The Testers Manual

3.9 Examples of latest type Ministry and Manufacturer's Plates

1. 'Ministry' and manufacturer's plates are usually located inside the vehicle cab and on the nearside. The example left shows the VTG 8T, latervehicles may display a VTG 6T.

2. On 'Ministry' and manufacturer's plates there is provision to show vehicle 'DESIGN WEIGHTS' also 'WEIGHTS NOT TO BE EXCEEDED IN GREAT BRITAIN' (GB WEIGHTS). In cases where there is not a 'DESIGN GROSS WEIGHT' shown on a plate then the 'GROSS GB WEIGHT' is used for brake percentage efficiency calculations. Some vehicles first used before 1968 may not be fitted with a 'ministry' plate or a manufacturer's plate displaying gross weight. The brake percentage efficiency of such vehicles must be determined by Decelerometer Test - (See Subsection 3.7 B1) Note: If the presented vehicle is fitted with a ministry plate, then the information displayed on that plate relating to axle, gross vehicle and gross train weight will always override the information displayed on the manufacturer's plate. The registration number and chassis number on the ministry plate must be cross checked to ensure the plate relates to that vehicle.