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Dimensions & Manoeuvrability

These regulations cover the length, width and height of motor vehicles. The exemptions to these requirements are also noted below and in cases where exceeding these dimensions is the case, the factor that dictates this concerns abnormal loads which are dealt with under STGO (Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003), which can be accessed here.  

Vehicle Dimensions 

Links relating to Vehicle Dimensions of Motor Vehicles and Trailers are below, including:- 

  • Overall Length of Vehicle 
  • Overall Width of Vehicle 
  • Overall Height of Vehicle 
  • Turning Circle 
  • Overhang 

There is also further information concerning the vehicle combinations, height plates and warning devices. 

Regulation 7 (length) 

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (6), the overall length of a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a class specified in an item in column 2 of the Table shall not exceed the maximum length specified in that item in column 3 of the Table, the overall length in the case of a combination of vehicles being calculated in accordance with regulation 81(g) and (h). 

Regulation 7.1 

Item 
Class of vehicle: Vehicle combinations 
Maximum length  

1 

A motor vehicle (other than a motor vehicle such as is mentioned in item 1A) drawing one trailer which is not a semi-trailer. 

18.75 

1A 

Subject to paragraph (3C), a motor vehicle manufactured before 1st June 1998 and drawing one trailer, where the combination does not meet the requirements of paragraph (5A) and the trailer is not a semi-trailer. 

18 

2 

An articulated bus 

18.75 

2A 

A bus drawing a trailer 

18.75 

3 

An articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which does not meet the requirements of paragraph (6) and is not a low loader. 

15.5 

3A 

An articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which meets the requirements of paragraph 6 and is not a low loader. 

16.5 

3B 

An articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which is a low loader. 

18 

3C 

An articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which meets the requirements of paragraph (6), is not a low loader and is carrying one or more containers or swap bodies up to a total maximum length of 45 feet as part of an intermodal transport operation. 

16.65 

 

Item 
Class of vehicle: motor vehicles 
Maximum length  

4 

A wheeled motor vehicle [other than a bus]. 

12 

4A 

A bus with 2 axles. 

13.5 

4B 

A bus with more than 2 axles. 

15 

5 

A track-laying motor vehicle. 

9.2 

 

Item 
Class of vehicle: trailers 
Maximum length  

6 

An agricultural trailed appliance manufactured on or after 1 December 1985. 

15 

7 

A semi-trailer manufactured on or after 1st May 1983 which does not meet the requirements of paragraph (6) and is not a low loader. 

12.2 

7A 

A composite trailer drawn by— (a) a goods vehicle being a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500kg; or (b) an agricultural motor vehicle. 

14.04 

8 

A trailer (not being a semi-trailer or composite trailer) with at least 4 wheels which is— (a) drawn by a goods vehicle being a motor vehicle having a maximum gross weight exceeding 3500kg; or (b) an agricultural trailer. 

12 

9 

Any other trailer not being an agricultural trailed appliance or a semi-trailer. 

7 

 

2. In the case of a motor vehicle drawing one trailer where:

  1. The motor vehicle is a showman’s vehicle as defined in paragraph 7 of schedule 3 to the 1971 Act 
  2. The trailer is used primarily as living accommodation by one or more persons and is not also used for the carriage of goods or burden which are not needed for the purpose of such residence in the vehicle, item 1 in the table applies with the substitution of 22m for 18m and item 1A in the table does not apply. 


3. Items 1, 1A, 3, 3A and 3B of the table do not apply to:

  1. A vehicle combination which includes a trailer that is constructed and normally used for the conveyance of indivisible loads of exceptional length, or 
  2. A vehicle combination consisting of a broken down vehicle (including an articulated vehicle) being drawn by a motor vehicle in consequence of a breakdown, or 
  3. An articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which is a low loader manufactured before 1 April 1991. 


