

(Operation over 41,000kg requires, also, the use of an engine complying with the Euro II standard (or better) or a gas engine.) *** Operation over 40,000kg requires the axle weight of each drive axle not to exceed 10,500kg, the drive axle(s) to have road-friendly suspension or not to exceed 8,500kg axle weight, the trailer to have road-friendly suspension and each part of the vehicle combination to have three axles. ** Operation over 38,000kg is restricted to certain road-rail movements, subject to conditions - see below.

* 38,000kg is permitted where the combination consists of a two-axle tractor unit and a two-axle semi-trailer, the weight of the tractor unit does not exceed 18,000kg, the weight of the semi-trailer does not exceed 20,000kg for which an axle spacing of at least 1.8m is required and drive axle is fitted with twin tyres and road-friendly suspension. As an alternative each drive axle weight may not exceed 9,500kg (but see ** and *** below). RFS means that road-friendly suspension is fitted on the drive axle. However, please be aware, it is not possible to operate to the weight limits in the AW regulations whilst using the axle spacing’s specified in the C&U regulations. The information laid out in the tables below shows both Construction and Use (C&U) and Authorised Weight (AW) rules. Bogie Weights - AW (Authorised Weights).However, you cannot comply with a combination of the two regulations. The Authorised Weight Regulations run in parallel with C&U Regs, operators may choose to comply with either set of regulations. On 1 January 1999 directive 96/53 regarding weight limits was made law as part of the Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 and was not included within the Construction and Use Regulations as a further amendment.

Directive 96/53 superseded the earlier directive and applied the weights standards to domestic transport. Directive 85/3 set common weights and dimensions standards for vehicles used in International transport. However, EU legislation in the form of directives has been incorporated into these regulations. The maximum permissible weights and dimensions of goods vehicles in the UK have traditionally been set out in the Road Vehicles ( Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.
