S.I. No. 653/2025 - European Union (Road Vehicles Dimensions and Weights) (Proof of Compliance) Regulations 2025

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 2nd January, 2026.

I, DARRAGH O’BRIEN, Minister for Transport, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972 (No. 27 of 1972) and for the purpose of giving effect to Council Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996¹ , as amended by Directive (EU) 2015/719 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015² , and Article 20 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019³ , hereby make the following regulations:

Citation

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the European Union (Road Vehicles Dimensions and Weights) (Proof of Compliance) Regulations 2025.

(2) These Regulations come into operation on 1 July 2026.

Interpretation

2. (1) In these Regulations—

“alternative fuels” means fuels or power sources which serve, at least partly, as a substitute for fossil oil sources in the energy supply to transport and which have the potential to contribute to its decarbonisation and enhance the environmental performance of the transport sector, consisting of:

(a) electricity consumed in all types of electric vehicles;

(b) hydrogen;

(c) natural gas, including biomethane, in gaseous form (Compressed Natural Gas — CNG) and liquefied form (Liquefied Natural Gas — LNG);

(d) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG);

(e) mechanical energy from on-board storage/on-board sources, including waste heat;

“alternatively fuelled vehicle” means a motor vehicle powered wholly or in part by an alternative fuel and which has been approved under the European Union (Road Vehicles: Type-Approval and Market Surveillance) Regulations 2020 ( S.I. No. 556 of 2020 );

“articulated bus” means a bus consisting of two rigid sections connected to each other by an articulated section. On this type of vehicle the passenger compartments in each of the two rigid sections shall be intercommunicating. The articulated section shall permit the free movement of travellers between the rigid sections. Connection and disconnection of the two sections shall be possible only in a workshop;

“authorisation plate” means a plate showing proof of compliance issued by an appointed person in accordance with Regulation 5;

“bus” means a vehicle with more than nine seats including the driver’s seat, constructed and equipped to carry passengers and their luggage. It may have one or two decks and may also draw a luggage trailer;

“appointed person” means a person appointed by the NSAI to make accurate observations and measurements in relation to a vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer and to issue authorisation plates in accordance with guidelines issued by the NSAI;

“Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535” means Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 of 31 March 2021⁴ ;

“Council Directive 96/53” means Council Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996¹ , as amended by Directive (EU) 2015/719 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015² and Article 20 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019³ ;

“technically permissible weight” in relation to a vehicle, combination of vehicles, axle or group of axles, means the maximum weight as specified by the manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle, or where the technically permissible weight as so specified is not available, the maximum weight as specified by a technical service;

“maximum authorised weight” means the maximum weight for use of a laden vehicle in international traffic;

“motor vehicle” means any power-driven vehicle which travels on the road by its own means;

“NSAI” means National Standards Authority of Ireland;

“Regulation (EU) 2019/1242” means Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019³ ;

“Regulations of 2003” means Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 ( S.I. No. 5 of 2003 );

“RSA” means Road Safety Authority;

“semi-trailer” means any vehicle intended to be coupled to a motor vehicle in such a way that part of it rests on the motor vehicle with a substantial part of its weight and of the weight of its load being borne by the motor vehicle, and constructed and equipped for the carriage of goods;

“technical service” means a person designated by the NSAI as a testing laboratory to carry out tests, or as a conformity assessment body to carry out the initial assessment and other tests or inspections;

“tonne” means the weight executed by the mass of a tonne and shall correspond to 9.8 kilonewtons (kN);

“Trade and Cooperation Agreement” means the Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part⁵ ;

“trailer” means any vehicle intended to be coupled to a motor vehicle, excluding semi-trailers, and conducted and equipped for the carriage of goods;

“vehicle” means a vehicle to which these Regulations apply;

“vehicle combination” means either—

(a) a road train consisting of a motor vehicle coupled to a trailer; or

(b) an articulated vehicle consisting of a motor vehicle coupled to a semi-trailer;

“zero-emission vehicle” means a zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle that emits no CO₂ from the onboard source of power as defined in point (11) of Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1242.

(2) A word or expression that is used in these Regulations and is also used in Council Directive 96/53 has, unless the contrary intention occurs, the same meaning in these Regulations as it has in that Directive.

