Lorry Test Query . . .

[josie_s]

Can someone in the know please help?
A friend took his wagon for its test and it failed because it didn't have a speed limiter fitted. Now apparently this is a new thing this year but the tester man said it needed to be 56mph but this wagon is 7.490 ton so can legally do 70mph on a motorway and 60mph on a dual carriageway. So why should its speed be restricted to 56mph and not 70?
Now when I hopefully come to re-test my wagon I presume that mine would also need one fitted, even though I dont think it would do 56mph going down hill, let alone 70!

Has anyone had the same problem and do you know if its 56 or 70mph

 

[GinaB]

If it's over 7.5 ton yes it does need to be limited to 56mph. It's prob being seen as a 7.5 ton.

 

[josie_s]

No, its under and we drive it on a normal licence not a HGV class 2

 

[GinaB]

Then I would imagine yours doesn't need it. What weight is she?

I meant yours friends was prob being seen as a 7.5ton

sorry

 

[carthorse]

Are you sure your friends lorry is the correct weight[look on brake test] as the lorries that can carry only up to 7.5 tons should not need this.It will weigh about 5.5 tons or may be alittle more to allow for horses etc

 

[josie_s]

Both wagons are under the 7.5 ton limit and I accept that this maybe a new rule brought in this year but I just cant understand why it would be 56 and not 70mph. Seems like another b**s up by VOSA?

 

[carthorse]

Just had ours plated and this was not needed or mentioned we have to have a tacho exemption form filled in so we don't have to have that calibrated each year, but they give us that to fill in ,as it is for private use but no limiter

 

[josie_s]

Well thats what I usually do for mine and a limiter has never been mentioned. I dont understand it. Its the first time that my friend has took this lorry for test as he has just had it a year coming up. But it is definately just under the 7.5ton laiden weight. Was yours tested in '07 and a 7.5ton? Think maybe he should ring test centre on Monday as he has been quoted £400 - 500 to have it fitted

 

[carthorse]

Yes tested last month.It weighs 5.5ton ,you don't want one to weigh much more as with horse ,tack,hay,water,passengers and fuel they can easily go over their laden weight.
Something is strange with his as I say look at the weight of each axle on the brake test, it will be about 3.2 on front and 2.3 on rear which will make it about 5.5 ton and can then carry 2 ton without going over weight

 

[josie_s]

Ahh!! Problem solved

It turns out its only for vehicles that were first registered after 2001. Thanks for your help though. Mine definately wont need it then

 

[carthorse]

We live and learn, mine is 98 so I'm ok. Interesting

 

[dieseldog]

7.5t lorries do now need one depending on the age of the vehicle - another reason to own an older lorry.....