Consultation on changes to the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997

Overview

The Department for Infrastructure is seeking views on the proposal to amend and update the current Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997 (STGO), to bring it in line with GBs Road Traffic (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003. The Department is also proposing to update the legislation to permit the use of three additional categories of special vehicles, namely Impact Protection Vehicles (vehicles equipped with crash cushions), vehicles for the carriage of Crane Ballast Weights and Longer Semi-Trailers. The inclusion of any category vehicle in this Order will not change the current testing requirements for that category of vehicle.

The aim of these proposals is to minimise unnecessary bureaucracy and regulatory burdens on local operators and businesses in the road haulage, agriculture, engineering and road construction sectors. The Department also aims to support and encourage the use of vehicles that offer reduced gross axle weights and also an increase in general manoeuvrability where possible within the STGO framework.