This consultation seeks the views of consultees on whether or not the Department for Transport should amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2009 in order to permit an increase of 2.05 metres in the permitted length of semi-trailers for articulated lorries. This would increase the maximum loading length of a semi-trailer from 13.6 metres to 15.65 metres giving up to 13% increase in capacity. The Department is also seeking views on increasing the overall permitted length of an articulated vehicle to 18.75 metres — in order to allow the development and use of tractor units with safer, more aerodynamic frontal designs in addition to longer semi-trailers - the same as for a rigid truck / drawbar trailer combination currently allowed on UK roads. Road traffic legislation is devolved to Northern Ireland. This consultation therefore principally covers Great Britain. However, the Northern Ireland authorities have been informed and are included in the consultees. (Author/publisher)
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