OK..
So it looks like Nicholas Ridley vs John Peyton's Explainitory notes..
None being part of the regulations..
And.. All actually referring us to the Road Traffic act and Vehicles construction and use legislation for vehicles type and class..
I believe Peyton's Explainitory notes are the best and proper interpretation.
He names "private cars" (normal cars)
Which... Without this... Confuses many people because they read schedule 6 and think they are talking about a car when they say "passenger vehicle" but they mean medium sized buses and coaches and vans.. Which are over the "motor car" specifications.. And would have seating likely to carry enough weight of passengers and their belongings heavier than 3.5 tonnes..
Because the weight they state.. 3tonnes Unladen.. If you add over 8 passengers and belongings is over that weight.
The meaning of motor car doesn't need to say the maximum gross weight. Its just known its going to be presumed good for generally that class..
The next class higher being the "heavy motor car" class which will have a lot heavier Maximum gross weight.
This is confirmed... In vehicle construction and use.. We are given a 3.5tonne confirmation of maximum gross weight of "motor car" class (includes light vans) in schedule 6.
Also even the modern goods vehicles operators licences don't regulate light goods vehicles and small goods vehicles under 3.5 tonnes because they are a lower weight class.
The speed limits are for certain "classes" of vehicles.
Also the motorcycle even had a higher speed limit for goods carrying motor cycles than passenger ones..
So there is no hint or gesture that any "goods vehicle" would be required to have a lower speed limit than a private vehicle or passenger vehicle of the same weight class just because its a "goods vehicle".
The modern schedule 6 (5) goods vehicles is for those plated at 7.5 tonnes. Which compared to HGV really are light goods vehicles.. A lot lighter than Articulated vehicles..
Those well within specification of "motor car" not even coming into the Schedule 6 table at all..
In fact (1) of that table...
We are looking at larger mini buses and motor vehicles.. Camper vans which are in fact quite large...
Similar sizes to the UPS American style goods delivery vans which are about 5 tonnes MGW..
I mean.. What class do you put a 7.5 tonnes Lorry in which is fitted as a sleeping vehicle with living quarters and to carry horses?
If it's not towing.
(1) as its well over normal motor car specifications?
Or
(5) because it's plated with a Maximum gross weight of 7.5 tonnes???
Really it doesn't matter what it's carrying.. Goods or people...
The regulations by John Peyton's wording are concerned about the classes set out in the other legislation..
Helen Gretch from the dft was trying to claim those were not relevant when in fact it specifically directs us there!?
I believe that Nicholas Ridley's explanations are a little misleading.
They aren't the regulations.
OK.. So neither are John Peytons..
But Peytons were the original ones..
And the regulations actually site the road traffic regulation act and vehicles construction and use..
Nicholas Ridley did not change any class, catergory or description in his official changes.. Only some numbers in the table for speed.
So his Explainitory note really should be taken to mean the same as John Peytons.
And besides the point.. We are supposed to already know the classes from the respective acts, and construction & use.
I think the police like to slap speeding tickets on all goods vehicles.. Simply as a form of tax.
When in fact the goods carrying purpose is nothing to do with how fast you can drive..
It's completely catergory related to each respective weight class.
For the police to say.. "all goods vehicles" are a certain speed limit.. Is a fantasy.
Because there are different weight classes they are trying to pretend don't exist.. In order to give more speeding tickets.
And the weight class we are talking about. Does not come into the table at all.
That table is for vehicles which are bigger and heavier than the standard vehicles.
Or if they are pulling trailers.