S.I. No. 47/2025 - Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.

2. These Regulations come into operation on 1 March 2025.

3. In these Regulations “Principal Regulations” mean the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 (

S.I. No. 5 of 2003

).

4. Regulation 2(1) of the Principal Regulations is amended –

(a) by the insertion of the following definitions

“ ‘Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683’ means Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683 of 15 April 2020

4

implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/858 with regards to the administrative requirements for the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/195 of 11 February 2022

5

, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/799 of 20 May 2022

6

, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1177 of 7 July 2022

7

and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1362 of 1 August 2022

8

;

‘Regulation (EU) 2018/858’ means Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, amending Regulations (EC) No 715/2007 and (EC) No 595/2009 and repealing Directive 2007/46/EC

3

, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019

9

, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1244 of 20 May 2021

10

, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1445 of 23 June 2021

11

, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2236 of 20 June 2022

12

, Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 of 24 April 2024

13

and Regulation (EU) 2024/1610 of 14 May 2024

14

;

‘zero-emission vehicle’ means a zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle as defined in Article 3(11) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019

2

;”,

(b) by the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “alternatively fuelled vehicle”

“ ‘alternatively fuelled vehicle’ means a motor vehicle powered wholly or in part by an alternative fuel and which has been approved under the framework of the European Union (Road Vehicles: Type-Approval and Market Surveillance) Regulations 2020 (

S.I. No. 556 of 2020

) or Regulation (EU) 2018/858, in the case of a vehicle registered in a Member State other than the State;”,

(c) by the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “certificate of conformity”

“ ‘certificate of conformity’ has the meaning assigned to it by Article 3(5) of Regulation (EU) 2018/858;”,

(d) by the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “Council Directive”

“ ‘Council Directive’ means Council Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorized weights in international traffic

15

, as amended by Directive 2002/7/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 February 2002

16

, Directive (EU) 2015/719 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015

17

, Decision (EU) 2019/984 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019

18

and Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019

19

;”,

(e) by the deletion of the definition of “Directive 2007/46/EC”, and

(f) by the substitution, in the definition of “manufacturer”, of “Regulation (EU) 2018/858” for “Directive 2007/46/EC”.

5. Regulation 2A of the Principal Regulations is amended by the substitution of “Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/683” for “Annex I to Directive 2007/46/EC”.

6. Regulation 9 of the Principal Regulations is amended by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (4)

“(4A) In the case of a 2-axle zero-emission vehicle other than a bus, the maximum permitted weight laden of 18 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s zero-emission technology, subject to a maximum of 2 additional tonnes.”.

7. Regulation 10 of the Principal Regulations is amended –

(a) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (1A)

“(1B) In the case of a vehicle to which paragraph (1) applies that is a zero-emission vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 25 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s zero-emission technology, subject to a maximum of 2 additional tonnes.”,

(b) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (2A)

“(2B) In the case of a vehicle to which paragraph (2) applies that is a zero-emission vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 26 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s zero-emission technology, subject to a maximum of 2 additional tonnes.”,

(c) by the substitution, in paragraph (3A), of “paragraphs (3B) and (3C)” for “paragraph (3B)”, and

(d) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (3B)

“(3C) In the case of a 3-axle articulated bus that is a zero-emission vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 28 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s zero-emission technology, subject to a maximum of 2 additional tonnes.”.

8. Regulation 13 of the Principal Regulations is amended –

(a) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (1)

“(1A) The weight laden of an articulated vehicle having 4 axles may exceed 35 tonnes but shall not exceed 36 tonnes if the vehicle –

(a) consists of a 2 axle tractor unit and a 2 axle semi-trailer,

(b) the distance between the axles of the semi-trailer is greater than 1.3m but not more than 1.8m, and

(c) is equipped with a plate complying with the requirements of the Regulations of 2000.”,

(b) in paragraph (2) –

(i) by the insertion of the following subparagraph after subparagraph (a)

“(ab) the distance between the axles of the semi-trailer is greater than 1.8m,”, and

(ii) by the substitution of the following subparagraph for subparagraph (c)

“(c) is equipped with an anti-lock braking system, and”,

and

(c) by the insertion of the following paragraphs after paragraph (2)

“(3) In the case of an articulated vehicle to which this Regulation applies that is an alternatively fuelled vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s alternative fuel technology, subject to a maximum of one additional tonne.

(4) In the case of an articulated vehicle to which this Regulation applies that is a zero-emission vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s zero-emission technology, subject to a maximum of 2 additional tonnes.”.

9. Regulation 14 of the Principal Regulations is amended –

(a) by the insertion of the following paragraphs after paragraph (1)

“(1A) In the case of a vehicle to which paragraph (1) applies that is an alternatively fuelled vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 40 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s alternative fuel technology, subject to a maximum of one additional tonne.

(1B) In the case of a vehicle to which paragraph (1) applies that is a zero-emission vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 40 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s zero-emission technology, subject to a maximum of 2 additional tonnes.”,

and

(b) by the deletion of paragraph (2).

10. Regulation 17 of the Principal Regulations is amended by the insertion of the following paragraphs after paragraph (2)

“(3) In the case of a combination of vehicles to which paragraph (2) applies that is an alternatively fuelled vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 36 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s alternative fuel technology, subject to a maximum of one additional tonne.

