Pickup Truck speed limits

[C8PPO]

Have had a gander round the 'net looking for a definitive answer to this, but found many conflicting stories.

My question is: what are the NSL limits for a double-cab pickup, à la Ford Ranger, Mitsu L200, etc?

The Ranger has a taxation class of "light commercial vehicle", which would indicate lower speed limits on NSL roads, but it also fits the category of "dual-purpose vehicle" which means it can carry goods & passengers, which in turn indicates that the same limits apply as to normal cars.

There's also a max laden weight aspect to the rules, although I *think* the dual-purpose classification cancels that out?

[SVTRick]

depends on if it's private vehicle or company
That is why I changed the name on the V5

[SS2.]

A dual-purpose vehicle must have an unladen weight of less than 3.05 tonnes for the 'normal' car speed limits to apply.

[SVTRick]

SS2. said:

A dual-purpose vehicle must have an unladen weight of less than 3.05 tonnes for the 'normal' car speed limits to apply.

And taxed PLG
Issues with vans is even a transit van comes under the restricted limit.
A mate was pulled for going over 60 while on a NSL dual carraigeway
Got away with as it was a private vehicle.

[SS2.]

SVTRick said:

SS2. said:

A dual-purpose vehicle must have an unladen weight of less than 3.05 tonnes for the 'normal' car speed limits to apply.

And taxed PLG
Issues with vans is even a transit van comes under the restricted limit.
A mate was pulled for going over 60 while on a NSL dual carraigeway
Got away with as it was a private vehicle.

AIUI, neither the taxation class of a vehicle, nor whether the vehicle is privately or company owned, is of any relevance to Schedule 6 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (Speed limits for vehicles of certain classes).

Edited by SS2. on Tuesday 17th August 11:37

[C8PPO]

Seems to be a lot of confusion around this. I've just found this, which says:

Police National Legal Database which is managed by the Association of Chief Police Officers said:

Most double cab pick ups would fall into the class of dual purpose vehicle (examples of a double cab pick up are vehicles such as Mitsubishi Warrior and a Ford Ranger). A dual purpose vehicle is

•constructed/adapted for carriage of both passengers and goods
•a vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding 2040kgs
•constructed/adapted that the driving power of the engine can be transmitted to all wheels
•must have rigid roof, transverse passenger seats and rear windows amongst other things.
With relation to speed limits dual purpose vehicles (not exceeding unladen weight of 3050kg or 8 passenger seats) have the speed limits as follows, (unless shown as restricted) are,

•motorway 70mph
•dual carriageway 70mph
•single carriageway 60mph

Rigid roof all the way through? Rigid roof only over the passengers? Two-part rigid roof made up of passenger copmpartment and snug top?

[herewego]

C8PPO said:

Seems to be a lot of confusion around this. I've just found this, which says:

Police National Legal Database which is managed by the Association of Chief Police Officers said:

Most double cab pick ups would fall into the class of dual purpose vehicle (examples of a double cab pick up are vehicles such as Mitsubishi Warrior and a Ford Ranger). A dual purpose vehicle is

•constructed/adapted for carriage of both passengers and goods
•a vehicle with an unladen weight not exceeding 2040kgs
•constructed/adapted that the driving power of the engine can be transmitted to all wheels
•must have rigid roof, transverse passenger seats and rear windows amongst other things.
With relation to speed limits dual purpose vehicles (not exceeding unladen weight of 3050kg or 8 passenger seats) have the speed limits as follows, (unless shown as restricted) are,

•motorway 70mph
•dual carriageway 70mph
•single carriageway 60mph

Rigid roof all the way through? Rigid roof only over the passengers? Two-part rigid roof made up of passenger copmpartment and snug top?

Those vehicles are going to weight more than 2040 kg aren't they?

[C8PPO]

Unladen? I'll go and check the manual.....

Ranger Double Cab, 1785kg - 1845kg depending on equipment. Payload c.1000kg, so max gross weight is under 3 tonnes.

Edited by C8PPO on Tuesday 17th August 12:11

[SS2.]

C8PPO said:

Rigid roof all the way through? Rigid roof only over the passengers? Two-part rigid roof made up of passenger compartment and snug top?

The only requirement is that the rigid roof (with or without a sliding panel) must be permanently fitted. There are no other requirements for its size.

[Cyberprog]

Seems odd that they have to be all wheel drive?

[SS2.]

Cyberprog said:

Seems odd that they have to be all wheel drive?

Dual-purpose vehicles do not necessarily have to be AWD.

Briefly, if it's sub 2040kg unladen with a rigid roof, has [proper] rear seats for two or more passengers and is fitted with side & rear windows then it would likely qualify, even if it was just 2WD.

[Puddenchucker]

So, if a 4 seat (double cab) pickup is classed as a dual purpose vehicle, does that mean that the 2 seat (single cab) version of the same make/model could be classed differently and subject to a different set of speed limits?

[SS2.]

Puddenchucker said:

So, if a 4 seat (double cab) pickup is classed as a dual purpose vehicle, does that mean that the 2 seat (single cab) version of the same make/model could be classed differently and subject to a different set of speed limits?

Not if it's 4WD, with an unladen weight of not greater than 2040kg..

[heebeegeetee]

Cyberprog said:

Seems odd that they have to be all wheel drive?

I have read somewhere that your speed limit depends on whether your pick up truck is 2wd or 4wd. Can't remember where though.

This topic makes me smile when i think of those guys who'll tell you that there's no excuse for not knowing your speed limit on any given road. Seems as clear as mud to me.

[SS2.]

heebeegeetee said:

I have read somewhere that your speed limit depends on whether your pick up truck is 2wd or 4wd. Can't remember where though.

If it's 2WD only, then it would require to meet the second part of the definition to be classed as a DPV -

Road Vehicles Constr. and Use Regs 1986 said:

Dual purpose vehicles

A `Dual purpose vehicle' is one that is constructed or adapted for the carriage of both passengers and goods or burden of any description, being a vehicle of which the unladen weight does not exceed 2,040 kg; and which either-

(i) is so constructed or adapted so that the driving power of the engine, is, or by the use of the appropriate controls can be, transmitted to all the wheels of the vehicle; or-

(ii) satisfies the following conditions as to construction, namely-

(A) the vehicle must be permanently fitted with a rigid roof, with or without a sliding panel;
(B) the area to the rear of the driver's seat must-

(i) be permanently fitted with at least one row of transverse seats (fixed or folding) for two or more passengers, and those seats must be properly sprung or cushioned and provided with upholstered backrests, attached either to the seats or to a side or the floor of the vehicle;and

(ii) be lit on each side and at the rear by a window or windows of glass or other transparent material having an aggregate area of not less than 1,850cm2 on each side and not less than 770cm2 at the rear; and-

(C ) the distance between the rearmost part of the steering wheel and the backrests of the row of transverse seats satisfying the requirements specified in the first paragraph of item (B) (or, if there is more than one such row of seats, the distance between the rearmost part of the steering wheel and the backrests of the rearmost such row) must, when the seats are ready for use, be not less than one third of the distance between the rearmost part of the steering wheel and the rearmost part of the floor of the vehicle.