Posted By Stuart Nagle Hi, Graham. I would suspect that the use of any vehicle on a public highway, as defined by the Highways Act 1980, will require those vehicles to meet the requirements of the Road Traffic Regulations Act. This would include licensing, registration, road worthyness and testing (for type/use etc), lighting and maybe tax as well. In respect of specific industrial vehicles, other requirements may be necessary e.g. reversing bleepers, flashing beacons, signings in respect of length, width, height, loads, left hand drive, no signals etc etc.... Hope this helps... best regards.... Stuart Nagle

Posted By Ron Young Agree with Dave but it may be wise to discuss your road usage with the local police to confirm how they would react if an accident occurred.

Posted By John Boyd My fork lift instructor has always stated that all trucks must be roadworthy in the manner of a car. It does not need road tax or mot if being driven less than 3 miles per year on the roads. If it is on a highway then the operator must have a car licence.

Posted By Martin I know this response may be a bit late,but may be of value to other contributors of this forum. I have just encountered the same problem, and the answer to your query is, All vehicles that are on a public highway are subject to the Road Traffic Act 1988. My local traffic police, would, in the event of an incident or accident involving any vehicle (FORK-LIFTS, DUMPERS E.T.C.), on a public highway, look at the following criteria. (1)Insurance, has the vehicle specifically been insured to operate on a public highway, if not, offence No.1 (2)Does the driver have a current and valid driving license that allows them to drive a road vehicle,(Car licence will suffice), if not offence No.2 (3)Road worthy, is the vehicle maintained and in a safe condition to be on the road, so this will depend if your vehicle is maintained regularly. In the case of a fork-lift it would be crazy to drive the vehicle 20 miles to your nearest MOT centre, then to be stopped just as you were about to enter. As long as the vehicle is road worthy and you have all of the maintence and service records to illustrate that this has been carried out, then everything should be fine. (If not offence No. 3) (4)Tax, this is the one that I have heard so many different versions of what is and what is not required by FLT's e.t.c, when on a public highway; Fact- if your vehicle does not exceed 1 mile per week on a public highway, then you can apply for an exemption certificate from your local DVLA Local office........ if and only if the vehicle is used for the purposes of forestry, horticulture or agriculture,if not offence No.4.(Information source-Local DVLA) All of the nonesense regarding, if you drive backwards with a carrot stuck in each ear on the 3rd Sunday of the month and providing your FLT is sky blue pink, will exempt you from prosecution mullarky,simply does not apply or exist. Hope this is of use to someone Regards Martin Knox TechSP.