HGV Speed Limiter Setting and Testing
Discussion
A lorry driver is insisting that the law in the UK requires that speed limiters on HGVs have to be set at below 60mph but that some companies operate legally with limiters set at 58mph.
It's my understanding that EU regulation, which has to be enforced in the UK, requires limiters to be set at no more than 56mph and anything over than that will result in a failed inspection at a DVSA testing station.
Which is correct, and how are speed limiters tested to ensure they're not set at more than 56mph?
It's my understanding that EU regulation, which has to be enforced in the UK, requires limiters to be set at no more than 56mph and anything over than that will result in a failed inspection at a DVSA testing station.
Which is correct, and how are speed limiters tested to ensure they're not set at more than 56mph?
Tacho will be checked at every MOT. If the limiter is set over 91km per hour it's a fail.
Tacho needs its own little MOT every two years and a big MOT every six. Recalibration takes place every other year in other words.
You could present it for recalibration with tyres showing 1.1mm of tread and immediately fit a new set of tyres with 22mm of tread. That'll see you doing just over 57mph on a good day.
Tacho needs its own little MOT every two years and a big MOT every six. Recalibration takes place every other year in other words.
You could present it for recalibration with tyres showing 1.1mm of tread and immediately fit a new set of tyres with 22mm of tread. That'll see you doing just over 57mph on a good day.
Blakewater said:
So, the speed limiter is tested by means of checking for higher speeds recorded on the tacho, which means drivers need to be careful of slipping over 56mph even if it's possible to reach higher speeds, such as downhill with a heavy load, and legal by UK law?
No, the plug some sort of gadget into it at MOT time to check where it's been calibrated to.No issue wIth the truck exceeding 56mph downhill. The legal limit for a 7.5 ton truck for example is 60mph on a NSL dual carriageway and 70mph on the motorway. It's just that we have an additional law saying any goods vehicle over 3.5ton gross weight requires a speed limiter set at 56mph.
I know it makes no sense but that the law as it stands at the moment...
MJK 24 said:
No, the plug some sort of gadget into it at MOT time to check where it's been calibrated to.
No issue wIth the truck exceeding 56mph downhill. The legal limit for a 7.5 ton truck for example is 60mph on a NSL dual carriageway and 70mph on the motorway. It's just that we have an additional law saying any goods vehicle over 3.5ton gross weight requires a speed limiter set at 56mph.
I know it makes no sense but that the law as it stands at the moment...
I think that the 60mph limit is just for England and Wales. Are you sure about the 70?No issue wIth the truck exceeding 56mph downhill. The legal limit for a 7.5 ton truck for example is 60mph on a NSL dual carriageway and 70mph on the motorway. It's just that we have an additional law saying any goods vehicle over 3.5ton gross weight requires a speed limiter set at 56mph.
I know it makes no sense but that the law as it stands at the moment...
MJK 24 said:
No, the plug some sort of gadget into it at MOT time to check where it's been calibrated to.
Gadget? The way the technician or tester checks that the Tacho is calibrated for an MOT is that he looks for an up to date tacho sticker! So long as the tacho sticker says next calibration is due at a date after the MOT then that is a pass. If the sticker is out of date or missing the truck will be sent for calibration at an approved tacho bay.
interloper said:
MJK 24 said:
No, the plug some sort of gadget into it at MOT time to check where it's been calibrated to.
Gadget? The way the technician or tester checks that the Tacho is calibrated for an MOT is that he looks for an up to date tacho sticker! So long as the tacho sticker says next calibration is due at a date after the MOT then that is a pass. If the sticker is out of date or missing the truck will be sent for calibration at an approved tacho bay.
MJK 24 said:
interloper said:
MJK 24 said:
No, the plug some sort of gadget into it at MOT time to check where it's been calibrated to.
Gadget? The way the technician or tester checks that the Tacho is calibrated for an MOT is that he looks for an up to date tacho sticker! So long as the tacho sticker says next calibration is due at a date after the MOT then that is a pass. If the sticker is out of date or missing the truck will be sent for calibration at an approved tacho bay.
Yes our local VOSA test station plugs a tester in and does the rev up dodah ...
CaptainMorgan said:
Higgs boson said:
I think that the 60mph limit is just for England and Wales. Are you sure about the 70?
Buses and coaches have a 70mph limit on the motorways too (but are limited to less) The speed limits for HGVs haven't been raised in Scotland except as a trial on the A9 as hauliers had a protest about the average speed cameras saying they would be obliged to hold up traffic by sticking to 40mph.
powerstroke said:
Our laws are overruled by the EU hence the limit in UK law for LGVs on the motorway is 60mph but the limiter set speed has to be no more than 90kph =56 mph, coaches are set at 100kph 62 mph, to comply with EU law...
EU regs are actually 85kmh but you're allowed 5kmh tolerance.Gassing Station | Commercial Break | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff