Sideguards

Sideguards must be fitted if:

• A vehicle GVW is greater than 3,500kg and the inter-axle spacing exceeds 3m
• A trailer has an unladen weight greater than 1020kg and the spacing between two consecutive axles exceeds 3m

The sideguards must be capable of withstanding a force of 200kg without deflecting more than 150mm, or by more than 150mm at the ends of the sideguards.

The bottom edge of the sideguards must be no more than 550mm from the ground.

Rear Under-run Protection

Rear under-run guards must be fitted if:

• A vehicle GVW is greater than 3,500kg
• A trailer has an unladen weight greater than 1020kg

The guards must be able to withstand a force equivalent to half the gross weight of the vehicle or trailer or 10,000kg, whichever is the lesser, without deflecting more than 400mm.

Front Under-Run Protection

Front Under-run Protection becomes mandatory on all goods vehicles over 3500kg GVW registered from 10th August 2003. Vehicles over 3500kg GVW but not over 7500kg GVW need only meet the minimum front ground clearance requirement of 400mm.

Vehicles over 7500kg GVW must have a full impact-tested front under-run bar. All-wheel drive vehicles and certain other vehicles which meet strict off-road criteria are exempt from the requirements.