Van drivers unaware of speed-limiter rules

Even more (92%) said they had no idea of the penalties they might face for flouting the regulations - according to a survey by new & used vans website Vansunited.co.uk.

Vansunited.co.uk complained that the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) had failed to provide any period of grace for van owners, and said it hadn't done enough to promote the changes.

However, Norwich Union's motor risk manager, Bill Pownall said the change in the rules, from 1 January 2008, was in fact the final phase of speed limiter legislation affecting both goods and passenger carrying vehicles, which had been introduced progressively since the beginning of 2005.

"Three years ago, EU legislation required all commercial vehicles from 3.5 to 7.5 tonnes, first registered from 1 January 2005 onwards, to be restricted to 56mph," explained Bill. "But at the time, this only applied to vehicles that travelled internationally.

"From 1 January this year the speed-limiter rules applied to all such vehicles, including those used solely in Britain. It would be wrong to say that van owners and fleet operators hadn't been given any notice of the changes."

A significant phase of the speed-limiter rules also came into effect from the beginning of 2007, when they applied to diesel powered vehicles first registered between 1 October 2001 and 31 December 2004.

Guidance available

Bill Pownall went on to say that VOSA had produced a table, which highlighted when the changes came into effect for different types of vehicles.

In addition it had produced a brief guide to the rules. Both the guide and the table could still be downloaded from the VOSA website - see links above/right.

Not having a speed-limiter fitted to any vehicle that falls under the regulations would result in a failure under MOT testing.

Failure to comply with the rules would also most likely be dealt with under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. Increasing powers have been handed to VOSA officials in recent years, allowing them to stop vehicles, and to have those deemed unfit for road use impounded.

"VOSA appear to be keen to make use of their powers, and are increasingly visible on our roads," said Bill Pownall. "I'd suggest that anyone ignorant of these restrictions brings themselves up to speed and acts accordingly without further delay."