Legislation

S.I. 190 of 1963 - Road Traffic Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles Regulations (as amended) sets out the requirements for the construction, equipment and use of vehicles (including large public service vehicles and small public service vehicles) being used on public roads. They also set out how different types of vehicles and equipment should be used and the legal responsibilities of drivers and passengers.

Note: the above regulations are the original documents. Over time amendments are made to the legislation to keep up with changing legislation, behaviours, enforcement, technology, government strategy and so on.

S.I. 5 of 2003 - Road Traffic Construction and Use of Vehicles Regulations (as amended) sets out the permitted weights and dimensions of vehicles and their trailers when used on Irish roads.

Note: the above regulations are the original documents. Over time amendments are made to the legislation to keep up with changing legislation, behaviours, enforcement, technology, government strategy and so on.

S.I. 189 of 1963 - Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles Regulations (as amended) sets out the rules for lights fitted to vehicles being used in public places, and rules on how those lights should be used.

Note: the above regulations are the original documents. Over time amendments are made to the legislation to keep up with changing legislation, behaviours, enforcement, technology, government strategy and so on.

An index of amendments for the three primary pieces of legislation can be downloaded from the links below:

Index of Amendments to the Road Traffic (Construction Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations

Index of Amendments to the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations

Index of Amendments to the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations

When a car is first manufactured it must pass all the necessary safety and quality standards before it can be sold or registered throughout Europe – this is known as European type-approval. Since 29 April 2009 all newly manufactured vehicles must be type-approved.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is the appointed approval authority in Ireland responsible for issuing all national approvals for brand new unregistered vehicles only e.g., IVA or NSSTA.

This relates to new unregistered passenger cars imported or manufactured in very small numbers or as individual vehicles. Each car is checked and on passing inspection at an NSAI appointed test centre an IVA cert is issued to allow registration in Ireland.

This is certification for small batches of cars up to a maximum of 250 intended for Irish or national use. When NSSTA is granted the manufacturer can issue a CoC for each vehicle of same type.

This is certification issued to manufacturers of large quantities of the same type of car. Instead of having to obtain approval for each and every identical car one model or prototype is used. If that one car is approved, then certification will be issued to all cars of the same model which means they can be sold or registered throughout Europe.

No. Under EU law, mutual recognition of national approval schemes is only permissible between EU Member States.

Revenue will not register a new vehicle unless it has a valid certificate of conformity (CoC), an EU Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA)* or an Irish National IVA.

*As set out in Article 44 of Regulation 2018/858

A CoC is issued to the manufacturer as proof that the car achieved type-approval and can be sold and registered throughout EU Member States.

For a car to be type-approved and obtain its CoC every vehicle must be identical to the car originally approved. This is known as CoP. There are no conformity of production requirements for individual vehicle approval.

You will need to contact the original manufacturer.

A CoC can only be obtained from the vehicle manufacturer in the country where the vehicle was first registered.

When a trailer is first manufactured, it must pass all the necessary safety and quality standards before it can be sold or registered throughout European member states, this is known as European type-approval. Since 29 October 2012, all newly manufactured trailers must be type-approved.

It is a trailer which has the following EU categories:

O1 – Trailer with a Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW)* of 750 kg or less

O2 - Trailer with a Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW)* over 750 kg but not exceeding 3,500 kg

*DGVW or maximum authorised mass (MAM) is the weight of a vehicle or trailer including the maximum load it can carry as per the manufacturer’s design specifications.

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) is the appointed approval authority in Ireland responsible for issuing all national approvals e.g., IVA or NSSTA for brand new unregistered vehicles only.

This relates to an individual vehicle or trailer. Each trailer is checked and on passing inspection at an NSAI appointed test centre (ATC), an IVA cert is issued.

This is certification for small batches of trailers to a maximum of 500, intended for Irish or national use. When NSSTA is granted, the manufacturer can issue a CoC (Certificate of Conformity) for each trailer of the same type.

This certification is issued to manufacturers of large quantities of the same type of trailer. Instead of having to obtain approval for each and every trailer, one model or prototype is used. If that one trailer is approved, then a certificate of conformity (CoC) will be issued to all trailers of the same type.

This is issued to the manufacturer as proof that the trailer achieved type-approval and can be sold throughout European member states.

For new trailers, contact the original manufacturer.

To obtain type-approval for brand new trailers, contact the NSAI.

No. Under EU law, mutual recognition of national approval schemes is only permissible between EU Member States.

Any new trailer built since 29 October 2012 must be type-approved and have a CoC. This ensures that the design, lighting, braking etc. has met a European safety and quality standard.

If your light trailer has a maximum mass less than or equal to 3.5 tonnes (Category 01 and 02), it does not need to be registered or licensed. This includes special purpose light trailers e.g. trailer caravans with a maximum mass less than or equal to 3.5 tonnes.

Yes. Trailers attached to vehicles that are used in public places must be equipped with:

• Functioning white side lamps
• Red rear lamps
• Red stop lamps
• Amber directional indicators
• Identification mark lighting and
• Rear red reflectors.

Any cracked or broken lenses must be replaced. Always ensure that your trailer lights have been connected, clean, working properly and clearly visible.