Retrofitting regulations for motor vehicles with over 3m front overhang come into force on 1 April 2024

The Federal Council decides on improved safety standards for vehicles. Motorised vehicles with a front overhang of more than 3 m that are used for maintenance work in public areas are now treated in the same way as agricultural and forestry vehicles and must therefore be retrofitted in accordance with Art. 112 Para. 5 & Para. 6 of the VTS.

This means:

Motor vehicles with 3-4m overhang (steering wheel centre to front of attachment) must be retrofitted with a double mirror

Trucks with 4-5m overhang (steering wheel centre to front of attachment) must be retrofitted with a proven camera system

Motorised vehicles with an overhang of up to 9 m (special permit required) must be retrofitted with a tested camera system and still require an additional escort vehicle

Retrofitting tractor with 3m front overhang

The definition of a trailer is also new. Previously, trailers were considered to be work trailers if they were not used to transport goods, but were used as work equipment and had at most a small load capacity for tools and operating materials. According to the revised regulations, the tools are considered trailers

if they do not have an independent working function, but complement the working function of the towing vehicle and are equipped with special connections for this purpose

if they are equipped with work equipment for the operational maintenance of the infrastructure in the normal profile as defined by the NSV7, which transport a load over short distances, which they pick up or deliver on the journey without operating personnel outside the vehicle

The revised regulations will enter into force on 1 April 2024.

Ordinance on the Technical Requirements for Road Vehicles (VTS) (PDF) – German