Posted By John A Wright
PL,

This issue has been discussed here and, with references, I have recently reviewed what I tell my customers about this. I hoope it IS correct ???

I will explain the 1000 yard issue - you still need to register your trucks - and hopefully others can confirm everything else I have written

A public road in the context of taxation means ‘a road which is maintainable at public expense’ and in terms of road users a public road is ‘where it is natural to suppose that the public may be found’ and includes ‘roads through trading estates’.

When a ‘works truck’ is used on a public road it must be registered. In many cases fork trucks may be exempt from payment of vehicle excise duty but they must still be registered and display a license number plate.

Exemptions from payment of road tax include electrically-propelled trucks but they must still be registered and must display a “null” tax disc.

Exemption from payment of road tax includes trucks that only operate over short distances on public roads between lands occupied by the same business (less than 1000 yards, or 1.5kilometers of public roads), but they must still be registered. Such trucks do not require modifications to comply with Construction and Use Regulations.

To register and license a fork lift truck use appropriate DVLA application forms.

There is no MOT equivalent for an FLT but it requires a LOLER inspection every 12 months.

For use of FLT on a public road it is necessary to obtain a Certificate of Insurance (minimum Third Party) and provide evidence of age of the vehicle. Drivers of FLTs on a public road should possess a full driving license, and have received appropriate FLT driver training. See ACoP L117.


Requirements regarding FLTs carrying loads on a public road:

- loads must be arranged to provide clear vision forward
- no part of the load shall project more than 2 metres
- risk assessments are required (under PUWER 98 regulation)

Ref:

Fork Lift Truck Association, Fact Sheet 08 and Technical Bulletin 03
Allied Health and Safety, FAQ ‘Driving on Public Roads’
Provision and Use of Work Equipment, ACoP L22
Rider-operated Lift Trucks: Operator Training, ACoP L117


John W
Tech IOSH

Posted By Innes Gray
Some more info Re Ligts
Lighting Requirements for Fork Lift Trucks
Factsheet
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Lighting Requirements for Fork Lift Trucks Factsheet
The requirements concerning the lighting of all vehicles used on the public road are contained in The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (RVLR), as amended. If the vehicle is not used on the public road then the provisions of RVLR do not apply.
Fork lift trucks are not specifically mentioned in RVLR, but by virtue of their function and use they are usually considered to fall within the general definition of a 'works truck', which is:
"a motor vehicle (other than a straddle carrier) designed for use in private premises and used on a road only in delivering goods from or to such premises, to or from a vehicle on a road in the immediate neighbourhood or in passing from one part of any premises to another or to other private premises in the immediate neighbourhood, or in connection with road works while at or in the immediate neighbourhood of the site of such works."
If a fork lift truck is only used on the public road between sunrise and sunset and is not fitted with any front or rear position lamp then under Regulation 4(3) of RVLR the vehicle is exempt from having to be fitted with any lamp or reflector.
Many fork lift trucks would not be able to take advantage of this exemption without their use on the road being curtailed, especially during the winter months.
Regulation 18 of RVLR requires vehicles to be fitted with lamps, reflectors, rear markings and devices, as specified in Schedule 1 of these regulations. Table 1 of this schedule lists the types of lamp with which motor vehicles with three or more wheels are required to be fitted, and specifies the exceptions to the requirement for each lamp type. These exceptions typically refer to the vehicle type, maximum speed and 'first used' date, but sometimes refers to the weight or dimensions of the vehicle.
Assuming a fork lift truck was first used on or after 1st April 1986 and is not a particularly long or heavy vehicle, then the determining factor for the types of lamp that the vehicle is required to be fitted with is the maximum speed of the vehicle. The maximum speed is:
"the speed which a vehicle is incapable, by reason of its construction, of exceeding on the level under its own power when fully laden."
The table below lists the types of lamp that a fork lift truck is required to be fitted with, according to its maximum speed.
Maximum Speed Types of lamp required to be fitted
Any speed Front position lamp
Rear position lamp
Rear retro-reflector
>15 mph As above, and also
Dipped-beam headlamp
Direction indicator
Hazard warning signal device
>25 mph All of the above, and also
Main-beam headlamp
Rear fog lamp
Stop lamp
>40 mph All of the above, and also
Dim-dip device or running lamp (unless the vehicle conforms to European requirements)
As regards the number and positioning of each lamp type, these requirements are specified in RVLR.
Warning Beacons
A fork lift truck having a speed not exceeding 25 mph or any trailer drawn by such a vehicle is permitted to be fitted with an amber warning beacon. (RVLR, Reg. 11(2)(l)(iv))
However, if the vehicle is used on an unrestricted dual-carriageway, other than crossing it by the quickest manner practicable, then the fitment of an amber warning beacon is obligatory and it must be kept lit when the vehicle is used on such a road. (RVLR, Reg. 17 & 26)
Any amber warning beacon fitted, whether voluntarily fitted or required by regulation, must be fitted in compliance with the requirements of Schedule 16 of RVLR. Schedule 16 requires the centre of the lamp to be not less than 1200 mm above the ground, and the light to be visible from at least one beacon (but not necessarily the same beacon) from any point at a reasonable distance from the vehicle (i.e. through 360 degrees).
Further Information
For further information on the lighting requirements for fork lift trucks or any other road vehicle can be found in The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989.
If you require any further information regarding the regulations covered by this fact sheet, please contact the DTLR at the address below:
Vehicle Standards and Engineering 4
Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR