On 20/05/2013,
you requested for the version in force on 20/05/2013
incorporating all amendments published on or before 20/05/2013.
The closest version currently available is that of 30/09/1999.
A — GENERAL
4.
—(1) Every motor cycle shall be so constructed that it is a wheeled vehicle.
(2) Subject to paragraph (1), every motor vehicle and trailer shall be so constructed that it is either a wheeled vehicle or a track laying vehicle.
5. No vehicle shall be fitted with a replacement chassis or any body part where the chassis is an integral part of the vehicle.
6.
—(1) The overall length of a motor vehicle, other than an articulated vehicle, shall not exceed 10 metres.
(2) The overall length of an articulated vehicle shall not exceed 11 metres.
(3) The Registrar may, subject to such terms and conditions as he may impose, authorise the use of a vehicle whose overall length exceeds the limit prescribed by this rule for that vehicle.
9.
—(1) A motor cycle may be fitted with a side-car for the carriage of a passenger or goods.
(2) The overall length of the side-car shall not exceed 1,400 millimetres.
(3) The overall width of the side-car measured between the point of its attachment to the motor cycle and the outer face of its tyre shall not exceed 1,020 millimetres.
(4) The overall height of the side-car shall not exceed 800 millimetres.
(5) In the case of a vehicle used by an ice-cream vendor, the overall height of the side-car attached thereto may exceed 800 millimetres but shall not exceed 1,100 millimetres.
(6) Every side-car constructed for the carriage of goods shall be fitted with one or more lids.
10.
—(1) Every motor vehicle or trailer with more than 4 wheels and every trailer being part of an articulated vehicle and having more than 2 wheels shall be provided with such compensating arrangement as shall ensure that all the wheels shall remain in contact with the road surface and under the most adverse conditions shall not be subjected to abnormal variations of load.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to any steerable wheel of a motor vehicle if the load on such wheel does not exceed 2.5 metric tons.
11.
—(1) Every motor vehicle and every trailer drawn thereby shall be equipped with suitable and sufficient springs between each wheel and the frame of the vehicle.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to any —
(a)
plant used for road repair;
(b)
land implement or land tractor;
(c)
mobile crane;
(d)
works vehicle; or
(e)
motor tractor not exceeding 4 metric tons in weight unladen if all unsprung wheels of such tractor are fitted with pneumatic tyres.
12.
—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), every motor vehicle shall be equipped —
(a)
with an efficient braking system having 2 means of operation; or
(b)
with 2 efficient braking systems each having a separate means of operation.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a motor vehicle, if the vehicle is equipped with one efficient braking system with one mean of operation and that system is a split braking system.
(3) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the braking system or braking systems of every motor vehicle shall be so designed and constructed that, notwithstanding the failure of any part (other than a fixed member or a brake shoe anchor pin) through or by means of which the force necessary to apply the brakes is transmitted, there shall still be available for application by the driver to not less than half the number of the wheels of the vehicle brakes sufficient under the most adverse conditions to bring the vehicle to rest within a reasonable distance.
(4) In the event of such failure as referred to in paragraph (3), it shall not be necessary for brakes to be available for application by the driver to more than one wheel if the vehicle has less than 4 wheels and its unladen weight does not exceed one metric ton.
(5) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to a road roller, land implement, land tractor, light locomotive or heavy locomotive if the vehicle is equipped with one braking system with one means of operation.
(6) Where a motor vehicle has, including every steering wheel, more than 3 wheels, at least one means of operation of its brakes shall be capable of causing brakes to be applied to all the wheels of the vehicle.
(7) Where a vehicle has more than 2 steering wheels, only half the number of steering wheels shall be deemed to be the wheels of the vehicle for the purpose of paragraph (6).
(8) Nothing in paragraph (6) shall apply to a light locomotive or heavy locomotive or to a motor tractor not forming part of an articulated vehicle.
(9) The application of one means of operation of the brakes of a motor vehicle shall not affect or operate the pedal or hand lever of the other means of operation.
(10) No braking system of a motor vehicle shall be rendered ineffective by the non-rotation of the engine.
(11) All the brakes of a motor vehicle which are operated by one of the means of operation required by this rule shall be capable of being applied by direct mechanical action without the intervention of any hydraulic, electric or pneumatic device.
(12) One at least of the means of operation required by this rule shall be capable of causing brakes to be applied directly and not through the transmission gear to not less than half the number of wheels of the vehicle.
(13) Where a motor vehicle has more than 4 wheels and the drive is transmitted to all wheels other than the steering wheels without the interposition of a differential driving gear or similar mechanism between the axles carrying the driving wheels, it shall be deemed to be a sufficient compliance with paragraph (12) if —
(a)
the brakes applied by one means of operation act directly on 2 driving wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle; and
(b)
the brakes applied by the other means of operation act directly on all the other driving wheels.
(14) For the purposes of this rule, every moving shaft to which any part of a braking system or any means of operation thereof is connected or by which it is supported shall be deemed to be part of that system.
(15) No account shall be taken in the case of a vehicle registered after 1st June 1975 of any braking system whose means of operation is such that it applies the brakes progressively as a result of successive application of that device by the driver unless that means, at the first application, operates any hydraulic, electric or pneumatic device which causes brakes sufficient to bring the vehicle to rest within a reasonable distance.
(16) Every motor vehicle which is equipped with a braking system which embodies a vacuum or pressure reservoir or reservoirs shall be provided with a warning device so placed as to be readily visible to the driver of the vehicle when in the driving seat in order to indicate any impending failure or deficiency in the vacuum or pressure system.
(17) In the case of a vehicle the unladen weight of which does not exceed 3 metric tons and which is propelled by an internal combustion engine and equipped with a braking system embodying a vacuum reservoir or reservoirs, the vacuum therein being derived directly from the induction system of the engine, it shall not be necessary to provide a warning device referred to in paragraph (16) if, in the event of a failure or deficiency in the vacuum system, the brakes of that braking system are sufficient under any condition to bring the vehicle to rest within a reasonable distance.
(18) Every goods vehicle registered on or after 1st July 1980 shall be equipped with a split braking system.
13.
—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a braking system, which may be one of the systems prescribed in rule 12, other than paragraph (2) thereof, so designed and constructed that it can at all times be set so as effectually to prevent 2 at least, or in the case of a vehicle with only 3 wheels one of the wheels from revolving when the vehicle is not being driven or is left unattended.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to a two-wheeled motor cycle with or without a side-car attached.
14.
—(1) To every motor vehicle, other than a vehicle which is incapable by reason of its construction of exceeding a speed of 20 kilometres per hour, there shall be fitted an instrument so constructed and in such a position as at all times readily to indicate to the driver of the vehicle the speed thereof within a margin of accuracy of plus or minus 10% if and when he is driving at a speed in excess of 20 kilometres per hour.
(2) On every vehicle registered after 1st January 1975 the speed thereof shall be indicated on such an instrument in units of kilometres per hour.
15.
—(1) Every motor vehicle and trailer shall be so constructed that the entire weight of the motor vehicle or trailer is transmitted to the road surface by circular wheels or by tracks if the motor vehicle or trailer is a track laying vehicle.
(2) In the case of a track laying vehicle the parts of the track which come into contact with the road surface shall be flat and have a minimum width of 13 millimetres; and the total area of each track in contact with the road surface at any one time shall be at least 230 square centimetres in respect of each metric ton of the unladen weight of the track laying vehicle.
(3) A track laying motor tractor shall not draw any trailer.
(4) All wheels of a motor vehicle and trailer which are equipped with tyres other than pneumatic tyres shall have a rim diameter of at least 670 millimetres.
(5) Nothing in paragraph (4) shall apply to a —
(a)
works vehicle not exceeding 1.5 metric tons in weight unladen;
(b)
motor vehicle or trailer designed for use and used by or on behalf of the Government solely in connection with street cleansing, road repairs, the collection or disposal of refuse or the contents of drains, gullies, latrines or cess-pools; and
(c)
mobile crane.
16. Every motor vehicle which exceeds 400 kilograms in weight unladen shall be capable of being so worked that it may travel either forward or backward.
17. Every motor vehicle shall be so designed and constructed that the driver thereof —
(a)
has adequate room and can easily reach and quickly operate the controls; and
(b)
while controlling the vehicle can at all times have a full view of the road and traffic ahead of the motor vehicle.
18.
—(1) The driver’s seat shall be so placed as to permit him to give by hand the usual traffic signals on the right or off-side of the vehicle.
(2) On every goods vehicle, registered after 1st June 1975 and the weight of which unladen exceeds 2 metric tons, and on every public service vehicle registered after 1st June 1975 the driver’s seat shall be capable of being adjusted so that it can be moved in the horizontal direction from 300 millimetres to at least 400 millimetres between the nearest point on the periphery of the steering wheel and the nearest point on the back of the driver’s seat and also in the vertical direction from 150 millimetres to at least 250 millimetres between these 2 points.
19. Every entrance to or exit from every motor vehicle registered after 1st January 1975 shall be provided with a door which can be closed securely.
20.
—(1) Every public service vehicle having a seating capacity for more than 6 persons, excluding the driver, and every goods vehicle shall be equipped with at least 2 mirrors, one of which shall be fitted externally on the off-side of the vehicle and the other either internally or on the near-side externally.
(2) The mirrors referred to in paragraph (1) shall be so constructed and fitted to the motor vehicle as to assist the driver, if he so desires, to become aware of traffic at the rear and on both sides rearwards.
(3) Subject to paragraphs (1) and (2), every motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, shall be equipped either internally or externally with a reflecting mirror so constructed and fitted to the motor vehicle as to enable the driver, if he so desires, to become aware of traffic at the rear of the vehicle.
(4) Every motor cycle shall be equipped with at least one reflecting mirror which shall be so constructed and fitted to the handle bar of the motor cycle as to enable the rider, if he so desires, to become aware of traffic at the rear of the vehicle.
21.
—(1) The glass of all windscreens and windows fitted to a motor vehicle shall be safety glass.
(2) All glass and any transparent material fitted to a motor vehicle shall be maintained in such condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven on a road.
(3) No tinted glass shall be used as part of or fitted to the windscreen and window of a motor vehicle except with the prior written permission of the Registrar given in that behalf.
(4) The glass of the front windscreen fitted to a motor vehicle shall not be made of a material or be of a design such as to prevent, obstruct or interfere with transmission of signals between an in-vehicle unit installed in such vehicle and any ERP facility.
(5) No person shall —
(a)
make or cause to be made to the front windscreen fitted to a motor vehicle any addition or alteration; or
(b)
apply or cause to be applied to the front windscreen fitted to a motor vehicle any coating or other substance,
which has the effect of preventing, obstructing or interfering with the transmission of signals between an in-vehicle unit installed in such motor vehicle and any ERP facility.
(6) In this rule, “in-vehicle unit” and “ERP facility” have the same meanings as in the Road Traffic (Electronic Road Pricing System) Rules (R 38).
22.
—(1) The windscreen of every motor vehicle, which is so constructed that the driver cannot obtain an adequate view to the front of the vehicle without looking through the windscreen by opening the windscreen or otherwise, shall be fitted with efficient automatic windscreen wipers.
(2) The windscreen wipers required by paragraph (1) shall be capable of clearing the windscreen so that the driver has an adequate view of the road in front of the near and off-sides of the vehicle in addition to an adequate view to the front of the vehicle.
23.
—(1) Every motor vehicle, registered after 1st June 1975 and the windscreen of which is required to be fitted with one or more efficient automatic windscreen wipers under rule 22, shall be fitted with a windscreen washer capable of cleaning, in conjunction with those windscreen wipers, the area of the windscreen swept by those windscreen wipers of mud and other similar deposit.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to a land tractor or a works vehicle.
24.
—(1) Every motor vehicle shall be fitted with an instrument or apparatus capable of giving audible and sufficient warning of its approach or position.
(2) No such instrument or apparatus shall consist of —
(a)
a gong or bell, except in the case of a motor vehicle used solely for fire brigade, ambulance, military, police or customs purposes;
(b)
a siren, except in the case of a vehicle used solely for fire brigade, military, police or customs purposes, or a vehicle owned by a police officer or a civil defence officer and used by him in the execution of his duties;
(c)
a multi-tone horn giving a succession of different notes, except in the case of a vehicle used solely for ambulance purposes; or
(d)
a sound producing device giving an unduly harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise, except in the case of a vehicle used solely for fire brigade, military, police or customs purposes.
(3) Every trailer registered on or after 1st July 1980, shall be fitted with an instrument or apparatus capable of giving audible and sufficient warning of any reverse movement of the trailer.
(4) With effect from 1st July 1981, every trailer shall be fitted with an instrument or apparatus capable of giving audible and sufficient warning of any reverse movement of the trailer.
(5) Every prime mover registered on or after 1st April 1981 shall be so constructed or equipped that it shall, when attached to any trailer fitted with an instrument or apparatus under paragraph (3) or (4), automatically activate the instrument or apparatus when the prime mover is in the reverse gear.
(6) With effect from 1st July 1981, every prime mover shall be so constructed or equipped that it shall, when attached to any trailer fitted with an instrument or apparatus under paragraph (3) or (4), automatically activate the instrument or apparatus when the prime mover is in the reverse gear.
(7) The instrument or apparatus fitted to a trailer under paragraph (3) or (4) shall not have a multi-tone or produce an unduly harsh, shrill, loud or alarming noise.
25. In rules 26 to 29, unless the context otherwise requires —
“flank indicator” means a direction indicator when fitted to a vehicle is visible from one side of the vehicle;
“front indicator” means a direction indicator when fitted to a vehicle is visible from the front of the vehicle;
“matched pair”, in relation to direction indicators or stop lights, means a pair of direction indicators or stop lights which are alike in character in respect of shape, size and power, and fitted to a vehicle in accordance with these Rules in symmetrical positions on the longitudinal plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;
“rear indicator” means a direction indicator when fitted to a vehicle is visible from the rear of the vehicle;
“side indicator” means a direction indicator when fitted to a vehicle is visible from the front and rear and from one side of the vehicle.
26.
—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), every motor vehicle shall be fitted with a matched pair of front indicators, and every motor vehicle and every trailer shall be fitted with a matched pair of rear indicators.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to a —
(a)
tractor, land implement and works vehicle;
(b)
two-wheeled motor cycle, with or without a side-car attached, which is registered before 1st January 1975; and
(c)
trailer if the rear indicators of the towing vehicle are fully visible from the rear.
(3) Every —
(a)
public service vehicle having a seating capacity for more than 15 persons, excluding the driver;
(b)
vehicle constructed so as to be able to tow a trailer; and
(c)
vehicle registered after 1st January 1975 and the total length of which exceeds 8.0 metres,
shall, in addition to the direction indicators required by paragraph (1), be fitted with a matched pair of side indicators.
(4) A matched pair of side indicators may be fitted to a motor vehicle, other than those referred to in paragraph (3).
(5) An additional matched pair of flank indicators may be fitted to a motor vehicle referred to in paragraph (3).
27.
—(1) A direction indicator shall be on the external surface of a vehicle.
(2) A direction indicator intended to indicate a right hand turn shall be fitted only to the right of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and one intended to indicate a left hand turn shall be fitted only to the left of that axis.
(3) No part of the illuminated area of a direction indicator shall be more than 1.5 metres above the level of the ground when the vehicle is unladen.
(4) The Registrar may, subject to such terms and conditions as he may impose, approve a height of more than 1.5 metres but below 2.0 metres.
(5) Every direction indicator shall be so designed and fitted that the outermost point of its illuminated area which is furthest from the longitudinal axis of the vehicle is not more than 400 millimetres nearer to the axis than is the outermost point of the vehicle which is comprised in the overall width of the vehicle on the side on which the indicator is placed.
(6) Where a side indicator is fitted on a side of a motor vehicle in accordance with rule 26(3) or (4), the direction indicator shall be so fitted that the distance between the foremost part of the motor vehicle which is comprised in the overall length of the motor vehicle and the rearmost part of the illuminated area of that indicator is not more than 1/3 of the overall length of the motor vehicle or, where the motor vehicle is the drawing vehicle forming part of an articulated vehicle, not more than 1/3 of the overall length of the articulated vehicle.
(7) Every direction indicator shall be so fitted that, when not in operation, it will not be likely to mislead the driver of any other vehicle or any person controlling traffic on a road.
(8) Every direction indicator fitted to a side of a vehicle together with every direction indicator on that side of any trailer drawn by the vehicle, while so drawn, shall be operated by one and the same switch and not otherwise.
28.
—(1) The light emitted by a direction indicator shall be diffused by frosted glass or other adequate means.
(2) Every direction indicator shall, when in operation, show a light which flashes constantly at the rate of not less than 60 or more than 120 flashes per minute, each flash being of such duration as to permit the light to achieve its full brightness and to be fully observable to the eye at a reasonable distance.
(3) The light emitted by a direction indicator shall begin to flash not later than one second after the indicator is switched on and between each flash there shall be an interval observable to the eye.
(4) Where more than one type of direction indicators are fitted on a side of a motor vehicle, or a vehicle drawing a trailer or trailers in accordance with rule 26 they shall be so designed and fitted that the light emitted by such indicators flash simultaneously.
(5) No direction indicator may comprise 2 or more lamps so designed and fitted as to flash in sequence.
(6) A direction indicator may consist of more than one, but not more than 3 lamps so designed or fitted as to flash simultaneously.
(7) A vehicle shall be equipped with a device or devices so designed and fitted that, when the switch actuating the indicators fitted on one side of the vehicle is operated, the device or devices shall, if and so long as every indicator fitted on that side of the vehicle is in operation, give a warning readily visible or audible to the driver when in his seat.
(8) The electric circuit or circuits required for the operation of the direction indicators fitted on a vehicle shall be so arranged that if one or more of the direction indicators fail to operate, the other direction indicator or indicators shall not thereby become inoperative.
(9) The illuminated colour of every direction indicator fitted on a vehicle registered after 1st January 1975 shall be amber.
(10) The illuminated colour of every direction indicator fitted on a vehicle, other than the one referred to in paragraph (9), shall —
(a)
if it shows both to the front and to the rear, be amber;
(b)
if it shows only to the front, be amber or white; and
(c)
if it shows only to the rear, be amber or red.
(11) The total rated wattage of the bulb or bulbs illuminating a direction indicator, other than a side or flank indicator, shall be not less than 15 watts or not more than 36 watts.
(12) Notwithstanding paragraph (11), the total rated wattage of the bulb or bulbs illuminating every rear direction indicator of the following vehicles shall be not less than 25 watts or not more than 36 watts:
(a)
a public service vehicle registered on or after 1st July 1980, with a carrying capacity of more than 14 persons excluding the driver; and
(b)
a goods vehicle registered on or after 1st July 1980, with an unladen weight exceeding 1,500 kilograms.
29.
—(1) Every direction indicator, other than a side or flank indicator fitted to a motor vehicle under rule 26(4) or (5) respectively, shall be so designed and fitted to a vehicle that both the minimum illuminated area showing to the front and the minimum illuminated area showing to the rear shall be —
(a)
not less than the area of a circle of 38 millimetres in diameter in the case of either a vehicle the unladen weight of which does not exceed 2 metric tons or a passenger vehicle adapted to carry not more than 15 persons, excluding the driver, if in either case the vehicle is registered before 1st January 1975;
(b)
not less than the area of a circle of 76 millimetres in diameter in the case of every other vehicle registered before 1st January 1975; —
(c)
not less than 20 square centimetres in the case of a vehicle adapted to carry not more than 6 persons, excluding the driver, if the vehicle is registered on or after 1st January 1975; and
(d)
not less than 50 square centimetres in the case of every other vehicle registered on or after 1st January 1975.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), every rear direction indicator fitted to the following vehicles shall be so designed and fitted that the minimum illuminated area showing to the rear shall be not less than the area of a circle of 88 millimetres in diameter or 60 square centimetres:
(a)
a public service vehicle registered on or after 1st July 1980, and adapted to carry more than 14 persons, excluding the driver; and
(b)
a goods vehicle registered on or after 1st July 1980, with an unladen weight exceeding 1,500 kilograms.
29A.
—(1) Every motor vehicle other than a land implement, a motor cycle, whether with or without a side-car attached, a tractor or a works vehicle, registered on or after 1st September 1993 shall be equipped with a hazard warning signal device.
(2) Every hazard warning signal device shall meet the following requirements:
(a)
it shall be operated by a single switch;
(b)
it shall be capable of causing every of the direction indicators of a vehicle or combination of vehicles with which it is equipped to flash in sequence;
(c)
it shall be provided with a closed-circuit tell-tale in the form of a flashing light which may operate in conjunction with any direction indicator tell-tale; and
(d)
it shall be capable of functioning even when the switch which controls the starting and stopping of the engine of the vehicle with which it is equipped is in a position which makes it impossible to start the engine.
30.
—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), every two-wheeled motor cycle with or without a side-car attached shall be fitted with one stop light, and every other vehicle shall be fitted with a matched pair of stop lights.
(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to —
(a)
a land tractor, land implement and works vehicle; and
(b)
a trailer if the stop lights of the towing vehicle are fully visible from the rear.
(3) Where the vehicle is a two-wheeled motor cycle with or without a side-car attached, the stop light shall be fitted on the longitudinal axis of the motor cycle.
(4) Where the vehicle is other than a two-wheeled motor cycle, the stop lights shall be fitted not more than 400 millimetres from the outermost part of the illuminated surface to the outermost part of the vehicle.
(5) Every stop light shall show a steady red light diffused by means of frosted glass or other adequate means and visible from the rear of the vehicle, when the braking system which operates the stop light is applied.
(6) The total rated wattage of the filaments illuminating a stop light shall be not less than 15 watts nor more than 36 watts.
(7) The centre of the illuminated area of a stop light shall not be less than 0.4 metre nor more than 1.5 metres above the level of the ground when the vehicle is unladen.
(8) The Registrar may, subject to such terms and conditions as he may impose, approve a height of more than 1.5 metres but below 2.0 metres.
(9) Every stop light fitted to a motor vehicle shall be operated by the application of the brakes of a braking system of the motor vehicle which are designed to bring the motor vehicle, when in motion, to rest within a reasonable distance.
(10) The electric circuit or circuits required for the operation of the stop lights on a vehicle, referred to in paragraph (1) other than a two-wheeled motor cycle, shall be so arranged that if one of the stop lights fail to operate the other stop light shall not thereby become inoperative.
(11) Where a vehicle is fitted with more than a matched pair of stop lights —
(a)
additional lights shall either be a single stop light or a matched pair of stop lights;
(b)
it shall, in the case where a single stop light is fitted, be mounted at the centre line on the longitudinal plane of the vehicle; and
(c)
it shall, in the case where an additional matched pair of stop lights is fitted, be mounted symmetrically with the longitudinal plane of the vehicle.
(12) The additional lights referred to in paragraph (11) shall be constructed to a standard approved by the Registrar.
(13) No vehicle shall have more than 2 matched pairs of stop lights or one matched pair of stop lights and one single stop light.
31.
—(1) Notwithstanding rule 30(6), the total rated wattage of the filaments illuminating a stop light of the following vehicles shall be not less than 25 watts or not more than 50 watts:
(a)
a public service vehicle registered on or after 1st July 1980, with a carrying capacity of more than 14 persons excluding the driver; or
(b)
a goods vehicle registered on or after 1st July 1980, with an unladen weight exceeding 1,500 kilograms.
(2) Every stop light on a vehicle referred to in paragraph (1) shall be so designed and fitted that the minimum illuminated area shall be not less than the area of a circle of 88 millimetres in diameter or 60 square centimetres.
32.
—(1) For the purposes of this rule, “reversing light” means a device fitted to a motor vehicle for the purpose of intimating the intention of the driver of the vehicle to travel backwards.
(2) Every reversing light fitted on a motor vehicle shall be operated —
(a)
automatically when the reverse gear of the vehicle is engaged; or
(b)
by a switch which also operates simultaneously a warning readily visible or audible to the driver when in his seat, if and so long as the reversing light is in operation.
(3) The total rated wattage of every reversing light shall be not more than 24 watts.
(4) Every reversing light shall be so designed and fitted to a vehicle that the light emitted therefrom, when it is in operation, does not dazzle any person standing on the same horizontal plane as the vehicle at a distance of more than 7.5 metres from the reversing light, if his eye level is more than 1 metre above that horizontal plane.
(5) Every public service vehicle and goods vehicle registered on or after 1st July 1980 shall be fitted with a pair of reversing lights.
(6) The rated wattage of a reversing light fitted on such public service vehicle or goods vehicle shall be not less than 15 watts or not more than 24 watts.
33.
—(1) Every vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine shall be fitted with a silencer, expansion chamber or other contrivance suitable and sufficient for reducing as far as may be reasonable the noise caused by the escape of the exhaust gases from the engine.
(2) With effect from 1st July 1981, the exhaust pipe of every vehicle shall end in a straight section of at least 100 millimetres in length and the outlet of the exhaust pipe shall be on the off-side or at the rear of the vehicle.
34. Every motor vehicle shall be so constructed that no avoidable smoke or visible vapour is emitted therefrom.
35.
—(1) Every petrol driven motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle or scooter) to be registered for the first time in Singapore on or after 1st July 1999 shall conform to the relevant standard for exhaust emission prescribed by the Environmental Pollution Control (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations 1999 (G.N. No. S 291/99).
(2) The Registrar shall not approve an application made on or after 1st July 1999 for the first registration in Singapore of a petrol driven motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle or scooter) unless he is satisfied that the vehicle conforms to the relevant standard for exhaust emission prescribed by the Environmental Pollution Control (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations 1999 for that vehicle.
(3) The Registrar may, in his discretion, exempt any petrol driven motor vehicle from this rule.
36.
—(1) Every motor vehicle to be registered for the first time in Singapore on or after 1st July 1999 shall conform to the relevant standard for noise emission prescribed by the Environmental Pollution Control (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations 1999.
(2) This rule shall also apply to every secondhand motor vehicle registered for the first time in Singapore on or after 1st July 1999.
(3) For the purpose of paragraph (2), a motor vehicle that has been used in any country or place outside Singapore prior to its registration for the first time in Singapore shall be regarded as a secondhand vehicle.
(4) The Registrar may, in his discretion, exempt any motor vehicle from this rule.
37.
—(1) Every diesel driven motor vehicle to be registered for the first time in Singapore on or after 1st July 1999 shall conform to the relevant standard for exhaust emission prescribed by the Environmental Pollution Control (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations 1999 (G.N. No. S 291/99).
(2) The Registrar shall not approve an application made on or after 1st July 1999 for the first registration in Singapore of a diesel driven motor vehicle unless he is satisfied that the vehicle conforms to the relevant standard for exhaust emission prescribed by the Environmental Pollution Control (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations 1999 for that vehicle.
(3) The Registrar may, in his discretion, exempt any diesel driven motor vehicle from this rule.
38. Every motor vehicle that is in use (whether first registered in Singapore before, on or after 1st July 1999) shall conform to the relevant standard for exhaust emission prescribed by the Environmental Pollution Control (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations 1999 for in-use vehicles.
40.
—(1) Every motor cycle and scooter registered for the first time in Singapore on or after 1st July 1999 shall conform to the relevant standard for exhaust emission prescribed by the Environmental Pollution Control (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations 1999.
(2) The Registrar shall not approve an application made on or after 1st July 1999 for the first registration in Singapore of a motor cycle or scooter unless he is satisfied that the motor cycle or scooter conforms to the relevant standard for exhaust emission prescribed by the Environmental Pollution Control (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations 1999 for that motor cycle or scooter.
(3) The Registrar may, in his discretion, exempt any motor cycle or scooter from this rule.
41. Every motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, powered by a 4-stroke petrol engine, registered on or after 1st March 1972, shall be so constructed or equipped with such device as to prevent the escape of gas from the crankcase of such motor vehicle.
42.
—(1) Every fuel container shall —
(a)
be securely attached to the vehicle in such manner as not to be liable to displacement or damage due to vibration or other cause;
(b)
be so placed or insulated as not to be adversely affected by the heat from the exhaust system; and
(c)
be provided with a filler cap or cover or lid so designed and constructed that it can be securely fitted in position to prevent the spilling of fuel contained therein while the vehicle is travelling on a road.
(2) Any vent hole of the fuel container shall —
(a)
be so protected as not to enable the fuel in the container to catch fire; and
(b)
be so designed as to prevent fuel from being splashed over.
42A.
—(1) All petrol driven motor vehicles to be registered for the first time in Singapore on or after 1st July 1992 shall be fitted with filler pipe and fuel tank opening of 21.3 millimetres diameters as stipulated in the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc. (SAE) Recommended Practice 1140.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to motor cycles and scooters.
43. No motor vehicle or trailer shall be equipped with any closet, urinal, lavatory basin or sink, unless the following requirements are complied with:
(a)
no vehicle shall be equipped with a closet or urinal the contents of which can be discharged directly on to a road and every closet pan or urinal pan shall empty into a tank carried by the vehicle such tank —
(i)
being efficiently ventilated by means of a pipe, the outlet of which is outside the vehicle; and
(ii)
shall contain non-inflammable and non-irritant chemicals of such character and in such quantity as to form at all times an efficient deodorant and germicide in respect of the contents of the tank; and
(b)
no lavatory basin or sink shall drain into any closet or urinal or into a tank into which a closet or urinal empties.
44.
—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the overhang of a motor vehicle shall not exceed 60% of the distance between the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle which passes through the centre or centres of the front wheel or wheels and the foremost vertical plane from which the overhang is to be measured as defined in rule 2.
(2) The Registrar may permit the overhang of a public service vehicle to be more than 60% but less than 65% of the distance referred to in paragraph (1).
(3) The overhang of a motor tractor shall not be more than 1.8 metres.
45.
—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), every wheel of a motor vehicle or trailer when the trailer is being drawn on a road shall be equipped with a pneumatic tyre of a suitable size or design.
(2) Subject to rule 66, in the case of any of the following vehicles every wheel thereof shall be fitted with a pneumatic tyre, or a tyre of soft or elastic material of a suitable size and design:
(a)
motor tractors, light locomotives and heavy locomotives;
(b)
motor vehicles or trailers designed for use and used by or on behalf of the Government solely in connection with street cleansing, the collection or disposal of refuse or of the contents of drains, gullies, latrines or cess-pools;
(c)
turntable fire-escapes;
(d)
tower wagons; and
(e)
motor cars each not exceeding 1.5 metric tons in weight unladen.
46.
—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), every motor vehicle or trailer when the trailer is being drawn on a road shall be equipped with wings or other similar fittings to catch, so far as practicable, mud and water thrown up by the rotation of the wheels unless adequate protection is afforded by the body of the vehicle.
(2) A wing or any other similar fitting with which a vehicle is equipped under paragraph (1) shall cover at least the upper half of a wheel or a mud flap shall be fitted to the wing or fitting to reach down over the wheel to a point at the same level as or below the centre of the wheel.
(3) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to a —
(a)
motor tractor;
(b)
trailer used by or on behalf of the Government in connection with the construction, maintenance or repair of roads;
(c)
living van;
(d)
watercart;
(e)
trailer used only for or, when empty, in connection with the carriage of round timber; and
(f)
trailer drawn by a vehicle the maximum speed of which is restricted under any written law to 30 kilometres per hour or less.
47.
—(1) Every goods vehicle and every trailer shall be fitted at the rear of the vehicle with 2 red reflectors each of at least 40 millimetres in diameter.
(2) One of the reflectors shall be fitted on the off-side of the vehicle and the other one the near-side.
(3) The reflectors shall be so fitted as to reflect the light from the front lamps of an overtaking vehicle.
48.
—(1) Every vehicle, including all bodywork, upholstery, fittings and accessories shall —
(a)
be soundly and properly constructed of suitable materials;
(b)
be well finished and in good and serviceable condition; and
(c)
be of such design that it is capable of withstanding the loads and stress likely to be met with in the normal operation of the vehicle.
(2) The Registrar may require an owner of a vehicle to furnish such evidence that the vehicle complies with this rule.
48A.
—(1) Every motor vehicle to which this rule applies shall be equipped with a rear underrun protective device which complies with the specifications set out in Directive No. 79/490/EEC of the Council of the European Communities or with such other specifications as the Registrar may approve from time to time.
