shall befitted with a rear marking as in Diagram 4 or 5.

(3) Every trailer the overall length of which exceeds 5 metres shall be fitted with a pair of side markings of the type shown in paragraph (B) of Part I of the Schedule.

(4) A rear or side marking fitted to a vehicle in pursuance of these Rules shall —

(a)	be of the size and colour shown in the diagram relating to the marking set out in paragraphs (A) and (B) of Part I of the Schedule subject to the provisions of Part II of that Schedule; and
(b)	be so fitted as to comply with such of the provisions set out in Part III of that Schedule as relate thereto.

(5) Notwithstanding paragraph (4), the Registrar may approve any other type of rear or side marking to be fitted to a vehicle.

Time for vehicles to comply with rule 3

4.—(1) Every —

(a)	goods vehicle the length of which exceeds 10 metres;
(b)	trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles the overall length of which exceeds 10 metres; and
(c)	trailer the length of which exceeds 5 metres,

registered on or after 1st July 1981 shall comply with rule 3.

(2) On or after 1st January 1983, every registered —

(a)	goods vehicle the length of which exceeds 10 metres;
(b)	trailer which forms part of a combination of vehicles the overall length of which exceeds 10 metres; and
(c)	trailer the length of which exceeds 5 metres,

shall comply with rule 3.

Vehicles carrying a projecting load

5.—(1) This rule shall apply to a vehicle carrying a load which projects to the rear of the vehicle making the rear marking, fitted in accordance with rule 3(4)(b), so obscured by the load that the marking is not clearly visible within a reasonable distance to the rear of the vehicle.

(2) A vehicle to which this rule applies need not be fitted with a rear marking in accordance with rule 3(4)(b), if the marking which, but for paragraph (1), would be required by that rule to be fitted to the vehicle, is instead fitted to the load it is carrying.

(3) In relation to a rear marking fitted to such a load in the course of being carried, the provisions of Part III of the Schedule shall apply to that marking, subject to the following modifications:

(a)	in paragraphs 1, 4, 5 and 8 of that Part for any reference to the vehicle there shall be substituted a reference to the load; and
(b)	in rule 5(1) of that Part, for the words from “except while” to the end of that paragraph there shall be substituted the words “except while the load is being mounted on or removed from the vehicle”.

Exception

6. Notwithstanding rule 4, these Rules shall not apply to vehicles registered for use exclusively on roads which are not repairable at public expense.

Search within Legislation