COMMONLY USED TERMS

Doherty Heavy Haulage have a full and comprehensive understanding of our industry gained from both our years of experience and, ongoing professional training. 

The following provides an easy to understand explanation of specific terms that a customer can expect to hear relating to the heavy haulage industry: 

Abnormal (Indivisible) Load 

An Abnormal Indivisible Load (AIL) is defined in The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003 as: 

“A load that cannot, without undue expense or risk of damage, be divided into two or more loads for the purpose of being carried on a road that:  

(a) on account of its length, width or height, cannot be carried on a motor vehicle of category N3 or a trailer of category O4 (or by a combination of such vehicles) that complies in all respects with Part 2 of the Construction and Use Regulations; or 

(b) on account of its weight, cannot be carried on a motor vehicle of category N3 or a trailer of category O4 (or by a combination of such vehicles) that complies in all respects with: 

(i) the Authorised Weight Regulations (or, if those Regulations do not apply, the equivalent provisions in Part 4 of the Construction and Use Regulations); and 

(ii) Part 2 of the Construction and Use Regulations.” 

In simple terms an abnormal load (AIL) is a load that has a: 

• A weight of more than 44,000kg 
• A width of more than 2.9 metres  
• A rigid length of more than 18.65 metres 
• For a single non-driving axle, an axle load of more than 10,000kg 
• For a single driving axle, an axle load of more than 11,500kg  

Depending on the weight of your load and your chosen route, you may have to give advance notice of your journey to: 

• Police  
• Highway Authorities  
• Bridge Authorities  

Width of loads 

Generally, loads will not protrude more than 305mm on either side of the heavy goods vehicle. In addition, the width of the load and heavy goods vehicle may not exceed 2.9m. However, an exception is made for abnormal indivisible loads. 

• Where the load protrudes over 305mm in either side, marker boards must be placed on the front and rear of the heavy goods vehicle and two days’ notice given to police.  
• Where the width protrudes more than 2.9m but does not exceed 3.5, marker boards must be placed in the front and rear of the heavy goods vehicle and two days’ notice to the police.  

• Where the width protrudes more than 3.5m but does not exceed 4.3m, marker boards must be fitted to the front and rear of the heavy goods vehicle, two days’ notice must be given to the police and an escort must be carried.  

For safety reasons, additional lights will be required for darkness and poor visibility.  

Length of loads 

The maximum length of a heavy goods vehicle and its load is 30 metres, and, in some cases, this length limit may not include the drawing board.  

Weight of loads 

All heavy goods vehicles are subject to UK weight limits.  

Where a heavy goods vehicle and its load has a weight up to 50,000kg, 5 or more axles will be required. A minimum of 6 axles is required where the vehicle and its load weigh up to 80,000kg. However, the distance between the two adjacent axles must not be less than 1 meter. The axle weight and the wheel weight must be taken into consideration where there is a distance between the adjacent axles. For example, where the distance between the axles is less than 1.35m, the axle weight must be 12,000kg and the wheel weight must be 6,000kg.  

Where the heavy goods vehicle and it load has a weight up to 150,000kg, the distance between any two adjacent axles of a vehicle must not be less than 1m. The axle weight and the wheel weight must be taken into consideration where there is a distance between the adjacent axles. For example, where the distance between the axles is less than 1.35m, the axle weight must be 15,000kg and the wheel weight must be 7,500kg.  

STGO   

STGO stands for Special Types General Order. An STGO plate is found on the front of a haulage unit. 

Generally, the dimension and weight of vehicles are regulated under The Road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 and The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 AW Regs. However, there are special type of vehicles which do not meet C & U and AW Regs, but that can be used under the authority of the Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003. 

Vehicles most likely to be used under an STGO, are:  

• Abnormal Indivisible Load   
• Mobile Cranes 
• Engineering Plant 
• Road Recovery Vehicles 

Abnormal Indivisible loads can be classified into three categories:  

• CAT 1 – (Not exceeding 50,000kg) 
• CAT 2 – (Not exceeding 80,000kg) 
• CAT 3 – (Not exceeding 150,000kg) 

Doherty Heavy Haulage vehicles operate under STGO and comply to the conditions set out in each of the three categories.  

 Our expert knowledge in heavy transport equipment means that we can accommodate most loads regardless of width, length or weight without issue.  

Give us a call on 07825 650500 today to book your movement with us.