What is an Abnormal Indivisible Load?
An Abnormal Indivisible Load (or ‘AIL’) is a load that cannot, without undue expense or risk of damage, be divided into two or more loads for purposes of being carried on the road network. Often, AILs must be carried on specialised vehicles. There are various ‘standard vehicle regulations’ that set out requirements vehicles must comply with in order to be used on the road network. Vehicles that do not comply with the standard vehicle regulations cannot be used on the road network. AIL vehicles (or ‘AILVs’) can only be used on the road if they comply with the Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003 regulations. In addition, the Secretary of State, using powers conferred to him by the Road Traffic Act 1988, can permit exceptionally large or heavy AILs to be transported by road. However, before granting either Special Order permits or VR1 permits, he will want to be sure that it is not feasible for the load to be transported by water and that the proposed road
