Change in HGV tyre regulations

[Lady Jane]

Does anyone know if this affects privately owned horseboxes and if so, when the law comes into force.
I found one article which indicated it applied to fleets operated under licence, but this article is less clear.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...-roads-in-new-measures-to-improve-road-safety

 

[Lady Jane]

Front wheels only

 

[View]

Regardless of whether it is a legal requirement (and from memory I think it applies to privately operated vehicles ass well) why on earth wouldn’t you want to comply with this? It’s about safety. I change the tyres on my car at 4 years or 2mm tread, which ever comes first.

 

[phizz4]

My car tyres usually wear out before they reach an age where they need to be changed, but on the trailer I change them every 7 years regardless. Most manufacturers (Michelin, Continental etc ) recommend 10 years maximum. If the vehicle or trailer does a lot of standing around or the tyres are exposed to the sun it could be the the tyre walls get cracks in them after only 4 or 5 years.

 

[paddy555]

the link you quoted suggests it will be included as part of the annual vehicle test so I would presume it will apply to all vehicles as they are tested.

 

[Lady Jane]

Personally I will ensure my front tyres are not over 10 years old as if research has proven there is an increased risk, as others of you have said, why would you take the risk with your horse? A friend recently had her tyre explode while her lorry was standing in her yard just because the rubber was perished through age. However another friend has an old lorry she hardly uses and would like to know if it will get its plate without 2 new front tyres as she may just leave it sitting on her farm for a while if it won't. The point is my link (and others I have found) 'suggest' etc etc - I was after a black and white answer.
And its a good point re my car - I wouldn't give a thought to changing a tyre because of age unless the MOT told me too - and I do low mileage so there is a risk there although I doubt my tyres would have enough tread to last that long

 

[sparow]

Personally I will ensure my front tyres are not over 10 years old as if research has proven there is an increased risk, as others of you have said, why would you take the risk with your horse? A friend recently had her tyre explode while her lorry was standing in her yard just because the rubber was perished through age. However another friend has an old lorry she hardly uses and would like to know if it will get its plate without 2 new front tyres as she may just leave it sitting on her farm for a while if it won't. The point is my link (and others I have found) 'suggest' etc etc - I was after a black and white answer.
And its a good point re my car - I wouldn't give a thought to changing a tyre because of age unless the MOT told me too - and I do low mileage so there is a risk there although I doubt my tyres would have enough tread to last that long

 

[sparow]

Just as an update. The law came into effect in February this year and affects all vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes. I took my 6.5 tonne horsebox for a booked plating today at my regular DVLA testing station and fortunately the garage hand did a quick pre-check before going onto the lane and I was told my front tyres would fail the test and the lorry would be prohibited from leaving the garage. The DVLA inspector came out to explain the new rules and said that both my front tyres were 10 years old (they are dated on the outer rim which I was unaware of) and although were in perfectly good condition and would pass an MOT test for a smaller 3.5 tonne vehicle he would not be able to let them through plating. The rear tyres can be over 10 years old but a minor advisory will be given if they are. Anyway, I was allowed to rebook for next week by which time the two new tyres will be fitted. Stupidly, I was unaware of the new regulations so thought I would post this as I am sure others are dusting down their horse lorries at the moment.

 

[meleeka]

Just as an update. The law came into effect in February this year and affects all vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes. I took my 6.5 tonne horsebox for a booked plating today at my regular DVLA testing station and fortunately the garage hand did a quick pre-check before going onto the lane and I was told my front tyres would fail the test and the lorry would be prohibited from leaving the garage. The DVLA inspector came out to explain the new rules and said that both my front tyres were 10 years old (they are dated on the outer rim which I was unaware of) and although were in perfectly good condition and would pass an MOT test for a smaller 3.5 tonne vehicle he would not be able to let them through plating. The rear tyres can be over 10 years old but a minor advisory will be given if they are. Anyway, I was allowed to rebook for next week by which time the two new tyres will be fitted. Stupidly, I was unaware of the new regulations so thought I would post this as I am sure others are dusting down their horse lorries at the moment.

You were lucky they advised you before they took it in. I expect it’s going to catch a lot of people out. I’ve already warned our horse box customers so they have plenty of time to get tyres done. Personally I think it should be law for all vehicles but it’s only LGV’s

 

[luckyoldme]

You were lucky they advised you before they took it in. I expect it’s going to catch a lot of people out. I’ve already warned our horse box customers so they have plenty of time to get tyres done. Personally I think it should be law for all vehicles but it’s only LGV’s

Is it not Pcv too?
That's pretty poor really people less important than frozen chickens !

 

[meleeka]

Is it not Pcv too?
That's pretty poor really people less important than frozen chickens !

Sorry yes it’s PCV too. It was the crash a few years ago involving a coach that prompted the change in the law I believe.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Also make sure the details on the tyres can be easily read, don't go to test plastered in mud.

 

[luckyoldme]

Sorry yes it’s PCV too. It was the crash a few years ago involving a coach that prompted the change in the law I believe.

It's hard to imagine any commercial vehicle on 10 year old tyres.! Miles =money !

 

[View]

It's hard to imagine any commercial vehicle on 10 year old tyres.! Miles =money !

Sometimes it’s not the length of time on the vehicle. It could well be a tyre fitter that doesn’t properly rotate their stock. I was very surprised when a well known national chain came out to me with an 8 year old tyre for a bus. Once I got it back, our people promptly switched it to the rear axle.

 

[luckyoldme]

Sometimes it’s not the length of time on the vehicle. It could well be a tyre fitter that doesn’t properly rotate their stock. I was very surprised when a well known national chain came out to me with an 8 year old tyre for a bus. Once I got it back, our people promptly switched it to the rear axle.

Oh I see!
Ours only put brand new on then send us the old ones back. Ours wouldn't last much longer than a year .

 

[Merry neddy man]

On the tyre near the rim usually underneath the manufacturer name will be a date symbol similar to "DOT 4B9Z 747R 3909" the last set of numbers show the week and year the tyres were manufactured 39th week of 2009 (3909) so this tyre would be out of date for a front tyre on anything over 3.5 ton, private use or business use. Hope you will ALL check your front tyres tomorrow on any lorry over 3.5 ton an illegal tyre will void your insurance plus a fine and points on your licence if caught by the police.