Application

3. (1) These Regulations apply to—

(a) the dimensions of motor vehicles in categories—

(i) M2 and M3 and their trailers in category O, and

(ii) N2 and N3 and their trailers in category O3 or O4,

as classified in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018⁶ ,

and

(b) the weights and certain other characteristics of the vehicles as defined in paragraph (a) and specified in Annex I (2) to Council Directive 96/53.

(2) These Regulations do not apply to articulated buses comprising more than one articulated section.

Competent authority and appointed person

4. (1) Vehicles complying with these Regulations and Council Directive 96/53 shall carry one of the proofs referred to in Regulation 5(3) (a), (b) and (c).

(2) The NSAI, as the competent authority in the State for the purpose of Article 6(1)(c) of Council Directive 96/53, may appoint such persons or class of persons as it considers appropriate to be appointed persons—

(a) to make accurate observations and measurements in relation to a vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer in respect of compliance with these Regulations, and

(b) to issue authorisation plates to vehicles, in accordance with guidelines issued by the NSAI, that have demonstrated such compliance.

The NSAI shall supervise the activities of appointed persons.

(3) The appointment of an appointed person shall be in force for a period not exceeding 12 months stated in the appointment and may be renewed on its expiration.

(4) Where the NSAI decides to withdraw or suspend the appointment of a person appointed under paragraph (2) before the period stated in the appointment, it shall notify the person in writing of the decision, stating the reasons for the withdrawal or suspension and afford the person an opportunity to make representations to the NSAI, not later than 21 days from the date of the issue of the notification. Having considered any representations made by the person within that period, the NSAI may after that period withdraw the appointment or continue the suspension.

Proof of compliance

5. (1) (a) An appointed person may issue a plate (“authorisation plate”) referred to in paragraph (3)(b) as proof of compliance of a vehicle with these Regulations and with Council Directive 96/53, to a person who makes an application in relation to the vehicle, and who presents the vehicle for examination by the appointed person.

(b) An application for recognition of compliance shall be in such form approved by the NSAI and accompanied by such fee, determined from time to time by the NSAI, as the NSAI considers to be equal to the amount of the costs incurred by it in relation to the application.

(2) An authorisation plate in relation to a vehicle shall conform with the appropriate model as set out in the Schedule and shall show clearly and indelibly the information specified in items 1.2., 1.3. and 2. of Part 2, Section A of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 except for 1.2.1.(c) and 2.4., using characters, which comply with item 2 of Section A of Part 2 of that Annex and the information relating to dimensions, itemised as 3., 4. and 5. in Annex III to Council Directive 96/53.

(3) A vehicle shall carry proof of compliance with these Regulations by carrying one of the following proofs:

(a) a combination of the following two plates—

(i) the “manufacturer’s plate” established and attached to the vehicle, and

(ii) the plate relating to dimensions, in accordance with Annex III to Council Directive 96/53, established and attached to the vehicle,

in accordance with Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535;

(b) a single plate established and attached to the vehicle by an appointed person in accordance with the Schedule and containing the information on the two plates referred to in subparagraph (a); or

(c) in the case of a vehicle registered in another Member State or the United Kingdom, a single document issued by the competent authority of the other Member State or the United Kingdom in which the vehicle is registered or put into circulation. Such document shall bear the same headings and information as the plates referred to in subparagraph (a). It shall be kept in a place easily accessible to inspection and shall be adequately protected.

(4) If the characteristics of a vehicle no longer correspond to those indicated on the proof of compliance, an appointed person shall take the necessary steps to ensure that the proof of compliance is altered.

(5) Vehicles carrying proof of compliance may be subject by an officer of the RSA or a member of An Garda Síochána—

(a) as regards common standards on weights, to random checks, or

(b) as regards common standards on dimensions, only to checks where there is a suspicion of non-compliance with these Regulations or Council Directive 96/53.

(6) A person who—

(a) obstructs or impedes an officer of the RSA or a member of An Garda Síochána in carrying out a check under paragraph (5), or

(b) with intent to deceive modifies or alters a plate or document referred to in paragraph (3),

commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a class A fine.

