licence laws and regulations

fastrac94

hi all....does anyone know wha the laws are regarding towing trailers with jeeps,ie what licence is needed and what weight can you legally pull etc...any other info on this subject.....anyone eva being caught by gaurds towing sumthing they shouldn have been....wha was the outcome of it?????

101sean

Here you go, lifted this off the Leinster 4x4 and Hillbilly 4x4 sites.

All vehicles operating on Irish roads must comply with the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 (S.I. 190 of 1963). Any trailer over 750kgs gross vehicle weight must have a braking system. In the case of cars, the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer must not exceed half the weight of the drawing vehicle. In the case of a four wheel drive vehicle, the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer must not exceed one and a half times the weight of the drawing vehicle. In any case, the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer must not exceed the towing capacity recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. In the case of trailers subject to an annual roadworthiness test, the performance of brakes is tested during the test.
Drivers that hold a category B licence are entitled to tow a trailer exceeding 750kg (0.75 tonnes) Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) provided that the DGVW of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight (ULW)2 of the towing vehicle, and the maximum combination weight does not exceed a total of 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes). If you want to pull a heavier trailer you will need a Category EB licence.
Article 96 (1) of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 (S.I. No. 190 of 1963) requires that every vehicle being used in a public place shall be such, and so maintained and used, that no danger is likely to be caused to any person. In addition, the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 (S.I. No. 190 of 1963) require that a load carried by a vehicle in a public place shall be of such size and weight and securely attached to the vehicle so that no danger is liable to be caused. The relevant article states:-

“96. (3) (a) Every load carried by a vehicle in a public place shall be of such a weight and size and so distributed, packed, adjusted and attached to the vehicle that, so far as can reasonably be foreseen, no danger is liable to be caused and that there is no interference with the stability of vehicle.

(b) In the case of mechanically propelled vehicles and trailers, no load carried shall exceed a reasonable weight, having regard to the engine capacity, brakes, tyres and general construction of the vehicle.”

Also, a load must not be carried in such a manner that part of the load is liable to fall or drag on the surface of the road:-

“96. (4) A load shall not be carried on a vehicle on a public road in such a manner that part of the load is liable to fall on the road, or drags on the surface of the road, so as to cause damage to the road or to be liable to cause danger.”

It is the operator’s responsibility to provide suitable restraints to secure the load.

The selection of the best means of securing a load to a vehicle will depend on the type and composition of the load to be carried. Operators should equip themselves with the correct securing equipment for the types of load carried and where general cargoes are carried various types should be available. Clamps, special bolts, steel wire ropes, chains, webbing harnesses, sheets, nets, ropes and shoring bars are all suitable devices for use in load restraint but it is essential to ensure that they are strong enough for the weight of loads carried.
[zzsi190y1963a34]34 Condition and maintenance
34. (1) Every vehicle and trailer, and all parts and equipment of every vehicle and trailer, shall be maintained in good and efficient working order, and shall be such and so maintained that no danger is liable to be caused thereby.

SI No. 771 of 2004 European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations, 2004 govern the testing of “goods vehicles” which are vehicles primarily constructed or adapted for the conveyancing of goods or burden of any description. The Regulations also apply to trailers with a design gross vehicle weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms. Goods vehicles are required to undergo a roadworthiness test each year.

According to Statutory Instrument No 771 of 2004 European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations 2004 where a member of An Garda Síochána demands the production of a current Certificate of Roadworthiness for a vehicle the owner must produce it a Garda Station within 10 days after the date on which the production was demanded. Therefore it is not currently required by law to display a current Certificate of Roadworthiness in a commercial vehicle.

Driving a vehicle before remedying a dangerous defect results in a mandatory court appearance, with a court fine and 3 penalty points endorsed on your licence upon conviction.
20.—(1) Where a member of the Garda Síochána observes a mechanically propelled vehicle or combination of vehicles in a public place and he suspects that there is a defect affecting the vehicle or combination which is such that it is, when in use, a danger to the public or, in the case of a public service vehicle, there is a defect affecting it which is such that either it is a danger to the public or it is rendered unfit for the carriage of passengers, he may inspect and examine the vehicle or combination and, for the purpose of carrying out the inspection and examination, may do all such things and make all such requirements in relation to it as are reasonably necessary.

I am obliged to point out that enforcement of the regulations is a matter for the Garda Síochána and interpretation is a matter for the Courts.

I hope that this helps clarify the situation for you. If you have any further queries or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Brian Forde
Vehicle Standards

101sean

Another one lifted off the Hillybilly 4x4 forum (had to edit it as being a Land Rover forum, jeep is a swearword and is automatically altered, in this case to sheep!) It is obviously taken from another forum so I can't verify the story.

Originally from powerboat.ie

Beware of towing boats with Commercially taxed Vehicles

The law are cracking down majorly on towing anything for leisure (Boats/Jet Ski's/Motor bikes/Rally Cars Etc) with a Commercially taxed Van or jeep.

He also told me that a Rib and jeep (commercial type) were both impounded recently in Cork for this offence and weren't released until the jeep was taxed privately. (Apparently this happened on a Saturday and the owner couldn't get his jeep taxed until the following Tuesday) When he went to collect both, he was charged €130 a night for storage of the Car & Boat...

Nasty stealth way of collecting more monies