Manufacturers Plates

Information 

This inspection applies to all wheeled Goods vehicles first used on or after 1 January 1968, and wheeled trailers manufactured on or after 1 January 1968 that has an unladen weight exceeding 1,020 kg. Buses used on or after 1 November 1983. 

Method Of Inspection 

A visual inspection should be carried out to ensure that a vehicle is equipped with a plate securely attached to the vehicle in a conspicuous and readily accessible position, which either meets the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations or the requirements of the appropriate Community Directive. 

Requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations 

Particulars to be shown on plates for motor vehicles 

1. Manufacturers name 

2. Vehicle type 

3. Engine type and power 

NOTE: (1) The power need only be shown if vehicle is fitted with a Compression Ignition engine, and first used after 1/10/1972) 

4. Chassis or serial number 

5. Number of axles 

6. Maximum axle weight for each axle (design) 

7. Maximum gross weight (design) 

8. Maximum train weight (design) 

9. Maximum weight in UK for each axle (legal) 

NOTE: (1) This is not required if first used between 19/7/1999 and 1/11/2002. 

NOTE: (2) If first used after 19 July 1999 this may be displayed as ‘maximum authorised weight’ for each axle (weights determined in accordance with the Motor Vehicles (Authorised weight) Regulations (NI)) 

10. Maximum gross weight in UK (legal) 

NOTE: (1) This is not required if first used between 19/7/1999 and 1/11/2002. 

NOTE: (2) If first used after 19 July 1999 this may be displayed as ‘maximum authorised weight’ (weights determined in accordance with the Motor Vehicles (Authorised weight) Regulations (NI)) 

11. Maximum train weight in UK (legal) 

NOTE: (1) This is not required if first used between 19/7/1999 and 1/11/2002. 

Particulars to be shown on plates for trailers 

1. Manufacturer's name 

2. Chassis or serial number 

3. Number of axles 

4. Maximum weight for each axle (design) 

5. Maximum load imposed on drawing vehicle (design) 

NOTE: (1) This is not required if no load is imposed on the drawing vehicle). 

6. Maximum gross weight (design) 

7. Maximum weight in UK for each axle (legal) 

NOTE: (1) This is not required if manufactured before 1/10/1972) 

NOTE: (2) If manufactured after 19 July 1999 this may be displayed as ‘maximum authorised weight’ for each axle (weights determined in accordance with the Motor Vehicles (Authorised weight) Regulations (NI)). 

8. Maximum gross weight in UK (legal) 

NOTE: (1) This is not required if manufactured before 1/10/1972 or is a semi-trailer) 

NOTE: (2) If manufactured after 19 July 1999 this may be displayed as ‘maximum authorised weight’ (weights determined in accordance with the Motor Vehicles (Authorised weight) Regulations (NI)). 

9. Year of manufacture (legal) 

NOTE: (1) This is not required if trailer is manufactured before 1/4/1970) 

Requirements of the Community Directive 

Particulars to be shown on plates for motor vehicles 

1. Manufacturers name 

2. EEC Type Approval Number 

NOTE: (1) Instead this may show a national type approval number, which can either be on the manufactures plate or a separate plate. 

3. Vehicle identification Number 

4. Maximum axle weight for each axle (design) 

NOTE: (1) This is only required if the design weight is higher than the legal weight. 

5. Maximum gross weight (design) 

NOTE: (1) This is only required if the design weight is higher than the legal weight. 

6. Maximum train weight (design) 

NOTE: (1) This is only required if the design weight is higher than the legal weight. 

7. Maximum weight in UK for each axle (legal) 

8. Maximum gross weight in UK (legal) 

9. Maximum train weight in UK  (legal) 

Particulars to be shown on plates for Trailers 

1. Manufacturers name 

2. EEC Type Approval Number 

NOTE: (1) Instead this may show a national type approval number, which can either be on the manufactures plate or a separate plate. 

3. Vehicle identification Number 

4. Maximum axle weight for each axle (design) 

NOTE: (1) This is only required if the design weight is higher than the legal weight. 

5. Maximum gross weight (design) 

NOTE: (1) This is only required if the design weight is higher than the legal weight, except in the case of a semi-trailer where the design weight must be displayed. 

6. Maximum load imposed on drawing vehicle (design) 

NOTE: (1) This is only required for semi-trailers. 

7. Maximum weight in UK for each axle (legal) 

8. Maximum gross weight in UK (legal) 

NOTE: (1) This is not required for semi-trailers. 

Additional information required for Public Service Vehicles (Bus only) manufactured after 19th April 1999: 

a. Length of the motor vehicle 

b. Width of the vehicle 

c. Data for the measurement of the length of vehicle combinations. -  the distance between the front of the motor vehicle and the centre of the coupling device. 

Where this information is displayed on a separate plate from the manufacturers plate, this plate must be securely attached to the vehicle in a conspicuous and readily accessible position and containing the above particulars including the manufacturers name and the vehicle identification number. 

Reasons For Rejection

		Reasons For Rejection	Deficiency Category
1		Manufacturers Plate:
	A	plate missing	MAJOR
	B	plate insecure	MAJOR
	C	information on plate illegible	MAJOR
	D	wrong information on plate	MAJOR
	E	plate not complying with relevant legislation	MAJOR
	F	plate inaccessible	MAJOR