The government recently introduced new rules on the length of HGVs that are allowed on UK roads. In this post we’ll explain what’s changing and why, which should help you understand how these changes might affect your fleet.
At Anthony Jones we specialise in insurance for the transport and logistics sector. If you have any questions about your legal obligations as a driver or fleet manager, call us on 020 8290 9099 or email commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
New Rules on HGV Length 2023
In short, the new rules will allow for longer lorries on British roads. For years, the standard UK lorry length was about 13.6 metres. The new rules will allow for lorries that are about 2.05 metres longer – 15.65 metres. These are known as longer semi-trailers, or LSTs.
How Heavy Can HGVs Be?
These lorries are longer, but not necessarily heavier. The total weight of the lorry and its cargo must still be within the current UK domestic weight limit of 44 tonnes.
What Are The Benefits of LSTs?
The implications of this change are as follows:
- Fully loaded LSTs can move the same volume of goods as current trailers, but in fewer journeys.
- This may take one standard-size trailer off the road for every 12 trips.
- They can also do so without affecting the fuel use for mile, while also reducing overall emissions, congestion, and collision risk.
- One trial demonstrated that LSTs can deliver up to a 15% reduction in real world emissions.
- The government has pointed out that LSTs can complement other carbon reduction strategies, including increasing engine efficiency and switching to electric vehicles.
What Are The Risks of LSTs?
The Campaign for Better Transport has argued that LSTs may pose a risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users. They pointed out that a longer trailer means a bigger tail swing, which could put certain road users at risk.
However, under the new rules, LSTs must pass the same turning circle test applied to existing 13.6 metre trailers. To achieve this, LSTs require a steered rear axle.
How Will This Change Affect Your Fleet?
There are clear economic and environmental benefits to using LSTs. However, if you choose to use them in your fleet, you’ll have to take the unique specifications of these longer lorries into account. This could mean new route plans, new risk assessments, and extra safety checks.
You may also have to rethink your current driver training programme. And because, in theory, LSTs mean fewer journeys overall, you’ll also have to revise your scheduling, record-keeping, and loading procedures.
But again, the potential benefits are hard to ignore. More than 300 companies took part in a trial testing the use of LSTs on UK roads. Across the 11 years of the trial, fleets have reported a cumulative reduction of 70,000 tonnes of CO2 and 97 tonnes of NOx.
Get Help With Changes to Your Fleet
If you’re thinking of making any changes to your fleet, your training, or your operations, we’re here to help. At Anthony Jones we specialise in insurance for the transport and logistics sector. If you have any questions about your legal obligations as a driver or fleet manager, call us on 020 8290 9099 or email commercial.motor@anthonyjones.com.
