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| Carrying Goods and Passengers By: |
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| 22-Nov-2007 |
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| Question: |
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We have quite a dispute at my company about this, maybe you know someone who can settle this for me?
According to one of our divisions who use only "bakkies" with normal code 8 licenses, but carrying goods for our customers, they say that their drivers do not need to have PrDP's?
Is this correct? According to my understanding, a driver must be in possession of a valid PrDP when carrying any "paying goods or passengers" In this case, we carry parcels to and from the airport and to the customer premises.
Thank you for all the good advice and always being ready to help
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The requirement for a PrDP (G) is somewhat different from the PrDP (P) - the first being for goods and the second for passengers.
Regulation 115 (1) (a) the gross vehicle mass (GVM) must exceed 3 500kg and (b) is a breakdown vehicle. This is different to the requirements for passengers where conveyance for reward is one of the criteria.
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| Towing a boat and trailer By: |
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| 07-Nov-2007 |
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I would like to know what the Road Traffic Act states regarding the towing of a boat plus a trailer behind it.
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A difficult question to answer! The regulatory requirements regarding the towing of a trailer (or combination of trailers) is based on the following points:
a) The TOTAL overall length of the combination of vehicles
b) The brakes on the trailer (or trailers)
c) The Maximum permissible mass (weight) being towed in relation to the tare of the vehicle
d) The maximum permissible mass (weight) being towed in relation to the engine power of the drawing vehicle (ie your car / bakkie)
THEN there is the whole aspect of loads on the vehicles (ie whether you will be overloaded) as well as the roadworthiness of the vehicles.
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| Carrying goods on Canopy By: |
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| 07-Sep-2007 |
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I would like to know: if you put something on a bakkie's canopy, how far can it go over?
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Regulation 246: Manner in which goods to be carried
No person shall operate on a public road a motor vehicle carrying any goods
(a) in such a manner as to come in contact with the surface of the public road on which the vehicle is being operated but a chain, known as a static chain, may be carried in contact with the surface of such road;
(b) in such a manner as to obscure the drivers view of traffic to the front or on either
Regulation 227: Projections in case of vehicle other than motor cycle, motor tricycle, motor quadrucycle or pedal cycle
No person shall operate a vehicle on a public road
(a) carrying any goods or fittings which project (i) either side of the longitudinal centre-line of the vehicle by more than (bb) 1,25 metres, 300 millimetres beyond the front end of the vehicle and 1,8 metres beyond the rear end of the vehicle.
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| Reflective markings on vehicles By: |
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| 18-Jul-2007 |
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| Question: |
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Please could you forward examples of reflector tapes on trucks and bakkies
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Regulation 192A
The following vehicles must have contour marking (side and rear)
*Goods vehicles GVM exceeding 10 000 kg;
*Goods vehicles with length exceeding 6,0m;
*Trailers GVM exceeding 3 500kg;
*All new trailers & buses from 01 July 2004;
*All bus & trailers from 01 January 2006.
The reflective material needs to be placed along the length and width of the vehicle.
[img]http://www.arrivealive.co.za/images/TheExpert.jpg[/img]
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| Roadworthiness of vehicle after accident By: |
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| 08-Jan-2007 |
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| Question: |
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I have a Mazda Midge 2000 model and It had a front smash by a hijacked vehicle. I have given it to a a panelbeater and my front chassis is bent. The panelbeater also welded the right side control arm onto the body of the vehicle and not onto the chassis of the car. I have differing views on the safety to drive this vehicle. The panelbeater states it is safe to drive the vehicle. I personally think it is not safe. Please can you advise me.
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The control arm moves up and down and pivots in a rubber mounting that is located inside a mounting bracket that is normally welded to the rigid part of the chassis/body.(The right side control arm can not be welded to the body.) This car does not have a chassis like a bakkie but has an intergrated chassis/body called a monocoque.Normally the wishbone inner mounting is welded to a strong/rigid part of the body/chassis. Moving the mounting point will also effect the suspension geometry (Wheel alignment) and will result in effected vehicle handling.
I suggest that the vehicle be repaired to original condition by the panel beater before the customer accepts it back. If he is in doubt - he must take it to his nearest AA Test & Drive center for an after accident inspection report. Hope this helps
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