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

My Department, the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) is responsible for transport policy in the north, with a wide remit including responsibility for road safety and vehicle regulation. This work contributes directly to the Northern Ireland Executive's Programme for Government (PfG), including improving public safety through road safety measures and creating a safer and more sustainable transport network through vehicle testing and roadworthiness standards.

Current legislation, the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (Northern Ireland) 1997('The Special Types General Order') (STGO)), makes provision for the Department to authorise certain types of vehicles to be used on roads that would not normally comply with the requirements that generally apply to vehicles permitted on roads. The Special Types General Order specifies the requirements that must be met by vehicles seeking to rely on such authorisation.

The STGO has not been updated since 1997. Significant changes in the transport landscape since this time, together with evolving operational and infrastructure needs, mean the current legislative framework no longer fully reflects today's transport environment.

In order to ensure our legislation remains ft for purpose and contributes to road safety, which I am committed to addressing, I am taking forward this consultation with a view to updating the legislation to ensure it continues to support modern, efficient and sustainable transport systems.

This consultation seeks views on changes to the STGO to better support and reflect the needs of the transport sector, while continuing to prioritise road safety. The objective is to ensure that our legislation remains proportionate and reflects the needs of businesses without placing unnecessary burdens on them whilst also ensuring road safety concerns are addressed so as to keep our roads safe.

We welcome views from all stakeholders as your responses will help to inform the future direction and ensure ourt legislation remains modern and fit for purpose. I very much encourage you to provide your views.

Liz Kimmins MLA

Minister for Infrastructure