(7) A vehicle shall not be used in a public place unless—

(a) a plate, referred to in paragraph (3)(a) or (b) which has not been modified or altered in any way which would render any of the values inscribed on the plate inaccurate and is recognised for compliance under this Regulation or the competent authority of another Member State under Council Directive 96/53 or the United Kingdom under Article 466 and Section 2 of Part C of Annex 31 to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, is attached to the vehicle to which it relates, or

(b) a document relating to the vehicle is kept in a place easily accessible for inspection or adequately protected, referred to in paragraph (3)(c) and recognised for compliance under this Regulation or by a competent authority referred to in subparagraph (a),

then the owner of the vehicle and the person in charge of it both commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a class A fine.

(8) Paragraph (3) does not apply to a vehicle which is temporarily brought into the State and exempted by the Revenue Commissioners under section 135 (inserted by section 64 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 ) of the Finance Act 1992 from the requirement to be registered.

(9) An offence under this Regulation may be brought and prosecuted summarily by the RSA.

Technical specifications

6. (1) The requirement in—

(a) item 1.2.1.(d) of Part 2, Section A of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 to show a vehicle identification number shall be complied with if—

(i) a number complying with the requirements of item 2 of that Annex, or

(ii) a unique number assigned by the NSAI, is shown on the authorisation plate,

and

(b) items 1.2.1.(e) to 1.2.1.(g) and item 1.3.1.1. of Part 2, Section A of Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 to show maximum permitted masses shall be complied with if there is shown in a column on the authorisation plate—

(i) the weight laden not to be exceeded by the vehicle, trailer or a combination of vehicle and any trailer,

(ii) the weight transmitted to the surface of a road not to be exceeded for each axle in turn, and

(iii) in the case of a semi-trailer, the maximum weight which may be super-imposed on a drawing component of an articulated vehicle,

determined in each case by an appointed person, as being appropriate to the vehicle in the State, having regard to statutory requirements.

(2) Additional information on the permissible weights, corresponding to the weights referred to in paragraph (1)(b)—

(a) determined in each case by the appointed person, as being appropriate to the vehicle, having regard to the value of weights indicated in Annex 1 to Council Directive 96/53, shall be shown on the authorisation plate in a column immediately to the right of the column referred to in paragraph (1)(b);

(b) shall be shown on the authorisation plate in a column to the right of the column referred to in subparagraph (a), if it has been determined by the appointed person that any such weight is greater than the corresponding weight in the column referred to in paragraph (1)(b).

(3) Information on weights shall be expressed as an integral number of kilograms and the dimensions shall be shown in metres using two decimal places.

(4) (a) Subject to paragraph (b)—

(i) the weight laden of a vehicle or a vehicle combination shall not exceed the maximum weight laden appropriate to the vehicle or combination in accordance with the Regulations of 2003, and

(ii) the weight transmitted to the surface of a road by any axle of a vehicle, shall not exceed the maximum weight appropriate to the axle in accordance with Regulations of 2003,

set out on the authorisation plate in the column headed “Weights not to be exceeded in the State (IE)”.

(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a vehicle or a vehicle combination which is operating under a permit issued under the Road Traffic (Special Permits for Particular Vehicles) Regulations 2007 ( S.I. No. 283 of 2007 ).

(5) Where a vehicle is an alternatively fuelled or a zero-emission vehicle, the maximum authorised weight of the vehicle may exceed the values otherwise applicable under these Regulations or under the Regulations of 2003, by up to 1 tonne and 2 tonnes, respectively, in accordance with Article 10(b) of Council Directive 96/53, as referenced in Regulation (EU) 2019/1242.

(6) (a) The maximum authorised weights of alternatively fuelled or zero-emission vehicles shall be those set out in points 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.3.1, 2.3.2 and 2.4 of Annex I to Council Directive 96/53.

(b) Alternatively fuelled or zero-emission vehicles shall also comply with the maximum authorised axle weight limits set out in point 3 of Annex I to Council Directive 96/53.

(c) The additional weight required by alternatively fuelled or zero-emission vehicles shall be defined on the basis of the documentation provided by the manufacturer when the vehicle in question is approved. That additional weight shall be indicated in the official proof of compliance required in accordance with Regulation 5.