3a. Items 6, 7, 7A, 8 and 9 of the table do not apply to:

  1. A trailer which is constructed and normally used for the conveyance of indivisible loads of exceptional length, 
  2. A broken-down vehicle (including an articulated vehicle) which is being drawn by a motor vehicle in consequence of a breakdown, or 
  3. A trailer is a drying or mixing plant designed for the production of asphalt or of bituminous or tarmacadam and used mainly for the construction, repair or maintenance of roads or a road planing machine so used.


3b. Furthermore item 7 does not apply to

  1. a semi-trailer which is a car transporter, 
  2. a semi-trailer which is normally used on international journeys any part of which takes place outside the United Kingdom. 


3c. Item 1A and the words “(other than a motor vehicle such as is mentioned in item 1A)” in item 1 of the table shall cease to have effect after 31 December 2006. 


4. Where a motor vehicle is drawing:

  1. Two trailers, then only one of those trailers may exceed an overall length of 7m 
  2. Three trailers, then none of those trailers shall exceed an overall length of 7m 


5. Where a motor vehicle is drawing:

  1. Two or more trailers; or 
  2. One trailer constructed and normally used for the conveyance of indivisible loads of exceptional length — then— 
    1. The overall length of that motor vehicle shall not exceed 9.2m; and 
    2. The overall length of the combination of vehicles, calculated in accordance with regulation 81(g) and (h), shall not exceed 25.9m unless the conditions specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12 have been complied with. 


5a. A motor vehicle drawing a trailer that is not a semi-trailer shall (unless it is a vehicle such as is mentioned in item 1A of the Table in paragraph (1)) comply with the requirements of paragraph (5A). The words in parenthesis in this paragraph shall cease to have effect after 31 December 2006. 


5b. The requirements of this paragraph, in relation to a combination of vehicles, are that at least one of the vehicles in the combination is not a goods vehicle or if both vehicles in the combination are goods vehicles that:

  1. The maximum distance measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combination of vehicles from the foremost point of the loading area behind the driver’s cab to the rear of the trailer, less the distance between the rear of the motor vehicle and the front of the trailer, does not exceed 15.65m; and 
  2. The maximum distance measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the combination of vehicles from the foremost point of the loading area behind the driver’s cab to the rear of the trailer does not exceed [16.4 m]; but sub-paragraph (a) shall not apply if both vehicles in the combination are car transporters 


6. The requirements of this paragraph, in relation to a semi-trailer, are that

  1. The longitudinal distance from the axis of the kingpin to the rear of the semi-trailer does not exceed:
    1. 12.5m in the case of a car transporter, 
    2. 12.15m when carrying one or more containers or swap bodies up to a total maximum length of 45 feet as part of an intermodal transport operation, or 
    3. 12m in any other case; and 
  2. No point in the semi-trailer forward of the transverse plane passing through the axis of the kingpin is more than:
    1. 4.19m from the axis of the kingpin, in the case of a car transporter, or 
    2. 2.04m from the axis of the kingpin, in any other case. 


6a. For the purposes of paragraph (5A):

  1. Where the forward end of the loading area of a motor vehicle is bounded by a wall, the thickness of the wall shall be regarded as part of the loading area; and 
  2. Any part of a vehicle designed primarily for use as a means of attaching another vehicle to it and any fitting designed for use in connection with any such part shall be disregarded in determining the distance between the rear of a motor vehicle and the front of a trailer being drawn by it. 


7. For the purpose of paragraph (6) the longitudinal distance from the axis of the kingpin to the rear of a semi-trailer is the distance between a transverse plane passing through the axis of the kingpin and the rear of the semi-trailer. 


7a. Where a semi-trailer has more than one king-pin or is constructed so that it can be used with a king-pin in different positions, references in this regulation to a distance from the king-pin shall be construed 

  1. In relation to a vehicle which was manufactured after 1 January 1999, as a reference to the foremost king-pin or, as the case may be, the foremost king-pin position; and 
  2. In relation to any other vehicle, as a reference to the rearmost king-pin or, as the case may be, the rearmost king-pin position. 


