Motor vehicles with trailers: lateral protection for goods vehicles (until 2014)

1) OBJECTIVE

To harmonize the requirements to be met by vehicles as regards the side-guards of motor vehicles and their trailers.

2) ACT

Council Directive 89/297/EEC of 13 April 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the lateral protection (side-guards) of certain motor vehicles and their trailers [Official Journal L124 of 05.05.1989].

3) SUMMARY

The Directive applies to big and heavy goods vehicles and their trailers (categories N2, N3, O3 and O4 as defined in Council Directive 70/156/EEC on type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers) intended for road use with or without bodywork and having a maximum design speed above 25 km/h. It does not apply to buses as their normal bodywork fulfils the requirements.

No Member State may refuse, for reasons connected with lateral protection, to grant type-approval to vehicles which meet the requirements set out in the annex or prevent their sale, registration and use. Any modifications to parts or characteristics referred to in the annex shall be transmitted to the Member State which carried out the EC type-approval. The Member State may then decide whether to hold fresh tests on the modified type.

Annexes containing technical requirements for lateral protection and application form for EC type-approval. Appendix containing model of annex to type-approval certificate with information on lateral protection.

Consultation of a standing committee by the Commission before adapting the annex to technical progress.

Last updated: 18.07.2005