(2) No person shall at any time use a motor vehicle to which this rule applies unless the rear underrun protective device with which the vehicle is equipped is free from any obvious defect which is likely to affect adversely the ability of such a device to give resistance in the event of an impact from the rear.
(3) This rule shall apply —
(a)
to every motor vehicle with a maximum laden weight of 8,000 kilograms or more or trailer registered on or after 1st September 1993;
(b)
to every motor vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms registered on or after 1st September 1994;
(c)
on or after 1st March 1995, to every motor vehicle with a maximum laden weight of 8,000 kilograms or more or trailer registered on or after 1st January 1984; and
(d)
on or after 1st September 1995, to every motor vehicle with a maximum laden weight of 8,000 kilograms or more or trailer registered before 1st January 1984,
except any such vehicle which is —
(i)
a prime mover;
(ii)
a road roller;
(iii)
a dumper;
(iv)
a road paver;
(v)
a scraper;
(vi)
an agricultural tractor;
(vii)
a forklift;
(viii)
a grader;
(ix)
a wheeled or tracked loader;
(x)
a wheeled or tracked dozer;
(xi)
a wheeled or tracked excavator;
(xii)
a recovery vehicle; or
(xiii)
a vehicle which the Registrar is satisfied cannot, by virtue of its construction or use, be equipped with a rear underrun protective device, including but not limited to, a vehicle which is so constructed that it can be unloaded only if part of the vehicle is tipped rearwards.
(4) The Registrar may, in his discretion, exempt any motor vehicle referred to in paragraph (3) from the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2).
48B.
—(1) Every motor vehicle to which this rule applies shall be fitted with a sideguard which shall comply with the specifications set out in Directive No. 89/297/EEC of the Council of the European Communities or with such other specifications as the Registrar may approve from time to time.
(2) No person shall at any time use a motor vehicle to which this rule applies unless the sideguard with which the vehicle is fitted is free from any obvious defect which is likely to affect adversely its effectiveness.
(3) This rule shall apply —
(a)
to every motor vehicle with a maximum laden weight of 8,000 kilograms or more or trailer registered on or after 1st September 1993;
(b)
to every motor vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 3,500 kilograms registered on or after 1st September 1994;
(c)
on or after 1st March 1995, to every motor vehicle with a maximum laden weight of 8,000 kilograms or more or trailer registered on or after 1st January 1984; and
(d)
on or after 1st September 1995, to every motor vehicle with a maximum laden weight of 8,000 kilograms or more or trailer registered before 1st January 1984,
except any such vehicle which is —
(i)
a prime mover;
(ii)
a road roller;
(iii)
a dumper;
(iv)
a road paver;
(v)
a scraper;
(vi)
an agricultural tractor;
(vii)
a forklift;
(viii)
a grader;
(ix)
a wheeled or tracked loader;
(x)
a wheeled or tracked dozer;
(xi)
a wheeled or tracked excavator;
(xii)
a recovery vehicle;
(xiii)
a bus with low body, the lower edge of which is not more than 550 millimetres above the ground; or
(xiv)
a vehicle which is designed and constructed for special purposes and which the Registrar is satisfied cannot, for practical reasons, be fitted with sideguards.
(4) The Registrar may, in his discretion, exempt any motor vehicle referred to in paragraph (3) from the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2).
49. Every goods vehicle registered on or after 1st July 1980, with a maximum laden weight exceeding 16 metric tons, shall be equipped with a power operated steering mechanism.
50.
—(1) The Registrar may require any goods vehicle to have a partition erected immediately behind the driver’s seat at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
(2) The partition referred to in paragraph (1) shall be of such specification as the Registrar may require.
(3) This rule shall apply only to a goods vehicle having an enclosed body that is permanently fitted to it.
51.
—(1) Every vehicle to which this rule applies shall be fitted with protective railings along the whole length of the side-boards on both sides of the vehicle up to a height of not less than 700 millimetres from the carriage deck and not less than 300 millimetres from the top of the side-boards.
(2) The protective railings referred to in paragraph (1) shall —
(a)
be constructed of metal or timber of such size, as the Registrar or an officer authorised by him in that behalf may approve; and
(b)
be securely and rigidly attached to the side-boards.
(3) The Registrar or an officer authorised by him in that behalf may refuse to approve any protective railing fitted on a vehicle under paragraph (1) if the design, construction, strength or rigidity of the protective railings are, in his view, inadequate for safety.
(4) This rule shall apply to —
(a)
any goods vehicle which has an open deck for the carriage of goods and a maximum laden weight of not more than 3,000 kilogrammes and which is registered using a certificate of entitlement before 1st April 1998; or
(b)
any goods vehicle which has an open deck for the carriage of goods and a maximum laden weight of not more than 3,500 kilogrammes and which is registered using a certificate of entitlement on or after 1st April 1998.