7b. For the purposes of paragraphs (5A), (6) and (7)

  1. A reference to the front of a vehicle is a reference to the transverse plane passing through the extreme forward projecting points of the vehicle; and 
  2. A reference to the rear of a vehicle is a reference to the transverse plane passing through the extreme rearward projecting points of the vehicle, inclusive (in each case) of all parts of the vehicle, of any receptacle which is of a permanent character and accordingly strong enough for repeated use, and any fitting on, or attached to the vehicle but exclusive of
    1. The things set out in subparagraph (i) of the definition of “overall length” in the table in regulation 3(2), and 
    2. In the case of a semi-trailer, the things set out in subparagraph (ii)(a) of that definition. 


8. Where a broken down articulated vehicle is being towed by a motor vehicle in consequence of a breakdown

  1. Paragraph (5) shall have effect in relation to the combination of vehicles as if subparagraph (b) were omitted, and 
  2. For the purposes of paragraph (4) and of paragraph (5) as so modified, the articulated vehicle shall be regarded as a single trailer. 


9. No person shall use or cause or permit to be used on a road, a trailer with an overall length exceeding 18.65m unless the requirements of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12 are complied with.  

Account must be taken of any part of the vehicle, including any permanent receptacle strong enough for repeated use, and fittings on or attached to the vehicle, with the following exceptions:

  • Sheeting 
  • An empty receptacle which is itself the load** 
  • A receptacle containing an indivisible load 
  • Lifting lugs for multi-modal transport 
  • Tailboards let down to facilitate carriage but not essential to support loads extending beyond the rearmost point of the vehicle 
  • Bridging plates on vehicles with trailers used to facilitate loading and unloading of vehicles carried but not to support them 
  • Receptacles, other than maritime containers, manufactured before 30 October 1985 (this legalised certain existing demountable bodies) 
  • Cranes, etc. that do not increase the vehicle's carrying capacity and are a permanent or essentially permanent fixture. 

** The regulations define 'removable superstructure and standardised freight items such as containers' as being included in the vehicle dimensions regardless of whether or not they are empty. (Directive 96/53/EC Annex 1 1.4.) 

Overall Width of Vehicle 

Regulation 8 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. The overall width of a vehicle specified below shall not exceed. 

Motor vehicles 

  • A locomotive, other than an agricultural motor vehicle - 2.75m 
  • A refrigerated vehicle - 2.60m 
  • Any other motor vehicle - 2.55m 

Trailers 

  • A refrigerated vehicle - 2.60m 
  • A trailer (any weight) drawn by a motor vehicle which exceeds 3500 kg maximum gross weight - 2.55m 
  • An agricultural trailer - 2.55m 
  • An agricultural trailed appliance - 2.55m 
  • A trailer has drawn by a motorcycle (3 wheeled or 2 wheeled with sidecar) - 1.50m 
  • A trailer has drawn by a two-wheeled solo motorcycle - 1.00m (Regulation 84) 
  • Any other trailer - 2.30m 

Other Trailers 

  • A broken-down vehicle which is being drawn in consequence of the breakdown 
  • A wheeled agricultural motor vehicle drawing an offset wheeled trailer is treated as one vehicle for width measurement purposes - maximum width of 2.55 metres 

Refrigerated vehicles are specially designed for the carriage of goods at low temperature with sidewalls, including insulation, at least 45 mm thick. This regulation deals only with the actual width of a vehicle, not the load. Items such as mirrors are not included when measuring the overall width of a vehicle. 

Overall Height of Vehicle 

Regulation 9 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 A bus shall not exceed 4.57 metres (15' 0") overall height. No other type of vehicle is restricted. 

