Goods vehicles — including large vans — grossing at from 3.5 to 7.5 tonne and first registered between 1 October 2001 and December 31 2004 will now have to be retro-fitted with speed limiters that will restrict them to 56mph. The new law came into effect on 1 January.From 1 January 2008 the law will also apply to all vehicles first registered after 1 January 2005 and only used in Britain. Vehicles used in Europe and registered after 1 January 2005 are already affected.
Rental giant TLS reckons that few operators are aware of the new rules. When they realise the implications of the change they're likely to want to hire vehicles in the weight categories affected registered after 1 January 2005; for the rest of this year at least.
