General Vehicle Legislation

Question 1

You are the Transport Manager of a company that operates several vehicles under the Special Types
General Order (STGO). One of the vehicles has a design train weight of 72,000kg.

You are the Transport Manager of a company that operates several vehicles under the Special Types
General Order (STGO). One of the vehicles has a design train weight of 72,000kg.
a) Describe the type of STGO sign that would apply to this vehicle when used on the highway. Include in
your answer the number to be fitted and the position on the vehicle.

Answer 1

One sign is required to be fitted at the front of the vehicle: black rectangle with white letters bearing ‘STG0 Cat

Question 2

For each of the dimensions listed below, indicate the specific requirements that have to be met for
movement of such loads.
– Load overall width of 3.1 metres
– Load overall width of 3.7 metres
– Front projection of 2.9 metres
– Rear projection of 2.4 metres
– Rear projection of 3.1 metres

Answer 2

aFront projection of 2.9m exceeds threshold of 2m: Fitment of end markers; fitment of side markers; attendant to be
carried
Rear projection of 2.4m exceeds threshold of 2m: Fitment of end markers
Rear projection of 3.1m exceeds threshold of 3.05m: Fitment of end markers; fitment of side markers; attendant to
be carried; 2 days’ written notice to relevant police authority
Side projection causing overall width of 3.1m exceeds threshold of 3m: 2 days’ written notice to relevant police
authority; fitment of side markers
Side projection causing overall width of 3.7m exceeds threshold of 3.5m: 2 days’ written notice to relevant police
authority; attendant to be carried; fitment of side markersimu

Question 3

You have been invited, as a transport consultant, to advise a company on the implications of
overloading goods vehicles. As part of the whole exercise, you set out to clarify the following standard
definitions.
– Unladen weight
– Kerbside weight
– Gross vehicle weight (gross plated weight/maximum authorised mass)
– Gross laden weight
– Gross train weight
For each of the above, give a brief explanation of the definition.

Answer 3

Unladen weight: Weight of vehicle or trailer, including body and all parts, excluding water, fuel, accumulators, loose
tools and loose equipment
Kerbside weight: Unladen weight plus water, fuel, accumulators, loose tools and loose equipment
Gross vehicle weight/gross plated weight etc: The maximum permitted gross weight of a vehicle shown the plate
Gross laden weight: All weight transmitted to the road surface including body and parts, water, fuel, accumulators,
loose tools, loose equipment, driver and load at any given time
Gross train weight: The maximum permitted gross weight of a vehicle and trailer combination shown on the platem speed –
motorway