European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations, 1981.
Statutory Instruments
Source: Statutory Instruments

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paragraphs: (1) These Regulations may be cited as the European Communities (Vehicle Testing) Regulations, 1981.
(2) ( a ) These Regulations, other than articles 12, 13 and 14 shall come into operation on the 1st day of June, 1981.
b ) Articles 12, 13 and 14 of these Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of January, 1983.
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paragraphs: In these Regulations, save where the context otherwise requires:—
"ambulance" means a mechanically propelled vehicle used for the purpose of carrying sick, injured or disabled persons;
"articulated vehicle" means the combination of a mechanically propelled vehicle and a drawn vehicle attached by partial superimposition and so constructed and attached that not less than 20 per cent of the weight of the drawn vehicle is borne by the mechanically propelled vehicle;
"authorised officer" means a person appointed by the Minister or an issuing authority for the purpose of article 11 of these Regulations;
"authorised tester" means a person or body appointed by an issuing authority to test vehicles under these Regulations;
"Council Directive" means Council Directive of the 29th December, 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers;
(1)O.J. No. L47/47. 18/02/77.
"issuing authority" means the council of a county or the corporation of a county borough which exercises or performs the functions of a licensing authority under the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act, 1952 (No. 24 of 1952);
"mechanically propelled vehicle" has the meaning assigned to it by the Road Traffic Act, 1961 (No. 24 of 1961) but does not include a pedal cycle;
"public place" means any street, road or other place to which the public have access with vehicles whether as of right or by permission and whether subject to or free of charge;
"semi-trailer" means the drawn component of an articulated vehicle or a vehicle constructed or adapted for use as such drawn component;
"taxi" means a small public service vehicle fitted with a taximeter and licensed for hire in a taximeter area;
"the Minister" means the Minister for the Environment;
"trailer" means a vehicle attached to a mechanically propelled vehicle (or to another vehicle attached to a mechanically propelled vehicle) or a vehicle constructed or adapted for the purpose of being drawn by a mechanically propelled vehicle.
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paragraphs: (1) These Regulations shall apply to:—
( a ) mechanically propelled vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and with more than eight seats excluding the driver's seat;
( b ) mechanically propelled vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum permissible weight exceeding 3,500 kgs;
( c ) trailers and semi-trailers with a maximum permissible weight exceeding 3,500 kgs;
( d ) taxis and ambulances.
(2) For the purpose of paragraphs (b) and (c) of sub-article (1) of this article a vehicle with an unladen weight exceeding 1½ tons shall be deemed to be a vehicle with a maximum permissible weight exceeding 3,500 kgs.
(3) These Regulations shall not apply to vehicles belonging to or used for official purposes by the Defence Forces or by the Garda SÃ­ochÃ¡na.
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paragraphs: (1) Issuing authorities may appoint as authorised testers as respects all or any of the classes of vehicles referred to at article 3(1) of these Regulations persons who make application in a form approved by the Minister and who have or have access to premises and equipment appropriate to carry out roadworthiness tests in respect of the matters listed in the Second Schedule to these Regulations.
(2) A fee of £40 shall accompany each application.
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paragraphs: (1) An issuing authority may at any time suspend or terminate the appointment of an authorised tester.
(2) An issuing authority shall maintain a register of authorised testers appointed by it and shall make available to the public during ordinary office hours the names and addresses of persons so appointed.
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paragraphs: (1) The owner of a vehicle to which these Regulations apply may apply to an authorised tester for a test in respect of the vehicle.
(2) The application shall be accompanied by a fee as follows:—
( a ) £20 in respect of each vehicle referred to at article 3(1) (a) and (b) of these Regulations.
( b ) £10 in respect of each vehicle referred to at 3(1) (c) and (d) of these Regulations.