Inspection of premises of appointed person by NSAI

7. (1) An officer of the NSAI may, for the purposes of ensuring compliance with these Regulations—

(a) enter and inspect, at all reasonable times, the premises of an appointed person to ascertain whether —

(i) the premises and equipment on it are suitable for carrying out the installation and sealing of authorisation plates;

(ii) the appointed person is carrying out proof of compliance tests on vehicles in accordance with Regulation 5 in a fit and proper manner having regard to any guidelines issued by the NSAI under Regulation 4(2)(b);

(b) inspect and take copies of any records or documentation (including a legible reproduction of one stored in non-legible form) or extracts from the records or documentation kept by the appointed person in relation to proof of compliance under Regulation 5 and the installation and sealing of authorisation plates that the officer finds or is produced to him or her during an inspection;

(c) inspect, or carry out tests on, any vehicle to which Regulation 3 applies that he or she finds there;

(d) make requirements of the appointed person or a person in his or her employment with regard to carrying out testing for proof of compliance under Regulation 5 or the installation and sealing of authorisation plates.

(2) Where an appointed person, or person in his or her employment, fails to comply with a request or requirement of an officer of the NSAI, or obstructs the officer in the performance of his or her functions, under this Regulation, the NSAI may withdraw or suspend the appointment of the appointed person.

(3) An officer of the NSAI, when exercising a function conferred on him under this Regulation, shall, if requested by a person affected, produce for inspection evidence (such as his or her identity card) that he or she is such an officer.

Revocation, saver and consequential amendment, etc.

8. (1) The European Communities (Proof of Compliance) Regulations 2000 ( S.I. No. 223 of 2000 ) are revoked.

(2) An authorisation plate issued under the Regulations revoked under paragraph (1) (“revoked Regulations”) shall continue to have effect and be deemed as if it had been issued as proof of compliance under these Regulations.

(3) An application for an authorisation plate under the revoked Regulations that remains to be determined on the commencement of these Regulations is considered to be an application for proof of compliance under Regulation 5.

(4) Article 2 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (S. I. No. 224 of 2000) is amended by substituting for the definition of “an authorisation plate” the following:

“‘authorisation plate’ has the meaning assigned to it in Regulation 5 of the European Union (Road Vehicles Dimensions and Weights) (Proof of Compliance) Regulations 2025 (S. I. No. __of 2025);”.

(5) Regulation 2(1) of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003 (S. I. No. 5 of 2003) is amended by substituting for the definition of “appointed person” (inserted by Regulation 4(a) of S. I. No. 23 of 2018) the following:

“‘appointed person’ has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 2(1) of the European Union (Road Vehicles Dimensions and Weights) (Proof of Compliance) Regulations 2025 (S. I. No. 653 of 2025);”.

Regulation 5(2)

SCHEDULE

AUTHORISATION PLATES

A manufacturer’s plate, modelled on that shown below must be firmly attached by the manufacturer or the distributor of the vehicle in a conspicuous and readily accessible position on a part not subject to replacement in use. It must show clearly and indelibly the following information in the order listed:

Motor Vehicle

Semi-trailer

Trailer

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

19 December, 2025.

DARRAGH O’BRIEN,

Minister for Transport.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations provide for—

• the transposition of Council Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 as amended by the EU legislation referred to in the Preamble to these Regulations in relation to the dimensions and weights of certain road vehicles

• the issuing of authorisation plates to vehicles which comply with the Regulations

• the prohibition in relation to a vehicle to which the Regulations apply from using the vehicle in a public place without an authorisation plate attached to the vehicle, or, in the case of a vehicle registered in another Member State or the United Kingdom, a document with the information required in Regulation 5 issued by the competent authority in the state of registration

• offences, penalties and enforcement

• technical specifications relating to vehicle weights, etc.

• the revocation of the European Communities (Proof of Compliance) Regulations 2000 ( S.I. No. 223 of 2000 )

1 OJ No. L 235, 17/09/1996, p. 59 - 75

2 OJ No. L 115, 6.5.2015, p. 1

3 OJ No. L 198, 25.07.2019, p. 202

4 OJ No. L 117, 6.4.2021, p. 1

1 OJ No. L 235, 17/09/1996, p. 59 - 75

2 OJ No. L 115, 6.5.2015, p. 1

3 OJ No. L 198, 25.07.2019, p. 202

3 OJ No. L 198, 25.07.2019, p. 202

5 OJ No. L 149, 30.4.2021, p. 10

6 OJ L No. 151, 14.6.2018, p. 1