(4) In the case of a combination of vehicles to which paragraph (2) applies that is a zero-emission vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 36 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s zero-emission technology, subject to a maximum of 2 additional tonnes.”.

11. Regulation 18 of the Principal Regulations is amended –

(a) by the insertion of the following paragraphs after paragraph (2)

“(2A) In the case of a combination of vehicles to which paragraph (2) applies that is an alternatively fuelled vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 40 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s alternative fuel technology, subject to a maximum of one additional tonne.

(2B) In the case of a combination of vehicles to which paragraph (2) applies that is a zero-emission vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 40 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s zero-emission technology, subject to a maximum of 2 additional tonnes.”,

(b) by the insertion of the following paragraphs after paragraph (6)

“(6A) In the case of a 2-axle motor vehicle with a 3-axle semi-trailer to which paragraph (6) applies that is an alternatively fuelled vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 42 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s alternative fuel technology, subject to a maximum of one additional tonne.

(6B) In the case of a 2-axle motor vehicle with a 3-axle semi-trailer to which paragraph (6) applies that is a zero-emission vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 42 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s zero-emission technology, subject to a maximum of 2 additional tonnes.”,

and

(c) by the insertion of the following paragraph after paragraph (7)

“(7A) In the case of a 3-axle motor vehicle with a 2-axle semi-trailer to which paragraph (7) applies that is an alternatively fuelled vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 44 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s alternative fuel technology, subject to a maximum of one additional tonne.

(7B) In the case of a 3-axle motor vehicle with a 2-axle semi-trailer to which paragraph (7) applies that is a zero-emission vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 44 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s zero-emission technology, subject to a maximum of 2 additional tonnes.”.

12. Regulation 19 of the Principal Regulations is amended by the insertion of the following paragraphs after paragraph (3A)

“(3B) In the case of a 3-axle motor vehicle with a 3-axle semi-trailer to which paragraph (3A) applies that is an alternatively fuelled vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 44 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s alternative fuel technology, subject to a maximum of one additional tonne.

(3C) In the case of a 3-axle motor vehicle with a 3-axle semi-trailer to which paragraph (3A) applies that is a zero-emission vehicle, the maximum permitted weight laden of 44 tonnes is increased by the additional weight that is required for the vehicle’s zero-emission technology, subject to a maximum of 2 additional tonnes.”.

13. Regulation 22A of the Principal Regulations is amended –

(a) by the insertion, in paragraph (1), of “and a zero-emission vehicle” after “an alternatively fuelled vehicle”, and

(b) by the substitution, in paragraph (2), of “an alternatively fuelled vehicle or a zero-emission vehicle:” for “an alternatively fuelled vehicle:”.

14. Regulation 26 of the Principal Regulations is amended by the substitution of “(6A) This paragraph applies to vehicles” for “(6) This paragraph applies to vehicles”.

15. Regulation 28B of the Principal Regulations is amended by the substitution of “Regulation (EU) 2018/858” for “Directive 2007/46/EC” in each place where it occurs.

16. Regulation 28C of the Principal Regulations is amended by the substitution of “Regulation (EU) 2018/858” for “Directive 2007/46/EC” in each place where it occurs.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

1 March, 2025.

DARRAGH O’BRIEN,

Minister for Transport.

1 OJ No. L 235, 17.09.1996, p.59.

2 OJ No. L 198, 25.07.2019, p.202.

3 OJ No. L 151, 14.06.2018, p. 1.

4 OJ No. L 163, 26.5.2020, p. 1.

5 OJ No. L 31, 14.2.2022, p. 27.

6 OJ No. L 143, 23.5.2022, p. 1.

7 OJ No. L 183, 8.7.2022, p. 54.

8 OJ No. L 205, 5.8.2022, p 145.

3 OJ No. L 151, 14.06.2018, p. 1.

9 OJ No. L 325, 16.12.2019, p. 1.

10 OJ No. L 272, 30.7.2021, p. 16.

11 OJ No. L 313, 6.9. 2021, p. 4.

12 OJ No. L 296, 16.11.2022, p. 1.

13 OJ No. L 1257, 8.5.2024, p. 1.

14 OJ No. L 1610, 6.6.2024, p. 1.

2 OJ No. L 198, 25.07.2019, p.202.

15 OJ L 235, 17.9.1996, p. 59.

16 OJ L 67, 9.3.2002, p. 47.

17 OJ L 115, 6.5.2015, p. 1.

18 OJ L 164, 20.6.2019, p. 30.

19 OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, p. 202.

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of

4

th March,

2025.

I, DARRAGH O’BRIEN, Minister for Transport, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by

sections 5

,

11

and

12

of the

Road Traffic Act 1961

(No. 24 of 1961), sections

10

and

11

of the

Road Traffic Act 1968

(No. 25 of 1968) and

section 2

of the

Road Traffic Act 2006

(No. 23 of 2006) (as adapted by the Transport, Tourism and Sport (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020 (

S.I. No. 351 of 2020

)) and for the purpose of giving further effect to Council Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996

1

, as amended by Article 20 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019

2

and for the purpose of giving full effect to Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018

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, hereby make the following regulations