Is a Company Van Covered Under PUWER? The Rules Made Clear
- Nexus Examination
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
If you run vans for work, it is easy to get tangled up over which rules apply. You have the MOT, you have road traffic law, and then someone mentions PUWER and you are not sure where it fits. Here is a straight answer on whether a company van is covered under PUWER, how it overlaps with road traffic law, and what you actually need to do.
Is a Company Van Covered Under PUWER?
Yes, in principle. A company van is work equipment, so PUWER applies to it. In practice, though, road traffic law does most of the work for a van used on the public road. PUWER bites hardest on any work equipment fitted to the van, and on vans used off the public highway.
So the answer is not as simple as a flat yes or no. We carry out PUWER examinations across Berkshire and the surrounding counties, and the overlap between PUWER and road rules is one of the things businesses ask us about most.
How PUWER and Road Traffic Law Overlap
For a van used on the public road, the main legal mechanism is road traffic law, including the MOT, the Construction and Use Regulations, and your duty to keep the vehicle maintained. Meeting those requirements generally covers the equivalent PUWER concerns for the vehicle on the road.
The HSE's own guidance on driving for work reflects this, focusing on roadworthiness, daily checks and not overloading rather than a separate PUWER inspection for the van itself. In our experience, this is the bit that confuses people: the van is covered, but the everyday roadworthiness duties sit under road traffic law.
Where PUWER Really Applies to Your Van
PUWER comes into its own in two areas that road traffic law does not fully deal with.
Equipment Fitted to the Van
Tail lifts, vehicle-mounted cranes, tipping bodies and racking are all work equipment in their own right. Tail lifts and cranes are also lifting equipment, which means they fall under LOLER and need a thorough examination at set intervals. If your vans carry this kind of kit, our LOLER examinations cover the lifting side, and PUWER covers the rest.
Vans Used Off the Public Road
A van driven and used in a yard, depot or on a site is workplace transport, and PUWER applies more directly there. Road traffic law is built around public roads, so once you are off the highway, the work equipment duties carry more weight.
What This Means for Your Business
Pulling it together, the practical duties for a work van come down to a clear list:
Keep the van roadworthy and maintained, with a valid MOT
Have drivers carry out and record daily walk-around checks
Make sure any tail lift, crane or tipping gear is examined under LOLER or PUWER as required
Do not overload the van, and secure loads and equipment properly
Only let trained, licensed drivers use it
Keep records of checks, maintenance and examinations
Get those in place and you have covered both the road traffic side and the PUWER side without duplicating effort.
The Bottom Line on Vans and PUWER
A company van is covered by PUWER, but for normal road use, road traffic law does the heavy lifting. The part most businesses miss is the equipment bolted to the van, which often needs a proper examination of its own.
If your vans carry lifting or tipping gear, that is where to focus. Our thorough examination services cover that equipment, so the bits road traffic law leaves out do not get forgotten.
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