Regulations regarding vehicles tranporting horses.

Article R312-1 of the Highway code

Registration

Braking system for trailers

The Highway code also makes provisions regarding the braking system.

Any trailer with a gross weight of over 750 kg (equivalent to half the tare weight of the towing vehicle) must be equipped with a braking system which allow it to brake automatically in the case of it breaking away from the towing vehicle during movement. The secondary link can only be used, once the main linking system has ruptured, as an emergency system and it should be used at a very moderate speed (article 317-18 of the Highway Code).

Definition of the permissible weight for each type of vehicle

The registration document of the towing vehicle indicates its own weight allowances.

• PTAC = Gross weight = Total laden weight = permissible weight for the vehicle and the trailer
• PTRA = GCWR = Gross combination weight rating

Weight that you may tow = GCWR – Gross weight of the vehicle or of the vehicle + trailer

Know and calculate the payload

The payload is the weight of the goods (in this case horses) which can be transported in a trailer or van. The registration document gives you the Gross weight and the tare weight

Payload = Gross weight – tare weight

Reminder of the abbreviations used

Tare weight (PV in French)= weight of the empty vehicle (or G1 = mass when empty)

Gross weight (PTAC in French) = total permissble laden weight (F2 = maximum laden mass permissble of the vehicle=> it is the maximum authorised laden weight of a vehcle or of a trailer.

GCWR or rolling weight (PTRA in French) = Gross combination weight rating (or F3 = Total permissble mass for the vehicle hitched to the trailer (this value is determined by the towing vehicle).

Actual total rolling weight (PTRR in French)

Maximum authorized load (PMA in French)

Calculation formulae

Towable weight = GCWR – Gross weight of the vehicle, or the total htched up weight (car + trailer)

Payload = Gross weight – tare weight

Weights and measurements allowed on the road

Weights

Actual total rolling weight (PTRR in French) :

• It is fobidden to drive a vehicle or hitched up vehicle where the actual rolling weight is above the authorised gross weight ;
• It is fobidden to drive a hitched up vehicle , an articulated vehicle or double road train where the actual total weight is above the GCWR (except in some conditions with a speed limit);
• It is forbidden to hitch up a trailer where the actual laden weight of the trailer exceeds the actual rolling weight of the towing vehicle by 1,3 times (unless the total weight of the two combined > 32 tonnes)

The gross laden weight must not exceed :

• 19 tonnes for an isolated vehicle or trailer with two axles ;
• 26 tonnes, for an isolated vehicle or trailer with 3 axles ;
• 32 tonnes, for an isolated vehicle of 4 axles or more ;
• 38 tonnes, for an articulated vehicle of 3 or 4 axles ;
• 40 tonnes, for an articulated vehicle of 5 axles or more ;
• For HGV vehicles, the gross laden weight of the trailer should not be more than 30 % heavier than the gross laden weight of the towing vehicle.

Note : When the weight exceeds these values by more than 5 % , the vehicle can be immobilised following the conditions in articles L L.325-1 to L.3256-3 of the Highway Code.

Measurements

• The total width of a vehicle or part of a vehcle must not be over :
  • 2,60m for refrigerated bodies ;
  • 2,55m for any other vehicle or part of vehicle.
• The length should not be over :
  • 12m for isolated trucks ;
  • 16,5m for an articulated truck or 18,5m for a rigid or semi rigid truck hitched up to a trailer.
• There is no maximum height, but any height over 4,3m requires compulsary signalling.

Note : Some trailers on the market are sold as not requiring a specific trailer driving licence. In these cases it is the Gross laden weight of the towing vehicle which should be taken into account. Be careful therefore of some of the larger 4 wheel drives which could bring the combined weight of the vehicle + the trailer to being over th 3,5 ton mark. The link below (summary of the  types of licence required depending on the towing vehicle and trailer) will give you the necessary information on the type of licence required depending on the trailer being towed.

Speed limits in relation to weight

The speed limit for vehicles with a gross weight of over 12 tons is 85 km/hour (article R317-6 of the Highway Code).

The authorized representative is responsible in the case of disrespect of the Highway Code regulations when a carrier is transporting on his behalf (overloading in particular, article R121-1 to 5 of the Highway code).

With regard to the Highway code, this mare hitched up to a gypsy caravan is considered as a vehicle. In fact, a vehicle, in the sense of the regulations in effect is « a means of transport, ridden, on wheels, driven or towed ».

This « vehicle » is therefore subject to the highway code.

