MTPLM plate
Can the expert confirm whether the MTPLM plate on the caravan body is a legal statutory plate or whether it is a guideline plate stuck on by the manufacturer. This plate is different to the one that is fitted to the actuall chassis of the caravan as the latter is a fixed plate unlike the one on the body which is normally a stick on sticker and not a plate is the true sense. I am aware that the rules regarding the plate changed after Oct 2012. Confirmation woudl be helpful especially if the reply is backed by by confirmation from the DVSA. Thanks.
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The Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2009 require a plate on the caravan in accordance with the provisions of EU Directive 76/114/EEC as amended by 78/507/EEC, and if the caravan is subject to multi-build stages (which is usually the case where the chassis is built by a different manufacturer to the body) a plate for each build stage. So long as the plate cannot be removed without self-destruction, a sticker version is quite acceptable.
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We have a stuck on plate on our caravan, but it is over 10 years old and can not be read anymore, I dont know if I could get a replacement, I carry a coppy of the weight certificate in the van
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Not sure why the moderator has not closed this thread as they seem to be quick to clsoe other threads. The question was directed to the CC expert with apologies to those that tried to answer the query.
Reading up on UK law it seems that the MTPLM plate that is stuck on and can be removed is not a statutory plate however confirmation from the DVSA woudl be nice as I see to recall that when they were VOSA the MTPLM plate / sticker was not a statutory plate and you could not be prosecuted if the police used the figures on it for the prosecution as it seems there is no law that states there must be a plate on the caravan body.
I do know that since 2012 there is a mandatory and statutory plate that has to be fitted to the chassis of a trailer.
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If the plate is stuck on and can be removed without destroying it then it obviously doesn't comply with the requirements of the regulations. Consequently there would have to be another one elsewhere, applied by the caravan manufacturer, that does comply, in addition to the chassis plate provided by the chassis manufacturer. Exactly the same applies to motorhomes built on, for example, Fiat or Ford chassis.
All details can be found under The Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2009 Schedule 4 Part 4 and they are quite clear to read without the need for 'expert' interpretation.
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All details can be found under The Road Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 2009 Schedule 4 Part 4 and they are quite clear to read without the need for 'expert' interpretation.
That must be a first for the legal profession!
I do wonder though if you could be successfully prosecuted for being overweight if you could show the caravan could be replated at that weight or more without any modification.
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Hi Surfer,
the "Ask the expert" section is only for topics nominated by the Community Manager and at specified times. I agree with you that it is logical to put your question in that area but unfortunately is unlikely to get a response or be discussed there. I will forward your query to the technical department for a response.
Dave
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I would think one could be prosecuted, yes, but whether the prosecution is successful or not would be something for the court to decide. It depends on how tolerant they are. Theoretically one would be breaking the law.
Often the MTPLM is kept artificially low for marketing reasons, but that may not always be the case. The caravan manufacturer may declare the MTPLM to be a safe technical limit for other reasons although the chassis itself is capable of carrying a higher load.
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Not sure what you are on as the sticker on the side of a caravan does not conform with the statutory requirements for the plate and you cannot be prosecuted for exceeding the limits on that sticker as the sticker or plate is easily removed. You can be prosecuted for exceeding the limits on the fixed plate on the chassis or the load limit of the tyres.
With no disrespect to any one, I did post this in the Ask the expert forum as I expected an expert to answer my question based on a reply from the DVSA. Unfortunately I don't think any of us are expert enouhg to answer the question. However it seems the Ask the Expert forum is a waste of time.
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If you are not sure what I am on about I will try to explain. If the sticker can be readily removed then, as you correctly state, it does not comply with the statutory requirements and consequently, as I see it, one could not be successfully prosecuted for exceeding the limits specified on that plate. However, nobody other than the courts can pass final judgment on this issue as they may take the view that the intent of the law counts even if the letter of the law is not fulfilled. It would therefore be unwise for the DVSA to be commital as a court may see things differently.
If the plate stuck on the side of the caravan doesn't comply then there should be another plate elsewhere that does. If there isn't, then the caravan manufacturer would already be committing an offence.
The plate on the chassis applies only to the 1st build stage, but not to the final finished product. It is provided by the chassis manufacturer who obviously cannot accept product liability for the caravan as a whole.
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Lutz you are correct as that is what I have been trying to say. Most MTPLM plates or stickers on the body of the trailer do not comply with the statutory requirements and can easily be removed.
On all the caravans we have had, the sticker or plate can be peeled off and replaced with a higher or lower MTPLM rating. I also do not think there is a requirement for a MTPLM sticker or plate on the bodywork of the caravan however I think it is a requirement on the chassis, but not sure of pre-20121 caravans.
I think prosecution is based on exceeding the train weight of the towing vehicle or the rated load of the tyres. At no time am I suggesting that one should exceed the MTPLM guidlines set by the manufacturer. I am just trying to clear up the legal definition.
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Actually, the regulations with respect to statutory plates to which I refer do not differentiate between motor vehicles and trailers (caravans). It is therefore just as important not to exceed the MTPLM of the trailer as it is not to exceed the plated MTPLM (GVW), and of course the plated gross train weight, of the car.
Apart from the relevant weights it must also show the manufacturer's name, the chassis number and, for later trailers subject to type approval, the type approval number as well, just as these are required for any other vehicle.
The manufacturer's plate on my caravan is located in the front locker.
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I do agree you could be prosecuted but in cases where the caravan builder will upgrade the MTPLM without charge then it seems that it would be impossible for the prosecution to say it was overloaded. I do accept that you cannot always do that as I did ask if ours could be increased but was told that it was at its maximum.
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If the caravan has been Type Approved, then the MTPLM is a legal limit.
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It does nto answer my question regrding the sticker on the body work of the caravan which can be pulled off and if the sticker does not comply with the statutory requirements as per the Road vehicles(Construction and Use) 2009. I am not referring to the weight plate which is fixed to teh chassis of the caravan. Can you please confirm that your answer is based on a reply to a query to the DVSA? Thanks.
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I removed the original sticker "plate" on my van when uprating it. Yes, it came off but the print delaminated in the process so it was unusable elsewhere. I have also in the past removed "fixed" chassis plates by drilling out the pop rivits to replace with a different plate. Even chassis numbers teeped into steel can be removed and replaced. (There is a whole part of the used car industry devoted to this.)
The advice from DVLA etc can only be "advice" as it is for the court in which you are prosecuted to decide, or the higher court to which you appeal.
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