Caravans, trailers and commercial vehicles

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Minimum test vehicle requirements for buses and lorries

Any vehicle or vehicle/trailer combination presented for use at test must meet minimum test vehicle standards. These standards are part of European Community Legislation on Driver Licensing. Great Britain as a member of the European Union is obliged to comply with these requirements.

Requirements for vehicles registered before 1 October 2003

For any vehicle brought into first use (first registration) before 1 October 2003 there are different minimum test vehicle standards which will apply until 1 July 2007, at which time the higher standards will apply.

If the vehicle you drive was registered before 1 October, 2003 please read the document below. To download the PDF document, please click on the 'Download vehicle requirements link' below.

Download vehicle requirements for buses and lorries registered before 1 October 2003 (PDF, 36K)

Requirements for vehicles registered on or after 1 October 2003

The minimum test vehicle requirements published below are for vehicles registered on or after 1 October, 2003.

Medium sized goods vehicles

Vehicle category C1 - a medium sized lorry with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of at least four tonnes, capable of 80 kph (50 mph).

Vehicle category C1 + E - a drawbar outfit comprising a combination of a category C1 vehicle towing a trailer of at least two tonnes MAM; at least eight metres in length and capable of 80 kph (50 mph)

or a medium sized articulated lorry with a MAM of at least six tonnes; at least eight metres in length and capable of 80 kph (50 mph).

Large goods vehicles

Vehicle category C - a rigid goods vehicle (not an articulated tractor unit) with a MAM of at least 10 tonnes; at least seven metres in length and capable of 80 kph (50 mph).

Vehicle category C + E - an articulated lorry with a MAM of at least 18 tonnes; at least 12 metres in length and capable of 80 kph (50 mph);

or a drawbar outfit comprising a combination of a category C vehicle with a trailer of at least four metres platform length, of at least four tonnes MAM, suitably braked and coupled; with a combined weight of at least 18 tonnes and a combined length of at least 12 metres, capable of 80 kph (50 mph).

Passenger carrying vehicles (buses)

Vehicle category D1 - a passenger carrying vehicles with 9-16 passenger seats, capable of 80 kph (50 mph).

Vehicle category D1 + E - a category D1 vehicle towing a trailer of at least 1.25 tonnes MAM.

Vehicle category D - a passenger carrying vehicles with nine passenger seats or more, at least nine metres in length and capable of 80 kph (50 mph).

Notes:

Age of vehicle

The age of the vehicle is to be determined by the date that the vehicle was brought into first use - more commonly known as the date of first registration. For vehicle/trailer combinations it is the prime mover that determines the age of the vehicle:

If a vehicle/trailer combination is presented for test with a prime mover first registered in October 2000, drawing a trailer that was purchased from the manufacturer in November 2003, it is the prime mover that determines the age of the vehicle and therefore what minimum test standards will apply to that vehicle. In this case the vehicle will have to meet the existing standards in effect before 1 October 2003.

If a vehicle/trailer combination is presented for test with a prime mover first registered in November 2003 drawing a trailer that was purchased from the manufacturer in October 2000, this combination will have to meet the new higher minimum test vehicle standards. This is because the prime mover was first registered after 1 October 2003.

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Under separate EU legislation all trailers manufactured after 1 May 2002 with a MAM over 3500 kgs must be with fitted ABS therefore, ABS must be fitted on both the prime mover and the trailer for category C vehicles brought into first use from 1 October 2003.

Closed box body/trailers

The closed box body cargo compartment or closed box trailer can be curtain-sided. This applies to both manual and automatic vehicles.

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