Height Plates 

Regulation 10 Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 states that If the overall travelling height of a motor vehicle or its trailer, including load, exceeds 3 metres (9 foot 10 inches) (4 metres if an EC registered vehicle on an international journey) a notice clearly indicating the height in feet and inches (in characters at least 40 millimetres tall) must be displayed in the cab so that it can be clearly read by the driver, indicating:

  • Not less than actual overall travelling height or more than 150 millimetres (6 inches) greater, or 
  • If high-level equipment (hydraulic arms etc.) is fitted, the height at which a warning device would give a visible warning to the driver if exceeded - alarm must set to activate within 1 metre of overall travelling height. 

Height Plate Exemptions 

Where it is highly unlikely that the driver would encounter any bridge or other overhead structure which is less than 1 metre higher than the overall travelling height or the maximum height of high-level equipment when fully extended, allowing for unforeseen diversions or the driver getting lost. 

Where document(s) are within easy reach of the driver describing:- 

a) The route(s) without risk of colliding with any bridge or overhead structure providing the driver is on that route or takes a detour off route because of an unforeseen diversion, or 

b) Which bridges and structures could the vehicle/load or could safely pass under and those that they could not which on the route, allowing for unforeseen diversions or the driver getting lost. 

Height Warning Devices 

Regulations 10A and 10B Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 states that a  warning device, which gives a visible warning to the driver if a set height is exceeded, is required on the motor vehicle if high-level equipment which exceeds 3 metres when extended (4 metres if an EC registered vehicle on an international journey) is fitted to a motor vehicle 1st used on/after 1/4/93 or a trailer manufactured on/after 1/4/93. 

Exceptions include:

  • Agricultural vehicles, 
  • Industrial tractors, 
  • Tippers first used/manufactured before 1/4/98 in relation to the tipping part, 
  • Works trucks and works trailers, 
  • Vehicles owned by or under orders of armed forces, 
  • Car transporters, 
  • Fire brigade vehicles, 
  • Towed broken down vehicles and vehicles where the equipment height (fully extended) does not exceed the vehicle height or where the high-level equipment is fitted with a locking device, or where 1 Above applies in relation to the maximum height 

Turning Circle 

Articulated vehicles with an overall length exceeding 15.5 metres; articulated vehicles with an overall length of 15.5 metres or less where both the tractor and semi-trailer were first used after 31 May 1998 and all goods vehicles defined as heavy motor cars (see definitions page) first used after 31 May 1998 must be able to turn within concentric circles with radii of 12.5 metres and 5.3 metres. 

A concession is allowed for car transporters so that any protrusion of the forepeak, for instance any part of the trailer forward of the kingpin will be ignored. The following vehicles are exempt:

  • Any vehicle with an overall length not over 15.5 metres and first used before 31 May 1998 
  • An articulated vehicle, the semi-trailer of which was manufactured before 1 April 1990 and which has not been modified to increase its length since then 
  • A low loader, defined as a semi-trailer normally used to carry engineering equipment and constructed so that the major part of the load platform does not extend over or between the wheels and the upper surface is below the top of the tyres 
  • A vehicle constructed and normally used for exceptionally long indivisible loads 
  • A step frame low loader, defined as a semi-trailer (not a low loader) constructed and normally used for engineering equipment and constructed so that the upper surface of the major part of the load platform is less than one metre above the ground 
  • A vehicle having four or more axles where the distance between the foremost and rearmost axles exceeds 6.4 metres 

Vehicles first used from 1 June 1998 which are fitted with a lift axle must meet the turning circle requirements both with and without all the wheels in contact with the ground. 

An articulated vehicle is deemed to meet the turning circle requirement if the distance from the kingpin (or front kingpin) to the centre line of the non-steering bogie does not exceed 8.135 metres for a 2.55-metre wide vehicle.  

The following should assist in giving guidance and further information, please use the links below. 

Maximum Lengths 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maximum-length-of-vehicles-used-in-great-britain/maximum-length-of-vehicles-used-in-great-britain 

The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/3111/contents/made 

Road Traffic Act 1988 
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/contents 

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/contents/made