From the first kilometer for a breeder transporting his own horses over a distance < 50km from the stud, as an economic activity

Minimum transport conditions

Minimum conditions for the equipment and fittings of the vehicle should be respoected, whatever the distance or the duration of transport (article 3, (EC) regulation 1/2005) :

• Keep travel time to a minimum and respect the animals’ needs during this time
• Animals should be fit to travel ;
• The vehicle should be equipped to allow loading and unloading of the animals safely without risk suffering ;
• The ground surface and the height should be adapted with regard to the animals to be transported (see maximum load densities) ;
• Food and water should be made available, and rest times respected with regard to the species and size of the animals transported;
• The personnel in charge of handling the animals shoud be trained, or have the necessary competencies to act without the use of violence and without frightening the animals.

For an economic operator carrying out transport from the first kilometer (except for a breeder transporting is own animals over less than 50 km)

Fitness of the animals for travel, treatment of the animals and minimum surfaces

See the fact sheet : Protecting horses during transport

Conditions for means of transport (<8hours within the EC)

• Any means of transport should be designed to avoid injury or suffering, and ensure the animals’ safety ;
• Protect the horses against the weather, extreme temperature, and unfavourable weather variations ;
• The animals should not be able to escape of or fall;
• Have partitions to seperate the animals, expect for mares with their foals ;
• Have an anti-slip flooring, which reduces leakage of urine and droppings ;
• Have an adapted loading and unloading ramp (side protections when the ramp slope is over 10%) ;
• Have access to the animals and a source of light to inspect and/or take care of them;
• Have sufficient ventilation with regard to the size and space required by the animals;
• Regularly clean and disinfect;
• Have a caution sign indicating  « Livestock transport » or « Caution Horses ».

For an economic operator performing long duration transport- additional conditions

Conditions applicable to the means of transport (>8 hours and within the EC and International)

In addition to the conditions for short duration transport (see above), vehicles used for long duration transport must be equipped with the following :

• A light coloured, insulated roof;
• Appropriate bedding for the comfort of the animals and to absorb urine and droppings ;
• A system to water the animals or access to the aniùmals to supply them with water and food (lateral door) and water containers;
• Individual stalls suited to the size of the animals to separate them, with the exception of a brood mare and her foal ;
• A ventilation system to maintain the inside temperature between 5 and 30°C (when in movement or stopped), a tolerance of +/- 5°C with regard to the outside temperature, and with a 4 hour autonomy;
• A temperature monitoring system which registers the temperature data, and with an alert signal for the driver ;
• A navigation system which will transmit information regarding position (only for unregistered horses i.e. not registered with a stud book).

Note : Unbroken horses (who cannot be tied up) must not be transported on long duration journeys.

APPROVAL OF VEHICLES – Approval certificate for transport vehicles

The competent authority will deliver an approval certificate on request for transport means used for long duration journeys (>8 hours within the EC) if the vehicle has :

• Been inspected;
• Declared compliant to transport conditions required (<8hours) plus the additional conditions for long duration travel.

Consult, depending on your department the DDCSPP (Local authrity for social cohesion and population protection, which can be the DSV, i.e. French veterinary services or the DDPP ( Local authority for the protection of populations). You will fill in a form and the vehicle inspection will be carried out. A certificate bearing a unique number will be delivered by the Prefecture, this is valid for 5 years maximum.

You will find the above form and the explanatory notes on the website :  www.mesdemarches.agriculture.gouv.fr

Summary of the types of licence required de^pending on the towing vehicule and trailer

Note : Regarding the obligation to keep a transport register and a road log book, you can also consult  definition of a « registered horse

• Highway Code (particularly article R221-4, article R312-1 to 25)
• Decree dated 8th August 1999
• Decree n°2011-1475 dated 9th November 2011 which includes several of the regulatory measures of the EC directive 2016/126 relative to driving licences.
• Decree dated 20th April 2012 establishing the conditions for the delivery and validity of a driving licence.
• Decree dated 21st December 2012 which modifies articles 4 and 8 of the decree dated 20th April 2012 establishing the conditions for the delivery and validity of a driving licence.
• EU Directive 2012/36 of the Commission dated 19th November 2012 which modifies EC directive 2006/126 of the European parlement and Council relative to driving licences.

Regulatory reference texts relative to the transport of animals :

• Regulation (EC) n°1/2005 of the EU council dated 22nd december 2004
• Rural Code book II,  1st heading chapter IV section 3 Transport
• Decree dated 5th November 1996 modified
• Memorandum 2007-8274 dated 13th November 2007
• Memorandum 2007-8192 dated 3rd August 2007
• Memorandum DGAL/SDSSA/N2007-8016, dated 16th January 2007